Miami World Cup officials play down travel concerns a year from kick-off
June 12 (Reuters) - As a gleaming clock began ticking towards the 2026 World Cup, Miami officials launched the city's one-year countdown seeking to allay fears that America's stricter immigration stance could deter the overseas fans that it hopes to attract.
The celebratory unveiling on Wednesday, featuring singer Marc Anthony, came just days after unrest in Los Angeles and amid the implementation of stricter border controls under President Donald Trump's administration.
"I don't think anybody has anything to be afraid of. Miami is an incredibly welcoming place, and we're very excited to welcome the world," Alina T. Hudak, president of the 2026 Miami Host Committee, said at the countdown event.
The digital clock, soon to greet travellers at Miami International Airport, marks 365 days until the start of the biggest World Cup in history — 48 teams playing 104 matches across three North American nations.
However, security arrangements have drawn particular scrutiny, especially regarding the involvement of immigration enforcement agencies.
Rodney Barreto, co-chair of the Miami Host Committee, confirmed that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will be involved in security operations.
"They will be there to support us with security, but not to capture people," he said.
At Fiorito, an Argentine restaurant in Miami's Little Haiti neighbourhood, fans of the South American nation's defending champions expressed confidence that their countrymen would travel regardless of restrictions.
"Wherever the World Cup is, it's great ... We're excited about being world champions and we can do much more," Argentina supporter Nicolas Lomazzi told Reuters.
"What matters here is money, and they're going to make a lot with the World Cup, so they'll open the door for us all," added Emmanuel, an Argentina supporter hopeful of witnessing what could be captain Lionel Messi's final World Cup appearance.
For Miami, a city shaped by successive waves of immigration, hosting the tournament represents a delicate balancing act — showcasing its multicultural identity while navigating an increasingly complex immigration landscape that threatens the smooth running of the biggest World Cup yet.
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The Sun
12 minutes ago
- The Sun
Scott Wolf's ex Kelley screams ‘shame on you!' as police detain her for ‘erratic behavior' days after his divorce filing
THE estranged wife of actor Scott Wolf has posted a video of her being detained by police after making concerning comments. Utah police exclusively told The U.S. Sun that officers responded to a call at Scott and Kelley Wolf's Park City home for concerns over a woman's "erratic behavior" and a "potential threat to herself and others." 6 6 6 6 In the video posted to Kelley's Instagram account, Kelley screamed "shame on you!" as officers put her in handcuffs days after Scott filed for divorce. Police told Kelley, 48, that they were confronting her because she "made some comments to your dad and comments to people that are concerning," so they "want to make sure you're okay." "Oh my God. Don't. Oh my God, this is not happening!" Kelley is heard screaming back at them in a video posted on Friday morning. "This is shameful. Look at this... Be ashamed of yourself." Cops could be heard assuring her that she wasn't going to jail and that they were going to get her "some help." "I know what I'm doing, I've done this. This is my job," Kelley responded. The video was all black and only audio until the last few seconds, when Kelley and officers appear on the screen. "Officers responded to a call concerning erratic behavior and a potential threat to herself and others," the Park City Police Department told The U.S. Sun. "The officers responded to the family's Park City home. More information is not available at this time as an investigation is still underway." In a post to her Instagram Story after the scary footage was shared to her account, Kelley wrote, "This is horrible. I have been taken against my will." She continued, "Also...I am happy!! Happier than I have ever been. "I have NO idea why or how this is happening in AMERICA." Kelley added, "I am compliant, calm and respectful, and hopefully this is all sorted very quickly. "In the meantime, be kind to each other. This is one of the darkest things I've ever experienced." In the update, Kelley also asked someone to check on her kids while she was with the police. Scott and Kelley share three children together. SAD SPLIT The former couple were married for 21 years before Scott, 57, filed for divorce in Utah on June 9. In a statement on June 10, Kelley said their divorce had been 'a long, quiet journey for me—rooted in hope, patience, and care for our children. "While I will not speak publicly about the details, I feel peace knowing that I've done everything I can to walk this path with integrity and compassion.' Scott broke his silence earlier this week to confirm that he decided to end the marriage. 'After 21 years of marriage, I have made the most difficult decision of my life, and filed for divorce from my wife Kelley,' Scott said in a statement. "Our children have always been, and continue to be, the loves of our lives and our every priority, so I kindly ask for privacy at this time as we help guide them through this new chapter." 6 6
The Guardian
14 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Lie, cheat, steal, repeat: will the Traitors knockoffs ever cease?
This is a punt, but Fox might have started to commission new shows via the power of online thesauruses. Take its new reality show The Snake. It's a game of secrets and betrayal, of feigning one emotion to gain trust while you stab your new friends in the back. In other words, it's basically The Traitors. I don't know whether any of you have ever searched Merriam Webster for synonyms of 'traitor', but 'snake' is literally second on the list. And this laziness is indicative of the show itself, which is such a painfully halfhearted retread of The Traitors that it ends up being exhausting to watch. Hosted by Jim Jeffries, presenting in the style of a drunk guy shouting through his letterbox at 3am, The Snake gathers contestants from the most easily stereotyped professions – detective, ex-con, pastor, Onlyfans model – and has them connive at each other until only one remains. The runtime of the first episode is almost exclusively given over to letting these people describe exactly how unpleasant they are. Subsequent episodes involve gross-out challenges, like drinking meat smoothies or being relatively close to some insects, so in that regard a direct comparison to The Traitors is slightly unfair, because it's actually ripping off The Traitors and Fear Factor in equal measure. But perhaps this isn't such a surprise, because at the moment you could wade through television blindfolded and stumble into any number of shows that desperately want to be The Traitors. Maybe you saw Netflix's Million Dollar Secret, which was a version of The Traitors set in a luxury hotel. Or Netflix's The Trust, which was a version of The Traitors hosted by someone from CNN. Or maybe you saw the USA Network's Snake in the Grass, or ITV's The Fortune Hotel. Perhaps you even accidentally found yourself watching Amazon's 007: Road to a Million, which was a version of The Traitors explicitly designed to make you feel depressed about the future of James Bond. None of these shows are shy about their inspiration. They are all about people encouraged to screw over their peers for a quick buck. But the problem is that, as a format, The Traitors is unbeatable. It is beautifully simplistic. People move into a castle. Some of them have to secretly undermine everything. Everyone goes crazy with paranoia. That's it. It's bulletproof. A monkey could understand it. But the networks can't just produce a straight remake of The Traitors, because that would be cheating. And so every new iteration has to add some new element, a gimmicky format point that differentiates it just enough to be legally distinct. With The Fortune Hotel it was a sunny location. With The Snake it's adding too many unnecessary insects. But this sort of tinkering can easily overwhelm a format. In the UK, ITV recently produced a Traitors knock-off called Genius Game that was so absurdly convoluted – every episode was full of endless tedious explanations about bags and tokens and codes and zombies and garnets – that it quickly felt like the worst kind of hungover Boxing Day board game imaginable, the kind where everyone gives up halfway through and just ends up eating Twiglets in silence. It was like watching The Traitors, but a version of The Traitors that had been loaded with so much superfluous paraphernalia that its ankles shattered under the weight. And, true, television has always done this. We've already lived through the Pop Idol phase, where civilians were alternately encouraged to either sing or cry on command. And then there was the Love Island phase, where we found ourselves inundated with an infinite number of nimrods copping off in villas. The Great British Bake Off formula has been variously transposed to sewing, pottery, dressmaking, glassblowing, flower arranging and, probably before long, bereavement counselling. Now it is the turn of The Traitors. A year or two from now another show will get its time in the test tube. That said, maybe The Traitors deserves this fleet of copyists. After all, The Traitors is not a new idea. It's based on Mafia, a game devised in the halls of Moscow State University in the 1980s. It's also incredibly similar to the board game Secret Hitler, not to mention a 2004 BBC show that was literally called Traitor and ran for five episodes in 2004. Even so, The Traitors stands as the perfect refinement of the idea; it is thrilling and accessible in equal measure. None of its copycats have even come close to replicating it. Still, the night is young, and there are still 41 perfectly unused synonyms for 'traitor' left in the thesaurus. Coming soon: The Rat (The Traitors but organised crime), The Quisling (The Traitors but wartime Scandinavia) or The Stool Pigeon (The Traitors but everyone eats cold chicken bones out of bins).
The Independent
14 minutes ago
- The Independent
Twelve of America's most surprisingly walkable cities
A city break in America can be fascinating, fun and good for your health — if you pick a walkable destination. Think there are slim pickings on this front? Think again. America has a surprising number of cities that are easy to explore on foot and here we've singled out 12 of the best. There's the Pacific coast city with trails that connect all four corners, the city packed with movie filming locations, the wanderable historic spot where Google Maps is a no-no and America's oldest city, where historic sites lie within minutes of each other. Read on for our coast-to-coast walking tour. San Francisco All four corners of this 49-square-mile city are connected by the Crosstown Trail system, created by local hiker Bob Siegel in 2019. The main trail, the Crosstown Trail is a 17-mile route connecting San Francisco's neighborhoods, open spaces and other major trails. It runs from historic Candlestick Point in the southeast corner of the city to Lands End in the northwest corner and was designed to be easily accessible from public transit systems. Five years later, the 15-mile Double Cross route was added to the network to link each corner of the city. "The Crosstown Trails are popular because they connect neighbors. Not just to green spaces, tiled steps, parks and beautiful views, but to the humanity of other people and small businesses they pass along the route. And that's what really makes it special," says Siegel. Visitors exploring the inner areas of the city will also discover that attractions are easily reached by foot, travel firm Ocean Florida points out. It notes that from the central shopping and hotel hub of Union Square, it's possible to walk to Chinatown in just five to 10 minutes, then continue to North Beach, San Francisco's Italian district, in another 10 minutes. From there, it's just a 15-minute walk to Fisherman's Wharf, where visitors will find Pier 39, sea lions, Ghirardelli Square, and views of Alcatraz Island. Walk another 10 to 15 minutes west along the waterfront and you'll reach Aquatic Park and the foot of famously crooked Lombard Street. Beverly Hills This 5.71-square-mile city is eminently walkable, with visitors able to stroll along Rodeo Drive, packed with dazzling designer shops, and through Beverly Gardens Park, home to over 80 public art installations. What's more, a collection of eight urban walks collectively known as the Happy Trails series runs through the famed 90210 postcode. Happy Trails maps will guide visitors to the world's first cupcake ATM at Sprinkles, a Laduree outlet, where world-class macarons can be bought, and filming locations including the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel from Pretty Woman, and the Electric Fountain from Clueless. Take a "Step Back in History" walking tour, meanwhile, and you can snap a photo in front of the lily pond by the famous Beverly Hills sign, have breakfast or dinner at Brighton Coffee Shop, open since 1930, and explore the Beverly Hilton, which has hosted the Golden Globe Awards since the 1960s. Salt Lake City, Utah "There's no better way to feel the rhythm of Salt Lake City than on foot." So says Jason Beach, tour manager at Southwest Adventure Tours. He explains that the company's three-hour Downtown Walking Tour "proves how seamlessly history, culture and mountain views converge". The tour's 2.5-mile route leads from the contemporary Salt Palace Convention Center to historic railroad depots, past "vibrant" street murals and stately mansions, through cultural icons like the Eccles Theater and the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, and along bustling Main Street, "where classic architecture and modern energy embody both the city's pioneer heritage and forward-thinking spirit". Jason adds: "Guests are often amazed by how accessible it all is — no car required, just curiosity and a comfortable pair of shoes." Nashville The spiritual home of country music is noteworthy for being easily explorable by foot, says Isabel Fyall from Explore Worldwide. She suggests that visitors could start with a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, then stroll to the National Museum of African American Music. Then, she says, follow the path to the Ryman Auditorium, an iconic venue that has hosted the legendary "Grand Ole Opry" show, and stroll Broadway, "dipping in and out of lively honky-tonks'. New Orleans "You walk New Orleans to feel where you are, with every corner playing a different tune, sometimes literally," says Georgia Fowkes, a travel advisor for Altezza Travel. "French Quarter, Marigny, Bywater — it's all close, flat, and oddly quiet in the early morning. You don't need a car here, you need time." Georgia describes the French Quarter as "messy, but perfect". She continues: "From Jackson Square to the riverwalk, everything is layered: music, bricks, ghosts, balconies, fried dough. "Decatur Street wakes up early. Royal wakes up slowly. Bourbon never really sleeps. I walk it all, then disappear down Chartres for a second coffee and silence." Georgia reveals that if you cross Esplanade Avenue the "vibe shifts", that "tourists thin and the murals start". She says: "I follow Royal Street all the way down — past the bars and the porches and jazz rehearsals. The walk from Frenchmen Street to Bywater Bakery is 15 minutes. I stretch it into 40." Georgia admits that New Orleans sidewalks are "unreliable", with some cracked, some flooded and "some missing entirely". But she adds: "I'd still rather be on foot here than in a car with nowhere to park. Especially in the Quarter, where drivers crawl and pedestrians flow." Boston Boston is "compact, flat and steeped in American history", notes Ocean Florida, which points out that the city's Freedom Trail connects key landmarks in a route that's just 2.5 miles (4km) long and takes around 1.5 to two hours at a leisurely pace. Starting at Boston Common, you'll pass the Massachusetts State House, Granary Burying Ground, and Old South Meeting House, reaching Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market in about 20–25 minutes. Continue for another 15 minutes to Founding Father Paul Revere's House and the Old North Church in the North End, Boston's historic Italian neighbourhood, "great for a coffee stop or cannoli". The trail finishes across the river at the USS Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument, reachable within a 30-minute walk from the North End. Ocean Florida adds: "The entire downtown area, from Beacon Hill to Back Bay and the Charles River Esplanade, is walkable and filled with parks, brownstone streets, and waterfront views." Chicago Chicago offers wide pavements, lakefront walking paths, and a grid layout that makes it easy to explore on foot, notes Ocean Florida, particularly around The Loop and Near North Side. From Millennium Park (home to "The Bean") to the Art Institute of Chicago is just a five-minute walk. From there, it's a 15-minute stroll along Michigan Avenue (aka the Magnificent Mile) to reach Navy Pier, with attractions such as the Centennial Wheel and Chicago Children's Museum. You can also walk 10 to 15 minutes west from Millennium Park to reach Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) for panoramic views from the Skydeck. The Chicago Riverwalk, a scenic path stretching 1.25 miles (2 km), links bars, restaurants, and kayak rental spots, all walkable between Lake Shore Drive and Franklin Street in under 30 minutes. Chicago also boasts Lakefront Trail, a walking and cycling path that runs for 18 miles along Lake Michigan, connecting city beaches, harbours, and museums. Seattle Seattle has a compact downtown and a pedestrian-friendly waterfront that's easy to explore car-free, says Sydney Martiniz from Visit Seattle. She reveals: "Iconic landmarks and attractions such as Pike Place Market, the Waterfront and our sports stadiums are minutes apart. "The historic monorail — in operation since the 1962 World's Fair — conveniently connects downtown to Seattle Center where the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) are located. "It's the kind of place where you can see a lot without ever feeling rushed. Perfect for making the most of your time in the city." Savannah, Georgia Georgia Fowkes describes Savannah as more "wanderable" than walkable. She tells The Independent: "You don't walk Savannah like you walk from a subway station to work. You slow down without meaning to. The city does it for you — with its shaded squares, Spanish moss, and ghost stories that feel too specific to be fake. I come here to walk in circles and call it a day well spent. "The best way to experience the city is to ignore Google Maps. And if I'm staying downtown, I don't open Uber once. "And yes, the city offers a free DOT shuttle, but I've never taken it. I walk instead. That's the whole point." She continues: "Savannah's downtown layout dates back to 1733. It's a perfect grid, broken only by 22 leafy public squares you'll stumble into more than you plan for. "Chippewa Square is where Forrest Gump sat with his box of chocolates — the bench is gone, but the square is still a local favorite for its symmetry and calm. "Lafayette Square has that classic Savannah look — moss-draped oaks, historic mansions, and the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist rising like a movie set in the background." Other highlights include Collins Quarter for rare bookshops and Civil War-era basement bars and River Street, which "plays tourists by day and locals by dusk". New Haven, Connecticut New Haven, just two hours from New York City, is described by the Downtown New Haven website as a "small yet mighty oasis". It's perhaps most famous for being the home of Yale University, where visitors can explore the Yale Center for British Art and its huge collection of British art. But New Haven is also the (self-declared) pizza capital of the USA, though here it's known as apizza (pronounced ah-beetz to avoid upsetting New Haveners). The tourist board says: "New Haven-style apizza is known for its chewy, coal-fired crust and smoky flavor, and is truly unlike any other pizza. The city has no shortage of spots to grab a pie, with two of the most famous and established spots, Frank Pepe's (also the country's second oldest pizza parlor) and Sally's Apizza, just a few blocks apart." After strolling the streets, visitors might like to check into The Study at Yale for "sophisticated accommodations just steps away from Yale University's theaters, libraries, and cultural centers". Alexandria, Virginia On the Potomac River within eyesight of Washington, D.C., Alexandria is nationally recognized for its rich history and beautifully preserved 18th and 19th-century architecture, notes Visit Alexandria. Stroll Old Town Alexandria's King Street mile to find more than 200 independent restaurants and boutiques, plus intimate historic museums and waterfront events. Visit Alexandria reveals that standout restaurants include 1799 Prime Steak & Seafood, founded by Jahmond Quander, a member of the Quander family, one of the oldest documented African American families that came from African ancestry to present-day America. There's also Cheesetique, a woman-owned cheese/wine shop and restaurant, and Turkish Coffee Lady, serving traditional Turkish coffee and baked goods. St Augustine, Florida Founded on September 8, 1565, by Spanish explorer Juan Pedro Menendez de Aviles, St. Augustine bills itself as America's oldest city and has more than 144 square blocks of walkable history, remarks The site continues: "The Plaza de La Constitucion, Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fortress in North America, the Mission Nombre de Dios, and many other authentic historic sites that tell the story of the first successful European city are all within walking distance of hotels, restaurants and much more. "In the heart of St. Augustine, the pedestrian-only St. George Street extends six blocks through the center of the historic district, connecting with the Plaza to the south, and the National Parks grounds at the Castillo to the north. "There is so much to see and do in the alleys and side streets along the way. And, there is even more outside the historic district that is accessible by foot, like the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park and the beach, to name a few."
