Heading for the World Cup? Warning: You could be Trumped

Planning to head to the US for the FIFA World Cup later this year? 

 
More than 120 civil society organisations and fan groups have advised extreme caution in a letter to visiting fans, The New York Times reports. 

Among the signatories to the letter are Amnesty International USA, Reporters Without Borders, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The total includes organisations from each of the World Cup’s 11 host cities. 

The US is a co-host of the event with Canada and Mexico. 

The letter warns that those from immigrant communities, racial and ethnic minority groups, and LGBTQ+ individuals are “most vulnerable to serious harm” when travelling within the country due to government policies. 

The advisory, published Thursday, is directed towards fans, players, journalists, and other visitors, calling upon each individual to “exercise caution and have an emergency contingency plan” amidst what they term as the “Trump administration’s rising authoritarianism and increasing violence”.

Evidence cited as part of the advisory includes 48 deaths in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody since the beginning of 2025, total or partial restrictions on entries for visitors from 39 countries, and the presence of ICE agents at airports across the US over recent months.

Both FIFA and the White House rejected these concerns in statements to The Athletic, the New York Times' sports outlet.

The advisory warns of six separate risks to visitors, saying these are “in breach of the United States’ human rights obligations under domestic and international law”. 

These are:

*The arbitrary denial of entry and risk of detention and/or deportation
*Expanded limitations on travel and entry into the U.S.
*Invasive social media screening and searches of electronic devices
* “Violent and unconstitutional” immigration enforcement, including racial profiling and other discrimination
* “Suppression” of speech and protest
* Serious risk of mistreatment while being held in immigration detention facilities

They advise that visitors secure electronic devices by removing sensitive information and turning off facial recognition or fingerprint passwords, as well as alerting friends and family to their exact itinerary.

“FIFA has been paying lip service to human rights while cosying up with the Trump administration, putting millions of people at risk of being harmed and their basic rights violated,” said Jamil Dakwar, human rights program director at the ACLU. 

“The Trump administration’s abusive actions continue to threaten our communities, tourists, and fans alike - and it’s past time that FIFA uses its leverage to push for meaningful policy changes and binding assurances that will make people feel safe to travel and enjoy the games.” 

Representatives from Trump’s administration and the White House’s World Cup Task Force strongly pushed back at any suggestion questioning the tournament’s safety, the newspaper reported.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, the White House World Cup Task Force has worked relentlessly to ensure the 2026 World Cup will be the most incredible sporting event in U.S. history,” said Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House’s World Cup Task Force.

A Tasmanian rural retreat just down the road from Hobart Airport

 

When you have to wait for a mother chicken and her fluffy chicks to get out of your way before you enter reception you know you are staying somewhere a little different. 

Iron Creek Bay Estate is a hotel, a dining establishment, a vineyard, a function centre, wedding venue and a farm stay all rolled into one. 

You'll find it overlooking the water just outside Sorrell. down the road from Hobart Airport on the route to Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula. 

Talented chef Jesse Allardyce has built up quite a following for his seasonal, produce-driven cooking at the on-site Orana restaurant (above), which is becoming a popular weekend destination for Hobartians. 

He showcases local produce including Boomer Bay oysters, Marion Bay Poultry and Tongola Goat Cheese, as well as using fruit and vegetables from the property's gardens and orchards. Think cherries, apricots, plums, figs, apples and pears.

I tried calamari in pork and kombu broth with lardo and sesame oil; kingfish with buttermilk, snow pea and dill (both delicious), and a pear and chocolate creation that was deliciously decadent.  

Pair your meal with a glass of wine made from riesling or pinot noir grapes grown on the estate - the wines are made by Jeremy Dineen from Haddow and Dineen, previously chief winemaker at Josef Chromy.    

Breakfast is pretty basic, and, I suspect, a work in progress.   

There are several accommodation options - from colourful pavilions to to pods - offering free wifi, Smart TVs, Orana bathroom amenities, air conditioning and energy saving lighting. 

On-site facilities include a gym, laundry and lounge 

Kids, particularly urban kids, will enjoy getting up close to chickens, ducks, peacocks, ponies, alpacas, sheep, rabbits and horses. 

Buckets of pellets are available at the reception for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in the Tasmanian rural experience and feed the critters. 

Wildlife also abounds with echidnas, wallabies, pademelons all residents of the estate. There are 5km of pathways suitable for a stroll, or a trail run. 

The original estate on the site dates back to 1834 and is now owned by the Tao family, who live on site. 

 

You are just 10 minutes from Hobart Airport and a short drive from the town of Sorell. The Tasman Peninsula, wineries including Bream Creek and Bangor and historic Port Arthur are close by. 

A great venue for anything from business meetings to a family getaway. 

Iron Creek Bay Estate, 394 Arthur Highway, Sorell 7172. (03) 6292 5030. www.ironcreekbay.com.au 

* The writer was hosted by Iron Creek Bay Estate    

 

Sprite takes on a new energy and adds new flavours

What's old is new again with the launch of a new campaign behind soft drink Sprite.

Rolling out across diverse markets in ASEAN and the South Pacific, Sprite’s new global image aims to combine a new look, a brand sound, and cultural partnerships rooted across spicy food, basketball, music.

The new marketing plan for the top 20 selling lemon-lime soda showcases everyday street culture and aims to be down to earth.

"Sprite is more than just a drink - it's part of how people experience refreshment in the heat, through food, sport, and shared moments," said Mark Dee, Category Marketing Sr. Director of Sparkling Flavors for Coca-Cola ASEAN & South Pacific (wow!).

"It's That Fresh celebrates authenticity, originality, and the bold spirit of the region's youth, bringing global brand strength together with local culture in a way that feels real and relevant."

Which means nothing at all, but is impressive marketing speak. 

From bustling sari-sari stores in the Philippines to warungs in Indonesia, late-night mamak stalls in Malaysia and supermarket fridges in Australia and New Zealand, Sprite is being positioned as being perfect for pairing with spicy food. 

Sprite is leaning into its 'Hurts Real Good with Sprite' platform in the region - celebrating the joy of bold, spicy flavours paired with the chilled soft drink. 

Sprite is being billed as complementing some of the region's most loved dishes, from tom yum and laksa to satay and other street-food favourites "delivering crisp lemon-lime refreshment that cuts through the heat".

Sprite will also be adding flavours with Sprite Chill Lemon Mint being launched across selected markets, while Sprite + Tea is inspired by "the viral social trend" of consumers steeping tea bags in Sprite. Missed that one. 

See Sprite.com.

Fancy an autumn weekend in the Yarra Valley?

Fancy a couple of autumn night away in the vineyards of the Yarra Valley? 

Balgownie Estate Yarra Valley has unveiled a new Winery Retreat Package, designed to bring together wine, dining, relaxation and luxury accommodation in one experience. 

The resort is located just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne CBD and has 70 accommodation options ranging from comfortable rooms to luxurious suites.

The Winery Retreat Package includes overnight accommodation in a premium room or suite; daily breakfast at Restaurant 1309; a  hosted wine tasting at the cellar door; a dining credit for the seasonal menu at Restaurant 1309, two bottles of Balgownie Estate wine and an in-room cheese plate, along with an endota spa voucher for use during the stay.

 “This package brings together everything guests love about visiting the Yarra Valley, without needing to plan each element separately,” said Rachel Caldwell, marketing, brand and business development manager at Balgownie Estate. 

“It’s about creating a seamless, high-value experience that feels considered from arrival through to departure.”

Stays start from $539 for two nights. Only available for direct bookings, from now until the end of September.

See https://www.balgownie.com/experience/winery-retreat-package/

Little Sista aims to offer big flavours

Heading for the Blue Mountains and feel like a warming foccacia before, or after, tackling a brisk winter walk?

Leura has a new eatery in Little Sista, a focaccia-driven café that also spins vinyl.

From the family behind the long-lived Cafe Leura, Little Sista sees daily fresh-made focaccia take centre stage on the menu, along with coffee, house-squeezed juices, and that vinyl soundtrack.

Each focaccia is made as a sandwich with the crowd favourite, ‘Everything She Wants,’ stacked with prosciutto, mortadella, sopressa, ham, mozzarella, pesto, sundried tomatoes, and rocket.

For something with a Mediterranean accent, 'The Grecko' layers slow cooked lamb, tzatziki, semi dried tomato, onion, feta, peppers, and oregano, while The Big Veg' stars grilled eggplant, mozzarella, roasted peppers, and pickled onions.

Toasters imported from Italy crisp each focaccia in just 90 seconds, which the owners say "preserves the bread's texture while keeping meats tender, lettuces fresh, and every bite perfectly balanced".

The space is intimate by design with seating for 16 inside and eight outside,

At the centre, a Rega Planar 6 record player spins from open to close, while Wharfedale Linton speakers and a Marantz Model 40n amplifier deliver the warm, rich sound: I'm told that 1960s aesthetics meet modern audio precision.

Co-owner Andrew Tsaroumis says Little Sista marks an exciting new chapter for his family, with the next generation bringing fresh energy to the space.

“Our kids have grown up in this world and have been hands-on in shaping LittleSista - it feels vibrant and full of life," Tsaroumis says.

"Everything centres around the focaccia, made fresh and served the way we love to eat it - simple, generous and made to be shared. You can grab one on the go or stay for the music and great company. It’s fresh, it’s fun and it still feels like home.”

Little Sista is open Monday to Sunday, 8am-4pm, for dine-in and takeaway.

Head to https://www.littlesista.com.au/ to learn more.

Thai Airways cuts back flight schedules

Thai Airways International has joined a growing number of airlines cutting back on flights in the wake of US leader Donald Trump's ongoing Middle East madness. 

The Thai flag carrier has alerted ticket agents to a round of frequency cuts in May across domestic, Asian and European routes, news hub Travel Mole reports.

Thai Airways has blamed rising fuel costs and softer low-season demand for the cuts.

The carrier said it may adjust schedules throughout the month, trimming services on a wide range of routes.

Within Thailand, several key routes will see reduced frequencies from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Across Asia, flights to Phnom Penh will be reduced from 14 weekly flights to 11 and Singapore trimmed from five daily flights to four.

Beijing flights will be cut from two daily to one and Hong Kong trimmed from four daily to three.

Long-haul services to Europe are also impacted, with multiple routes seeing temporary reductions.

Istanbul is reduced from daily to five weekly flights with similar cuts to Munich, Stockholm and Oslo.

Thai Airways International said it will continue monitoring conditions and may make further schedule changes as needed.