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Italian island introduces strict new bans after thousands of tourists flock to it

ONE beautiful Italian island known for incredible views and designer shops is cracking down on tourists.

It has implemented new rules in the hope of stopping large crowds from disturbing locals and other holidaymakers.

Millions of tourists flock to the Italian island of Capri every yearCredit: Alamy
The island is a popular spot for a day trip from NaplesCredit: Alamy

The pretty island of Capri, found in the Bay of Naples, is a beautiful spot that tourists flock to every year.

In the peak summer months of July and August there can be as many as 50,000 visitors each day.

In comparison, around 13,000 to 15,000 live on the island year round.

In an attempt to control and limit numbers, there are new tourism rules that will come into force this summer.

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The first is to limit groups to 40 people in an attempt to control overcrowding.

Talking to The Times, Paolo Falco, the island’s mayor said: “They look like herds of sheep and it’s not nice to see. We need to save beauty; we don’t have any other choice.”

The rules also request that tour guides leading more than 20 tourists at a time use wireless earpieces rather than loudspeakers.

The guides have been asked to avoid using umbrellas to identify themselves and opt for identifiable clothing instead.

In an effort to not block the narrow streets, etiquette similar to travelling on the tube has been requested for large groups.

Paolo Falco added: “We’re saying to stay on the right on the way up, stand on the left on the way down and don’t loiter in the square.

“Sometimes they completely prevent locals from passing through.”

Busy spots like the Blue Grotto has wait times of two hours during summerCredit: Alamy

Other factors being considered to limit the number of tourists include controlling the boat traffic at Marina Grande port.

One long-standing rule for tourists and locals that was introduced in 2019 stopped people using single-use plastics.

The former Mayor of Capri, Gianni De Martino, approved the ban seven years ago – and anyone breaking the law could receive a €500 (£435) fine.

Capri is a short ferry ride away from Naples, usually taking around one hour making it a popular day trip destination.

The island draws tourists in thanks to its pretty natural surroundings like the Blue Grotto.

It’s a natural sea cave that glows a deep turquoise, often visited via small wooden boats.

During busy periods, sightseers can wait for up to two hours to get inside.

Other popular spots are the Faraglioni rock formations which visitors can see on the southern coast of Capri.

The central point of the island is the Piazzetta which is easily recognised thanks to its huge clock tower.

Surrounding it are lively cafés with outdoor seating and luxury boutiques.

Other highlights include the Gardens of Augustus, the Monte Solaro chairlift, and the ruins of Villa Jovis.

For more on Italy, here’s another Mediterranean island that Brits don’t know about with spectacular beaches – and it’s loved by Italians.

And check out this beautiful island which has 200 beaches.

Capri is cracking down on large tourist groups for the summerCredit: Alamy

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Standing with Epstein victims, Schumer introduces ‘Virginia’s law’ | Sexual Assault

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Joined by survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuses, US Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer introduced legislation to end the federal statute of limitations that has shielded sex traffickers. It’s named for Virginia Giuffre, one of the late sex offender’s most prominent accusers.

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Major airline introduces strict new luggage rules with £125 fines for rulebreakers

A MAJOR European airline has introduced strict new luggage rules, with huge fines for rulebreakers.

Spanish airline Iberia is cracking down on passengers who travel with non-standard shaped luggage.

Iberia has introduced strict new luggage rulesCredit: Alamy
Soft and irregular bags risk the new finesCredit: Alamy

This can mean any bulky or irregular shaped items, which can also include soft luggage if it doesn’t fit the usual shape.

The new rules were rolled out last month since January 28.

The website states: “Starting today, January 28, an extra charge may apply for checking in irregularly shaped baggage.

“Irregularly shaped baggage is defined as any item whose shape, material, or dimensions may interfere with the airport’s automated systems (for example: soft bags, plastic packages, round or oval bags, or non-rigid packaging).”

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The airline warns that the bag will be assessed at the special baggage check in counter.

The maximum fine is £125, for anyone on a connecting long-haul flight to America or Asia.

Brits are more likely to be fined around £55 for a flight from the UK to Europe.

Passengers could even have the bag refused if it is said to fail any “operational or security reasons”.

Or, it might have to travel on a later flight in “exceptional cases”.

The Sun has contacted Iberia for additional comment.

Last year, Ryanair changed its hand luggage for the better.

The airline increased the size of the free bags that can be taken into the cabin from 40cmx20cmx25cm to 40cmx30cmx20cm.

This means the overall capacity increased from 20 litres to 24 litres.

Here are some other hand luggage rules to be aware of.

We’ve rounded up some of the best suitcases to buy ahead of your summer holiday.

And here are our best underseat cabin bags.

The new rules were rolled out last monthCredit: Alamy

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YouTube TV introduces lower-priced sports and news packages

YouTube TV will start offering customers lower-priced channel packages, including one aimed at sports fans.

The Google-owned pay-TV service announced Monday it will roll out more than 10 plans that will be priced below a full YouTube TV subscription that offers more than 100 channels.

The introduction, which will begin over the next few weeks, is in response to growing consumer resentment over the rising cost for the service, currently available for $82.99 a month. YouTube TV was introduced in 2017 as an alternative to increasingly expensive cable and satellite services with an initial price of $35 a month.

Consumer interest is likely to be highest for the Sports Plan, available this fall. For $64.99 a month, consumers will get the four broadcast networks, which all carry the NFL, plus Fox Sports 1, the NBC Sports Network and all of the ESPN channels. New subscribers will be offered a one-year introductory rate of $54.99 a month.

YouTube will also offer a Sports + News plan, which combine the two most-watched genres in the pay TV bundle. For $71.99 a month, consumers get the sports package and news networks CNN, Fox News, MS NOW, Bloomberg, C-SPAN and Fox Business. The introductory rate is $56.99.

The new plans will aim to compete with the direct to consumer offering of ESPN, which is available in tandem with Fox One, a service combining Fox Corp’s news and sports channels. The two are being offered together for $39.99 a month.

Over the last two years, El Segundo-based DirecTV rolled out smaller packages of channels aimed at consumers who no longer want a big monthly bill for networks they don’t watch. The satellite TV service now offers smaller genre packages of channels and streaming apps that cater to a particular interest available at a lower price — designed for news junkies, sports fans, children and Spanish-language speakers.

Pay-TV providers are under pressure to provide more pricing options to consumers to keep them from cutting the cord.

At the same time, carriage negotiations with programmers are more fraught, often leading to standoffs where channels are pulled, disrupting service to customers.

Disney’s channels, including ESPN, were off of YouTube TV for nearly 15 days last fall. Separately, YouTube TV customers lost access to Univision’s Spanish-language channels for two months, which drew the attention of legislators on both sides of the political spectrum.

YouTube, which has about 10 million subscribers, is also offering an Entertainment Plan that includes the major broadcast networks and an array of cable channels including FX, Hallmark, Comedy Central, Bravo, Paramount, Food Network and HGTV at $54.99 a month and an introductory rate of $44.99.

A News + Entertainment + Family Plan — which combines, news, entertainment and children’s channels including Disney Channel, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon, will be available for $69.99 a month and an introductory rate of $59.99.

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Katie Price shows off her HUGE bum tattoo as she reunites with husband Lee in Dubai and introduces him to Kerry Katona

BLUSHING bride Katie Price has got pal Kerry Katona’s seal of approval for her husband, Lee Andrews – and shown off her new ‘bubble butt’.

The newly-married star has introduced her spouse Lee to former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry – just weeks after they shocked fans with their whirlwind marriage.

Katie Price has shown off her new husband Lee to Kerry KatonaCredit: wesleeeandrews/Instagram
Katie has introduced Lee to Kerry and her Celebs Go Dating boyfriendCredit: wesleeeandrews/Instagram
The long-time friends were seen enjoying some sun as they holidayed with their partnersCredit: wesleeeandrews/Instagram
Kerry and Katie’s new husband have hit it offCredit: wesleeeandrews/Instagram

Lee posted the holiday photos on his Instagram Stories – marking Katie’s recent return to the Middle East.

She displayed the results of her £2k bum lift as she posed in snaps with Lee, Kerry and her Celebs Go Dating boyfriend Paolo Margaglione.

The foursome posed for pictures together while enjoying their Dubai getaway.

Bikini-clad Kerry and Katie looked relaxed and happy as they styled out some pictures in the sunshine showing off their toned figures and tattoos.

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New wife Katie looked red-hot in a coral red string bikini with her long dark hair down.

Kerry appeared to be a cream dream in a two-piece bikini with her long blonde hair down, while she accessorised with sunglasses and a big smile.

She posed with her arms around her friend’s new husband – which he shared on his social media.

Katie and Kerry were all smiles as they embraced each other in a sweet snap with their heads together.

They also pulled out all the stops for a picture with Katie’s new man in the middle with their hands on their hips.

Lee has shared numerous snaps of the couple since Katie arrived in Dubai on Sunday to celebrate their nuptials.

The couple, who got engaged and married in the UAE, have spent the last two weeks apart because Katie returned home to the UK and Lee stayed in Dubai.

The mum-of-five has gone against the judgement of her nearest and dearest by flying out to see Lee, after her family were left “deeply concerned” by the romance.

Alarm bells rang for Katie’s family when Lee got down on one knee after just weeks of knowing Katie, and married her a day later.

However, the TV star and model spoke out on the romance for the first time over the weekend, assuring worried fans she knows exactly what she’s doing.

Katie told fans while packing for her Dubai trip: “I bet everyone’s thinking, What’s going on in the Katie Price world? Well, you guys tell me because I’m reading it as it unfolds, just like you guys.

“I’m fully aware like everyone else. I see stuff, I get sent stuff. What I want everyone to know is, I’m a grown a**e woman. 

“I’m 48 this year, I’m not a young kid. I’ve learned a lot in the past few years, through therapy and learning to love myself. 

So I’m not stupid, I know what I’m doing and if I’m happy that’s all that matters.”

Defending the marriage, she added: “I’m not worried, so you don’t need to worry about anything.

“Like I say, I will do what I want to do.”

Questionable information about self-proclaimed millionaire Lee has come to light.

Last month, The Sun exposed him as a real life ‘Walter Mitty’, with the ‘businessman’ also having numerous AI-generated pictures with celebrities on his social media.

Katie is celebrating her marriage to husband LeeCredit: Instagram/@wesleeandrews
The loved-up pair have reunited in DubaiCredit: wesleeandrews/Instagram
Katie was joined in Dubai by her close friend KerryCredit: PA

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California introduces a new ticketing bill with a price cap

California’s ticketing industry could be undergoing some major changes.

On Thursday, state Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) introduced a new bill, the California Fans First Act, that would impose price caps on tickets sold in the resale market, limiting prices to no more than 10% above the ticket’s face value.

By making it illegal to sell overly expensive tickets, AB 1720 is aimed at making resale tickets more affordable for fans. If the legislation becomes law, it would apply only to shows in California and exclude tickets to sporting events.

AB 1720 was introduced weeks after a similar bill, AB 1349, reached the California Senate. The latter aims to ban speculative ticket sales (tickets that resellers don’t yet possess) in the state. If enacted, the proposed legislation would require sellers to have event tickets in their possession before listing them for sale and would raise the maximum civil penalty for each violation from $2,500 to $10,000.

Both bills aim to better regulate the state’s resale ticketing market.

Over the last several years, high ticket prices have been a recurring complaint among concertgoers. Rising demand for tickets has spurred a secondary resale marketplace for all kinds of high-profile live events, including music tours and sports games, making it harder to get tickets on the primary market.

Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation have been at the center of this issue for years, as the major ticketing vendor sells around 80% of tickets through its website. The company is currently facing lawsuits from both the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, alleging monopolistic practices and illegal ticket vendor practices.

“We’re trying to convince the federal government and state governments to get on the same page of recognizing where the problem is, which is overwhelmingly in the resale industry, and trying to do something about it,” said Dan Wall, Live Nation’s vice president of corporate and regulatory affairs, in a previous interview with The Times.

In a statement, Live Nation said it supports “efforts to protect concert fans and artists” and that the latest bill “targets a core problem in live music: predatory resale sites.”

Similar legislation has been popping up nationwide and around the world — the U.K. recently announced plans to ban the resale of tickets for prices higher than their face value.

A resale cap was successfully passed in Maine last year, with tickets only allowed to be sold at 110% of the ticket’s original price. Other states like New York, Vermont, Washington and Tennessee are also considering ticketing regulations.

Some critics see this surge of ticketing legislation as a way to distract from Ticketmaster/Live Nation’s legal troubles and single out the resale market.

Diana Moss, the director of competition policy at the Progressive Policy Institute, said that by capping resale ticket prices, AB 1720 “puts consumers last, not first.”

“It buys into the false narrative that the secondary market is to blame for all problems in ticketing, deflecting attention from the Live Nation-Ticketmaster monopoly,” said Moss in a statement to The Times. “Caps will decimate resale, the only market with competition, and hand Live Nation even more power to jack up ticket fees.”

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