rules

The city of Los Angeles violated the state’s open meeting law when council members took up a plan to clear 9,800 homeless encampments behind closed doors, a judge ruled this week.

In a 10-page decision, L.A. County Superior Court Judge Curtis Kin said the City Council ran afoul of the Ralph M. Brown Act by approving the encampment strategy during a Jan. 31, 2024, closed session.

The encampment plan was part of a larger effort by the city to comply with a legal settlement with the L.A. Alliance for Human Rights, which had sued over the city’s handling of the homelessness crisis.

Kin, in his ruling, said the city is allowed under the Brown Act to confer with its attorneys in closed-door meetings to discuss legal strategy.

“However, what the City cannot do under the Brown Act is formulate and approve policy decisions in a closed session outside the public eye merely because such decisions are in furtherance of a settlement agreement,” Kin wrote.

Karen Richardson, a spokesperson for City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto, said her office had no comment on the decision, which was issued earlier this week.

The ruling delivered a victory to the Los Angeles Community Action Network, which advocates for homeless residents and had sued the city over the closed-door deliberations.

Lawyers for LA CAN have warned that the city’s goal of removing 9,800 encampments over four years has created a quota system that could make sanitation workers more likely to violate the property rights of unhoused residents. Under the agreement, the city must reach its encampment removal target this summer.

“The City Council approved an extremely controversial plan to clear almost 10,000 encampments entirely in secret,” said Shayla Myers, the group’s attorney. “They never disclosed the plan before they voted on it, or even after, and the only one they disclosed the plan to was the business community.”

Lawyers for the city have offered contradictory explanations for what transpired during the Jan. 31, 2024, meeting. Now, LA CAN is seeking a court order requiring that the city produce all records — including audio of the closed-door deliberations — to show what transpired.

The city’s strategy for clearing 9,800 encampments has become a major sticking point in its long-running legal battle with the LA Alliance. U.S. District Court Judge David O. Carter ruled that a tent discarded by sanitation workers can only count toward the city’s numerical goal if its owner has been offered housing or shelter first.

Feldstein Soto’s legal team, in a memo to the council, said later that the judge had “reinterpreted” some of the city’s settlement obligations.

In this week’s ruling, Kin found that the city violated the Brown Act a second time in May 2024, when the council went behind closed doors to take up another agreement — this one between the city and L.A. County on the delivery of homeless services.

The LA Alliance first sued the city and county in 2020, alleging that too little was being done to address the homelessness crisis, particularly in Skid Row. The city settled the case two years later, agreeing to create 12,915 new shelter beds or other housing opportunities by June 2027.

After that deal was struck, the city began negotiating an accompanying agreement with the LA Alliance to reduce the number of street encampments. Those talks dragged on for more than a year.

The LA Alliance ran out of patience, telling Judge Carter in February 2024 that the city was 447 days late in finalizing its plan and should be sanctioned. The group submitted to the court a copy of the encampment removal plan, saying it had been approved by the City Council on Jan. 31, 2024.

Video from that day’s meeting shows that council members went behind closed doors to discuss the LA Alliance case. When they returned, Deputy City Atty. Jonathan Groat said there was nothing to report from the closed session.

LA CAN demanded that the city produce any vote tally on the encampment plan. The city declined to do so, saying there was no vote.

“To this day, [we] still don’t know who voted for it, or even if a vote was taken at all,” Myers said.

Lawyers for the city have argued that they were not required to issue any report from that closed session meeting. They also have said that the Brown Act allowed the two agreements — the one on encampment removals and the other with the county — to be discussed behind closed doors.

Carter ruled last year that the city had failed to comply with the terms of its settlement agreement with the L.A. Alliance. On Tuesday, he ordered the city to pay $1.6 million to cover the group’s legal fees.

The judge also instructed the city to pay about $201,000 for fees incurred by LA CAN and the LA Catholic Worker, which have intervened in the LA Alliance case.

On Thursday, lawyers for the city notified the court that they intend to appeal the order to pay the various groups.

Under the change Britons will provide four fingerprints and a facial biometric scan to a machine during their first arrival

British travellers visiting Europe are being warned to prepare for the possibility of even longer queues from today. The rollout of the EU’s new border check tech aims to eventually speed up entry, but its expansion this month presents a risk of greater delays, according to travel association ABTA.

Under the automated Entry/Exit System (EES), Britons will provide four fingerprints and a facial biometric scan to a machine during their first arrival, followed by one scan on each subsequent arrival and departure. “As more places introduce the system, and more passengers are processed through it, there is a greater risk that people will face queues and delays,” ABTA warns.

“It’s important travellers are prepared for this as they prepare to go through passport control.” The EU set a January 10 deadline for its member states to roll out the EES at half of their border crossings.

Manual passport stamping will continue until 9 April, meaning double red tape. “We are also urging border authorities to do all they can to minimise delays. They have contingency measures at their disposal – such as standing down the system or limiting checks – and we want them to be utilised to help manage the flow of people,” ABTA says.

The Entry Exit System (EES) requires non-EU citizens to register at the EU border by scanning their passport and having their fingerprints and photograph taken. The rollout began last October and mean British passport-holders need to register on their first visit to a country where EES checks are operating. Registration is valid for a rolling three-year period or until the passport expires.

The new system will be phased in over six months, meaning different ports may have varying requirements until April 2026. By January 10 half of all checkpoints should be in operation.

On exit, and for subsequent visits to a participating country, travellers will only need to scan their passport and provide either fingerprints or a photograph at the border.

EES will be a requirement when entering Schengen area countries including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. EES will not be required when travelling to Ireland and Cyprus.

For travellers using the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International, the process will take place at the border before they leave the UK.

The government has supported these juxtaposed ports (Eurostar, St Pancras; Eurotunnel, Folkestone; and the Port of Dover) with £10.5m of funding for border infrastructure to make the change as smooth as possible for travellers. While EES is an EU system, the government has been working closely with the travel industry, ports and transport operators to help raise public awareness and understanding of the border changes.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, said: “We recognise that EES checks will be a significant change for British travellers, which is why we have worked closely with our European partners to ensure the rollout goes as smoothly as possible.

“The UK and EU have a shared objective of securing our borders and these modernisation measures will help us protect our citizens and prevent illegal migration.”

Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation, Keir Mather, said: “We’ve backed our ports and operators with £10.5 million to help them get ready for the EU’s new Entry/Exit System, ensuring they have the infrastructure and systems in place to manage the changes.

“Our priority is to minimise disruption for travellers and hauliers, particularly at our busiest border crossings. We’ll continue working closely with European partners and local resilience forums to keep traffic flowing and journeys smooth.”

Travellers do not need to take any action before travelling and the process is free. Registration will take place upon arrival at the EU border and may take slightly longer than previous border checks.

Whilst the checks should only take 1-2 minutes for each person, they may lead to longer wait times at border control upon arrival in the Schengen area. At the juxtaposed ports, where registration will be completed in the UK prior to departure, there may be longer waits at busy times. Eurotunnel, Eurostar and the Port of Dover have plans in place to minimise disruption as much as possible.

Children under 12 will not be fingerprinted but under the new EU rules, all travellers, including babies, will be photographed and have digital records created.

The UK Government has rolled out its own Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, which is a digital permission to travel for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays, or do not have another valid UK immigration status prior to travelling to the UK.

Jan. 9 (Asia Today) — A student survey found that most Dongduk Women’s University students oppose proposed revisions to school regulations that would remove references to “women” and the institution’s “founding spirit,” as the university prepares to deliberate broader restructuring plans, the student council said Thursday.

The Dongduk Women’s University Student Council held a news conference at the university’s Wolgok campus on Thursday and released results of a survey conducted ahead of a scheduled university council meeting.

The student council said the survey was conducted after the university council submitted a proposal to revise school regulations. The proposal would shorten a section titled “Founding Spirit and Educational Ideology” in the general provisions to simply “Educational Ideology,” and delete the word “women” from a phrase describing the school’s goal of nurturing “women professionals with intellect and virtue,” according to the student council.

The survey was conducted from Saturday through Wednesday, with 615 currently enrolled students and students on leave participating, the council said.

It said 87.5% of respondents opposed removing the phrases “women” and “founding spirit” from the general provisions. It also said 70.1% opposed an academic restructuring plan proposed by the university administration.

Students argued the changes would undermine the university’s identity and founding principles, the student council said. It also criticized the structure of the university council, saying a proposal could pass even if all student representatives oppose it, and urged the administration to halt deliberations it said are moving forward without sufficient student input.

The student council said the proposed revisions would erase the historical and social meaning of establishing a women’s university and said Dongduk’s founding spirit reflected the need for women’s education and the cultivation of women’s talent.

The council called on the university to stop deliberations on the regulations revision and development plan, guarantee student participation throughout the process and create what it described as a substantive forum for discussion.

“We will take action to the end so student voices are substantively reflected” at the university council meeting scheduled for Sunday, the student council said.

The university council is scheduled to deliberate agenda items including a transition to engineering-related programs, the university development plan and revisions to university regulations, the report said.

Caption:A protest sign opposing a shift toward engineering programs is displayed outside Dongduk Women’s University in Seoul. /Asia Today reporter Kim Tae-hoon

– Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

In a massive blow to LGBTQIA+ rights, a federal judge has ruled that teachers can out queer and trans students to their parents.

Back in April 2023, two middle school teachers from the Escondido Union School District sued the district, the California State Board, and a handful of educational officials over a policy protecting LGBTQIA+ students.

Under the guidance in question, which has since been withdrawn, teachers and school staff were instructed to recognise a student’s gender identity changes and desired pronouns. It also prohibited disclosing students’ identities to their parents or guardians without their consent.

In the suit, the two teachers alleged that the policy violated their free speech and religious beliefs

After nearly a two-year legal battle, which included the case being converted to a class-action suit, US District Judge Roger Benitez ruled in favour of the plaintiffs on 23 December.

Under the order, employees in the California statewide education system are prohibited from “misleading the parent or guardian of a minor child in the education system about their child’s gender presentation at school.”

This includes “directly lying” to the student’s parent or guardian, preventing the parent or guardian from accessing the student’s educational records, and using “a different set of preferred pronouns/names when speaking with the parents than is being used at school.”

Shortly after Judge Benitez’s ruling, the state filed an appeal with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

“A stay pending appeal – and at a minimum a brief stay to seek relief from the Court of Appeals – is warranted in this case,” the state wrote in the request.

“The Court has issued a statewide injunction that abruptly enjoins State Defendants from enforcing long-standing state laws that protect vulnerable transgender and gender nonconforming students.

“If the Orders are allowed to stay in effect before the Court of Appeals has a chance to review them, they would irrevocably alter the status quo and will create chaos and confusion among students, parents, teachers, and staff at California’s public schools.”

At the start of the month, the appeals court granted the state a short-term administrative stay of ruling, per Education Week.

The recent development comes more than a year after California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the LGBTQIA+ inclusive SAFETY Act into law, which stops school districts from requiring staff to share information about a student’s sexual orientation or gender identity to parents.

It also protects teachers and other school employees from retaliation, like being fired, if they choose not to out a student’s sexuality or gender identity to parents.

Over the last few days, LGBTQIA+ advocates and organisations have called out Judge Benitez’s rulling.

Christine Parker, senior staff attorney with the Gender, Sexuality, and Reproductive Justice Project at the ACLU Foundation of Southern California, said: “This decision denies the realities the California Legislature recognised when it adopted the SAFETY Act last year, and the Student Success and Opportunity Act back in 2013, to help ensure all students feel safe and respected at school, even if they are not ready or able to be out at home or are navigating a less-than-supportive family dynamic.

“A culture of outing harms everyone—students, families, and school staff alike—by removing opportunities to build trust. LGBTQ+ students deserve to decide on their own terms if, when, and how to come out, and to be able to be themselves at school.”

The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus echoed similar sentiments in a statement posted to their website.

“The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus strongly condemns the recent ruling by Judge Benitez in Mirabelli v. Olson. While the decision formally addresses a narrow Escondido Union School District policy, it deliberately injects confusion into the public understanding of the SAFETY Act (AB 1955) and signals an alarming willingness to undermine long-standing constitutional rights to privacy and nondiscrimination protections across California law,” the group wrote.

THEY have barely aged in 20 years and can still fit into the hotpants that turned them into overnight stars.

Now, Cheeky Girls Monica and Gabriela Irimia, who first ­wiggled their way into the public eye on 2002 TV show Popstars: The Rivals, have revealed their secret to defying time at 43.

Gabriela said with a laugh: “People always ask us our secret to looking good. We have a few strict rules — no eating after 7pm, exercise every day . . . and lots of sex.”

Gabriela was famously engaged to ex-Liberal Democrat MP Lembik Opik, prior to meeting partner Adam Zubek seven years ago.

She said: “I’m really happy in my life now. Lembik was a ­genuine guy, we had a great relationship. But there was a lot of pressure from all sides, including from his party.”

Monica married building contractor Shaun Taylor in 2016.

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Their catchy Cheeky Song (Touch My Bum) co-written by their mum, Hungarian former midwife Margrit, was voted the “worst pop record of all time” in a 2004 Channel 4 poll.  

Yet it sold 1.2million copies worldwide, reaching No2 in the UK charts.

And bookings are hotter than ever for the twins, who also work in the motoring trade, due to the famous track ­taking off on social media and TikTok.

Monica, who is younger by ten ­minutes, said: “People ask us if we’re now ‘cheeky women’ but no, we’re still cheeky girls.

We haven’t had any work done — except our boobs and our teeth, which were a 40th ­birthday present to ourselves.

“We’re proof that, at 43, you can still be sexy, have two successful careers and also have fun.

‘Best of both worlds’

“We’ve performed at some of the biggest festivals, tiny gigs and at old people’s homes and student unions, and we love every minute of it.

“Our smallest gig was for three people at a hunting lodge for a multi- millionaire on a shooting weekend. Our strangest was for a room of deaf people who danced to the vibrations.”

As for those shiny silver hotpants, two years after Kylie Minogue rocked hers in Spinning Around?

Monica said: “The hotpants still fit. I think the bums have got a tiny bit bigger. We’re a little bit curvier, but in a good way.”

The hotpants still fit. I think the bums have got a tiny bit bigger. We’re a little bit curvier, but in a good way

Part of the siblings’ appeal these days is they cock a light-hearted snook at woke cancel culture.

Gabriela said: “Society is now becoming so serious. You can’t say this, you can’t do that . . . Where’s the novelty? Where’s the fun?

“But you can’t cancel us for being cheeky or you’d have to cancel Kylie Minogue and her hotpants, too.”

At the height of their fame, the girls mingled with A-list celebs and ­Gabriela claimed Robbie Williams once tried to charm her when they were both single.

She said: “Robbie was my teenage crush and I was privileged to meet him at an after-party for the Ant And Dec TV show.

“He chatted me up and I chatted him up. He was single, I was single. He told me, ‘You’re beautiful’. I ­fancied him. But it stopped there, unfortunately. Nothing happened.”

And they revealed their biggest celebrity fan was none other than heavy-metal legend Alice Cooper.

Monica said: “When we met Alice Cooper, who is our idol and an iconic artist, he said ‘Oh my god, girls. I love you!’ We were like, ‘Alice Cooper, a fan?’ That made our year.”

We’ve still got it and we are loving every moment

Now, 23 years on from their breakthrough hit, the Romanian twins both work in Audi car showrooms by day — Gabriela in York and Monica in Boston, Lincs — and insist: “There’s always a cheeky deal to be had.”

But people still sing the lyric, “We are the Cheeky Girls” at them in the supermarket or shout, “Cheeky, cheeky!” on the street.

Senior car saleswoman Gabriela said: “By day, we are suited and booted working for Audi cars, but we perform as the Cheeky Girls in ­hotpants by night.

“So we have the best of both worlds. We’ve still got it and we are loving every moment.”

Monica revealed that when customers come in, some do a double take, while others struggle to place how they know the pair.

She revealed: “All the time, customers say to us, ‘Do I know you from somewhere?’. We joke, ‘Do you want a cheeky deal?’.

“You see them frantically scrolling on their phones to check if it’s really us. Others say, ‘Oh, I don’t want to be cheeky, but can I have £1,000 off?’ — then you know they know!

“I’ll joke, ‘Maybe that’s a little too cheeky, but I can definitely offer you a great deal . . .’

“Both of us are petrolheads who love prestige cars, so we love our career as much as we love being pop stars.

“The only thing that could top it would be if we were invited to present Top Gear or appear on Strictly Come Dancing.”

To celebrate the release of their new song Drive, inspired by their day job, they have performed a tongue-in-cheek version of the Cheeky Song (Touch My Bum), instead singing “touch my bumper”, exclusively for Sun on Sunday readers to watch online.

The twins revealed that Love Island bosses had begged them to appear on the show — but they refused.

Gabriela said: “We did get an invitation to go to Love Island but it’s not our thing.

“We wouldn’t want to be seen ­having sex on camera or kissing boys. It’s tacky. If we were to go to Love Island, we’d be boring!”

We are available, 23 years on! We reckon we’d take Britain to glory again

They also insisted they will never do OnlyFans.

Gabriela said: “Twenty years ago, we did magazine covers, including FHM. We’d still be up for that. But you’ll never find us on OnlyFans. If anyone claims to be a Cheeky Girl on there, it’s not us.”

One gig the girls would love to land is Eurovision.

Louis Walsh, who was a judge on the show that shot them to fame, wanted the duo to represent ­Britain in the contest with a version of ­Baccara’s 1977 hit, Yes Sir, I Can ­Boogie.

Gabriela revealed: “At the time, we had the dilemma: would we represent Romania or the UK? But we’d do it now for the UK.

“So Louis, call us. We are available, 23 years on! We reckon we’d take Britain to glory again.”

‘Loss of control’

As well as the highs that come with scoring hit singles, including Take Your Shoes Off and (Hooray Hooray) It’s A Cheeky Holiday, there have been crushing lows.

It all nearly came crashing down as their record label, Telstar, collapsed — reportedly owing them more than £1million. They were declared ­bankrupt in 2009.

Monica recalled: “We are ­talking huge bills. Where do you go? What do you do?”

The pressures led them to spiral into an eating disorder. At one point, they each weighed just 6.5st.

Monica added: “It started with loss of control over everything. You feel like you want to take control of something and the only thing you can control is what you put in your mouth and do with your body.”

While both have now recovered, they are open about their battle to let other sufferers know there is hope.

Monica said: “We recovered many years ago. But we speak openly about this to raise awareness because of the pressures young people feel, ­particularly with social media.

“It also taught us a really important lesson — to stay positive.”

The twins both felt pressure to have boob jobs, after being sidelined for a bustier woman in their music video for Cheeky Holiday.

Gabriela’s first operation was a ­disaster, and she said: “My body rejected the implant. One boob was up, one boob was down.”

She has had a series of operations to correct it.

In 2017, one of her sister’s implants ruptured in two places.

But Monica said they now love their bodies, adding: “When I was in my 20s, you’re not that confident.

“I’ve now reached a stage where I feel I’m completely confident. I feel really sexy. We both feel that way.”

The twins hope to continue juggling their day jobs and singing careers.

Gabriela said: “Due to social media and TikTok, a whole new generation is coming to see us. It’s amazing.

“As long as the phone keeps ringing, the Cheeky Girls are going to be around.

“It’s worked for 23 years, we hope it will work for another 23. Who knows, we may even end up performing one day as the Cheeky Grandmas!”

From EU border fingerprint checks to new visa waivers and tourist taxes, British holidaymakers face major changes in 2026. Here are some of the most important ones you need to know about before you jet off

The world of travel is constantly changing, with alterations to airport regulations, tourism restrictions, and new paperwork to complete. These changes can often leave holidaymakers scratching their heads, unsure of how they’ll be affected or what steps they need to take.

The upcoming year promises a wave of significant changes, particularly for Brits traveling to or from the EU. The potential requirement for a visa waiver is on the horizon, and the new entry and exit system is likely to be implemented this year, reports the Express.

But what does this mean for the average holidaymaker? And what do Brits need to sort out before they set off? Here’s a breakdown of some of the changes you need to keep an eye on if you have a trip booked.

EU Entry/Exit System (EES)

After numerous delays, the Entry/Exit System (EES) finally got off the ground in October. This means anyone from outside the Schengen Area, including Brits, will have to provide fingerprints and a facial image at the border when entering EU countries.

This initiative aims to phase out manual passport stamps and make it easier to monitor tourists who overstay their welcome. However, the roll-out of the system has hit a number of snags.

For instance, the Port of Dover was initially set to start using EES in October for car passengers, but this was pushed back to early 2026 to prevent delays over the busy festive season. Not all EU airports have the system up and running yet, so if you’re planning to travel early next year, your experience may differ.

The deadline for full implementation across all Schengen members, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, is set for 10 April 2026. Once operational, travellers won’t need to do anything beforehand, but there may be lengthier airport queues as people adjust to the new system.

ETIAS – EU Visas

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is a new visa waiver programme for exempt visitors making trips to the EU. It’s similar to the United States’ ESTA, and the procedure will be largely the same.

Once implemented, Brits planning an EU holiday will need to complete an ETIAS application, which is a pre-screening that permits you to enter the Schengen Area without a visa.

The downside is that the visa will cost €7 per person (roughly £6.10). However, once approved, the ETIAS will remain valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever happens first.

Currently, no launch date has been declared on the official ETIAS website, but it’s advisable to stay alert for any updates. The launch date for ETIAS has already been postponed several times, and while it’s presently set for Q4 of 2026, which is October, there could still be delays in rolling out the system.

As with any travel visa or application, only use the official ETIAS website for applications and steer clear of third-party sites.

Brits face bigger bills on arrival

Overtourism has consistently made the news throughout 2025, and Brits travelling to certain countries might be caught off guard by unforeseen additional costs.

An increasing number of destinations are implementing tourist taxes, and while these are typically minor nightly fees, they can quickly accumulate for extended stays or larger groups. English mayors are also set to be given the authority to impose tourist taxes, meaning even staycations could come with added expenses.

New tourist taxes set to begin in 2026 include Edinburgh, where a 5% surcharge will be added to hotel bills from July, and Thailand, which will levy a 300 baht fee (approximately £7) on air passengers.

Brits heading abroad might also discover they’re charged more than locals to visit popular sites. A recent case in point is the Louvre in Paris, which announced that from early 2026, EEA residents will be charged €22 for entry, roughly £19.15, whereas those from outside the EEA, including Brits, will be hit with a €32 admission fee (around £27.86).

U.S. National Parks are set to introduce a two-tier pricing system for American citizens and tourists, with the latter being hit with an additional $100 fee on top of standard charges to gain entry into popular parks such as the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone. This surcharge can be applied per person or per vehicle, depending on the park’s policy.

For instance, a family visiting the Grand Canyon typically pays $35 (roughly £25.87) for a private car. However, under the new rules for non-Americans, this will skyrocket to a staggering $135, meaning visitors could pay just under £100 to simply pass through the gates.

Changes to liquid rules

Air travellers should stay up-to-date with any changes to liquid rules at their departure and destination airports, as the 100ml rule is often subject to change and has even been scrapped in some places due to advancements in technology.

At Birmingham, Gatwick, and Edinburgh airports, passengers can now carry up to two litres of liquids in their hand luggage, thanks to enhanced scanning technology. Meanwhile, at Luton Airport, while the 100ml rule remains in effect, there’s no longer a requirement to remove liquids from your hand luggage. This means the small plastic bag is no longer necessary; you can simply place your luggage in the scanner.

However, it’s important to remember that the regulations at your destination may differ. So, if you bring a two-litre bottle from the UK in your hand luggage, it might need to be stowed in a checked bag for your return journey.

Tightening of smoking and vaping bans

Several Spanish holiday hotspots favoured by Brits are considering imposing stricter regulations on smoking and vaping in public areas. In certain tourist hotspots like Barcelona and the Balearic Islands, puffing away on a cigarette or vape is already prohibited on beaches, while some Canaries’ beaches have been declared ‘clean-air zones’.

However, new proposals set to potentially take effect in 2026 could see a total ban on smoking and vaping in various outdoor spaces, including beaches and bar terraces throughout Spain, with immediate fines for those flouting the rules. In the Canary Islands, penalties for violating anti-smoking laws currently range from €30 to €2,000 (approximately £26 to £1,730), so it’s anticipated that similar fines would accompany the new regulations.

Crackdowns on unruly passengers

A recently enacted law in France, which may soon be replicated across other EU nations, is set to clamp down hard on disruptive behaviour among air passengers.

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Starting from November, passengers traversing French airspace who commit offences such as using an electronic device when forbidden, hindering flight crew, or failing to adhere to safety instructions, will face hefty fines of up to €10,000 and flight bans lasting up to four years. For repeat offenders, fines can soar to €20,000, serving as a stern reminder for passengers to maintain decorum when flying over France.

The French Civil Aviation Authority will maintain a database of misconduct, enabling French airlines to report troublesome passengers and identify habitual offenders.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

Dec. 28 (Asia Today) — Hanyang University business professor Lee Woong-hee said South Korean companies face structural disadvantages versus fast-rising Chinese rivals, citing China’s lack of inheritance and gift taxes and fewer work stoppages tied to strikes.

In a column, Lee said many in South Korea view China as a socialist system with low economic freedom, but argued Beijing has increasingly tolerated business autonomy since its “reform and opening-up” era. He pointed to China’s 2004 constitutional recognition of private property rights as an example of what he described as a bold shift, even though the state retains land ownership.

Lee argued China has absorbed Western institutions such as private property rights and joint-stock companies into its system, rebranding them as “new socialism,” and said Chinese scholars have promoted theoretical justifications for that approach.

Lee said China holds advantages that South Korean firms do not, starting with taxation. He wrote that China does not currently levy inheritance, estate or gift taxes, unlike South Korea, where high inheritance and gift tax burdens can pressure founders to sell companies rather than pass them on to heirs.

He also said China faces fewer production disruptions from strikes. Lee noted China removed the right to strike from its 1982 constitution and allows only the All-China Federation of Trade Unions as a legal union structure, limiting independent organizing.

While acknowledging an increase in labor disputes, Lee cited reports estimating 1,509 labor incidents in 2024 and argued they remained relatively small-scale and dispersed, with authorities preventing wider escalation.

Beyond taxes and labor, Lee said China benefits from deeper pools of engineering talent and stronger industrial support. He also argued South Korea’s industrial electricity rates are significantly higher than China’s, and said Beijing offers broad policy backing for strategic industries.

Lee wrote that China’s startup momentum appears stronger, citing surveys suggesting higher startup rates among Chinese graduates and pointing to global rankings that placed Beijing among leading startup cities. He said China ranks second globally in the number of unicorn companies after the United States.

Lee concluded that China’s older socialist traits appear to be fading and that its entrepreneurial culture is reasserting itself, arguing it may only be a matter of time before China becomes more business-friendly than South Korea.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Caption:Professor Lee Woong-hee of Hanyang University’s business school. /Asia Today

IF you’re travelling within the EU next year, there’s some new systems you’ll need to be aware of before you set off.

With the new EES and ETIAS travel systems rolling out, you may be left asking yourself – what exactly are these new rules?

We’ve rounded up everything you need to know to be prepared ahead of your holidays next year – including when these new rules come into place.

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES)

What is the EES?

October 2025 saw the launch of the EU Entry/Exit System, or EES.

The EES is a new digital border system.

Non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay (including Brits) will need to track when they enter and exit EU countries.

Read more on new travel rules

SEE EU

New travel rules being introduced on October 12 for Brits heading to Europe

EU-R ON

All the tricky questions Brits could be asked at European airports next month

The system will have travellers scan their fingerprints and have their photo taken at the border of their European destination.

When you first travel to a participating country, you will have to register at a kiosk.

Here you will scan your passport, fingerprints and take a photo. This is expected to only take 2-3 minutes per person.

You will also be asked four simple questions about your travels, such as why you are visiting and where you will be staying.

Your data will then be stored in the Biometric Matching Service for three years – and your future travels within this period will only require a scan of your face or fingerprint.

Who has to use the EES?

You will have to undergo the new system if you are a non-EU national who is travelling for a short stay to a European country using the EES.

“Non-EU national” applies to any traveller who is not a national of any European Union country, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. This also means all British tourists.

A “short stay” is considered as up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

There are some exceptions, including children under 12 who will not have to give fingerprints.

Find the full list of exemptions on the GOV.UK website.

Why has the EES been introduced?

The EES has been designed to make border checks faster and more modern.

The system is thought to be quicker due to it’s digital system, self-service options and the ability to register information in advance.

The system is designed to be a quick check that allows travellers to spend less time at the border.

It will also keep track of who comes in and out of what is known as the Schengen Area – a zone in Europe which allows for passport-free travel under a common visa policy.

The EES has been designed to ultimately replace the system of manually stamping passports at the border for EU visitors.

Where has the EES been introduced?

The EES is continuing to roll out across airports, Eurostar, Eurotunnel and ferries serving participating countries.

All EU member states within the Schengen Area – plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – will participate in the new system.

By January 2026, half of border points are due to be operating EES.

By April 10, 2026, it is expected to be fully operational – with every participating border crossing using the system.

European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

What is ETIAS?

ETIAS is a new system that will authorise visitors to enter countries within the Schengen Area and other participating countries.

It is a requirement for nationals who are visa-exempt, including Brits.

ETIAS authorisation is essentially a visa waiver that will be linked to your passport and is similar to the ESTA needed to visit the US.

It is valid for up to three years, or until your passport expires.

You apply for ETIAS authorisation by visiting the official ETIAS website, and following the instructions on its portal.

The application is designed to be fast and easy, and should only take a couple of minutes – but may take up to 30 days so holidaymakers are advised to leave enough time.

The ETIAS will cost €20 (£17) and is valid for three years.

Travellers under 18 or over 70 do not have to pay the fee, although still have to apply for one.

Who has to use ETIAS?

You will need ETIAS authorisation if you are travelling to a destination in the Schengen Area or a participating country, and are a national from a visa-exempt country.

UK citizens will require ETIAS authorisation.

When will ETIAS begin?

ETIAS is scheduled to begin in late 2026.

The specific launch date will be announced by the EU closer to the time.

Why has ETIAS been introduced?

ETIAS has been introduced to improve security in EU travel.

It will track irregular or potentially criminal activity. In this way, it is similar to the US ESTA.

As well as improving safety, ETIAS is designed to speed up border checks, compared to manually checking passports.

What is the difference between the EES and ETIAS?

The EES is the fingerprint and face-scanning system that will take place at kiosks at participating country borders.

The ETIAS is the visa-waiver needed to enter participating countries, which must be applied for online ahead of time.

What are the participating countries?

The participating countries for the EES are:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

For the EES, the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus are excluded as they are not a part of Schengen.

These 30 European countries require visa-exempt travellers to have an ETIAS travel authorisation:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

EXPLAINER

In a revamp of the 1973 mixed singles match, Aryna Sabalenka will play Nick Kyrgios on Sunday in Dubai.

Who: Aryna Sabalenka vs Nick Kyrgios
What: “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition tennis match
Where: Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
When: Sunday at 7.45pm (15:45 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 13:00 GMT in advance of our live text commentary stream.

Women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka will take on Australian maverick Nick Kyrgios in a “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition tennis match in Dubai on Sunday.

Sabalenka, 27, will face the 30-year-old former Wimbledon finalist in a modern rendition of tennis icon Billie Jean King’s 1973 showdown with fellow American Bobby Riggs, which turned out to be a watershed moment for both tennis and the women’s movement.

Here is all to know before their much anticipated showdown:

How did the Sabalenka-Kyrgios match come about?

Kyrgios, who was ranked as high as 13 in the world in men’s singles, threw down the gauntlet to Sabalenka during the US Open in September, saying in an interview he would easily dispatch the Belarusian without having to try “100 percent to win”.

He said women cannot return professional men’s serves and claimed he would defeat the world’s top-ranked female player.

Sabalenka responded by saying she was ready to “kick a**”, which eventually led to Evolve, the marketing agency that represents both players, organising this weekend’s matchup.

What’s the history behind the ‘Battle of the Sexes’?

The original “Battle of the Sexes” took place in 1973 between King, then 29, and Riggs, 55, at the Houston Astrodome.

King, a 12-time singles Grand Slam champion, made history when she defeated the former men’s world number one amateur player 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in a matchup that drew an estimated 90 million TV viewers worldwide.

King’s straight-sets victory was considered a pivotal moment for women’s sport at the time and solidified her status as a sports and feminist icon of her generation.

What are the rules for ‘Battle of the Sexes’?

Sabalenka, speaking on the Piers Morgan Uncensored YouTube show on December 9, said it would be “really tough” to compete against a male player of Kyrgios’s standard using a full court and standard rules.

As a result, there are several rule modifications for this match:

• The players will be limited to just one serve instead of two.
• Sabalenka’s side of the court will be 9 percent smaller than a normal tennis court.
• It will be a best-of-three-sets contest – with a 10-point tiebreaker in the final set if required.

What has Sabalenka said about the match?

“I’m proud to represent women’s tennis and to be part of this modern take of the iconic Battle of the Sexes match,” Sabalenka said in a news release.

“Dubai is my home, and I know this city loves big, entertaining events. I have a lot of respect for Nick and his talent, but make no mistake, I’m ready to bring my A-game.”

What has Kyrgios said about the match?

Kyrgios said he’ll defeat the four-time Grand Slam champion without having to try hard.

“I think she’s the type of player who genuinely thinks she’s going to win,” Kyrgios said.

“She is not gonna beat me. Do you really think I have to try 100 percent? I’m gonna try because I’m representing the men’s side. I’d say like 6-2 maybe.”

“I think I’m going to be OK. I’m going to go there, and I don’t want her to win. That’s for sure,” he added.

Is oft-injured Kyrgios planning a return to professional tennis?

Kyrgios will compete at ‍next month’s ‍Brisbane International after receiving a wildcard entry, organisers said on Sunday, as he works towards a potential ​return to the 2026 Australian Open.

His career has been ravaged by injury over the past couple of ‍years, and ⁠he played only five singles matches in 2025, the most recent at the Miami Open in March.

Kyrgios, the 2018 Brisbane champion, is now ranked ​673rd in the ‌world with no protected ranking and will also need a wildcard to compete at Melbourne ‌Park.

How to watch the ‘Battle of the Sexes’

The match is being broadcast live and free in the United Kingdom on BBC 1 and streamed on BBC iPlayer.

Please check local guides for access in other countries.

Al Jazeera will provide live text commentary of the match.

New York City, United States – Since the recent termination of the nearly decade-old trade rule called “de minimis,” United States consumers and businesses have been exposed to slower shipping, destroyed packages and steep tariff fees on international goods – foreshadowing what could make for a chaotic holiday shopping season.

For major international carrier UPS, navigating the latest regulatory changes has proved more fraught than for its competitors FedEx and DHL.

Matthew Wasserbach, brokerage manager for Express Customs Clearance in New York, a firm that assists importers with documentation, tariff classifications, valuation, and other federal requirements, has witnessed the fallout as UPS customers seek his firm’s assistance to clear packages entering the US.

“Over the last few months, we’ve been seeing a lot of UPS shipments, in particular, becoming stuck and being lost or disposed of … This all stems from the ending of the de minimis,” said Wasserbach. “Their [UPS’s] whole business model changed once the de minimis was ended. And they just didn’t have the capacity to do the clearance … a lot of people are expecting to receive international packages, and they’re just never gonna get them.”

UPS did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for comment.

Suspending tariff exemptions

Since 2016, the de minimis trade exemption determined that packages worth $800 or less were not subject to taxes and tariffs. According to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the number of shipments entering the US claiming the exemption increased by more than 600 percent from 139 million shipments in 2015 to more than one billion in 2023.

In August, this all changed. President Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending de minimis treatment for all countries, spiralling US imports into a new landscape of paperwork and processes, subject to duties and tariffs based on their place of origin.

Just a month after de minimis ended, while shipping products with UPS, Tezumi Tea, an online Japanese tea and teaware company that sells its products online and through meetups in New York City, fell victim to the tariff backlog at US customs. Tezumi lost roughly 150kg (330lbs) of matcha, totalling about $13,000.

“We responded by increasing buffers in our supply planning across the dozen farms that we partner with,” said Ryan Snowden, a cofounder of Tezumi. “Even with those adjustments, the loss had a severe effect on a number of our cafe customers who suddenly needed to switch to another matcha blend.”

Now, UPS is no longer accepting shipments from Japan, and Tezumi has switched to shipping supplies through alternate carriers such as DHL and FedEx.

Disposing shipments

Wasserbach has witnessed similar instances of UPS losing imports.

“When a UPS package goes uncleared, it’s just basically sitting in a UPS facility, uncleared for a certain period of time,” said Wasserbach. “Then UPS indicates in their tracking that they’re disposing of the shipments without making, really, any effort, from what I’ve seen, to contact either the sender or the receiver, to get information they need to do to get the clearance.”

Wasserbach shared email chains with Al Jazeera from UPS customers who looped in his firm to their customs clearance UPS debacles.

In one exchange, UPS customer Stephan Niznik responded to a notice from the UPS Alternate Broker Team that their packages had been “destroyed”.

“The tracking says on multiple instances that UPS attempted to contact the sender (me), but this is false; aside from a request for more information on September 5 (which I responded to immediately), UPS never attempted to contact me,” wrote Niznik. “It is absolutely disgraceful that my package was mishandled – clothes and children’s toys were destroyed at the hands of UPS.”

In another email chain, UPS told customer Chenying Li that their package was released following an email from Express Customs Clearance stating that the shipment was cleared.

A week later, Li’s package was still showing as “Pending Release”, and when they asked for an update on the shipment, UPS responded, “At this time we are unable to provide an ETA,  as volume is currently backed up and awaiting delivery due to the De Minimis impact.”

‘Impose additional pressure’

In addition to the customs backlog, Virginia Tech associate professor David Bieri says cost prevention may provide one explanation for UPS choosing to dispose of packages rejected by US customs rather than return the shipments to senders.

“All these additional rules and regulations impose additional pressure on already relatively tight margins for these companies – UPS, FedEx, DHL and so forth,” said Bieri. “They need to make money, and sometimes it’s easier not to fulfil a service than to take on the additional cost of customs clearance and making sure that it gets to its final destination.”

Bieri added that UPS resorting to package disposal may indicate that they believe themselves to be in “a sufficiently strong monopolistic position that they can do such horrible practice – unilateral nonfulfillment of contract”.

Wasserbach told Al Jazeera that “with FedEx and DHL shipments, we aren’t seeing these problems”.

When asked whether FedEx has disposed of packages stuck in customs, a spokesperson wrote, “If paperwork is not complete and/or rejected by US Customs and Border Protection, FedEx actively works with senders to update paperwork to resubmit to CBP or return shipments to senders. In some cases, shippers can request that packages be disposed of if they would prefer not to pay to return to sender. In those rare cases, recipients are notified at the direction of the shipper. This is not a common practice. We remain business as usual.”

Final cost of delivery at your doorstep

But FedEx and DHL are encountering some of the same challenges as UPS. Since August, when de minimis ended and small packages were suddenly subject to taxes and tariffs, anyone who ordered from abroad was susceptible to unexpected fees on imported goods.

Without de minimis protecting packages worth $800 and less from import fees, the consumer essentially becomes the importer.

“You might order something you find a bargain abroad, and you don’t pay attention to where things are shipped from … and it might be shipped from China, and you might be in for a rude awakening once that thing arrives at your door,” said Beiri. “You paid the price and thought that this was it. But your deliverer is saying, no, actually, we’re passing that cost on to you. Because you’re acting as the importer.”

These fees could cost equal to or more than the item you ordered itself. “You’ve got to pay extra attention to small prints,” said Beiri.

With looming costs and lost packages on the horizon, Beiri says shoppers will likely make “substitution questions” – are you renovating or are you going on vacation? Are you splashing on Christmas gifts, or are you treating yourself to dining out?

“I think these are interesting times of having to make choices and asking yourself what can we do given that we have an affordability crisis, rent, insurance, making ends meet,” said Beiri. “That’s what’s currently going on.”

In order to better handle evolving trade policy, Wasserbach says that UPS will likely aim to hire a massive number of entry writers to assist with necessary documentation for legal transportation of goods across international borders. However, now that it is the busiest time of year in terms of delivering people their Christmas shopping, Wasserbach doubts an influx of hiring could make much of a difference, given the amount of training required.

The company’s revenue has already taken a hit on account of Trump’s policies. Tariffs on China and the elimination of the de minimis rule saw imports from China, UPS’s most profitable route, drop reportedly 35 percent earlier this year.

“I would assume it’s gonna get better next year,” said Wasserbach. “But as for solving this problem before Christmas, I don’t think that that’s gonna happen.”

Dec. 19 (UPI) — A Paris court denied an effort by the French government to suspend the fashion website Shein from operating in the country after it was found to be selling “childlike” sex dolls.

The court called the three-month suspension “disproportionate,” but said the site must implement strong age-verification protocols to sell any “sexual products that could constitute pornographic content.” It said the fine for each breach would be $11,700.

The action was taken after the sex dolls and weapons were discovered by France’s consumer watchdog in November, causing an uproar in France.

Shein, based in Singapore, issued a statement on Nov. 4 saying it had removed the dolls and permanently banned “all seller accounts linked to illegal or non-compliant sex-doll products.”

The court noted that the company removed the items and that the issue was only for a small number of the hundreds of thousands of items on the site.

A Shein spokesperson told Euro News that the platform will not reopen in France right away. It’s doing an internal audit to find weaknesses in its marketplace operations.

Paris senator Marie-Claire Carrère-Gée of the conservative Les Républicains party told Euro News that “the issue with Shein or Temu goes far beyond these specific products. It is an entire business model that violates consumer rights, destroys our companies and jobs, and tramples on human rights, including environmental protection.”

The Paris prosecutor’s office has begun a criminal investigation and assigned it to France’s Office for the Protection of Minors. It includes other online retailers, including AliExpress, Temu, Wish and eBay.

The company opened its first-ever brick-and-mortar store in Paris on Nov. 5, soon after the controversy began. The store opened to chaos, as shoppers lined up to get in and protesters shouted at them, “Shame!”

The European Commission has requested information from Shein but hasn’t launched an investigation. It has begun investigating AliExpress and Temu.