introduces

NEW rules have come into which will ban ALL pub crawls in a major Spanish city.

The classic activity popular with locals and tourists alike is now totally banned, whatever the time of day or night.

The ban on promoting, organising or running pub crawls has been extended to cover the entire area of Barcelona at all hours of the day, and comes into force on October 29, 2025.

The move aims to “ensure peaceful coexistence, safeguard residents’ right to rest and protect public health“.

The new rule, which also prohibits advertising related activities in any form, has been agreed following a public consultation.

A spokesman for Barcelona city council. “Pub crawling is a business that takes customers on organised drinking tours to a series of establishments that offer discounted alcoholic drinks.

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“It typically involves quickly consuming one or more low-quality drinks before heading to the next stop.

“This activity has been identified as a risk factor that causes disturbances in neighbourhoods, puts extra strain on public spaces and potentially leads to criminal behaviour or road safety violations.”

Organisers face fines ranging up to €3,000 (£2,641), while participants are exempt from fines, they could face them for other infractions like drinking in the streets or causing disruptions. 

Until now, pub crawls were only banned in the districts of Ciutat Vella, since 2012, and L’Eixample, since June 1, 2025.

The restrictions here were mainly focused on nighttime hours, from 7pm to 7am.

The new rules that have been introduced are for a permanent ban that applies 24 hours a day, all year-round, rather than being only seasonal.

This has been approved and will be in force for four years.

According to the city council, data provided by the police indicates that the ban on alcohol routes in Ciutat Vella and L’Eixample has worked.

They say it  has “contributed to significantly reducing the number of activities detected and has facilitated their prevention, thanks to the early detection of the offer through social networks”.

The city council says the ban has been well-received in the Ciutat Vella district, with only three fines issued last year, and authorities believe it will have a similar impact citywide.

Pub crawls have been hugely popular in Barcelona and have been widely promoted on the internet.

These have attracted hundreds of thousands of people every year and bringing in a huge income.

Most pub crawls lasted for at least six hours and others up to 24 hours, but now organisers have started to post “now unavailable” messages on their websites.

These aren’t the only rules that have been introduced, across Spain there are been lots of new sanctions put in place to stop bad behaviour.

New rules range from not wearing swimwear in towns or cities, to smoking bans, and monitoring noise complaints.

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The next time you visit Spain, check out these tips by one man who visits at least 8 times a year and how to avoid the common tourist mistakes.

Plus, check out these 12 stunning and cheap destinations Spaniards love that Brits have never heard of.

Local authorities in holiday hotspot Albufeira, Portugal, have warned that the new rules will be “enforced strictly” and that the code of conduct will be in place year-round

Tourists now face fines for misplacing shopping trolleys in a popular European destination keen to crack down on bad behaviour.

British travellers visiting Portugal this year risk fines of over £1,570 for breaking new public rules in the popular holiday destination of Albufeira. The fines range from a minimum of €150 to €1800 (£130-£1570) for ignoring tightened restrictions, which include misplacing shopping trolleys, lighting barbecues on the beach, and creating excessive noise.

Local authorities have warned that the rules will be “enforced strictly” and that the code of conduct will be in place year-round.

Over the years, Albufeira has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Portugal. With its stunning coastline, buzzing nightlife, and holiday appeal, it is easy to see why it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. But that popularity has come with some cost.

READ MORE: Hotels and airports overwhelmed as visitors to one country dump their bagsREAD MORE: I rang up the AI travel agent that’s so good people have asked it out on dates

A small number of visitors are engaging in disruptive, disrespectful or even dangerous behaviour. This has had an outsized impact on the town’s quality of life, particularly in peak season. From rowdy public drunkenness to inappropriate conduct in public spaces, these incidents have prompted concern from residents, visitors, business owners, and local authorities.

Following a year of work, the local authorities have unveiled a new code of conduct. It was put together through consultation with police, businesses and civil society organisations.

Signs have been placed across the city centre area to remind tourists and locals alike of the new rules. Authorities say the crackdown follows several high-profile incidents of disruptive behaviour last year, including viral videos of British tourists engaging in indecent acts on the main party strip.

Fines being introduced in Albufeira include:

• Wearing swimwear outside of authorised areas – €300 to €1,500 (£260–£1,300)
• Street drinking, urination or defecation in public – €300 to €1,500
• Public nudity or sexual acts in public – €500 to €1,800 (£435–£1,570)
• Sleeping in public or unauthorised camping – €150 to €750 (£130–£650)
• Spitting in public – €150 to €750 (£130–£660)
• Abandoning shopping trolleys/carts – €150 to €750

“With a €144 million investment in projects across the municipality over the last four years, Portugal is pushing to protect locals and keep its reputation as a family friendly destination.” an expert at One Sure Insurance explains.

“We are seeing fines introduced across Europe which could lead to tourists being caught out. Portugal is looking to introduce some steep fines, so we are asking British travellers to consider these new rules when on holiday to avoid unexpected costs to their trip.”

If you’re concerned about accidentally breaking one of the rules, you can speak to tourist information offices, hotel staff, your country’s consulate or local police for more details. In emergencies, dial 112.

MARKS & Spencer is making a major change to all of its stores this Christmas – with more staff set to work on Boxing Day for the first time in five years.

The retailer is ending its recent tradition of keeping most shops shut on the bank holiday as it gears up for one of the busiest trading periods of the year.

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The change will impact stores across the UK, as M&S looks to boost its post-Christmas operations and ensure shelves are fully restocked.

According to The Guardian, around a quarter of store employees will now be required to work on Boxing Day, while all staff must work at least one of December, 26, 27 or 28.

A document from Marks & Spencer seen by the publication revealed that last year, over 40 per cent of permanent staff and 30 per cent of seasonal workers did not work on one of those peak days.

The retailer said this caused knock-on issues with replenishing stock and maintaining store standards.

To avoid similar problems this year, it stated that “all colleagues must play their part to deliver a successful Christmas.”

Jayne Wall, operations director for Marks & Spencer, said: “Christmas at Marks and Spencer is very special and we are grateful to our hardworking colleagues who make our stores great places for our customers to shop.

“Like most retailers, we always have some colleagues in our stores and depots on Boxing Day to help reset.

However, this year we will have more colleagues working than previously so we are in great shape to welcome customers on 27 December.”

The change marks a significant shift for M&S, which decided to close most of its stores on Boxing Day in 2020 as a gesture of thanks after staff worked tirelessly throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

The retailer had continued the policy since then, saying it wanted to give employees a “much-deserved extended break with their family and loved ones.”

However, this year’s move comes after a turbulent few months for the business.

M&S was hit by a major cyber attack over Easter, which caused widespread disruption to its systems and operations.

The company has since faced staff shortages and logistical challenges, prompting the change in Christmas staffing.

Not all employees are happy about the decision.

Some have said they feel pressured into accepting additional hours during what is usually considered a family holiday.

One M&S worker said: “This has been an incredibly difficult year for colleagues dealing with the cyber incident and the company has been reluctant to give extra hours to stores, so many stores are dealing with low colleague numbers.

“After such a hard time many colleagues feel this is an extra slap in the face.”

Another team member is reported to have written on the retailer’s internal messaging platform expressing disappointment at the move.

They said: “Over recent months it’s been recognised that colleagues have gone above and beyond, doing everything asked of them to keep standards high and deliver excellent service during very challenging times.

“That’s why it feels especially disheartening that Christmas – such a precious time for family – is being disrupted for so many of us.

“Instead of feeling rewarded for our commitment, it comes across more like a punishment.”

HISTORY OF M&S

M&S was founded in 1884 by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer in Leeds.

The first official Marks and Spencer store opened in Manchester in 1901.

Throughout the 1920s, M&SA gre rapidly, opening more and more stores across the country.

The retailer made its reputation in the early 20th century by selling only British-made products.

It began textile sales in 1926 and started selling food from 1931.

The St Michael trademark was introduced in 1928 as a guarantee of quality and value.

This was initially used only for a small range of textiles but was extended over the years to cover all goods sold by M&S.

M&S introduced its first in-store cafe in 1935 in the Leeds store.

It provided cheap, hygienic, and nutritious mass catering.

By 1942, M&S opened 82 cafes across its estate.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, M&S had 234 stores.

By 1945, over 100 of these had been damaged by bombs, and 16 had been completely destroyed.

BY 1960, M&S pioneered in the sale of fresh poultry following the invention of the cold-chain process.

In the 1970s and 1980s, M&S pushed into international markets including the US, Canada and France. 

In 1979, M&S introduced the Chicken Kiev to its food halls across the UK.

In 1992, Percy Pigs were launched.

The Autograph range of clothing was introduced in 2000, and the St Michael brand was slowly phased out.

In 2019, the group announced 110 store closures as part of its plans, affecting several longstanding high-street shops.

In September 2020, M&S partnered with Ocado to allow for home delivery of the chain’s full food range.

M&S has recently announced new stores and is freshening up a swathe of others in a boost for shoppers.

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SHARON Osbourne has shared a glimpse into her life without Ozzy – and how she is being helped by Kelly and a winged friend.

TV star Sharon – who lost her beloved husband Ozzy in July – has ‘found her smile again’ after getting into falconry with daughter Kelly.

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Alongside the heart-warming clip, Kelly said: “Today I introduced my mum to falconry and she loved it! Thank you @gerardsulter for putting a smile on my mum’s face too!”

“Mum, put your hand out,” Kelly instructs in the video.

Wearing a checked shirt, jeans and a leopard-print hat with dark-rimmed glasses, Ozzy’s daughter exudes the confidence of a professional owl handler.

As Sharon receives the bird, she regretfully says: “I don’t have anything to give you. Come on.”

Fans praised the sight and wrote: “There she is!!!! We’ve all missed seeing Sharon. Thank you Kelly.”

“Absolutely love this! So glad you both have somewhat of a distraction,” penned a second.

“So happy to see this! All the positive and healing vibes to you and your family,” remarked a third.

A fourth shared: “Spiritually, the owl symbolises wisdom, intuition, and a connection to the spirit world due to its nocturnal nature and ability to see in the dark. Lovely that your mum enjoyed it too.”

“I love this family more so for being so real, honest and vulnerable for all to see. The Osbourne’s have always embraced imperfection. They also embraced love,” praised a fifth.

Dressed in black with a white T-shirt, the star looked calm in the open field surrounded by dark skies.

Kelly previously shared a photo of herself with an owl and explained: “In all my sadness and grief I have found something that truly makes me happy!

“I never thought I would find my smile again through falconry but I did. I absolutely love being with the birds!” 

Last month, The Sun revealed how a documentary into the late star’s life had suddenly been pulled.

The special, which was called Coming Home, mysteriously vanished from the BBC schedule just 11 days after it was announced.

Filmed over three years, the documentary gave “unique and intimate access” to the whole family, including Ozzy, Sharon, 72, son Jack, 39, and daughter Kelly, 39.

It documents the late rocker’s life as he tried to peruse his dream of moving permanently back to the UK, after living in LA for decades.

The moving film was originally going to be called Home to Roost, however the project moved in a different direction as Ozzy’s health deteriorated.

Ozzy’s family, friends and fans were left devastated when it was revealed the heavy metal star had died aged 76 on July 22.

Speaking about postponing the documentary, a BBC spokesperson told The Sun: “Our sympathies are with the Osbourne family at this difficult time.

“We are respecting the family’s wishes to wait a bit longer before airing this very special film.

“The new tx date will be confirmed shortly.”

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Welcome to Screen Gab, the newsletter for everyone who likes to plan ahead.

Schools are (mostly) back in session, and the threat of pumpkin spice has already made the marketing rounds — it’s still summer, but the fall scaries have crept in. As some of us try to process how we’re basically a sneeze away from 2026, there’s at least comfort in knowing there’s a promising slate of new films and TV shows to keep us entertained as we hurtle through time. For our special Fall Preview issue, The Times staff gathered to share our picks for the most anticipated movies and TV shows to watch this fall: from a Bruce Springsteen biopic to the movie version of Stephen King’s “The Running Man” and the “Wicked” sequel, here’s our list of 21 films to be excited about; meanwhile, the Jude Law-Jason Bateman-led “Black Rabbit,” the docuseries “Mr. Scorsese” and broadcast comedy “DMV” are among the 16 intriguing shows in our TV roundup.

(Sian Roper / For The Times)

But, hey, we get it if you’d rather not think about the future just yet. In fact, the theme of this week’s Screen Gab is all about traveling back in time. Our streaming recommendations include a documentary exploring the quirky style and misunderstood message of art-rock band Devo, and a reminder of 2003 HBO drama “Carnivale,” which starred Amy Madigan long before she was creeping us out with her chilling performance in “Weapons.” Plus, Matthew B. Roberts, the showrunner behind Starz’s expanding “Outlander” universe, discusses the new prequel series and the art of making love letters swoon-worthy.

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Recommendations from the film and TV experts at The Times

The members of Devo in director Chris Smith’s documentary about the band.

(Barry Schultz)

“Devo” (Netflix)

They are Devo, and this is a film about them. A pseudoscientific theme — “de-evolution” — taken from an old book — led to a band that led to a career. (And looking around, it’s hard to argue that civilization isn’t racing rapidly backward.) Chris Smith’s breezy film neatly recaps the group’s career, from their earliest performances, when they had long hair and were still in college — Kent State, where in 1970 the National Guard opened fire on student protesters, killing four — to MTV fame, to their finally running out of gas. Founders Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale offer good-humored, incisive commentary on the rise and fall of their satirical art project whose social criticism paled in the glare of big pop success — “Whip It,” you remember” — and the usual major-label misadventures. Smith floats his narrative on a river of ephemeral films that echo the spirit of the group’s own aesthetic. Brian Eno, David Bowie, Mick Jagger and Neil Young, who put them in his movie “Human Highway,” make anecdotal appearances. (The band has since gotten off the couch — they’ll be at the Hollywood Bowl Oct. 18-19 with the B-52’s as part of a “Cosmic De-Evolution” tour.) — Robert Lloyd

Clancy Brown and Amy Madigan in “Carnivale.”

(Doug Hyun / HBO)

“Carnivale” (HBO Max)

The huge success of the horror film “Weapons” has put a fresh spotlight on star Amy Madigan. Her sinister portrayal of the eccentric Aunt Gladys, a witch whose spells wreak havoc on the children and adults of a small community, is already sparking early awards buzz and is the latest in a gallery of distinctive performances in films such as “Field of Dreams,” “Streets of Fire” and “Places in the Heart,” to name a few. Madigan also was featured in “Carnivale,” which premiered in 2003 and ran for two seasons on HBO. In the eerie drama about a struggling carnival of freaks and outcasts that traveled around the Dust Bowl during the Depression, Madigan played Iris Crowe, the soft-spoken sister of the demonic Brother Justin Crowe (Clancy Brown). — Greg Braxton

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A weekly chat with actors, writers, directors and more about what they’re working on — and what they’re watching

A still from “Outlander: Blood of my Blood,” the prequel to the popular period drama, that features Jamie Roy as Brian Fraser and Harriet Slater as Ellen MacKenzie, the future parents of Jamie Fraser.

(Sanne Gault / Starz)

“Outlander” meets “How I Met Your Mother”? Not quite. But “Outlander: Blood of My Blood” is a prequel to Starz’s romance epic that focuses on the parents of both protagonists from the original series, Jamie Fraser and Claire Beauchamp. The series alternates between WWI-era Scotland and the Scottish Highlands of the 18th century, often intertwining, as it chronicles the courtship and obstacles faced by Jamie’s parents — Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy) and Ellen MacKenzie (Harriet Slater) — and Claire’s — Julia (Hermione Corfield) and Henry Beauchamp (Jeremy Irvine). Here, showrunner Matthew B. Roberts discusses the inspiration for the show’s swoon-worthy love letters and reveals which TV drama he recently watched that echoes themes explored in “Outlander” through a modern lens. — Yvonne Villarreal

What do you find intriguing about each couple’s story and what it telegraphs about Claire and Jamie’s connection and their attitudes on love?

With Brian and Ellen, it’s the rush of first love — all passion, risk and discovery, which foreshadows Jamie’s all-in devotion to Claire. With Henry and Julia, it’s the strength of a tested love — the daily choice to stay together. Both show that true love requires surrender and courage, the same foundation that Claire and Jamie build their lives on.

The original series has delved into the complexities of PTSD. How did what you’ve explored there, particularly as it relates to Claire and her experiences as a combat nurse, inform how you shaped Henry Beauchamp’s journey? Are there connections you wanted to draw between father and daughter?

War scars everyone differently. Henry’s wounds are visible, Claire’s more contained — but both live with that same survival instinct. Even though Henry leaves when she’s young, Claire inherits his resilience. That ability to keep going when the world tries to break you is in her DNA.

Love letters are a hallmark of the “Outlander” universe. And the correspondence between Claire’s parents, Henry and Julia, are a key narrative element in their quest to be reunited — the declarations within have to be top tier. Any interesting references or sources of inspiration?

The inspiration came from my father, who fell in love with someone online before ever seeing her face. He said, “It doesn’t matter, I already love her.” He did meet her, they married, and they stayed together until his passing. That experience taught me how love can bloom through words alone. That’s what we aim for with Henry and Julia’s letters — each one has to feel like a real step deeper into their hearts. Everyone in the room weighs in, but the test for me is always the same: Does it feel authentic, does it honor the magic of falling in love?

What have you watched recently that you are recommending to everyone you know?

I really don’t recommend shows or movies. Everyone has their own tastes. But I did recently watch “The Better Sister” [Prime Video]. It’s a sharp look at family — love, betrayal, loyalty — all the same themes we explore, but in a modern world with cellphones and social media. The technology changes, but the struggles don’t. Families still compete, hide secrets and fight for trust. [It has] some great acting.

What’s your go-to “comfort watch,” the movie or TV show you go back to again and again?

When “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” [VOD] or “Fargo” [Tubi, MGM+] come on, I’m in — they just never get old. “Butch Cassidy” has that perfect mix of charm and tragedy; and “Fargo” is dark, funny and somehow still feels authentically real. For TV, my go-tos are “The Sopranos” [HBO Max] and “Seinfeld” [Netflix] — totally different, but both perfect at what they do. And true-crime shows are always in the mix. They are research. It’s the human condition on full display.

Grindr is making the app a one-stop shop for its original entertainment.

On 7 August, the popular dating platform announced that users would no longer have to leave the app to access their original content, thanks to the new Grindr Presents feature.

Now, the company’s popular entertainment offerings, such as the Katya-hosted Who’s The Asshole podcast, the viral Daddy Lessons series, editorials, music drops, and more, will all be available via a new in-app content hub.

In addition to making it easier for user to access their content, Grindr revealed that all of it will be uncensored, so say goodbye to the unwanted bleeps and hello to Katya and friends’ uncut and profanity-filled interviews.

Lastly, the social media company teased that Grindr Presents isn’t a one-off decision; instead, it’s a “bigger shift” into “making Grindr not just where the gays are, but where the culture is.”

Grindr Presents isn’t the only new addition introduced on the app this year.

Back in March, Grindr announced an expansion of its new Right Now feature – first implemented in Australia and the greater Washington D.C. area in 2024.

The intent-based option enables users seeking an immediate connection to upload text and photos to a real-time feed, separate from the main grid.

In a statement, the Chief Product Officer at Grindr, AJ Balance, gave insight into the new feature, stating that it “empowers users to find exactly what they want, when they want it – without the guesswork.”

“We built this intention-based feature based on feedback from our community so they can connect with like-minded people, without wasting time on mismatched expectations,” he said.

“Too often, people start a conversation only realize they’re looking for different things – one person wants a date, the other a quick connection. Right Now makes it clear who’s available and what they’re looking for, in real-time.”

A few months later, Grindr unveiled its new age verification feature for UK-based users, designed to address underage use of its app and ensure compliance with the UK government’s Online Safety Act.

Under the new policy, the app now requires UK individuals to confirm their age by uploading a “quick video selfie” or a video selfie paired with a photo ID.

For new users, the one-time action will be prompted during the registration process. Established users will be asked to complete the task upon opening the app.

UK individuals will be blocked from accessing the app until they complete the process, which uses biometric verification technology from FaceTec.

Lastly, Grindr has confirmed that user privacy will also be a priority, revealing that all documents and videos will “only be used for age assurance, are securely encrypted during the process, and are permanently deleted once age assurance is complete.”  

For more information about the aforementioned changes to Grindr, click here.

Jenna Ortega is set to reprise her role as Wednesday Addams for a second season of the Netflix show

The second season of Wednesday is just around the bend for Netflix, with Jenna Ortega and the rest of the cast recently gracing a glamorous premiere.

Star of the show, Jenna Ortega, dazzled attendees with her striking appearance as she shared insights about the upcoming episodes, which she also had a hand in producing. The Tim Burton series has already hinted at some heart-wrenching developments, including the potential demise of Enid Sinclair (portrayed by Emma Myers).

Audiences are also eager to see new additions to the cast, including Billie Piper, Joanna Lumley and Steve Buscemi. Here’s everything you need to know about the episode release schedule for season two.

READ MORE: Wednesday’s Billie Piper unrecognisable in teen popstar snaps from over 25 years agoREAD MORE: Wednesday Season 1 recap from the Hyde’s identity to ending explained

How many episodes are in Wednesday season 2 and when do they air?

Just like the first season, the second instalment consists of eight episodes. However, there’s a twist this time.

The second season has been divided into two parts, with four episodes airing in each segment.

With this in mind, episodes 1 to 4 will all be released on Netflix on August 6.

Fans will then have to hold their breath until September 3, when the second part, comprising episodes 5 to 8, drops.

The titles of the new episodes for part one have been revealed, and they are as follows:.

Episode 1 – Here We Woe Again – August 6.

Episode 2 – The Devil You Woe – August 6.

Episode 3 – Call of the Woe – August 6.

Episode 4 – If These Woes Could Talk – August 6.

Watch Wednesday on Netflix for free with Sky

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Sky

Get the deal here

Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription with its new Sky Stream TV bundles, including the £15 Essential TV plan.

This lets members watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like Wednesday.

Showrunners Alfred Gough and Miles Millar discussed how season two broadens the world of Wednesday following the global success of its debut.

Millar expressed excitement about the new episodes, revealing: “We have a bigger scope. We had the confidence going in now knowing that people like the show.”

He elaborated on the creative process, saying: “We could explore more, and be more daring in terms of the storylines and the character arcs. The toy box got bigger, and we had the freedom to really do the show we always wanted to do.”

Wednesday season 2 part 1 airs on Netflix on August 6. Part 2 will air on September 3

The “Avatar: Fire and Ash” trailer is finally here.

The third installment in James Cameron’s “Avatar” series returns to Pandora and introduces a new Na’vi tribe: the Mangkwan Clan, also known as the Ash People, led by the fierce Varang (Oona Chaplin).

While not much is known about the Mangkwan Clan and its leader, the trailer offers a first look at their ashen home, destroyed by a volcanic eruption. The footage positions Varang, who wears a red headdress and can manipulate fire, as an adversary to Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) and her family. It’s a stark departure from 2022’s “The Way of Water,” which took viewers underwater into the world of the Metkayina Clan.

The trailer also shows a tense exchange between Varang and Kiri (Sigourney Weaver): “Your goddess has no dominion here,” the fiery leader, donning a red and black headdress, says.

“Varang is the leader of a people who have gone through an incredible hardship. She’s hardened by that,” Cameron told Empire in an interview published in January. “She will do anything for them, even things that we would consider to be evil.”

In addition to the Ash People, the trailer includes a look at the Wind Traders, a nomadic Na’vi clan that travels aboard airborne ships drawn by massive jellyfish-like creatures. It also teases that the film will see Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) being captured by humans.

Also returning to the ensemble are Kate Winslet (Ronal) and Jack Champion (Spider). In addition to Chaplin, David Thewlis joins the cast as Peylak, the chief of the Wind Traders.

The trailer was first unveiled at CinemaCon in April and was launched exclusively in theaters ahead of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” which opened Thursday.

“Fire and Ash” comes three years after “Way of Water” and 16 years after the original film. The first two movies were nominated for best picture at the Oscars and “Way of Water” was the highest-grossing film of 2022. But Cameron has hinted that the third installment may be surprising to fans of its predecessors.

“One thing we wanted to do in this film is not be black-and-white simplistic,” he told Empire. “We’re trying to evolve beyond the ‘all humans are bad, all Na’vi are good’ paradigm.”

“Fire and Ash” hits theaters Dec. 19. The fourth and fifth installments are expected Dec. 21, 2029, and Dec. 19, 2031, respectively.

Ukrainian leader faces domestic international pressure after signing law critics say curbs the powers of the country’s anitcorruption agencies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has submitted a new draft bill to the country’s legislature, in an effort to calm outrage over a previously passed law that critics say paves the way for corruption.

The country’s anticorruption agencies quickly hailed the bill’s introduction on Thursday, saying it would restore their “procedural powers and guarantees of independence”.

The Ukrainian leader has contended with protests and condemnation from both within Ukraine and from its closest European allies after a separate controversial law was passed on Tuesday.

That law placed the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) under the direct authority of the country’s prosecutor general – a position appointed by the president.

Zelenskyy initially maintained that the law was needed to respond to suspected “Russian influence” within the agencies amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Critics, however, said the law would strip the bodies of their independence and could allow political interference, while failing to address any potential Kremlin-linked operatives.

On Tuesday, thousands of Ukrainians defied martial law – which has been in place since the beginning of Russia’s war – to take to the streets of Kyiv and other major cities to protest against the law.

European officials also questioned the law, noting that addressing corruption remains a core requirement both for Ukraine’s future European Union membership and in assuring aid flows to combat Russia.

Amid the pressure, Zelenskyy backed away from the new law, promising to submit new legislation that would assure “all the norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will be in place” and that there would be no Russian “influence or interference”.

Opposition lawmakers have also separately prepared their own legislation to revoke the law passed on Tuesday.

“They heroically solved the problems that they created just as heroically. Grand imitators,” Yaroslav Zhelezniak, from the opposition Holos party, said on Telegram, criticising Zelenskyy and his allies about-turn.

Before the new draft bill’s introduction, Zelenskyy spoke with the leaders of Germany and the United Kingdom on Thursday.

In a statement, Zelenskyy’s office said British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had “offered to involve experts who could contribute to long-term cooperation” on the issue.

In a post on X, Zelenskyy said he invited Friedrich Merz to “join the expert review of the bill”.

“Friedrich assured me of readiness to assist,” he said.

It was not immediately clear when Ukraine’s legislature, the Verkhovna Rada, would vote on the new bill.

Prime Minister Mark Carney also introduced a fund to invest in domestic steel projects.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said that Canada will introduce a tariff rate quota on countries it has free trade agreements with, excluding the United States, in order to protect its domestic steel industry.

Carney announced the new measures on Wednesday.

The plan includes a 50 percent tariff that will apply to imports from relevant countries that surpass the 2024 volumes, though Canada will honour existing arrangements with its United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade partners, Carney said.

Canada will implement additional tariffs of 25 percent on steel imports from all countries containing steel melted and poured in China before the end of July.

Carney is responding to complaints from the domestic industry, which had said that other countries are diverting steel to Canada and making the domestic industry uncompetitive due to US tariffs. The Canadian steel industry had asked the government to introduce tougher anti-dumping measures to protect the domestic industry.

US President Donald Trump increased import duties on steel and aluminium to 50 percent from 25 percent earlier this month. Canada is the top seller of steel to the US.

Carney also said domestic steel companies would be prioritised in government procurement, and he introduced a fund of one billion Canadian dollars ($730m) to help steel companies advance projects in industries such as defence.

“These measures will ensure Canadian steel producers are more competitive by protecting them against trade diversion resulting from a fast-changing global environment for steel,” Carney said on Wednesday.

For countries without free trade agreements with Canada, the government lowered the tariff-free quota to 50 percent of 2024 volumes from 100 percent previously. Above the quota, imports will also face a 50 percent tariff.

Catherine Cobden, president and CEO of the Canadian Steel Producers Association, in an interview with broadcaster CBC, said the timing wasn’t sufficient for domestic steelmakers confronting a crisis.

“This is something we should have been doing all along, but it’s fantastic to see that we are making progress,” Cobden said.

In a separate statement, Canadian steel maker Evraz said it has filed a complaint against steel imports from Mexico, the Philippines, South Korea, Turkiye and the US, against unfairly priced imports of oil country tubular goods.

Brits cruising around a popular set of European islands this summer have been warned over a new tourist tax, that slaps holidaymakers with charges of up to €20 (around £17) for entering the port

Brits flocking to an insatiably popular set of European destinations this summer have been warned over hefty charges.

Last year, a whopping 40.7 million tourists headed over to Greece and its cluster of picturesque islands, marking a 12.8 per cent spike compared to the year before. While the huge influx is believed to have generated a staggering €21.6 billion (around £18.6bn) in tourism revenue, officials argue local people aren’t seeing the benefit.

In fact, many residents argue the surge in holidaymakers is pricing them out of the property market – and wrecking the country’s environmental beauty. As a result, many hotspots have started to introduce a tourist tax – with profits designed to support local infrastructure and ‘promote’ sustainable tourism levels.

READ MORE: Beautiful Greek island with world’s clearest waters but hardly any tourists

Cruise ships are a huge issue in Greece, often flooding tiny islands with thousands of tourists in one big hit. This stretches the island’s amenities, creating sudden surges of demand in cafes and restaurants, and results in insufferable crowds and queues.

This is why cruise passengers will be charged a hefty tourist tax when entering Greek ports. The fee, which comes into effect on July 21, 2025, until September – is €20 for hotspots like Mykonos and Santorini, and a much lower €5 in less popular ports. This works out at around £17 and £4.31, respectively.

“Please note that this mandatory fee applies to all guests, regardless of age, who transit through a Greek port – including ports of call as well as the port of disembarkation,” MSC Cruises reportedly told its customers. Rather than having to carry cash with you, the tourist tax is added to passengers’ onboard accounts.

The cruise line will then pay the tax directly to the port authorities. “If you choose to stay onboard and not go ashore, the expense will be automatically removed from your account within 24 hours,” the firm added.

In the shoulder seasons (April, May, and October), the tax is lowered to €12 (£10) for visits to Santorini and Mykonos and €4 (£3.43) to other ports. In Winter, when tourism levels are at their lowest, this goes down to €4 (£3.43) and €1 (86p).

Over on the mainland, Greece has implemented an accommodation tax that charges tourists staying overnight. This ranges from €0.50 (43p) per night, per room, to €4 (£3.45) depending on the star-rating of your hotel. For a couple spending a week in a luxury five-star hotel, this adds €28 (£24.13) to their overall hotel costs.

Do you agree with the cruise tax? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below

Grindr has implemented a brand new age verification feature to tackle underage use of its app.

On June 25, the company announced that UK-based users will be required to participate in its new “age assurance” initiative starting this month (July).

The decision stemmed from the UK government’s Online Safety Act, which was passed in 2023.

Under the legislation, social media companies and search engines are required to better regulate online safety for both adult and child users by “implementing new systems and processes to reduce risks that their services are used for illegal activity and take down illegal content when it does appear.”

The government website adds: “The strongest protections in the Act have been designed for children. Platforms will be required to prevent children from accessing harmful and age-inappropriate content and provide parents and children with clear and accessible ways to report problems online when they do arise.”

In light of the Online Safety Act, Grindr now requires UK users to confirm if they are 18 or older by uploading a “quick video selfie” or a video selfie paired with a photo ID.

For new users, the one-time action will be prompted during the registration process. Established users will be asked to complete the task upon opening the app.

UK individuals will be blocked from accessing the app until they complete the process, which uses biometric verification technology from FaceTec.

Lastly, Grindr has confirmed that user privacy will also be a priority, revealing that all documents and videos will “only be used for age assurance, are securely encrypted during the process, and are permanently deleted once age assurance is complete.”  

The only information that will be retained is the age verification method a user selects and whether they passed or failed.

For those looking to upload a photo ID and video selfie, some of the accepted documents include: provisional driver’s license, driver’s license, international driver’s license, passport, British Army ID card, PASS Proof of age card and residence permit.

Lastly, only UK users will be asked to take part in the new “age assurance” feature. However, if a visitor from another country opens the app in the UK, they will be asked to undergo the process.

Check out Grindr’s blog for more information on the “age assurance” app update.

The French Riviera resort of Cannes is the latest destination to crack down on cruise ship traffic.

From the start of 2026, ships accommodating more 1,000 guests will be banned from its harbour.

Additionally, there will be a limit of 6,000 passengers per day.

Larger ships are not totally banned from visiting but will have to tender further out at sea.

This is already the case for some of the largest ships now as the port cannot accommodate the largest vessels.

The Cannes city council voted for new limits following similar restrictions in Nice and Villefranche.

“Cannes has become a major cruise ship destination, with real economic benefits. It’s not about banning cruise ships, but about regulating and setting guidelines for their navigation,” said Mayor David Lisnard.

Related News Stories:  Partner News – TravelMole    

The budget airline says the new rules will be the ‘minimum’ punishment and it will continue to pursue passengers for civil damages

Ryanair passengers causing a ruckus on flights may now be slapped with a hefty £500 fine and shown the exit before take-off, as the airline intensifies its crackdown on bad behaviour.

In a move to quell inflight disturbances, Ryanair has declared that this will serve as the “minimum” penalty and pursue troublemakers for civil damages. The policy is intended to create “stress-free” environment that is free from disruption from a minority of passengers.

Ryanair has said in-flight disruptions plaguing all carriers, but they’re taking a firm stand to protect their customers and staff from from unruly behaviour. The strict measures are designed a “deterrent” for passengers, safeguarding smoother journeys.

“It is unacceptable that passengers are made to suffer unnecessary disruption because of one unruly passenger’s behaviour,” a spokesperson for Ryanair stated, as reports the Express.

“To help ensure that our passengers and crew travel in a comfortable and stress-free environment, without unnecessary disruption caused by a tiny number of unruly passengers, we have introduced a £500 fine, which will be issued to any passengers offloaded from aircraft as a result of their misconduct.

“While these are isolated events which happen across all airlines, disruptive behaviour in such a confined shared space is unacceptable, and we hope that our proactive approach will act as a deterrent to eliminate this unacceptable behaviour onboard our aircraft.”

In an effort to combat in-flight safety risks, the airline has been pushing for a limit on the number of alcoholic beverages served at airport bars, advocating a maximum of two per passenger, with Ryanair calling for action to ensure “a safer travel experience”.

The budget carrier has underscored the serious implications of unruly passengers, who can cause expensive diversions, impacting both the airline’s operations and other customers’ plans.

Pointing towards a pattern of problem drinking at certain airports, Ryanair has notably marked four UK locations – Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh – as hot spots for pre-boarding alcohol consumption, with CEO Michael O’Leary publicly supporting the introduction of stringent measures.

O’Leary, speaking to the Telegraph, made his position clear last year on the need for responsible drinking prior to flying: “We don’t want to begrudge people having a drink. But we don’t allow people to drink-drive, yet we keep putting them up in aircraft at 33,000 feet. As long as they can stand up and shuffle they will get through. Then when the plane takes off we see the misbehaviour.”

Ryanair’s current guidelines permit passengers to bring duty-free alcohol with up to 70% ABV in the cabin, but they must refrain from consuming it mid-flight.

Duty-free alcoholic purchases must be kept sealed and not accessed until reaching the final destination, a rule imposed by the airline to reduce the risk of disruptive conduct while airborne.

Travellers should note that Ryanair personnel conduct bag inspections prior to boarding for specific routes, particularly those flying to popular party spots, such as certain Greek islands and Ibiza, notorious for anti-social occurrences.

On the wider issue of alcohol consumption at airports, a Ryanair spokesperson stated: “It is time that European Union authorities take action to limit the sale of alcohol at airports.

“Airlines like Ryanair already restrict and limit the sale of alcohol on board our aircraft, particularly in disruptive passenger cases. However, during flight delays, passengers are consuming excess alcohol at airports without any limit on purchase or consumption.”

The spokesperson added: “We fail to understand why passengers at airports are not limited to two alcoholic drinks (using their boarding pass in exactly the same way they limit duty free sales), as this would result in safer and better passenger behaviour on board aircraft, and a safer travel experience for passengers and crews all over Europe.”

Washington, DC – A prominent Democratic senator has introduced a bill to require United States President Donald Trump to first seek authorisation from Congress before ordering military strikes against Iran.

The measure, put forward by Virginia Senator Tim Kaine on Monday, came amid growing calls by pro-Israel groups for the US to join the Israeli bombing campaign against Iran as the attacks between the two countries intensify.

“I am deeply concerned that the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran could quickly pull the United States into another endless conflict,” Kaine said in a statement.

“The American people have no interest in sending service-members to fight another forever war in the Middle East. This resolution will ensure that if we decide to place our nation’s men and women in uniform into harm’s way, we will have a debate and vote on it in Congress.”

The bill invokes the War Powers Resolution of 1973, passed during the Vietnam War to constrain unilateral presidential powers to engage in military hostilities.

The US Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war, but successive US presidents have used their positions as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces to mobilise troops, initiate attacks and start conflicts without clear congressional authorisation.

Kaine’s proposal adds to the pressure Trump is facing from antiwar advocates in both major parties, advocates said.

Hassan El-Tayyab, legislative director for Middle East policy at the Friends Committee on National Legislation, said the bill sends a message to Trump against going to war with Iran and to the Israelis that “they’re not going to just get blank-cheque US support”.

It could also gauge the level of opposition to war with Iran in Congress, especially among Republicans. A growing contingency of right-wing lawmakers has been warning Trump against being dragged into a conflict that they said does not serve US interests.

‘De-escalatory signal’

While Trump’s Republican Party controls both houses of the US Congress, the resolution may pass if conservative lawmakers who oppose foreign military interventions join the Democrats in backing it.

To become law, the bill needs to pass in the Senate and House of Representatives and be signed by Trump, who would likely block it. But Congress can override a presidential veto with two-thirds majorities in the House and the Senate.

During his first term, Trump successfully vetoed two war powers resolutions, including a 2020 bill that aimed to curb his authority to strike Iran, which was also led by Kaine.

El-Tayyab said the 2020 push helped warn Trump against further strikes against Iran after the killing of top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani despite the presidential veto, adding that the current measure may have a similar effect.

“Even if it passes and Trump vetoes it, it still sends a de-escalatory signal, and it reminds the administration that only Congress can declare war,” El-Tayyab told Al Jazeera.

Trump has not ruled out US strikes against Iran. “We’re not involved in it. It’s possible we could get involved,” he told ABC News on Sunday.

At the same time, the US president has called for ending the war.

Israel launched a bombardment campaign against Iran on Friday, targeting military and nuclear sites as well as residential buildings and civilian infrastructure, killing dozens of people, including top military officials and nuclear scientists.

The assault came just days before US and Iranian negotiators were to meet for a sixth round of nuclear talks in Oman.

Iran has responded with hundreds of ballistic missiles, many of which have penetrated Israel’s air defences, causing widespread damage across the country.

Hawks urge Trump to ‘go all-in’

With Israel under fire and seemingly unable on its own to take out Iran’s nuclear programme – including facilities buried deep underground and inside mountains – the US ally’s supporters are calling on Trump to come to its aid.

“The US has the bombers to carry deep-penetrating bombs that Israeli jets can’t. … This will be a missed opportunity if some of Iran’s uranium enrichment capacity survives when US participation could have made a difference,” The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board wrote on Saturday.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham also said the US should “go all-in to help Israel finish the job”.

However, many US politicians have cautioned against American involvement in the war. Trump ran last year as a “peace” candidate, slamming his Democratic opponents as “warmongers”.

Right-wing Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene said in a social media post on Sunday that Americans are “sick and tired of foreign wars”.

“We have spent TRILLIONS in the Middle East and we have dealt with the aftermath of death, blown apart bodies, never ending suicides, and disabling PTSD,” she wrote in a post on X.

“All because they told us propaganda as to why we must sacrifice our own to defend some other country’s borders and some other country’s borders.”

Some US lawmakers have also stressed that war with Iran without the approval of Congress would be illegal.

“The president cannot circumvent congressional war powers and unilaterally send US troops to war with Iran,” Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib said last week.

“The American people do not want another endless war in the Middle East that will cost lives and tear their families apart.”

‘Devastating regional war’

Antiwar advocates have long called on Congress to assert its powers over conflict. On Monday, several groups expressed support for Kaine’s proposed legislation.

“This is a critical moment for Congress to step in and exercise its constitutional authority to prevent the US from being dragged into another war,” Raed Jarrar, advocacy director at Democracy for the Arab World Now, told Al Jazeera.

“Democrats and Republicans should unite in rejecting any US involvement in a devastating regional war launched by a genocidal maniac – one that would needlessly risk American lives and squander national interest,” he added, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel, which is carrying out a military campaign in Gaza that major rights groups have described as a genocide, has been warning for years that Iran is on the verge of acquiring a nuclear weapon.

While Israel has portrayed its strikes as “preemptive” to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, Tehran says the war was unprovoked and violates the United Nations Charter’s rules against aggression.

US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard had certified in March that Washington “continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon”. Last week, the International Atomic Energy Agency accused Iran for the first time in 20 years of breaching its nonproliferation obligations. Israel is widely believed to have an undeclared nuclear arsenal.

As visitor numbers to the party-mad region of Benidorm continues to soar, officials are clamping down on tourists breaking a little-known rule when it comes to renting out mobility scooters

Sun-worshipping Brits are being warned not to break a little-known rule that could land them with a hefty fine.

Last year, a whopping 2.8 million tourists flocked to the party-mad resort of Benidorm, marking a 2.9 per cent jump compared to 2023. The boom has largely been attributed to UK holidaymakers – who have been flocking to the sunny hotspot as early as the 1950s.

Lured in by golden sandy beaches and cobalt waters, Benidorm is famous for its vibrant nightlife and wild entertainment, which has long been popular with Stag and Hen Dos. It is the place to be if you want to drink yourself silly in a fancy dress costume, and sober up the next day with a huge English Breakfast.

The Spanish city, located on the eastern coast of Valencia’s iconic Costa Blanca, has a reputation for attracting elderly Brits who rely on mobility scooters to get from A to B – which has no doubt been perpetuated by the acclaimed TV series, Benidorm. But demand for these vehicles isn’t just a stereotype, as there are more than a dozen mobility scooter shops in the region.

READ MORE: Huge blow to Greece as tourists abandon popular island for key reason

However, many people do not realise that Benidorm Local Law explicitly states you must be aged over 55 years old or have a certified disability for walking in order to rent an electrical scooter. Renters will also take a cash deposit from customers and make them sign a contract laying out all of the strict rules they must abide by.

This includes always carrying their rental contract with them, and avoiding slopes with an incline greater than five percent. Carrying multiple passengers on an individual scooter is also prohibited.

“Never leave the key when going down the Scooter,” warns Amigo24, a popular mobility scooter rental firm in Benidorm. “[You] will not be covered by your insurance in case of robbery.”

Following a rise in complaints over tourists renting vehicles for fun, and without proper insurance, the council has since emphasised that the use of mobility scooters is ‘strictly limited’ to those that genuinely need the aid. According to EuroNews, authorities are also cracking down on those driving around the city at ‘dangerous speeds’. Violating any of these rules risks sky-high fines of up to €500 (approximately £425).

“Mobility scooters are designed for those with walking difficulties,” Lee Cartwright, mobility scooter specialist at Mobility Solutions Direct, told Bristol Live. “If you can walk safely without one and you don’t have a permit for one, it is best not to ride a mobility scooter to avoid a fine.”

The expert urged those who do need to use a mobility scooter to stick to the speed limit, which is 4mph when on the pavement. Class three mobility scooters, which are intended to be driven on the roads, are allowed to go up to 8mph.

“A majority of those using a scooter without permission are young British people who are using the vehicle to go clubbing rather than pay for a taxi,” he added. “But this results in reckless driving, such as weaving through traffic, driving too closely to others, and failing to be aware of their surroundings. Riding a scooter while intoxicated is both hazardous and against the law, similar to driving a car under the influence.”

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Budget airline Ryanair has introduced a £500 fine for bad behaving passengers, warning that they will be handed out to “disruptive passengers whose unruly behaviour results in them being offloaded from the aircraft”

Ryanair has introduced a £500 fine in what it is calling a “major misconduct clampdown”.

The budget airline announced on Thursday morning that the £500 fine is now in place and will be handed out to “disruptive passengers whose unruly behaviour results in them being offloaded from the aircraft.”

Ryanair has warned that the fine levied could be even higher, but that £500 is the starting point.

“Passengers expect to travel in a comfortable and stress-free environment with an on-time arrival, free from unnecessary disruption caused by a tiny number of unruly passengers. While this is an industry-wide issue affecting all airlines, Ryanair is committed to tackling unruly passenger behaviour for the benefit of its passengers and crew, and will continue to pursue disruptive passengers for civil damages, but at a minimum, they will now be issued with a £500 fine,” a statement from the airline released this morning read.

Have you been disrupted on a Ryanair flight, or are you a crew member who has had to deal with it? We’d love to hear from you. Email [email protected]

READ MORE: Inside the new £400m UK train line that will never be used by normal passengers

A Ryanair spokesperson said: “It is unacceptable that passengers are made suffer unnecessary disruption because of one unruly passenger’s behaviour. To help ensure that our passengers and crew travel in a comfortable and stress-free environment, without unnecessary disruption caused by a tiny number of unruly passengers, we have introduced a £500 fine, which will be issued to any passengers offloaded from aircraft as a result of their misconduct.

“While these are isolated events which happen across all airlines, disruptive behaviour in such a confined shared space is unacceptable, and we hope that our proactive approach will act as a deterrent to eliminate this unacceptable behaviour onboard our aircraft.”

Having to delay or cancel a flight because of a disruptive passenger is clearly a big problem for airlines, and particularly so for those which run routes to popular party destinations on which alcohol is liking to be flowing.

The Civil Aviation Authority explains: “Passengers who are rude or aggressive can be highly disruptive and distressing for cabin crew and fellow travellers. This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable and can pose a risk to aircraft safety.

“Disruptive passengers can lead to planes being diverted and, where this happens, the disruptive passengers themselves risk having to pay the cost of the diversion. They can also face criminal charges with severe penalties or even prison sentences.”

At the end of last month a Ryanair flight to the UK had to be diverted after a woman allegedly became aggressive and ended up ‘heabutting doors and windows’, with police boarding the flight to escort her off.

In April, another passenger on the budget airline forced a flight to be diverted 400 miles due to “inexcusable behaviour. After the flight they were sued for more than £2,500 by the airline.

The budget airline has announced that it will be launching a new flight route to a little-known European city from October, with fares starting from just £15

Ryanair has unveiled plans to introduce a new flight route to the lesser-known European city of Rzeszów in Poland, starting from October. The budget airline will operate flights twice a week to and from the Polish city.

This development follows the cancellation of five flights from its Maastricht base, including Alicante, Bari, Girona, Porto, and Zadar, and the confirmation of the base’s closure after October 2025.

AirAdvisor experts have scrutinised these changes, suggesting that the airline is pivoting towards destinations with heavy diaspora populations and underused regional airports.

They elaborated: “Ryanair’s route reshuffle sends two clear signals: regional airports in the UK are getting more love, while underperforming bases like Maastricht are being cut loose.

READ MORE: ‘I visited absurdly beautiful island loved by Parisians with £40 UK flights’READ MORE: Europe’s best country to visit in 2025 has Maldives-like beaches and ancient city

“For UK passengers, this creates more direct options from places like Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Norwich, but also leaves them exposed to short-notice route cancellations.”

The launch of this flight route in October provides the Polish community in Scotland with a more affordable alternative for flying back to Poland over the Christmas period.

Fares are set to range between £15 and £30, resulting in savings of approximately £20 to £50 compared to booking routes with connections, reports the Express.

Those planning to capitalise on cheaper routes for their winter holidays can also consider Rzeszów as a destination, complete with a charming Christmas market.

And the market square makes for a great historical and cultural destination even when it isn’t the festive season.

Taking to TripAdvisor, one visitor wrote: “The History of Market Square in Rzeszów dates back to the 15th century, but the current look of the market is much different from its original form.

“It is the result of a great fire which broke out in the 19th century. No matter what, it is nowadays beautiful as well, especially during early morning or evening.”

While another added: “Remarkable selection of things to eat and drink for dinner and dessert or appetiser for noshing while you sit and watch the world go by. Absolutely beautiful in all the seasons.”

State waste officials have taken another stab at rules implementing a landmark plastic waste law, more than two months after Gov. Gavin Newsom torpedoed their initial proposal.

CalRecycle, the state agency that oversees waste management, recently proposed a new set of draft regulations to implement SB 54, the 2022 law designed to reduce California’s single-use plastic waste. The law was designed to shift the financial onus of waste reduction from the state’s people, towns and cities to the companies and corporations that make the polluting products. It was also intended to reduce the amount of single use plastics that end up in California’s waste stream.

The draft regulations proposed last week largely mirror the ones introduced earlier this year, which set the rules, guidelines and parameters of the program — but with some minor and major tweaks.

The new ones clarify producer obligations and reporting timelines, said organizations representing packaging and plastics companies, such as the Circular Action Alliance and the California Chamber of Commerce.

But they also include a broad set of exemptions for a wide variety of single-use plastics — including any product that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture has jurisdiction over, which includes all packaging related to produce, meat, dairy products, dog food, toothpaste, condoms, shampoo and cereal boxes, among other products.

The rules also leave open the possibility of using chemical or alternative recycling as a method for dealing with plastics that can’t be recycled via mechanical means, said people representing environmental, recycling and waste hauling companies and organizations.

California’s Attorney General, Rob Bonta, filed a suit against ExxonMobil last year that, in part, accuses the oil giant of deceptive claims regarding chemical recycling, which the company disputes.

Critics say the introduction of these exemptions and the opening for polluting recycling technologies will undermine and kneecap a law that just three years ago Newsom’s office described as “nation-leading” and “the most significant overhaul of the state’s plastic and packaging policy in history.”

The “gaping hole that the new exemptions have blown” into the bill make it unworkable, practically unfundable, and antithetical to its original purpose of reducing plastic waste, said Heidi Sanborn, director of the National Stewardship Action Council.

Last March, after nearly three years of negotiations among various corporate, environmental, waste, recycling and health stakeholders, CalRecycle drafted a set of finalized regulations designed to implement the single-use plastic producer responsibility program under SB 54.

But as the deadline for implementation approached, industries that would be affected by the regulations including plastic producers and packaging companies — represented by the California Chamber of Commerce and the Circular Action Alliance — began lobbying the governor, complaining the regulations were poorly developed and might ultimately increase costs for California taxpayers.

Newsom allowed the regulations to expire and told CalRecycle it needed to start the process over.

Daniel Villaseñor, a spokesman for the governor, said Newsom was concerned about the program’s potential costs for small businesses and families, which a state analysis estimated could run an extra $300 per year per household.

He said the new draft regulations “are a step in the right direction” and they ensure “California’s bold recycling law can achieve its goal of cutting plastic pollution,” said Villaseñor in a statement.

John Myers, a spokesman for the California Chamber of Commerce, whose members include the American Chemistry Council, Western Plastics Assn. and the Flexible Packaging Assn., said the chamber was still reviewing the changes.

CalRecycle is holding a workshop next Tuesday to discuss the draft regulations. Once CalRecycle decides to finalize the regulations, which experts say could happen at any time, it moves into a 45 day official rule making period during which time the regulations are reviewed by the Office of Administrative Law. If it’s considered legally sound and the governor is happy, it becomes official.

The law, which was authored by Sen. Ben Allen (D- Santa Monica) and signed by Newsom in 2022, requires that by 2032, 100% of single-use packaging and plastic foodware produced or sold in the state must be recyclable or compostable, that 65% of it can be recycled, and that the total volume is reduced by 25%.

The law was written to address the mounting issue of plastic pollution in the environment and the growing number of studies showing the ubiquity of microplastic pollution in the human body — such as in the brain, blood, heart tissue, testicles, lungs and various other organs.

According to one state analysis, 2.9 million tons of single-use plastic and 171.4 billion single-use plastic components were sold, offered for sale, or distributed during 2023 in California.

Most of these single-use plastic packaging products cannot be recycled, and as they break-down in the environment — never fully-decomposing — they contribute to the growing burden of microplastics in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil that nourishes our crops.

The law falls into a category of extended producer responsibility laws that now regulate the handling of paint, carpeting, batteries and textiles in California — requiring producers to see their products throughout their entire life cycle, taking financial responsibility for their products’ end of life.

Theoretically such programs, which have been adopted in other states, including Washington, Oregon and Colorado, spur technological innovation and potentially create circular economies — where products are designed to be reused, recycled or composted.

Sanborn said the new exemptions not only potentially turn the law “into a joke,” but will also dry up the program’s funding and instead put the financial burden on the consumer and the few packaging and single-use plastic manufacturers that aren’t included in the exemptions.

“If you want to bring the cost down, you’ve got to have a fair and level playing field where all the businesses are paying in and running the program. The more exemptions you give, the less funding there is, and the less fair it is,” she said.

In addition, because of the way residential and commercial packaging waste is collected, “it’s all going to get thrown away together, so now you have less funding” to deal with the same amount of waste, but for which only a small number of companies will be accountable for sorting out their material and making sure it gets disposed of properly.

Others were equally miffed, including Allen, the bill’s author, who said in a statement that while there are some improvements in the new regulations, there are “several provisions that appear to conflict with law,” including the widespread exemptions and the allowance of polluting recycling technologies.

“If the purpose of the law is to reduce single-use plastic ad plastic pollution,” said Anja Braden from the Ocean Conservancy, these new regulations aren’t going to do it — they are “inconsistent with the law and fully undermine its purpose and goal.”

She also said the exemptions preclude technological innovation, dampening incentives for companies to explore new recyclable and compostable packaging materials.

Nick Lapis with Californians Against Waste, said his organization was “really disappointed to see the administration caving to industry on some core parts of this program,” and also noted his read suggests many of the changes don’t comply with the law.

Next Tuesday, the public will have an opportunity to express their concerns at a rulemaking workshop in Sacramento.

However, Sanborn fears there will be little time or appetite from the agency or the governor’s office to make substantial changes to the new regulations.

“They’re basically already cooked,” said Sanborn, noting CalRecycle had already accepted public comments during previous rounds and iterations.

“California should be the leader at holding the bar up in this space,” she said. “I’m afraid this has dropped the bar very low.”