Meloni calls for Spain's Schengen suspension

Spain has reinstated temporary border checks on travelers arriving from Italy by air and sea in the latest escalation of a dispute over migration and the Schengen border-free zone. The checks will remain in place until the 7th of September, a week after Italy introduced similar controls on travelers from Spain. Italy took the step after about 78,000 migrants from Morocco arrived in Spain's Ceuta. Spanish authorities say that 70,000 people have since returned to Morocco. Spain says 80 people died during the crossings, while Moroccan rights groups put the toll at least at 141. Spain demanded that Italy lift its checks by Sunday, but Rome rejected the demand and said that the measures would remain until at least August 15. Italy, which does not share a land border with Spain, called its air and sea security. The dispute has also spilled into the Schengen zone, with Meloni among the EU leaders calling for Spain to be suspended. Though such a move is not legally possible, but Spain has warned against creating rifts within Europe, as the dispute highlights differences between Pedro Sanchez and Giorgio Meloni over migration policy. Meanwhile, the EU has held talks with Meta and TikTok over disinformation linked to the Ceuta surge. A rumour that the border was open is believed to have spread online. EU Tech Commissioner Hena Werkenen called for more monitoring and stronger cooperation with fact-checkers.