- Israel to mark October 7 attack as Gaza war spreads
- Gauff fights back to reach China Open final
- Recovering Stokes ruled out of first Pakistan Test
- Hezbollah battles troops on border as Israel pounds Lebanon
- Alcaraz, Sinner breeze into third round of Shanghai Masters
- Bagnaia wins Japan MotoGP sprint to cut Martin's lead
- Alcaraz breezes into third round of Shanghai Masters
- Gaza cultural heritage brought to light in Geneva
- 'Bullet for democracy': Trump returns to site of rally shooting
- Italy targets climate activists in 'anti-Gandhi' demo clampdown
- South Korean cult-horror series 'Hellbound' returns at BIFF
- Nepalis fear more floods as climate change melts glaciers
- Honduras arrests environmentalist's alleged murderer
- Padres pitcher Musgrove needs elbow surgery
- Supreme Court lets stand rules to curb mercury, methane emissions
- Boston beat Denver in NBA exhibition season opener, but Jokic says omens are good
- Chagos diaspora angry at lack of input on islands' fate
- Biden says 'not confident' of peaceful US election
- US trade chief defends tariff hikes when paired with investment
- Lukaku stars as Napoli beat Como to hold Serie A top spot
- Ohtani set for MLB playoff debut as Dodgers face Padres
- Pogba's drug ban cut to 18 months from four years
- Devine leads New Zealand to big win over India in Women's T20 World Cup
- Bosnia floods kill 16 people
- EU court blocks French ban on vegetable 'steak' labelling
- Prosecutors seek dismissal of rape charges against French rugby players
- Meta AI turns pictures into videos with sound
- Bolivia's Morales says claims he raped a minor are a 'lie'
- MLB Reds hire two-time champion Francona as manager
- Daniel Maldini receives first Italy call-up for Nations League
- US dockworkers return to ports after three-day strike
- Ancelotti points finger at Madrid's 'lack of intensity'
- Haiti reeling after 70 killed in gang attack
- Five Czech kids in hospital over TikTok 'piercing challenge'
- What happens next in Iran-Israel conflict?
- Country star Garth Brooks denies rape accusations
- Stubbs hits maiden century as South Africa make 343-4 against Ireland
- DR Congo to begin mpox vaccination campaign Saturday in east
- Odegaard injury has forced Arsenal to be 'different', says Arteta
- Ratcliffe refuses to guarantee Ten Hag's Man Utd future
- Meta must limit data use for targeted ads: EU court
- Mauritius to hold legislative election on November 10
- Britain qualify for America's Cup final after 60-year wait
- IMF asks Sri Lanka to protect hard-won gains
- Morata returns to Spain Nations League squad after injury
- Irish regulator to probe Ryanair use of facial recognition
- Public allowed to see video evidence in France mass rape trial
- US hiring soars past expectations in sign of resilient market
- Under-fire Ten Hag 'together' with Man Utd hierarchy
- Guardiola talks of Man City love affair as financial hearing rumbles on
'Spring Break' returns to Miami Beach, to residents' dismay
Music, dancing, alcohol and tiny swimsuits -- spring vacation in the United States, popularly known as "spring break," brings thousands of young people to south Florida every year for a few days of uncontrolled fun, much to the chagrin of residents in cities like Miami Beach.
At dusk on a gray Thursday, an unusual occurrence in Miami, going-out hub Ocean Drive has become an open-air club. Cafe terraces are packed to the gills, and the party is on in front of every art deco building along the promenade.
The air reeks of marijuana.
A car pulls up and blocks traffic. A young woman jumps out and begins twerking along to the music.
Standing on the sidewalk nearby, Miami resident Anita Cheek watches the dancer.
"I was young before, I understand, but they really don't take into consideration the people who live here," says the 52-year-old.
"They get drunk, they throw up on the ground, they leave bottles everywhere and they do all these crazy dances," Cheek says, adding that some of her neighbors are thinking of moving because of so-called spring breakers.
Lots of partying in the warm weather and very little clothing are already part of the collective image of Miami Beach and its southernmost neighborhood, South Beach.
But locals seem increasingly upset about it, despite the economic benefits to the city.
Faye Bridges, a 29-year-old waitress, sums up the mixed feelings:
"I do love having people over. As I work in a restaurant, for me it's good, it's business," she explains.
"But at the same time, South Beach is now this place where tourists and spring breakers gather... They trash everything, and this is not a pretty look."
- 'Danger to the public' -
The Miami Beach city council has taken steps to avoid incidents like last year, when police imposed a curfew after arresting more than 1,000 people over the course of six weeks for street fights and vandalism.
Authorities have increased police presence in the busiest areas and banned bars from selling alcohol after 2:00 am, rules that will be in place from March 7 to 21.
Clashes like those in 2021 "do not compensate (for) the benefits" of spring break, Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said when announcing the measures.
"For the hardship it may deliver, I'm sorry. But from our point of view, going through that two-week period is a danger to the public," Gelber told local media.
On one Ocean drive terrace, a cigar in his mouth and a drink in his hand, Rin is content and doesn't understand the controversy.
The 25-year-old real estate agent, who declined to give his last name, traveled with friends from the Midwestern US state of Ohio for a weeklong vacation in Miami.
"There are beautiful women, you could do whatever out here," he says. "And if we didn't come down here, it won't have the same vibe."
Shortly after, late at night, a noise causes a panicked scene on Ocean Drive. Dozens of people rush down the promenade; many stumble, and some fall to the ground.
One young man says he doesn't know why he is fleeing the area.
It turns out to be a false alarm, and several people look at each other sheepishly.
The party can go on, and Rin plans to enjoy it until the end. "At least until 7:00 am," he says, smiling.
A.Santos--PC