Miami Beach sets curfew for spring break
Due to overwhelming spring break crowds, the city of Miami Beach on Saturday imposed an 8 p.m. curfew in the South Beach entertainment district and blocked most eastbound traffic entering the city after 10 p.m.
Interim City Manager Raul Aguila, who authorized the emergency measures, told the Miami Herald he recommends keeping them in place through April 12, or the end of spring break. A countywide midnight curfew is already in place due to COVID-19.
“These crowds are in the thousands,” Mr. Aguila said. “We’re at capacity.”
Police will enforce the 8 p.m. curfew by blockading South Beach’s main party strips. No pedestrians or vehicles will be allowed to enter after 8 p.m., and all businesses in the restricted area will be forced close, Mr. Aguila said.
The measures follow weeks of confrontations between police and large crowds, fights and occasional bouts of violence, including a deadly shooting. Mayor Dan Gelber and public health officials have also warned about the risks of spreading COVID-19 among the throngs of visitors crowding the city.
For now, the measures are temporary. The city charter authorizes Mr. Aguila to impose the measures for 72 hours.
1 killed at illegal Phila. gathering
Gunfire at an illegal large gathering in Philadelphia killed one person, wounded five others and sent scores of people fleeing, authorities said.
The gunfire erupted around 3:45 a.m. Saturday inside and outside a rental hall adjacent to Hot Pot Cuisine in north Philadelphia’s Nicetown neighborhood, police said.
A 29-year-old man was shot 14 times and was pronounced dead minutes later at Temple University Hospital, police said. Three men ages 33, 38 and 41 and a woman, 30, were also shot; all were stable at hospitals, police said.
Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw told reporters at least 150 people fled for their lives. She said such large gatherings are illegal under COVID-19 orders and police would increase foot, bicycle and foot patrols where large gatherings might occur.
U.S., India to expand military engagement
Topdefense officials fromIndia and the United Statespledged Saturday to expandtheir military engagement,underscoring thestrengthening defense tiesbetween two countries concernedover China’s growinginfluence in the Indo-Pacificregion.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh met in New Delhi and agreed to deepen defense cooperation, intelligence sharing and logistics.
“India is an increasingly important partner in rapidly shifting international dynamics. I reaffirm our commitment to a comprehensive forward-looking defense partnership with India as a central pillar of our approach to the Indo-Pacific region,” Mr. Austin said.
Mr. Austin is making the first visit to India by a top member of President Joe Biden’s administration.