UK agrees to ‘fluid border' between Gibraltar and Spain
The UK has agreed to a fluid border between Gibraltar and Spain, clearing the way to finalise a post-Brexit deal on the territory with the EU.
Under the agreement, checks will not be required on people crossing the border.
There will be dual border control checks for arrivals by air at Gibraltar airport, carried out by Gibraltar and Spanish officials.
Talks on rules governing the border have been ongoing since Britain left the European Union in 2020.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the agreement was a 'breakthrough' after years of uncertainty and that the UK's commitment to Gibraltar 'remains as solid as the Rock itself'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Fire at leisure centre on third night of disorder in Ballymena
A fire broke out at Larne Leisure Centre following vandalism at the facility during several nights of disorder in Northern Ireland. Masked individuals smashed windows at the leisure centre in Co Antrim on Wednesday and set fires outside which spread inside. The attack coincided with a third night of public disorder in the town of Ballymena, 30 minutes away from Larne. Local Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly said in a social media post: 'Larne leisure centre has been attacked by masked thugs. 'Windows smashed and fires lit nearby. Larne does not need this.' The PSNI deployed riot police in Ballymena for a third night as a significant crowd gathered around the Clonavon Terrace area. Demonstrators who gathered on Bridge Street near the residential area were told to disperse shortly before 9pm after a firework was thrown at officers. Officers also used dog units and drones in their response to the gathering. Riot police with shields advanced on the crowd to disperse them. Missiles were thrown at officers in the Clonavon Terrace area on Wednesday night. Earlier, a senior officer said the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) had requested support from colleagues in the rest of the UK following further violence in Ballymena. PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the force would be bringing extra officers, vehicles and equipment to areas where unrest has flared. He said there were disgraceful scenes in Belfast, Lisburn, Coleraine, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey on Tuesday, as businesses, homes and cars were attacked and damaged. By Wednesday, six individuals had been arrested for public order offences, and one was charged. Over 30 police officers injured British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he 'utterly condemns' violence which left 32 police officers injured after the second night of disturbances. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has warned that the rioting 'risks undermining' the criminal justice process into an allegation of a sex attack on a teenage girl in Ballymena at the weekend. Stormont ministers have also made an urgent appeal for calm and said the justice process had to be allowed to take its course. Providing an update on the policing operation on Wednesday, Mr Henderson said: 'We are taking steps to increase available resources and are surging a significant number of extra officers, vehicles and equipment to those areas where the rioting is taking place. 'This will have an impact on our community, this will take away vital resources needed to police other areas.' He said they have requested about 80 officers through mutual aid. Riot police block a road in Ballymena following a second night of violence in Ballymena Picture: Jonathan McCambridge/PA Wire Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons, Mr Starmer condemned the 'mindless attacks' against police. 'I utterly condemn the violence that we have seen overnight in Ballymena and in other parts of Northern Ireland, including against PSNI officers,' Mr Starmer told MPs. 'It's absolutely vital that the PSNI are given the time they need to investigate the incidents concerned rather than face mindless attacks as they seek to bring peace and order to keep people safe.' In a joint statement, ministers from across the Stormont powersharing Executive, which includes Sinn Féin, DUP, Alliance Party and UUP, said those involved in disorder have nothing to offer society but 'division and disorder'. First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly later appeared together to voice their condemnation. Sinn Féin vice-president Ms O'Neill told reporters in Belfast: 'It's pure racism, there is no other way to dress it up.' She said ministers stood full-square with the young girl who was subject to the alleged sex attack but added the criminal justice system must be allowed to deal with that case. 'Separate to that is the racism that we're seeing… people being firebombed out of their homes, people having their doors knocked in, having their windows being smashed, families being intimidated,' Ms O'Neill added. 'That is absolutely unacceptable and everything that needs to be done to bring it to an end is our focus in terms of the engagement we have with the PSNI.' Ms Little-Pengelly described the scenes in Ballymena as 'unacceptable thuggery', adding: 'We've been in contact with the chief constable, and in constant contact with the PSNI throughout last night in terms of what was happening on the ground. 'I think today is about sending a very clear message that violence is wrong, it is entirely unacceptable. It must stop.' With the protests focused in predominantly loyalist areas in Ballymena, Ms O'Neill said she did not believe it would be helpful for her to visit in the current context. A police car drives past a burnt-out overturned car on the street following a second night of violence in Ballymena. 'Violence needs to stop' DUP MLA Ms Little-Pengelly met residents in the town on Wednesday and said the local community are in fear and wanted the violence to stop. 'The key message here today is around that violence, and that the violence needs to stop, that's what the community wants to put across, and that's why I'm here to send that very clear and united message from right throughout the community and local residents for that to stop,' she said. Police said their officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks and fireworks thrown in their direction in the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena on Tuesday night. The PSNI deployed riot police, fired plastic baton rounds, and used water cannon as well as dog units as part of its response to the disorder. Police also reported that 'sporadic disorder' had also occurred in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus, as well as incidents in north Belfast. The violence began around Clonavon Terrace on Monday night following an earlier peaceful protest which was organised in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area. Two teenage boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged.
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
UK's POSHEST nursery with gourmet chef's tasting menu & kids potty trained on marble loos… but is it worth £150 a DAY?
IT COSTS £150 a day — and comes with marble loos, Mandarin lessons and a gourmet tasting menu. Welcome to Odyssey, the UK's poshest nursery, where toddlers are potty trained in luxury and dine like mini royals. Advertisement 6 One parent reportedly mistook the menu for a high-end restaurant's tasting course Credit: The Odyssey 6 Children are introduced to French, Spanish and Mandarin between their story circles and sensory play Credit: The Odyssey 6 The setting reflects a growing appetite in the capital for globally minded early years education Credit: The Odyssey Based in Marylebone, central London, this lavish early-years setting has just opened in a Grade II-listed former prep school, offering a blend of elite childcare, plush interiors and a 'global' outlook — including marble loos for potty training. The nursery, which hails from Singapore and is built on the Reggio Emilia philosophy of child-led learning, is the first of its kind in the UK. Spread across three pristine, light-filled floors, Odyssey caters to children from infancy up to five years old, offering everything from multilingual education to music lessons in a dedicated 'jam room.' Angela Ang, head of school, explained: 'Our philosophy is 'learning without boundaries', so we believe learning doesn't only take place in the rooms, it takes place anywhere.' Advertisement Read more on Fabulous For £150 a day — or £690 for a full five-day week — little ones are served three gourmet meals prepared by an in-house chef, all NHS-accredited. But this is no ordinary nursery food. Think free-range pork loin with leek and cauliflower gratin, or spanakopita with tzatziki. One parent reportedly mistook the menu for a high-end restaurant's tasting course. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Still, Odyssey isn't just about luxury lunches. Children are introduced to French, Spanish and Mandarin between their story circles and sensory play. Each room is designed with natural materials and educational themes, encouraging hands-on exploration and creativity. There's a bespoke library, a spacious art studio, and even a climbing wall outside. Advertisement Upstairs, children preparing for primary school learn about science, sustainability, maths and literacy through structured play. Ang said: 'We observe the needs of the children, their interests, and we provide materials based on what they enjoy.' Technology plays a subtle role too. 'We give the children iPads,' she said. Advertisement What help is available to parents for childcare costs? CHILDCARE can be a costly business. Here is how you can get help. 30 hours of free childcare - Parents of three and four-year-olds can apply for 30 hours of free childcare a week. To qualify you must work at least 16 hours a week at the national living or minimum wage and earn less than £100,000 a year. Tax credits - For children under 20, some families can get help with childcare costs. Tax-free childcare - Available to working families and the self-employed, for every £8 you put in the government will add an extra £2. 'If we're learning about shapes, for example, they might find a circle in their environment, snap a photo, and we project it onto the screen so everyone can see each other's work.' The focus, she insists, is not just on ticking off academic milestones. 'We want them to leave with lifelong learning skills — soft skills, open-mindedness, resilience and a willingness to take risks,' said Ang. The setting reflects a growing appetite in the capital for globally minded early years education. Advertisement With Singapore's education system topping international rankings, Odyssey hopes to translate its success to a London audience who expect high quality — and are prepared to pay for it. In an age when many nurseries in the capital charge more than £100 per day, often with additional fees for meals or longer hours, Odyssey's all-in model, while eye-watering, is not entirely out of step. Parents across England are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare for children aged three and four, with up to 30 hours for working families, but many London nurseries charge well above the funded hours. Odyssey also prides itself on being inclusive, catering to both mainstream children and those with special educational needs and disabilities. Advertisement The nursery is yet to be rated by Ofsted but says it's committed to top-tier educational outcomes and pastoral care. 6 Upstairs, children preparing for primary school learn about science, sustainability, maths and literacy through structured play Credit: The Odyssey 6 With Singapore's education system topping international rankings, Odyssey hopes to translate its success to a London audience Credit: The Odyssey 6 The nursery is yet to be rated by Ofsted but says it's committed to top-tier educational outcomes and pastoral care Credit: The Odyssey Advertisement
Irish Post
5 hours ago
- Irish Post
In Ireland cattle is still king, but for how long?
AMERICAN firm Stacy May memorably declared that 'in the Irish economy cattle is king' when it released its economic report in the 1950s. 75 years later, the cattle and beef industry is still going strong, although they now share the economic crown with tech and pharmaceuticals. But behind the rolling green fields and premium quality beef, the industry faces a dual challenge: climate pressure at home and market instability abroad. Ireland's mild, wet climate makes it perfect for grass-growing year-round, which in turn is ideal for cattle farming. This natural setup allows cows to graze freely, reducing the need for indoor housing and expensive feed imports. From a welfare and economic standpoint, it's a win-win: lower costs and happier herds. Grass-fed cattle are not just a selling point for foreign markets; they also form the backbone of Irish dairy and beef production. Grass-based diets have long been linked with more nutritious and better-tasting meat and milk. This green image is a key selling point abroad, but it may also be its Achilles' heel. Despite the idyllic image of cattle grazing under the Irish sun, or more often the Irish rain, the environmental cost is particularly high. Methane from cattle digestion is a lot more potent than CO₂ as a greenhouse gas. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that the average cow emits around 2.3 metric tonnes of CO₂ a year. Agriculture now accounts for about a third of Ireland's total emissions. Despite a livestock population of over seven million cattle and five million sheep, Ireland did not meet its 2020 EU emissions targets and could now face potential penalties. Alongside Malta, it is one of just two EU member states that missed its carbon reduction goals. Various ways to tackle this have been raised over the years, including modifying cattle diets to include lower-fibre feed or using biodigesters to recycle manure. One promising solution involves sending any money from EU fines towards establishing a national institute for sustainable agriculture research. Such a centre could explore new practices like silvopasture, which integrates tree planting into grazing areas, which has shown promise in Spain with the famed acorn-fed Jamón Ibérico pork. Not only do trees trap carbon, but they also provide shelter and food sources for livestock. Offsetting emissions through tree planting, especially with native trees like oak, could also make a big difference. With beef and dairy consumption slowly falling each year across Europe, the industry faces both economic and environmental headwinds. Helping farmers adapt now could help in the long term and position Ireland as a global leader in sustainable agriculture. Currently, Irish beef prices have reached record levels, driven by tight supplies across Britain and Europe. Live exports are up 17%, which amounts to roughly 34,000 head. While a fall in calf registrations, along with decreasing suckler and dairy cow numbers, is tightening the supply line. Ireland's overall number of cattle fell by over 200,000 in 2024, a 3.3% decrease. Suckler cows fell by 6.2%, and dairy herds shrank by 2%, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO). These numbers are echoed throughout Europe. The European Commission expects a 1% drop in beef production in 2025 and projects a 0.6 million tonne reduction by 2035. Suckler cow numbers alone are forecast to fall 11% EU-wide during this time. Britain faces similar shortfalls. The suckler cow population dropped by nearly 5%, although the dairy herd grew slightly. Disease outbreaks like bluetongue in Europe have also added to cattle supply chain issues. Ireland's reputation for premium beef is seen as a big selling point internationally, including recent access to the South Korean market. After a two-decade absence due to BSE-related bans, Irish beef returned to Korean shelves in May 2024. A recent trade mission to Seoul, led by Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon, aimed to strengthen trade between the two countries. 'Korean consumers associate beef as being the top purchase for protein,' Heydon said. 'Grass-fed beef is considered the healthier option, which fits very well with our Irish product.' With four Irish processors now certified to export to Korea and the first shipments already there, Bord Bia seems quite confident for the future. Although 2024 food exports to Korea amounted to only €36 million, a small portion of the €17 billion global total, the priority seems to be forming long-term partnerships. 'The value is in the values,' said Bord Bia CEO Jim O'Toole, noting Korean interest in both quality and sustainability. Ireland's cattle and beef industry is entering a new era. On one hand, it enjoys strong global demand, especially in premium markets. On the other, it faces existential environmental challenges and continuing decline in Europe. If cattle is still king, it's a monarch facing very modern challenges. See More: Beef, Cattle, Economy, Martin Heydon, South Korea
