For 'Fruitvale Station' director, film school and football pay off

Credit: Reuters/Regis Duvignau

Director Ryan Coogler (C) and cast members Octavia Spencer, (L) and Melonie Diaz pose during a photocall for the film 'Fruitvale Station' at the 66th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes May 16, 2013.

That may not be the case for long. Coogler's first feature film, "Fruitvale Station," goes into wide U.S. release this weekend, having earned universal acclaim from critics, awards at the Sundance and Cannes film festivals and some early Oscar buzz. Coogler, 27, wrote the script and directed the independent drama, while Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker produces.

Add to that auspicious start a timely release. The real-life story of Oscar Grant, a young black man shot to death by a white transit policeman, hits theaters in the midst of a heated debate about race after the acquittal of a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch volunteer for the killing of black teenager Trayvon Martin.

The timing is just a coincidence, Coogler says, but he believes what happened to 22-year-old Grant at the Fruitvale commuter rail station in Oakland, California, on New Year's Day 2009 still resonates today, in part because of gun violence involving African-American men, as both victims and perpetrators.

Coogler, also an African-American from Oakland, was 22 when an unarmed Grant, lying on his stomach, was shot to death on a train platform after transit police detained him following a fight on a train. Coogler knew it was a story he wanted to tell.

"I learned at film school that, because it is such a difficult process, to always make stuff that really matters to me, to make films like they are the last film you will ever make," Coogler told Reuters.

And he learned to choose subject matter that is "not only close to you and impacts you emotionally but subject matter that you are curious about."

The film opens with the actual mobile phone video of the incident and the chilling pop of the fatal gunshot. It then jumps back to chronicle Grant's final day.

Michael B. Jordan, of TV show "Friday Night Lights," plays Grant, a loving father and struggling ex-con. Octavia Spencer, an Oscar winner for her role in "The Help," plays the mother who fears for his safety.

The other big takeaway for Coogler at film school was that filmmaking is a team sport, much like the football he loved.

"When I came to film school in L.A., I had just finished playing my last season of college football, and I missed it, deeply," he said.

With his incoming class, he found a group of filmmakers from all over the world with whom he began "crewing up and working on each other's films." He brought a half dozen of them aboard for "Fruitvale Station."

'A STANDOUT FROM DAY ONE'

Coogler calls the three-year graduate program at USC's School of Cinematic Arts "really expensive." Tuition for three years runs between $72,000 and $85,000 plus additional supplies and living expenses, the school says.

"I am still pretty heavy in debt," he said. "Most of us who graduate have something like a mortgage to pay back. It can be close to six figures."

Coogler did earn some scholarships while there, including the coveted Jack Nicholson award. "Coog," as he is known there, caught the faculty's eye early.

"He was clearly just a standout from day one," said John Watson, who had Coogler in his production class for two years. "It wasn't just his abilities, which are fantastic. It was his attitude. He had the ability to make everybody feel like he's their best friend."

In his second year, Coogler's short film "Locks" was accepted into the Cannes Film Festival and he didn't have the means to go. The school mobilized to collect travel money and the dean paid for his flight, Watson said.

While making "Fruitvale" after he graduated he kept in close touch with the school and even asked 10 faculty members to assemble to critique a near final cut. His success has played a part in inspiring other students to make films this summer.

"Nobody, including me or him, thought that it would happen as fast as it did," Watson said. "But as soon as I saw the first draft of 'Fruitvale' I knew he had something special and that Forest immediately responded to."

Coogler has been crisscrossing the country, promoting the film with distributor The Weinstein Company and working on his next film projects, one of which is about high school football.

He says he doesn't think about Oscar nominations, even after favorable reviews across-the-board from the likes of the New York Times, the New Yorker and the Los Angeles Times, whose film critic Kenneth Turan said it was "more than a remarkable directing debut ... it's an outstanding film by any standard."

"I am always the most surprised person, because the film came so close to not even being made, like so many independent films," Coogler said.

His reward, he said, is the opportunity to tell people what happened on an Oakland train platform four years ago and give them the perspective that comes from "spending time with a character like Oscar."

(Reporting by Mary Milliken; Editing by Eric Kelsey and Eric Beech)

Weight, Guerin Headed for US Hockey Hall of Fame

Doug Weight, Bill Guerin, Peter Karmanos, Ron Mason and Cindy Curley are headed for the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.

USA Hockey made the announcement Thursday.

Guerin was a two-time Stanley Cup champion and four-time NHL All-Star during. He and Weight helped the U.S. win silver at the 2002 Olympics. Weight won a Stanley Cup and was a four-time NHL All-Star.

Karmanos owns the Carolina Hurricanes and the Ontario Hockey League's Plymouth Whalers. Mason led Michigan State to the 1986 national championship and won 924 games with the Spartans, Lake Superior State and Bowling Green.

Curley had a record 23 points in the International Ice Hockey Federation's first world championship for women in 1990.

Bill Belichick opens up on Aaron Hernandez

The Patriots head coach spoke to the media for the first time since the investigation of Aaron Hernandez began.

1. Was it a forthcoming Bill Belichick who spent 22 minutes of his Wednesday afternoon swatting away questions with the "ongoing judicial process" excuse when asked about the Aaron Hernandez? Or was it the same old say-nothing Belichick who expressed his shock and disappointment about the situation?

2. Think of all the things you are required to do but hate doing. Bill Belichick press conferences are infused with the same feeling of going to the dentist or mowing the yard. I don't know if he genuinely hates to do them. I have no idea if he has an innate distrust of the media. But the feeling that the guy would rather be somewhere else is inescapable.

It always is with Belichick, and he seems to weasel out of more press conferences than other coaches.

Avoiding the issue, this issue, was never an option, not even for Belichick.

3. New England has had more than its share of tumult this offseason. Wes Welker left, and there were whispers that Tom Brady was upset. A team hell bent on avoiding the spotlight then went and signed Tim Tebow.

Hernandez's arrest and the horrifying details revealed in the court documents overshadowed everything else and somehow tied it all together. This, the opinionators told us, was the end of the Patriot Way ... whatever that means.

4. Television cameras rolled, lenses snapped and a larger than usual platoon of men in stained polo shirts and pleated khakis shouted questions at the coach.

Did he know? Was he surprised? Has he talked to him?

We try to look at every single situation on a case-by-case basis-Bill Belichick

A monotone Belichick batted each ball out of the air with a standard premise. Aaron Hernandez was still working his way through the court system; in fact, he was standing in a Massachusetts court room that very moment, having his next date with a judge pushed back. It was all the cover Belichick needed.

This is Bill Belichick's 28th season in the NFL and 19th as a head coach. He knows what he can and can't answer without creating more headaches for himself.

5. Belichick reaffirmed the team's goal to win games and be a "pillar of the community." Winning football games means learning to adapt. It means building a better roster within the limits of the salary cap. Not many teams have done that as well as the Patriots, in the midst of a 10-season streak with double-digit wins.

Would the way New England evaluates players be changing?

He promised that the process would be scrutinized, but Belichick stood by his work as a personnel man.

"As the coach of the team, I'm primarily responsible for people we bring into the football operations," he said. "Our players are generally highly motivated and gifted athletes. They come from very different backgrounds [with] many challenges along the way. And they've done things to get here. Sometimes they've made bad and immature decisions. But we try to look at every single situation on a case-by-case basis and we try to do what's best for the football team and what's best for the franchise."

6. Every time a quarterback is plucked out of the late rounds of the draft, someone asks if he could be the next Brady, a former sixth-round pick. Most teams these days gamble on free agents seeking a second chance, college kids who have run afoul of the rules or players trying to rebound from injuries.

The Patriot Way is ubiquitous.

Each year brings a new group of individuals to assess. The Patriots never tried to mash players into pre-formatted ideals. What Belichick brought to the team was a common language for talking about a diverse population. Maybe the personnel department will pay extra attention to the psychological profiles or scrutinize socio-economic factors more closely, but the Patriots won't be making a fundamental shift in the player evaluation process.

"Most of those decisions have worked out," Belichick reminded the audience. "Some don't. Overall I'm proud of the hundreds of players that have come through this program."

Picking out a potential murderer is harder than finding the next super star quarterback amid the flawed players available on the last day of the draft.

7. Belichick's press conferences still rank among the most frustrating, futile exercises in all of sports. Wednesday's affair had that plenty of that.

But a natural discomfort leaked through, even in his opening statement.

"It's a sad day. It's really a sad day on so many levels," Belichick said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, with the victim. I express my sympathy with everyone that's been impacted. A young man has lost his life, a family has suffered a tragic loss.

"I and other members of our organization were shocked and disappointed in what we'd learned, having someone in the organization that is involved in a murder investigation."

The next time Belichick steps in front of a microphone will answer questions about Tebow, the receivers, injured players and more with his usual disdain. There will be no room for interpretation about which Belichick grunted his way through the post-game press conference. A return to more comfortable surroundings.

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Michael Jackson wrongful death trial: Debbie Rowe 'to tell jurors star hid ...

By Kerry Mcdermott

PUBLISHED: 08:23 EST, 25 July 2013 | UPDATED: 08:28 EST, 25 July 2013

Michael Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe will be called to the stand by AEG in his family's wrongful death case against the concert promoters AEG, it has been claimed.

Relatives of the King of Pop - who died in 2009 after overdosing on painkillers - have accused AEG Live LLC of failing to properly investigate her son's physician Dr Conrad Murray.

But according to a new report Rowe will take the stand and testify that Jackson was a 'secret, hardcore drug addict' for decades - in what could be a hugely damaging blow for his family's case.

Sources told gossip website Rowe, 54, who is the mother of Jackson's children Michael Prince and Paris, will say she was aware the star was abusing some prescription medication during the 1980s and '90s, but that she did not realise the extent of his habit.

Rowe will tell jurors she had been unaware Michael's dermatologist Dr Arnold Klein had 'a standing order... when Michael came to the office he should be injected with Demerol and Vistaril', TMZ said.

Vistaril increases the strength of painkiller Demerol, the report said.

It claims Rowe will say Michael hid the extent of his problem from her - testimony that would likely boost AEG's argument it had no reason to be aware of the singer's drug abuse.

It is claimed the mother-of-two will reveal how she saw Michael emerge from Klein's office looking 'out of it' in the days leading up to his death.

TMZ said she would describe a phone call she allegedly made to Klein during which she told him: 'He's dead and it's your fault'.

She will say she was unaware Jackson was visiting doctors with the specific aim of 'getting high and falling asleep', the report said.

If indeed Rowe were to testify in this way, it could help to persuade jurors of Jackson's ability to hide his drug use - supporting AEG's argument that it had no reason to raise the alarm.

Jackson died due to acute Propofol intoxication on June 25 2009.

Michael's mother Katherine Jackson has told jurors the promoters of his ill-fated string of comeback concerts watched her son 'waste away' before his death.

Dr Conrad Murray is currently serving four years for the involuntary manslaughter of the King of Pop.

Gators erasing Aaron Hernandez

In late June, the University of Florida began removing photographs and images of Aaron Hernandez throughout the school's football facility.

On Thursday, the school worked to remove the last -- and most publicly visible -- reminder of Hernandez. Florida will dig up and remove a brick outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium honoring Hernandez, a former All-American at the school.

The school began distancing itself from Hernandez on June 26 when he was charged with the murder of Odin Lloyd. The school immediately started removing photographs of Hernandez located in the locker room, team area, football offices and facility and throughout the stadium.

"We didn't feel it was appropriate to celebrate Aaron Hernandez. We put together an immediate plan after the initial news broke to remove his likeness and name in various private and public areas in the facility, such as the South Endzone team area, locker room, football offices, Heavener Complex Kornblau Lobby and the brick display entrance to the football facility," the school said in a statement.

"We were able to implement some of the changes immediately and this [brick removal] was a more complex process to complete with our vendors. The plan was to have everything completed before the end of July."

Florida players named All-Americans are honored with a brick in their name, located on the Gator Walk entrance in front of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Urban Meyer, who coached Hernandez at Florida, told GatorCountry.com in 2008 he got emotional the first time he saw the bricks honoring the school's All-Americans.

"Guys gave their life and their soul to make this program great and now they're permanently part of the history in the greatest stadium in all of college football," Meyer said in 2008. "Out there where everybody can see them and embrace what they've done."

Hernandez played at Florida from 2007-09 and earned All-America honors as a junior. In 2009, Hernandez became the SEC's first winner of the Mackey Award, given annually to the nation's top tight end. He left school early and was selected in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL draft by the New England Patriots.

Since Hernandez was charged with murder, he was released from the Patriots. Several other organizations have also distanced themselves from Hernandez.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame, in Canton, Ohio, removed an award-winning photograph of Hernandez from public view after receiving complaints from visitors. Electronic Arts said it took Hernandez out of its "Madden NFL 25" and "NCAA Football 14" video games. Panini, a trading card and memorabilia company, also removed Hernandez stickers from 500,000 of its sticker books, which were already produced but had yet to hit the shelves.

Hernandez pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and is being held without bail.

College football reporter

Hot on the Web: Bill Clinton sings 'Blurred Lines'

Former President Bill Clinton speaks during the ceremony naming the new Environmental Protection Agency headquarters in Washington after him on July 17. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP)

YouTube channel BarackDubs is known for putting presidential speeches to music.

Among the recent videos is President Obama " singing" Daft Punk's hot tune Get Lucky.

This time BarackDubs has former president Clinton doing a version of Robin Thicke's suggestive song Blurred Lines.

In the video, which has more than 1 million views after being posted on Tuesday, Clinton sings the chart-topping hit's racy lyrics declaring "I know you want it" and lamenting about "good girls" and "blurred lines."

Time.com points out that the release is timely. On Tuesday, former White House Monica Lewinsky turned 40.

Arms to Syria opposition still a debate in progress

Washington (CNN) -- While the United States draws closer to providing some form of lethal assistance to the Syrian opposition, the debate over how extensive the package should be and the possible outcome are likely to follow any decision.

In a letter to the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee this week, Joint Chiefs Chairman Martin Dempsey laid out the scenarios that could unfold, ranging from the establishment of a no-fly zone over Syria, to training and assisting the opposition through intelligence and logistics assistance.

Read more: 'London 11' vow to increase arms to Syrian rebels

None of the options, he said, would be easy, and all would come with a pretty extensive price tag.

"We must anticipate and be prepared for the unintended consequences of our action," Dempsey wrote in the letter to Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI).

"Should the regime's institutions collapse in the absence of a viable opposition, we could inadvertently empower extremists or unleash the very chemical weapons we seek to control."

Some advocates such as Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain say a no-fly zone over Syria is the most effective way to stop the killing machine of President Bashar al-Assad.

Read more: Putin criticizes West on plan to arm Syrian rebels

"I know that we have the military capability to impose a 'no-fly' zone, to crater their runways and their fixed installations where fuel and parts are, and establish a 'no-fly' zone with Patriot missiles," McCain said in June. "And if we can't do that, then the question ought to be asked to the American taxpayer, to the Pentagon, 'What in the world are we wasting tens of billions of dollars for defense for if we can't even take care of this situation?'"

Pentagon's complex contingencies

But despite costs of such an operation possibly going as high as a "billion dollars per month over the course of a year" as Dempsey wrote in his letter to Levin, analysts say such an option faces other challenges.

Opinion: Time running out to aid Syria's rebels

Despite the risk to U.S. aircraft and recovery force personnel that may be associated with it, the military involvement in Afghanistan will not end until the end of next year. The Pentagon is also dealing with some complex contingencies in the context of Iran if diplomacy over Tehran's disputed nuclear program fails, as well as other volatile areas in the Middle East.

'Trading modernization against readiness'

The debate also comes at a time when forced budget cuts known as sequestration are shaving billions from the defense budget and forcing some military commanders to question whether the readiness capacity in fiscal environment can handle a new contingency.

Opinion: What if al-Assad prevails?

"We are trading modernization against readiness, it's the only place we have to go for funding because of this arbitrary mechanism that is sequestration, and it's causing a real problem on the readiness side of the house and putting our ability to modernize over time at risk," Gen. Mark Welsh, chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, said last week at a security forum sponsored by the Aspen Institute.

Too little too late?

Some of the criticism over the administration's decision to send some form of lethal aid to the Syrian opposition, in a conflict that has claimed nearly 90,000 lives, and more than two years after the conflict began amounts to little more than too little too late.

"Right now, we're playing for the best worst option," Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI), chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, told CNN's Wolf Blitzer in an interview on the 'Situation Room' Tuesday.

'No guarantees in this business'

Frederic Hof, a former top State Department adviser on Syria, says it would have been better had President Barack Obama endorsed recommendations of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, and former CIA Director David Petraeus to arm mainstream opposition elements when they recommended it a year ago.

But acting and arming now is better than staying on the sidelines, Hof says.

Read more: Syria is a '10-year issue,' top general says

"There are no guarantees in this business, but when you consider the costs of inaction, of trying to stand aside and watching this problem fester, it's clear to me that just trying to hold Syria at arm's length is every bit as risky as the alternatives, says Hof, now senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East. "There are no good answers here, no silver bullets."

For Hof, the limited use of "targeted strikes" against specific elements in al-Assad's arsenal responsible for much of the killing, like artillery and missile strikes that reach heavily populated areas, would be an effective tool alongside the provision of small arms and training to the opposition.

"It kind of restricts the amount of expense and the amount of time because you will know with some degree of specificity when you have actually accomplished the mission," Hof says.

Billions of dollars

In his letter to Levin, Dempsey said the cost of such missions could reach billions of dollars, depending on the duration of the operations.

And then what about the disparate state of the Syrian opposition?

Much of the trepidation for greater involvement in the Syrian civil war was the presence of al Qaeda affiliated fighters within opposition ranks, and the danger of weapons falling into their hands.

"There is sort of an idea out there that all of the opposition are extremists," says longtime Syria watcher Andrew Tabler with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. "They are not, but there are extremists among their ranks."

Who gets the weapons?

For Hof, the funneling of all weapons through Brig. Gen. Salim Idris, the supreme commander of the Syrian Military Council, whom the United States and the West see as an interlocutor, would be an effective organizing mechanism for the opposition.

"Up until now, things have come in with a variety of motives in mind -- different countries and kingdoms wanting clients inside Syria, and private contributors mostly from the [Persian] Gulf wanting to support jihadists," Hof says in advocating for a central figure to funnel everything through. "This is a big reason why there is chaos and disunity in the opposition ranks."

Diplomatic solution still an option

That said, the United States is still pursuing a diplomatic solution through which a political transition would be brokered by all sides of the conflict as long as al-Assad had no role in any incoming government.

While the makeup of any transition government would not include anyone with blood on their hands, as called for by the Geneva Communique signed on to by the United States and other countries, the possible presence of some remnants of the al-Assad regime in a transition government causes pause for some analysts.

"I don't think it will be pulled off anytime soon," said Tabler, who says a process that allows the possible inclusion of regime elements in a new government over a population that has changed rapidly over the course of the last few years would be problematic. "It's just going to kick the can down the road, and we are going to be back to the same place we were before. But this time it will be with many more death tolls, so I just don't think it's viable."

Report: Jets to bring back WR Braylon Edwards

The New York Jets visit the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2011 AFC Championship Game to determine who will go to the Super Bowl. New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards (17) before the game. (Photo: Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)

Story Highlights Braylon Edwards will return to the Jets, newsunews.blogspot.com reports Edwards started last season with the Seahawks before the Jets claimed him on waivers The Jets also hope to sign first-round draft picks Dee Milliner and Sheldon Richardson

NEW YORK (AP) - Braylon Edwards is coming back to the New York Jets - again.

A person familiar with the situation said Wednesday night that the Jets will re-sign the wide receiver on a one-year deal Thursday morning, marking his third tenure with the Jets, before the team reports for training camp in Cortland. The person spoke to newsunews.blogspot.com on condition of anonymity because the deal wasn't yet complete and the Jets hadn't announced it.

BELL: NFL: Bill Belichick addresses Aaron Hernandez case Patriot Way needs re-examining

The Jets also were hoping to sign their two first-round draft picks - cornerback Dee Milliner and defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson - before the team reports. A person familiar with the negotiations told the AP they expect Richardson, the No. 13 overall selection, to sign a four-year deal Thursday and report with the rest of the team.

Milliner's contract status was uncertain. The former Alabama star didn't practice during the offseason while recovering from shoulder surgery, and could begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list - if he signs. Milliner, taken No. 9 overall, is expected to compete with Kyle Wilson for the starting spot vacated by Darrelle Revis, who was traded to Tampa Bay.

Edwards took a physical with the team Wednesday, and will help add depth to a receiving corps that lacks experience. Leading receiver Santonio Holmes will start training camp on the active-physically unable to perform list as he recovers from a serious foot injury that ended his season last year after four games.

The 30-year-old Edwards, who played his first four seasons in Cleveland after being drafted No. 3 overall in 2005, was acquired by the Jets in 2009. He helped lead New York to consecutive trips to the AFC championship game, coming up with several key plays.

Edwards signed with San Francisco as a free agent in 2011, but played in only nine games. He was claimed late last season off waivers by the Jets from Seattle, where current New York general manager John Idzik worked in the front office. Edwards had just eight catches for 74 yards and a touchdown in 10 games with the Seahawks before being waived.

In three games with the Jets, Edwards appeared rejuvenated with 10 catches for 125 yards while also re-establishing chemistry with quarterback Mark Sanchez.

PHOTOS: Best shots of training camp Copyright 2013 newsunews.blogspot.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Jets tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., a former teammate of Edwards in Cleveland, called for New York to re-sign his buddy on Tuesday when he wrote #BringBraylonBack on Twitter.

Edwards has 359 career receptions for 5,522 yards and 40 touchdowns.

Kanye West

Kanye West must have a really good lawyer, because law enforcement sources tell us it's virtually certain he will NOT be charged with ANY crime in connection with last week's paparazzo attack.

Here's the way we're told it will play out.

LAPD robbery detectives are investigating the photog's allegation that Kanye tried to steal his camera -- but our sources say that dog won't hunt. The D.A. will NEVER charge Kanye with felony attempted robbery, because there's no proof he tried to pilfer the camera at LAX.

We're told cops will send the attempted robbery file to the D.A. and they expect it will be rejected within days.

The next step -- the file goes to the L.A. City Attorney for a possible misdemeanor criminal battery prosecution. But here's why that won't happen. We're told Kanye is willing to ante up some cash to make the case go away, and it's perfectly legal. It's called a civil compromise and it's done everyday.

So Kanye will skate ... and probably attack another photog.

The end.

Israeli minister sees possible Palestine talks on July 30

Credit: Reuters/Nir Elias

Israel's Energy Minister Silvan Shalom speaks during an interview with Reuters at his office in Tel Aviv May 21, 2013.

Spokesmen for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had no immediate comment.

"As I understand, today, I think that the Palestinians will decide to come next week," Energy Minister Silvan Shalom told reporters during a meeting with the Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

"But of course it's not something that I can speak on behalf of the Palestinians. If they will do so, as I said, the negotiations will start next Tuesday in Washington."

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry announced on Friday that the sides had laid the groundwork for new peace talks after an almost three-year stalemate, and that he expected them to send negotiators to Washington soon.

Israel says it is ready for the relaunch of talks without preconditions, but the Palestinians have sought reassurances about delineating the borders of the state they seek in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

(Writing by Dan Williams; editing by Mike Collett-White)

Usain Bolt Says Doping Scandals Have 'Set Us Back'

Usain Bolt says the recent doping scandals in sprinting have set the sport back, while insisting he is not a cheat.

Tyson Gay, Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson are among a number of athletes to fail recent tests ahead of the world championships next month.

Bolt says "it's going to set us back a bit," adding that he hopes to "help people forget what has happened" with his own performances and stressing: "I am clean."

The Jamaican said he has had one text-message exchange with compatriot Powell since the former 100-meter world record-holder tested positive for the stimulant oxilofrone.

Bolt told him "to stay strong."

Bolt was speaking in London where he competes on Friday for the first time since his three gold medals at the Olympics a year ago.

City Council Approves Tennis Stadium Plan in Queens

Ending a yearlong battle over a move to expand the home of the United States Open, the City Council approved a plan on Wednesday to allow the use of parkland to replace two of three tennis stadiums and add 7,000 seats along with parking and walkways.

The approval, by a 47-to-1 vote, came after the United States Tennis Association, which runs the Open, agreed to help set up an alliance for Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, to commit $10 million for park maintenance and programming, to return to the city more land than it is taking and to increase its community outreach.

"I am proud that my community has gotten engaged and demanded a voice in this process," said Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras, a Democrat whose district includes the park and who led negotiations with the tennis association. "I look forward to working with the U.S.T.A. to improve the park for everyone. This deal was a long time coming, and I can say with confidence that we will all benefit from this expansion."

As part of the agreement, which was reached on Wednesday morning, the tennis association will also create an annual job fair for Queens residents and try to help local businesses benefit from the tournament. It will also help develop programs, like a community festival during the Open and low-cost tennis coaching for area families.

"We are very pleased that the City Council passed the legislation," David A. Haggerty, president of the association, said in a statement. He said the updates and improvements to the center would help "residents, visitors and professional and recreational tennis players while also preserving the U.S. Open Tennis Championships as a world renowned event."

Community groups and advocates for the park had fought the association's expansion plan for nearly a year. The disagreement stemmed from the association's desire to add 0.68 acres of land to its 42-acre parcel. (The association plans to turn over 1.56 acres of its own land to the park in exchange.)

The community has been in a tug of war with groups that are seeking to develop the park's open spaces. Plans for a Major League Soccer stadium and a shopping mall there helped prompt the uproar over the tennis association's plan, said James Yolles, spokesman for the advocacy group New Yorkers for Parks.

Joseph McKellar, executive director of Faith in New York, an interfaith group representing families in Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan, said the agreement with the tennis association was "a really good first step" that would help community groups in their fight over the soccer stadium and mall.

"We're not under any illusion that we've won and it's over," Mr. McKellar said. "It sends them a message. If you're going to build in our community, you have to engage in our community."

Maria Julia Echart, a Corona resident who is a member of Make the Road New York, a community advocacy organization, said: "We feel that we accomplished a lot. At the beginning, we weren't getting anything in exchange. As members of the community, we feel like it's our park."

Mr. McKellar said the advocacy groups would like to know more details, including who would disburse the $10 million and what improvements the money would finance. Community groups say the park's roadways and fields have long needed work.

The agreement also calls for establishing an interagency task force to address parking on the grass by spectators at the Open.

Holly Leicht, the executive director of New Yorkers for Parks, said the community must stay vigilant to make sure all parties kept their promises. "We really wanted to make sure this wasn't a one-time thing and the U.S.T.A. walks away," she said. "It's an ongoing partnership between the U.S.T.A. and the community."

The vote against the plan was from Councilman Daniel J. Halloran III, a Queens Republican. He said residents in his district were distressed about the amount of development in the park.

Welker compares Manning and Brady to Picasso and Michelangelo

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) and wide receiver Wes Welker (83) talk during organized team activities at the Broncos training facility on May 30, 2013. (Photo: Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)

Story Highlights Welker won't comment on old teammate Aaron Hernandez, except to say he's praying for those involved Offensive tackle Ryan Clady will be brought along slowly as he recovers from shoulder surgery

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - New Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker was not interested in talking about former New England Patriots teammate Aaron Hernandez as the Broncos reported to training camp Wednesday.

While Welker gave his first press conference of the summer, Hernandez was appearing in a Massachusetts courtroom. Hernandez has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 27-year-old Odin Lloyd.

Welker and Hernandez were teammates for three seasons in New England.

"I just pray for everyone involved," Welker told USA TODAY Sports after his media session ended. "I'm trying to move forward with training camp like everyone else."

Welker signed with the Broncos in March and spent the rest of the offseason getting used to the Broncos and his new quarterback, Peyton Manning. He was asked to compare Manning's throws with those of his former quarterback, Tom Brady, and creatively declined to say who was better.

MILLER QUIET: Broncos LB won't discuss looming suspension

"They're both spectacular, so I don't think there's too much of a difference between them. It's like comparing Picasso and Michaelangelo," Welker said. "It's hard to compare the two."

That led to a natural follow up: Which artist does Welker prefer?

Turns out Welker isn't much of an art historian.

"You know what? I couldn't even tell you," Welker said. "Somebody threw those names at me one time, and I thought it sounded pretty good."

Clady on track: Cameras weren't allowed inside Broncos' headquarters Wednesday, so we'll all just have to imagine what the reunion was like between quarterback Peyton Manning and his best offensive lineman, left tackle Ryan Clady.

Clady was a no-show at the Dove Valley training facility all spring while recovering from shoulder surgery and working out a new, five-year contract worth up to $57.5 million.

Part of Clady's first day back included a physical, after which coaches would decide how much he will participate in training camp. Clady had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder in January.

"I think it's going to be a little bit of time," Clady said. "I'm not sure how much yet, but we'll have to see."

When Clady is cleared to return, coach John Fox said the team would "take it slow" with him, with the main goal having Clady healthy for the season opener on Sept. 5. There is little concern Clady will not be ready.

Clady has not missed a start, and has barely missed a snap, since the Broncos drafted him at No. 12 in 2008.

PHOTOS:Ranking freshly paid QBs

"I think I need some camp, just to hone in on the new terminology, and they playbook. There's a little bit of an adjustment," Clady said. "I definitely need camp, all players need camp. It definitely helps get ready for the season."

KD's summer not all chills and thrills

Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE/Getty Images Kevin Durant will be returning to play for Team USA.

LAS VEGAS -- Kevin Durant will henceforth be known as the face of two franchises.

"The face of USA Basketball going forward," to be precise, is how Jerry Colangelo put it at Wednesday's impromptu press conference here in the desert, officially elevating Durant internationally to the same status he's held in Oklahoma City for the past five seasons.

Yet the rough reality for Durant is that only one of his teams these days is awash in excitement.

Mike Krzyzewski confessed to be deeply touched by Durant's arrival Tuesday night in the midst of this Team USA minicamp because he wanted to tell his national team coach face-to-face that he's committing some 12 months early to the squad that will be in Spain in the fall of 2014 to compete in the inaugural FIBA World Cup.

"I get chills just thinking that a guy of his stature and his accomplishments," Krzyzewski said, " ... would come here personally to say it."

The story back home with the Thunder, though, isn't nearly as warm. Not after a tepid offseason in which Oklahoma City -- still facing steep luxury-tax concerns even after trading away James Harden -- let Kevin Martin go in free agency and just lost out to the Memphis Grizzlies in the race to sign free-agent marksman Mike Miller.

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Now we're talking about Durant here, so there wasn't a single word uttered during Wednesday's session with the media signaling dissatisfaction with the Thunder's summer.

However ...

It certainly left you wondering when the 24-year-old, when asked to assess his team's business to date in July, offered nothing more than "I love it" before walking away from the assembled press pack to bring the interview to a halt.

Which is certainly not the norm with one of the foremost gentlemen in the modern game.

Because of the long-term money invested in Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City made the decision to settle for creating a trade exception to salvage something from Martin's free-agent exodus to Minnesota. The Thunder, by limiting themselves to low-cost moves in free agency, are thus putting the onus on Westbrook's recovery from knee surgery and the continued development of youngsters like Reggie Jackson and Jeremy Lamb to enable their star trio to be sufficient to keep the club inching closer to a championship despite the void created by Harden's financially motivated departure in October 2012.

Yet it has to sting to hear the latest rumbles in circulation about Mike Miller -- personally recruited by Durant to come to OKC after Miami let him go via the amnesty clause -- choosing Memphis in part because Miller sees the Grizzlies as closer to getting back to the Finals than the Thunder.

We repeat: This is Durant. So it's a bit of a leap to outright say he's dismayed with developments in OKC on the basis of one walk-off answer. Many of the reporters around him, truth be told, broke out into laughter when Durant brought a halt to the question-and-answer session so abruptly.

Thunder officials can only hope Durant was simply in a rush to do what always wants to do most. Which is to say ... play.

Durant arrived at the Mendenhall Center gym on the campus of UNLV Wednesday afternoon wearing skateboard shoes and some funky camouflage socks. But when the practice floor finally cleared, Durant pulled out some of his signature sneaks in neon green to join fellow Team USA 2014 cornerstone Kevin Love and noted trainer Rob McClanaghan for a round of shooting drills on a corner court.

"I hope no one looks at (Durant's and Love's visit) as an overshadowing of these guys (in camp)," Krzyzewski said. "I think it brings a bigger spotlight to what they're doing (this week) to be quite frank with you. I think they wanted these young guys to see how good they felt about what's happened for them (with Team USA)."

Coach K needn't worry. All the lingering curiosities about Durant these days are Thunder-related.

There are no longer 12 spots open on the Team USA plane to Spain for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. The Yanks are already down to 10 vacancies after Wednesday's announcement from the Kevins -- Durant and Love -- that they're both in for spana.

And with Durant predicting that Russell Westbrook and James Harden will be making themselves available as well, Team USA might well be looking to select just eight of the 28 players who were gathered in the desert this week for practices Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday leading into Thursday night's NBA TV-televised scrimmage.

Krzyzewski, though, has been stressing to the campers all week to try to ignore the numbers and just play, insisting that "this is not a decision-making time" and that no one here will be eliminated from World Cup consideration until much closer to the day that Spain-bound plane actually takes off.

The practice-floor intensity was dialed back Wednesday, with Krzyzewski likening the array of drills to "the day before a medal-round game" after two intense days filled with 5-on-5 clashes at full speed.

Milwaukee's Larry Sanders, who suffered a sprained left ankle during Tuesday's workout, has been ruled out of the televised scrimmage that will put a wrap on mini-camp. Ditto for collegians Marcus Smart and Doug McDermott, for whom it was always planned to keep them out of the week's main game.

But there are still two full teams that will duel in the 9 p.m. ET tipoff, with Krzyzewski's two newest assistants take charge of them. The White squad coached by the Hornets' Monty Williams; Chicago's Tom Thibodeau gets the Blue squad.

As for the rosters ...

TEAM WHITE: Ryan Anderson, Mike Conley, Andre Drummond, Kenneth Faried, Paul George, Jrue Holiday, Kyrie Irving, DeAndre Jordan, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Ty Lawson, Chandler Parsons and Tyler Zeller.

TEAM BLUE: Harrison Barnes, DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, DeMar DeRozan, Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward, Damian Lillard, Greg Monroe, Klay Thompson, Dion Waiters, Kemba Walker and John Wall.

Anthony Davis showed up for camp as the only player among USA Basketball's 28 invitees with Olympic experience.

"I didn't even know that until you told me," Davis says.

The differences between 2012 and 2013, by contrast, couldn't be more clear to the New Orleans Pelicans' big man, who has won raves for his defensive presence from Krzyzewski.

"I hadn't played an NBA game yet and I'm stepping on the floor with LeBron and Kobe," Davis said when asked to recall his unexpected inclusion as a 19-year-old replacement for the injured Blake Griffin on the team that went on to win the London Olympics.

"It kind of had me on my heels. I wanted to be perfect around these guys. Didn't want to mess up. ... Now I'm just more comfortable, more relaxed on the floor, just playing my game."

After an injury-filled rookie season, during which he never really threatened Damian Lillard in the Rookie of the Year race, Davis has also bulked up to nearly 230 pounds and hopes to be in the 235 range by the time next season starts.

Krzyzewski, meanwhile, doesn't hesitate to make it sound as though Davis can count on another Olympic trip in his future ... even though there are theoretically no promises for anyone who was invited to Vegas.

"One of the very first things you say (about this week's crop of big men) is how much Anthony Davis has developed," Krzyzewski said. "One of the reasons he was on the Olympic team is because you think he's going to be on a number of (national) teams."

LeBron James hasn't represented Team USA in a non-Olympic summer since 2007. So USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo never planned on even asking James to play on the team bound for Spain next summer for FIBA's first-ever Basketball World Cup.

Yet when it comes to the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Colangelo and Co. remain quietly hopeful that James will decide to play in the Summer Games for the fourth time.

Reason being: James said as recently as May during the playoffs, when news of Krzyzewski's return to the bench for four more years began to spread, that he "would love to represent my country again" as long as the annual playoff grind doesn't take too much out of him.

It was by no means a firm commitment from James, who made sure to add that everything rides on whether "I stay healthy" while also noting that 2016 is "a long time from now."

But USAB officials are cautiously optimistic that James' stance about 2016 has softened after the post-London signals in circulation about LeBron leaving the international game for good.

Senior Writer, ESPN.com

Meyer Talks Discipline; Pac

Urban Meyer answered few questions about his talented Ohio State team and its championship aspirations at Big Ten media day.

The Buckeyes' coach spent most of his time on the podium at the Hilton in Chicago on Wednesday talking about recent off-field issues involving some of his players and how he ran his program while at Florida.

Ohio State running back Carlos Hyde, star cornerback Bradley Roby and two freshmen were disciplined by the school after a run of legal problems in Columbus that once again put the focus on Meyer and how he disciplines his players.

"When a mistake happens or something happened, you have to react and get it done," Meyer said. "So I'm disappointed. I think furious might be the word that would best describe when I first got the phone call, because, like I said, for 12 months it's been really, really good."

Hyde, who had a team-high 17 touchdowns last season, was suspended indefinitely after he was named a person of interest in an investigation into an alleged assault of a woman at a downtown Columbus bar early Saturday morning. Roby was one of the players selected to represent Ohio State at the kickoff event in Chicago, but he was pulled after he was arrested in Bloomington, Ind., and accused of misdemeanor battery.

Tight end Marcus Baugh also was suspended from all team activities, and Meyer decided to send defensive lineman Tim Gardner back home to Indianapolis. Baugh was arrested last weekend for underage possession of alcohol and possessing a fake identification, and Gardner was charged Saturday night by Columbus police with obstruction of official business.

The problems at Ohio State come not long after Meyer was facing questions about how he treated Aaron Hernandez while the former New England Patriots tight end played for him at Florida. Hernandez has been arrested and charged with murder in Massachusetts.

Asked what it was like to hear his name mentioned in connection with Hernandez in the wake of the charges, Meyer responded: "I felt awful. It's a sick feeling. Your thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victims. Every player situation, every recruit situation, all I know is (it) will always be in the back of my mind. That's all I can say."

Meyer spent six years at Florida, winning national titles in 2006 and 2008. He also had 25 players account for 31 arrests during his tenure with the Gators.

Meyer said he isn't worried about his reputation, but criticism over disciplinary issues still stings.

"I'm a human, so it does," he said. "I don't read. I don't really get involved with following stuff, because I think people need to get facts before they start just making accusations and those type of things. I'm human and I think that is something that I'm constantly evaluating and making sure we are doing the right thing."

---

BIG TEN: Commissioner Jim Delany was the other headliner at the Big Ten, and he echoed the chorus of power conference leaders calling for changing the way the NCAA does business and how Division I schools run their athletic programs.

"Very optimistic we'll get it," Delany said. "And I think we may get it within a year. And I think the conference commissioners that I've spoken with throughout the range of Division I are open for that discussion.

Panama tops Mexico 2

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Roman Torres' glancing header off a corner kick helped Panama beat Mexico 2-1 on Wednesday night and earn a spot in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final.

Torres' goal in the 61st minute came off a corner from teammate Gabriel Torres. With a one-goal cushion, Panama was able to survive a Mexican attack that produced four good scoring opportunities over the next 30 minutes.

Panama will play the United States on Sunday in Chicago for the Gold Cup championship. The teams played in the 2005 Gold Cup final, won by the U.S. on penalty kicks.

Blas Perez struck first, giving Panama a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute when he blasted a shot to the near post, beating goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco.

In the 26th minute, Mexico's Marco Fabian faked a defender deep in the box and then lofted a cross to the far side of the goal. Luis Montes' diving header sent the ball into the far upper corner for the tying goal.

After Torres' goal, Mexico squandered multiple scoring opportunities. In the 70th minute, Panama goalkeeper Jaime Pendo made a diving save on a shot by Jorge Enriquez. Three minutes later, Montes missed just wide.

Pendo also made a fingertip save on Isaac Brizuela's shot, pushing the ball on top of the net. In the 89th minute, Javier Orozco's diving header missed wide by inches.

Mexico was seeking a fourth straight final against the U.S. Mexico had won the last two by a combined score of 9-2.

It was just the second time in 15 matches that Panama defeated Mexico.

"It's frustrating. We fell short of one of our objectives," Mexico coach Jose Manuel de la Torre said. "We wanted to be in the final."

Soccer | Gold Cup semifinal: United States 3, Honduras 1

Landon Donovan scored two goals and assisted on a third to lead the Americans to the final of the Gold Cup against Mexico or Panama.

Ronaldinho added a Copa Libertadores title to his collection of honors as Brazil's Atletico Mineiro defeated Paraguay's Olimpia in a penalty shootout to win the continental club championship Wednesday.

Jose Valencia scored in the 53rd minute, and goalkeepers Milos Kocic and Jake Gleeson combined for the shutout Wednesday night to earn the Portland Timbers a 1-0 victory in an exhibition match with English side Norwich City.

Sources: John Wall deal in works

LAS VEGAS -- The Washington Wizards are in advanced talks on a contract extension with star point guard John Wall on a deal expected to land in the five-year, $80 million range, according to sources close to the process.

Sources told ESPN.com that the sides are closing in on the final terms and are on course to have a signed agreement by Aug. 1.

Wall is in Las Vegas this week as part of USA Basketball's mini-camp featuring 28 players vying for spots on the 2014 squad that will participate in the FIBA World Cup in Spain as well as the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

Wall is eligible to sign an extension until Oct. 31. He'd become a restricted free agent without a deal by that deadline on July 1, 2014.

Senior Writer, ESPN.com

Japan to mull pre

Credit: Reuters/Issei Kato

Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force's 1st Airborne Brigade soldiers walks toward to a CH-47 helicopter for parachute drop training during their military drill at Higashifuji training field in Susono, west of Tokyo, July 8, 2013.

The expected proposal, which will almost certainly sound alarm bells in China, is part of a review of Japan's defense policies undertaken by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government, an interim report on which could come as early as Friday.

The hawkish Abe took office in December for a rare second term, pledging to bolster the military to cope with what Japan sees as an increasingly threatening security environment including an assertive China and unpredictable North Korea.

Article 9 of Japan's constitution, drafted by U.S. occupation forces after its defeat in World War Two, renounces the right to wage war and, if taken literally, rules out the very notion of a standing army. In reality, Japan's Self-Defense Forces are one of Asia's strongest militaries.

The Defence Ministry is likely to call in the report for consideration of acquiring the ability to make a pre-emptive strike when an enemy attack is imminent, and creating a Marines force to protect remote islands such as those at the core of a dispute with China, Japanese media said.

"The acquisition of offensive capability would be a fundamental change in our defence policy, a kind of philosophical change," said Marushige Michishita, a professor at the National Graduate Institute of Policy Studies.

Obtaining that capability, however, would take time, money and training, meaning any shift may be more rhetorical than real. "It's easier said than done," Michishita added.

The updated guidelines could also touch on Abe's moves toward lifting a self-imposed ban on exercising the right of collective self-defence, or helping an ally under attack, such as if North Korea launched an attack on the United States.

The defence review may also urge replacing a self-imposed ban on arms exports, that has been eased several times, making it easier for Japan's defence contractors to join international projects and reduce procurement costs.

Some experts stressed that the changes were evolutionary rather than a sudden transformation in Japan's defence posture.

QUESTIONS OVER HARDWARE, COST

"It's all part of a process of Japan edging away from the most restrictive interpretation of Article 9," said Richard Samuels, director of the MIT-Japan program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Still, given Japan's strained ties with China over disputed isles and how to frame the narrative of Japan's wartime history, China is likely to react strongly to the proposals, which come after Abe cemented his grip on power with a big win in a weekend election for parliament's upper house.

"No matter how Japan explains things, China will attack it pretty harshly," said Michael Green of the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Although China has been a nuclear power for decades and North Korea is developing nuclear arms, Japan says it has no intention of doing so.

Support has grown in Japan for a more robust military because of concern about China, but opposition also remains.

Japan last updated its National Defence Programme Guidelines in 2010 when the Democratic Party of Japan was in power.

Those changes shifted Japan away from defending areas to its north, a Cold War legacy, to a defence capability that could respond with more flexibility to incursions to the south, the site of the row with China over tiny, uninhabited islands.

Japan has for decades been stretching the limits of Article 9 and has long said it has the right to attack enemy bases overseas when the enemy's intention to attack Japan is evident, the threat is imminent and there are no other defence options.

But while previous administrations shied away from acquiring the hardware to do so, Abe's Liberal Democratic Party in June urged the government to consider acquiring that capability.

Just what hardware might come under consideration is as yet unclear. And with a huge public debt, Japan may be in no position to afford the bill.

Japan already has a very limited attack capability with its F-2 and F-15 fighter jets, mid-air refueling aircraft and Joint Direct Attack Munition guidance kit. Tokyo also plans to buy 42 Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth fighters, with the first four due for delivery by March 2017.

Acquiring the ability to hit mobile missile launchers in North Korea - the most likely target - would require many more attack aircraft as well as intelligence capability for which Japan would most likely have to rely on the United States, Michishita said. Cruise missiles might also be considered.

Obtaining the ability to strike missile bases in mainland China would be an even bigger stretch, experts said, requiring for example intercontinental missiles. "It would cost lots of money, and take time, training and education to acquire a robust and meaningful capability," Michishita said.

(Additional reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by Robert Birsel)

GRAPHIC VIDEO: Braves pitcher Tim Hudson suffers gruesome leg injury in 8

Howard Simmons/New York Daily News

Tim Hudson writhes in agony as emergency workers rush to treat the injured Braves pitcher.

With the game all but over and Braves starter Tim Hudson cruising through the bottom of the eighth inning, Eric Young Jr. unintentionally brought agony to Atlanta.

As the speedy Mets left fielder hustled down the line to beat a toss from Freddie Freeman, Young accidentally spiked Hudson who was covering first base. The result was a gruesome injury to Hudson's ankle, which caused the right-hander to fall immediately to the turf, writhing in pain as the paramedics tended to him. Hudson had pitched brilliantly up until that point, tossing 7.1 innings of scoreless ball.

Young immediately went over to apologize and seemed beside himself as the scene unfolded. The right-hander was eventually immobilized on a backboard and carted off the field, but before the cart left, Young approached Hudson and apologized, to which Hudson appeared to respond, "it's alright" in the replay.

China charges disgraced politician Bo Xilai with corruption

Credit: Reuters/Jason Lee

Then Chongqing Municipality Communist Party Secretary Bo Xilai listens to Chongqing's Mayor Huang Qifan (not pictured) during a meeting at the annual session of China's parliament, the National People's Congress, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, in this file picture taken March 6, 2010.

Prosecutors in the eastern city of Jinan in Shandong province indicted Bo on the charges on Thursday, Xinhua said.

Bo's wife, Gu Kailai, and his former police chief, Wang Lijun, have both been jailed over the scandal stemming from the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood.

The government in September last year accused Bo of corruption and of bending the law to hush up that murder.

(Reporting by Sui-Lee Wee and Hui Li; editing by Jonathan Standing)

Natalie Portman eyes directorial debut?

Natalie Portman is set to make her directorial debut with an adaptation of Israeli novel, 'A Tale of Love and Darkness' and will scout locations in Israel in September.

Natalie Portman may make her directorial debut with 'A Tale of Love and Darkness'.

The 'Black Swan' actress will step behind the camera to helm a big screen adaptation of Israeli author Amos Oz's autobiographical novel and is expected to scout locations in Israel in September, according to IsraelHayom.com

The Oscar-winning starlet had initially expressed interest in directing the film several years ago and came to an agreement with Oz, who reportedly asked for final approval of the script before a film could be made.

Portman recently submitted a screenplay - on which she collaborated with two screenwriters - to him, and the author has given his blessing for the production to go forward.

The novel describes Oz's childhood living in Jerusalem under the British administration of Palestine. It has sold over a million copies since its release in 2002 and has been adapted in 28 languages around the world.

Portman is set to reprise her role as love interest Jane Foster in Marvel comic book movie, 'Thor: The Dark World', later this year, and is currently filming Western, 'Jane Got a Gun', which she is also producing.

Jennifer Lawrence gets star struck over Jeff Bridges, runs away

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Even a red carpet veteran like Jennifer Lawrence gets star struck sometimes.

The "Hunger Games: Catching Fire" actress, 22, was at Comic-Con in San Diego last weekend when she saw Jeff Bridges giving an interview to promote his film "Seventh Son."

PHOTOS: MEET 'HUNGER GAMES' STAR JENNIFER LAWRENCE

Lawrence initially made her way towards Bridges and then lost her nerve, running away with an assistant in arm.

But in true Lawrence form, she recovered from her gaffe quickly, coming back around to a bemused Bridges and camera crew.

RELATED: JENNIFER LAWRENCE, NICHOLAS HOULT REUNITE SIX MONTHS AFTER SPLIT

"Oh my God, I'm like your biggest fan, I'm so sorry," Lawrence said, giving Bridges a hug. "I'm so sorry for interrupting you, there's cameras everywhere."

Lawrence then nabbed the microphone from the E! crew and conducted a mini-interview.

PHOTOS: JENNIFER LAWRENCE ON SET OF 'THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE'

"What's your favorite movie you've ever done? Who's your favorite character?" she inquired. "Did it rhyme with 'the Schmude'?"

Bridges took the interruption in stride, praising a movie by director Scott Cooper called "Out of the Furnace." Lawrence thanked him and ran off, smiling.

RELATED: JENNIFER LAWRENCE, NICHOLAS HOULT REUNITE SIX MONTHS AFTER SPLIT

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Donovan lifts USA to Gold Cup final

ARLINGTON, TEXAS

No matter the chore, no matter the challenge, the United States men's national team has proved irrefutable during this 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Honduras huffed and puffed, but in the cavernous Cowboys Stadium, the Americans never even wobbled, booking their place in the final with a 3-1 win.

Everything has been tried to throw them off their game. Defensiveness, rough play and all the dirty tricks in the book. But led by a resurgent Landon Donovan, these Americans have reeled off five consecutive victories in this tournament, extending the winning streak started by the A-team in June to a record tenth game. Their performances have grown as the tournament has worn on, and the number of players making a strong case for next year's World Cup has multiplied by the game.

And if that makes me sound like a homer or a cheerleader, know that I'm not an American and have been plenty critical of this program over the years. There was much to criticize during head coach Jurgen Klinsmann's first 18 months in charge. But this summer, his body of work with both the A- and this B-team has been fairly well beyond reproach. The high pressure, the quick transition, the pacey ball circulation - it's all coming out of the woodwork. And if some contests haven't always been super pretty, these new bedrock tenets of the American game have invariably been effective.

Against Honduras on Wednesday, it was both those things.

Ahead of the game, Landon Donovan had warned that this Honduran team would present a different challenge from the other teams the USA has faced so far this Gold Cup. It would be sitting in, much like Belize and Cuba and Costa Rica and El Salvador did, but it would be doing so while applying high pressure as well. And the physicality the Catrachos apply in disturbing the American flow could be unsettling.

So it proved. Rather than huddle in their own half, or even their own third, Honduras started its defensive press two-thirds of the way up the field. Such pressure left the Americans with less time on the ball than they've grown accustomed to. And they adjusted by playing more direct soccer than they have so far this summer. With traffic over the ground mostly clogged, not unlike that around the stadium, the occasional well-timed aerial ball worked wonders in keeping the defense honest.

Wedged in between two good Stu Holden shots from the edge of the box that just missed their mark and the time he took an elbow to the face in the box but got no call, Clarence Goodson played a deep, penetrating ball to Donovan over the ground. The forward cut back to it and artfully dinked it through the Honduran defense for Eddie Johnson to give chase to. Johnson caught up to it, took a few touches and smashed his shot by the impeachable Donis Escobar and into the net and for the 11th-minute opening goal. In the 27th minute, another high ball was headed on by Johnson. It fell to Alejandro Bedoya, whose performance varied in its effectiveness. But he won the ball in between a pair of Hondurans and flicked it on for Donovan. He chested it down well and swiftly poked it by Escober to double the score.

The Americans continued their toil and pressure into the second half and kept on crafting good looks. Their style remained aspirational, even if they had to resort to pragmatism at times. Holden played long balls, Johnson tried to knock them down, Bedoya ran the right wing and Kyle Beckerman won the ball back where needed.

In the 52nd minute, Honduras briefly turned the game's narrative around. Marvin Chavez whipped in a free kick and Nery Medina rose over several Americans to head the ball out of the otherwise excellent Nick Rimando's reach to make it 2-1.

Not a minute later though, a Clarence Goodson long ball - one of several sharp and dangerous ones on the day - was headed on by Johnson to Bedoya, who quickly squared it for an unmarked Donovan tap-in for the final 3-1 scoreline. That pushed Donovan's international tally for the U.S. to 56 goals and 56 assists - both at least 20 more than the next man. He was as effervescent as he has been all tournament - easily earning his way back into the A-team after a sabbatical - and the rapturous ovation he got when he came off in the 72nd minute was well deserved.

That was true for the win as a whole, in fact. So much so that the overmatched and frustrated Hondurans resorted to cheap shots in the late going, drawing the ire of Klinsmann. He could no longer stand Walter Quesada's tolerance of their hard fouls and got ejected for speaking his mind in the 87th minute.

But even that couldn't blight the night, for once again, this has proved to be the summer of United States Soccer.

Press Tour: Dan Harmon talks 'Rick and Morty,' 'Community' and creative freedom

Credit: Jordan Strauss/ABC

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Adult Swim's " Rick and Morty" represents a whole new world for co-creator Dan Harmon, making the leap from live action to animation.

"You can make a banana purple. You can put three hats on a cowboy," Harmon tells reporters at the Television Critics Association press tour on Wednesday (July 24), explaining the limitless possibilities of the hand-drawn comedy.

Harmon and co-creator Justin Roiland agree that animation means that the world of "Rick and Morty" has very few limits, but the past-and-present " Community" showrunner also notes that the more things change the less they change.

"It actually is just as inconvenient, for instance, to blow something up in animation, because explosions, if you want to make them look good, they need more frames drawn," Harmon says. "It's just as inconvenient to fill a room with extras, because some artist has character-design each extra. You think, as I did going into animation from live-action, 'Ah, everything costs the same. It's all a bunch of drawings.' But you very quickly learn that you do have to be strategic about your resources."

"Rick and Morty" tells the story of a somewhat wacky family, focusing on Rick, an aging and brilliantly eccentric inventor, and his dunderhead grandson Morty, a subpar high school student. In the pilot, for example, we learn that Rick has been pulling Morty out of school and taking him into the dimension's vast recesses on harvesting missions.

It's outlandish stuff full of galactic portals, aliens and time travel, but Harmon says that the show won't delve too heavily into the credulity for its various fits of fancy.

"That was an interesting lesson I learned from 'Community' is that if the emotional dynamics are resonant, if you see someone take something from someone else and they react as if something's been taken from them, the way you would react if something was taken from you, it actually doesn't matter if the thing that was taken from them is a talking banana and was taken from them at laser-gunpoint," says Harmon, whose imagination seems to heavily involve bananas. "It doesn't matter. Genre is a variable if you choose for emotional dynamics to be a constant. A mother could worry about her kid being dragged off to a different dimension by her insane inventor grandfather through a portal on the wall of the garage, she could worry just as much as when he leaves with his skateboarding friends. He could get hurt and that represents something real within the family dynamic. But we don't waste time wondering how the family would react seeing a dragon come into the living room. 'Oh God! This means God is real!' That would eat up 20 minutes of every episode."

Instead, the episodic structure will be fairly traditional.

"A lot of episodes... hit that kind of traditional '80s sitcom structure," he says. "It's just that the A-story is Rick and Morty going off to that strange part of the Multiverse, while the B-story is something hopefully more worthy of, not to flatter ourselves, but if a lesser talented Woody Allen were writing about just an ordinary thing that happens within the family."

This is an off-network detour for Harmon, which inevitably raises questions.

"I've been talking with Adult Swim for a long time, always admired the things they were doing over there and it was just a matter of 'When's the right project gonna come along?'" he says.

The right project came along after spitballing with Roiland, who voices both main characters and is "the Howard Hughes of home-spun 2-D animation," Harmon says.

Harmon also has high praise for Mike Lazzo, executive vp/creative director at Adult Swim and raves about the specificity of the notes that they have been getting on "Rick and Morty."

"He never says, 'I don't think people are going to like this.' He never branches out into the business of speculating about the biomass for which we are creating this opiate," Harmon says. "He never goes, 'People are going to respond this way when this happens.' And he also never confuses the script for the finished project. He gives script-notes on the script."

Naturally, you can read into that comment a rather thorough critique of the creative process Harmon has experienced working on "Community," though Harmon is hasty to observe, "You're seeing a bunch of crazy stuff on screen at 'Community' because, in general, relative to other networks and studios, they were incredibly permissive. I think NBC knew it was in the business of critical darlings and was always encouraging me early on like, 'Yeah, go crazy.' And Sony has always been in the business of syndication. They want this show to succeed."

Naturally, a good percentage of the TCA Press Tour questions for Harmon and Roiland involved "Community" and they became so constant that when a query came up about the show's technical specs, Roiland responded, "Oh 'Community'?"

But Harmon was also hyper-anticipatory when it came to questions. When he was asked about going back to network TV in a future sense, he immediately answered why he decided to go back to "Community" after a one-year hiatus.

"If I had not gone back, if I had been invited back and not gone back, the worse case scenario is 30 years of wondering what would have happened if I had gone back. If I go back, the worst case scenario is one s***y season. Who cares? I had to go back," he replied.

When it was explained that the question was actually about why he'd subject himself to the constraints of network TV in the future, he proved to be a strong advocate.

"The constraints you're describing are the same as iambic pentameter, they're the same as a haiku," he tells the reporter. "Those constraints come with a different way to reach an audience. Like I've said, I grew up on network sitcoms. If those are gone when I'm 65 years old, I would never forgive myself for not stepping up to that plate as often as possible."

In the end, Harmon summed up the balance of genius and trouble that he brings to the table and brings upon himself.

"I would rather die than make bad stuff for people, because I'm a terrible dishwasher, I'm a terrible lover, I'm a terrible pet owner and this is my only recourse to go to bed at night and feel like I did anything of merit, so that fills me with emotions that sometimes get express in ways that you might read about third-hand on blogs and stuff, but I also, I think, overall kind of allows me to fail upward."

"Rick and Morty" won't premiere until December on Adult Swim.

Watch: Bill Hader on the real reason he left 'Saturday Night Live'

Practical considerations played a major role in the comedian's decision

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SAN DIEGO - It's hard to see Bill Hader's recent " Saturday Night Live" departure as anything but a deliberate career move, but as he tells it practical considerations also played a big role. "It really was more about wanting to move to L.A.," Hader told me at San Diego Comic-Con while promoting his upcoming animated sequel "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2." "Cause my wife [Maggie Carey] directed a movie...the movie 'The To Do List.' So she's having to do that. So she's having to go to L.A. a lot, and I was having to go to L.A. a lot, and so it was finally just like, 'oh, well we just need to live in California.' And we lived there before I got ' SNL.' So that was really how it started. And then, you know, 'Can I do 'SNL' and that at the same time? Not really?' And that's how it ended."So is he interested in hitting Studio 8H as a guest-host at some point in the future? And how did it feel to leave the show after eight seasons? Click on the video above to watch the full clip.

A former contributor to sites including Bloody-Disgusting and AfterElton, Eggertsen enjoys rock music, rainy days and smelling the pages of old books. You should read all of his articles and follow him on Twitter because it's the right thing to do.

RG3 not planning to play in Redskins' preseason games

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III speaks with the media after a workout at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center. (Photo: Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports)

Story Highlights Coach Shanahan is confident Griffin will play well even after missing the preseason Griffin realizes the goal for him is "longevity" and is prepared to be smarter in games RG3 says toughest part will be handling adrenaline rush once he hits the fifeld

RICHMOND, Va. - Robert Griffin III is on board with Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan's plan to keep him on the sidelines for preseason action.

"As far as my understanding goes, the preseason is not even in the air,'' a sweat-stained Griffin said after finishing his conditioning run Wednesday after the team reported to training camp.

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"I feel like I can play. Coach feels that I can play without any preseason. So there's no need," Griffin said. "Patience is the key. I've done everything I can so I'm going to work myself back into it. And it feels good to be back out there with the guys.''

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Griffin will give a little for the short term to get what he wants most - being there for his teammates come the Sept. 9, Monday night opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.

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"I've been an overachiever my whole life,'' he said. "But I want to make this decision as easy for everybody as possible. So whether it's coach or the doctors, the decision for me to play Week 1 - they want me to be patient right now and wrap it up later, they know I'm going to follow those rules.

"And when it's time to go full go, I'll be ready to be full go.''

Griffin was asked how close he was to 100% after recovering ahead of schedule from Jan. 9 reconstructive surgery of his shredded right anterior collateral and lateral collateral ligaments.

"I don't know what number is right now,'' RG3 said. "I feel healthy. I don't know if anybody ever plays at 100%. Right now, everybody's on the same page. And we want to make sure we continue growing as a team."

Griffin will begin by taking part in walk-throughs and 7-on-7 drills until Shanahan feels he's shown enough to cut it lose in 11-on-11 drills.

"I'm going to be doing that for the next four or five weeks, continually trying to prove to everybody that I'm ready to go,'' he says. "I won't shy away from that. I know everyone is going to question that about me.''

In order to get where he hopes, Griffin says he'll be more conscious of protecting himself by sliding when he must, throwing the ball away and playing more from the pocket.

"The goal is longevity in the league,'' he said. "You also want to win. So as a quarterback, I don't like to conform to, 'You can't run outside the pocket.' I think you can. You just have to be smart about it.

"And maybe that's keeping me in the pocket a little bit more, throwing the ball away, sliding all the things that are necessary to me playing every game this season."

Griffin was cleared last week by Dr. James Andrews and by Shanahan after an extensive workout Monday.

"It's about getting back out there on the field, making football like movement,'' he said. "When a guy is pass-rushing you, you can't really mimic that. That's what I have to get back to doing out there. Gradually throughout training camp and the rest of the preseason, that's what I'll get back to doing and be ready to go.''

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Griffin said the toughest part about getting ready for Week 1 without benefit of preseason snaps will be the adrenaline part of his return to game action.

"It's really psychological, you have to go out and practice and make it perfect,'' RG3 says. "The way to practice for the Eagles, a really good team, will be managing my emotions so when I play in that first game, I'm not too emotionally high or out of control.

"Unless it's a necessity, I don't think I'll play in the preseason, unless coach says so."

Broncos' Von Miller to play with first team while suspension appealed

Posted: 07/24/2013 12:15:43 PM MDT

Updated: 07/24/2013 12:30:59 PM MDT

Broncos coach John Fox said Wednesday that linebacker Von Miller will be taking repetitions with the first team in training camp, despite facing a four-game suspension to start the season.

Although linebacker D.J. Williams was moved to the second team while his suspension was pending last season, Fox said he has no plans to move Miller until he hears more definite news about the suspension.

Miller, who made his first public appearance since n ews broke that he was appealing a four-game suspension for a violation of the NFL drug policy, repeatedly declined to discuss specifics

of the case, citing confidentiality and the ongoing appeal process.

Miller said the NFLPA's statement that this was not a violation of the league's performance-enhancing drugs policy was accurate.

Miller said he doesn't think the situation is a distraction and that he is eager to return to the playing field.

"I'm focused," Miller said. "I can't wait for training camp to start (Thursday). I look forward to rushing the passer, doing all those drills. I'm anxious for that."

The comments came as the Broncos reported to training camp after a tumultous offseason, capped with the news that the team might start its season without its defensive leader who faces a four-game NFL suspension pending an appeal.

Miller, a leader of the Broncos' defense, helped lead the No. 2 ranked defense in the NFL with 18½ sacks last season.

What drug triggered the positive test remains confidential, but an NFL source said that Miller had tested positive for amphetamines and marijuana during his 2011 rookie season.

When asked if smoking marijuana was part of his lifestyle, Miller said: "Absolutely not."

Caitlin Swieca: 303-954-1297, cswieca@denverpost.com

Obama to nominate Kennedy for Japan post

Caroline Kennedy (Photo: Mary Altaffer, AP)

WASHINGTON -- President Obama intends to nominate Caroline Kennedy, a close political ally and the daughter of slain President John F. Kennedy, as U.S. ambassador to Japan, according to news reports.

newsunews.blogspot.com, citing anonymous sources, said the announcement would come Wednesday.

Kennedy brings star power to the post as the most famous living member of America's best-known Democratic political dynasty.

The nomination rewards Kennedy for providing crucial early support to Obama. She endorsed him in January 2008 over his better-known rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Hillary Rodham Clinton. Kennedy went on to campaign for his election and to co-chair the vice presidential search committee that selected Joe Biden as his running mate.

By giving Kennedy the nod, Obama also continues a tradition of sending a high-profile envoy to Japan. Previous ambassadors have included former vice president Walter Mondale and two former Senate majority leaders, Mike Mansfield and Howard Baker.

If confirmed by the Senate, Kennedy would be the first female ambassador to represent the United States in Japan.

Kennedy, 55, also would fulfill another family legacy: Her grandfather, Joseph P. Kennedy, served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 1938 to 1940.

The post would place Kennedy at the center of America's relationship with one of the world's largest economies. The current ambassador John Roos, a Silicon Valley lawyer and Obama fundraiser, had no previous diplomatic experience but won praise for his work helping to coordinate the U.S. relief effort following the earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan in March 2011.

Kennedy's nomination comes after months of tension in the region.Japan is engaged in territorial disputes with both China and South Korea. Internally, the Japanese government is working to revive the economy and grapple with a rapidly aging population and enormous public debt.

Kennedy, whose nomination has long been expected, has neither extensive government nor business experience.

"Japan is in real crisis right now. This is a moment for some real creative thinking on the part of the United States," said Clyde Prestowitz, an expert on Japan and president of the Economic Strategic Institute. He objects to Kennedy's nomination.

"The only thing Caroline Kennedy has going for her is the Kennedy name," he said. "We keep handicapping ourselves in our global diplomacy by putting people into positions who don't know anything about what they are doing."

The ambassadorship marks the highest profile role undertaken by Kennedy. She has authored 10 books and serves as president John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. But she spent much of her adult life avoiding the family business of politics until she sought appointment in late 2008 to Hillary Clinton's U.S. Senate seat from New York.

Kennedy, however, withdrew from consideration weeks later after a rocky public rollout and persistent questions about her lack of political experience.

Her defenders note that few U.S. ambassadors could claim closer ties to both Obama and to Secretary of State John Kerry, who served alongside her late uncle, Edward Kennedy, for more than two decades in the U.S. Senate.

Kennedy graduated from Harvard University and has a law degree from Columbia University. She and her husband, Edwin Schlossberg, have three children.

Contributing: David Jackson

A train has derailed in north

A train has derailed in north-western Spain, with at least 10 people reported killed.

Spanish railway company Renfe confirmed the train had come off the tracks near the city of Santiago de Compostela in the Galicia region.

A Renfe spokesman told AFP news agency several people had been killed and several more injured.

Spanish news agency Efe quoted police and hospital sources as saying at least 50 people were injured.

Reports said all 13 carriages had left the tracks, and four carriages had overturned completely.

Images showed dozens of emergency workers crowded around ruined carriages.

Passengers were shown lying on the ground being treated.

Renfe said the train carried more than 200 passengers, and was on the express route between Madrid and Ferrol on the Galician coast.

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Gaza's Economy Suffers From Egyptian Crackdown

JABALYA, Gaza Strip - The only sound that could be heard on a recent weekday at Abu Eida's concrete-mixing plant in the north of Gaza was birdsong. The pumps, mixers and other heavy vehicles had been idle for days.

The factory floor was empty. In a prayer room inside the air-conditioned management section, five men were taking an afternoon nap. Work here has been at a virtual standstill since the Egyptian military's ouster of President Mohamed Morsi early this month, staff members said.

Along with the takeover in Cairo, the Egyptian military stepped up its campaign against Islamic militants operating against its forces in the rugged Sinai Peninsula, which borders Gaza. The clampdown has resulted in the destruction or closure of around 80 percent of the tunnels that run beneath the Egypt-Gaza border, long used for smuggling weapons and fugitives but also for construction materials restricted by Israel, cheap fuel and other goods.

So now, Abu Eida has no cement or gravel to operate his factory, one of the biggest in Gaza, the Palestinian coastal territory. Manar al-Batsh, an accountant at the plant, said 40 employees were sitting at home.

"If the crisis lasts until the end of this month, we won't be able to keep those workers on our payroll," he added.

For Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic militant group that runs Gaza and has its roots in the Muslim Brotherhood, Mr. Morsi's ally in Egypt, the upheaval next door means the loss of an important friend and a looming economic crisis if the tunnel restrictions continue.

Hamas, which refuses to recognize Israel and is considered a terrorist organization by much of the West, faces increasing physical and political isolation.

New restrictions at the Rafah border crossing, Gaza's main gateway to Egypt and the outside world, limit travel to holders of foreign passports and to patients with official medical referrals from the Hamas-run Ministry of Health. Hamas officials are unable to leave Gaza, and given the security situation in Sinai, aid and solidarity missions are not coming in.

More materially, Hamas relies on the taxes it collects from the underground trade. Experts have estimated the group's annual budget at $900 million. Hamas employs almost 50,000 government workers in Gaza, and two-thirds of the budget is said to be spent on salaries.

Omar Shaban, a Gaza economist and the director of PalThink, an independent research institute, said taxes collected from the tunnel trade made up about a third of the budget. Additional income has come from taxes on local businesses, many of which also depend on cheap commodities from the tunnels that are now in short supply. Fuel from Egypt is sold here at half the price of fuel imported from Israel.

Hamas had already been suffering from a sharp drop in financing from Iran in recent months because it did not stand by President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, its former patron, in his struggle against rebel forces.

Yasser Othman, Egypt's representative to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, told a Palestinian newspaper this week that the extraordinary security measures along the border with Gaza were not directed against the Palestinian territory but were to "protect Egypt's national security." He added that the measures would end "once the exceptional situation ended."

But in Egypt, a media campaign is under way against Hamas, as critics of Mr. Morsi associate the group with the violence along the Sinai border. Egyptian military officials have told state news media that scores of Hamas fighters and snipers have been making their way into Egypt to battle the anti-Morsi demonstrators. Newspaper columnists have accused Hamas of interfering in Egypt's affairs, and liberal television presenters have openly called Hamas "the militant arm of the Muslim Brotherhood," stoking the anti-Morsi and anti-Hamas sentiment.

Salah al-Bardawil, a Hamas official in Gaza, said in a telephone interview that the Egyptian media were being "pushed by the enemies of resistance" and some Arab states that want to see Hamas toppled like the Brotherhood in Egypt. He acknowledged that Hamas's options for dealing with the crisis were limited but said the Palestinian people were used to putting up with hardship to preserve their "dignity and national principles."

Some analysts have questioned whether a weakened Hamas would remain committed to its cease-fire with Israel. In November, Mr. Morsi played an instrumental role in brokering a truce, ending a fierce eight-day Israeli offensive. Hamas has since worked to rein in rocket fire by Gaza militants against southern Israel.

For a while after Mr. Morsi's election victory last year, Hamas felt empowered. In October, the emir of Qatar became the first head of state to visit Gaza since Hamas took power in 2007, and he pledged $400 million for major housing and infrastructure projects here. But because of a lack of supplies, most infrastructure projects, including the Qatari-financed ones, have come to a temporary halt.

Abdul-Fattah al-Zeri of the Hamas-run Ministry of Economy said this week that 50,000 workers who depended directly or indirectly on the construction sector, like carpenters, engineers and aluminum window manufacturers, were out of work.

"Today we are seeing a crippled economy, postponed contracts and losses among contractors," he said.

Israel eased its blockade on Gaza in 2010 under intense international pressure. The increased flow and variety of goods from Israel freed up the smuggling tunnels for more industrial materials, setting off a building boom in Gaza. Unemployment had dropped from nearly 36 percent to 26 percent over the last three years. Now, Mr. Zeri said, there are worries that it will rise again, adding, "We are on the brink of a crisis in terms of economy."

Israel restricts the official import of construction materials that it says could be used by Hamas to manufacture rockets or build fortifications. For example, Mr. Zeri said, Israel only allows pipes no larger than one and a half inches in diameter to enter Gaza. To import electronics, he said, Gaza merchants have to explain what they will be used for and attach user guides and catalogs before gaining approval, a process he said takes three months.

Other commercial sectors are also feeling the effects of the Egyptian clampdown. Most of Gaza's fishermen have not been going out to sea for lack of cheap fuel. And Gaza's fish market was almost empty of fish and buyers after sundown, when Muslims break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan.

One fisherman, Ali Ayyad, 28, a newlywed, stood on the deck of his family's fishing boat, which remained anchored in the harbor this week, and tried to catch some mullets with a rod.

"It's better than begging," he said.

Mayy El Sheikh contributed reporting from Cairo.