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THE NEW MEXICAN Wednesday, July 31, 2013
NATION&WORLD In brief
NEW YORK — New York City mayoral hopeful Anthony Weiner has released a new campaign video saying he won’t quit the race. The 1-minute video was posted on his campaign’s website Tuesday evening. Speaking directly into the camera, the former congressman addresses politicians and newspaper editors who have said he should quit. He says they don’t know New York or him and that quitting isn’t what New Yorkers do, they “fight through tough things.” Last week, Weiner acknowledged exchanging sexually explicit messages online after similar behavior spurred his resignation from Congress in 2011. He says in the video that when “embarrassing” things in a person’s private life become public, the person should talk about it. A new poll released Monday found Weiner’s support fell from 26 percent last week to 16 percent.
San Diego City Council votes to sue mayor
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lasts echo in the distance as two longtime friends and neighbors sit along a narrow street in old Damascus chatting about Syria, when one of them calls the civil war raging in their home country a “crisis.” “It is called a revolution!” the other shouts. “If you are one of those who believe in a foreign conspiracy, then move away from here,” roars the man, whose son has been detained by regime forces for nine months for taking part in pro-democracy protests. The first man retorts that he is sitting in public property and has the right to call it whatever he wants. It’s a scene from We Will Return Soon, one of at least three Syrian soap operas airing during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan that deal primarily with the Syrian civil war. The shows, spotlighting a conflict that has killed more than 100,000 people and uprooted millions of others from their homes, have captivated millions of viewers across the Arab world. Other Syrian soap operas broadcast during Ramadan also address the war though it’s not their main theme. Some of the series are pro-regime and managed to film in Syria, while other series critical of President Bashar Assad’s brutal military crackdown had to be filmed in studios in neighboring Lebanon or Gulf Arab countries. Still others tried to achieve a delicate balance between the two. During Ramadan, Muslims fast during the day and sit down for an elaborate meal in the evening. Arab satellite channels broadcast special Ramadan programs and soap operas each night, trying to hook families who have gathered to break their fast. Syrian soap operas have gained major popularity in the past few years, rivaling Egyptian dramas that had long dominated viewership across the Arab world. Among the most suc-
cessful was Bab el-Hara, or The Neighborhood Gate, which follows families in a Damascus neighborhood between the world wars, when the French ruled Syria and the local population chafed under foreign control and yearned for independence. This year’s Syrian soap operas mark a stark departure from the past, dealing with themes and using language unthinkable before the uprising began in March 2011 against the Assad family’s decades-old iron grip rule. The new TV series also depict some security officers as corrupt and ruthless human beings who live well beyond their means and order troops to kill with no mercy. One popular series, Birth from the Waist, is openly critical of security agents, even showing a security officer ordering his men to “open fire at the dogs,” in reference to anti-regime protesters. The show, which airs on several Arab satellite channels but not on Syrian state-run TV, is about widespread corruption in Syria as well as the uprising and security crackdown. Syrian actress Kinda Allouch has backed the opposition since the start of the crisis. In We Will Return Soon, which tells the story of a Syrian family that fled to Lebanon to wait out the war, Allouch’s character proudly proclaims in several episodes that she backs “the revolution.” In Birth from the Waist, Abdul-Hakim Kuteifan, who is known to be a strong supporter of the opposition, plays the role of a corrupt security officer whose office is adorned with a poster of Assad. The series was reportedly banned from filming in Syria. Hassan Youssef, a Syrian script writer and cultural journalist, said it was too early for the country’s war to be discussed in soap operas. A Syrian woman now living in Beirut, who declined to be identified for fear of drawing attention to herself, said she’s hooked on the soap operas, although watching them breaks her heart. “Every day I watch TV, I remember my Syria and I cry.”
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A story on page A-6 of Tuesday’s edition gave the wrong date for a Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office auction of vehicles forfeited by owners convicted of drunken driving. The auction is scheduled for Aug. 17 at the sheriff’s office, 35 Camino Justicia, with gates opening at 8 a.m. and the auction starting at 9 a.m.
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Two women watch one of the popular series Al-wiladah men al-khasira — Birth from the Waist — on a giant screen at an outdoor coffee shop in Beirut. The program is one of several Syrian soap operas airing during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan this year, almost all of them dealing with the Syrian civil war. The series have captivated millions of viewers across the Arab world. HUSSEIN MALLA/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
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NEW YORK — New York City’s crackdown on big, sugary sodas is staying on ice. A mid-level state appeals court ruled Tuesday that the city’s Board of Health exceeded its legal authority when it voted last year to put a 16-ounce size limit on highcalorie soft drinks served in restaurants, theaters, stadiums, sidewalk food carts and many other places. In a unanimous opinion, a four-judge panel of the state Supreme Court Appellate Division said that while the board has the power to ban “inherently harmful” foodstuffs from being served to the public, sweetened beverages don’t fall into that category. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the driving force behind the regulation, promised a quick appeal.
CAIRO — European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Tuesday that she had met with deposed Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi, the first contact he has had with an independent official since he was taken into military custody almost a month ago. WASHINGTON — The Pentagon said By allowing the meeting, Egypt’s military Tuesday it is offering no “zero option” for signaled that it may be willing to work with the number of troops that would remain in Morsi toward a political solution to the Afghanistan after the U.S. combat mission country’s ongoing crisis, which has spawned ends in December 2014. It said in a report repeated violence between security forces to Congress that “substantial” long-term and the ousted president’s supporters. military support will be needed to ensure that Ashton, a low-key British diplomat, said she Afghans can hold off the Taliban insurgency. was taken by military helicopter late Monday The White House has not ruled out leaving to meet with Morsi. She declined to go into no troops behind after 2014, although officials detail about her two-hour conversation say the most likely option is a residual with him, but she said he had access to training force of roughly 9,000. newspapers and television and was in good In its twice-a-year report to Congress on condition. war progress, the Pentagon said Afghanistan’s Last week, prosecutors announced that military is growing stronger but will require a Morsi is under investigation over allegations lot more training. of espionage and murder, accusations that his supporters in the Muslim Brotherhood have dismissed as politically motivated. Criminal charges based on the allegations could carry the death penalty. SAN DIEGO — The San Diego City Council voted Tuesday to sue Mayor Bob Filner over any costs the city must pay from a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by his former communications director, dealing another setback to the leader of the nation’s As of Tuesday, at least 2,119 members of eighth-largest city amid mounting calls that the U.S. military have died in Afghanistan as he resign. a result of the U.S.-led invasion of AfghaniThe Council voted unanimously to ask that a court require the mayor to pay the city stan in late 2001. The latest identifications reported by the military are: for any damages and attorney fees if the city u Two soldiers died July 27, in Ghazni is found liable. The decision behind closed Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered doors came hours before the Council was to consider a request by the mayor’s attorney to when enemy forces attacked their vehicle have the city pay his legal expenses. with an improvised explosive device and “This is part of due process,” said City small arms fire; they were assigned to the Attorney Jan Goldsmith. “If Bob Filner 10th Transportation Battalion, 7th Sustainengaged in unlawful conduct and the city is ment Brigade, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.; held liable, he will have to reimburse us every killed were: Sgt. Eric T. Lawson, 30, of Stockpenny the city pays and its attorney fees.” bridge, Ga., and Spc. Caryn E. Nouv, 29, of Irene McCormack Jackson sued the Newport News, Va. mayor and the city July 22, alleging the u Three soldiers died July 23, in Soltan mayor asked her to work without panties, Kheyl, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered demanded kisses, told her he wanted to see when enemy forces attacked their unit with her naked and dragged her in a headlock an improvised explosive device; they were while whispering in her ear. Since then, six assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry other women have offered detailed accounts Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat of Filner’s advances, including touching and Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, forcible kisses. Ga.; killed were: 1st Lt. Jonam Russell, 25, of Seven of nine City Council members have Cornville, Ariz., Sgt. Stefan M. Smith, 24 of urged the city’s first Democratic leader in Glennville, Ga., and Spc. Rob L. Nichols, 24, 20 years to resign, ensuring stiff opposition to of Colorado Springs, Colo. paying his legal expenses even before Filner’s attorney asked that the city pay his bills. New Mexican wire services
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FREE DREAM WORKSHOP: Understanding the language of dreams is offered by Jungian scholar, Fabio Macchioni. 5:30 p.m. Reservations required. Call 982-3214. 145 Washington Ave. HISTORICAL DOWNTOWN WALKING TOURS: Led by New Mexico History Museum and Palace of the Governors guides. For information call 505-476-1141. 113 Lincoln Ave. RICK SMITH: The poet reads from Hard Landing, 5:30 p.m. 500 Montezuma Ave., Suite 101. SANTA FE CLAY SUMMER SLIDE LECTURE: The series continues with ceramist Steven Hill, 7 p.m., no charge, 545 Camino de la Familia. INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN INDIAN ARTS WRITERS FESTIVAL: Free readings by students, faculty, and Native authors, including N. Scott Momaday, 6 p.m. 83 Avan Nu Po Road.
NIGHTLIFE
Wednesday, July 31 AGOYO LOUNGE AT THE INN ON THE ALAMEDA: Jazz guitarist Pat Malone, 5-7 p.m., no cover. 303 E. Alameda St. ¡CHISPA! AT EL MESÓN: Flamenco guitarist Joaquin
2–6–12–25–26 Top prize: $131,000
Pick 3 6–1–6 Top prize: $500
Mega Millions 25–27–36–42–44 MB 39 Megaplier 3 Top prize: $13 million Gallegos, 7:30 p.m.-close, no cover. 213 Washington Ave. COWGIRL BBQ: Americana singer/songwriters Art, Lisa, and John, 8 p.m., no cover. 319 S. Guadalupe St. EL FAROL: Pan-Latin chanteuse Nacha Mendez with Santastico, 8 p.m.-close, no cover. 808 Canyon Road. KSFR RADIO MUSIC CAFÉ: 7 p.m., $20, 428-1527. 710 Camino Lejo. LA CASA SENA CANTINA: Santa Fe band Saveur, Cuban rhythms, 5:30-7:30 p.m., no cover. 125 E. Palace Ave. LA FIESTA LOUNGE AT LA FONDA: The Bill Hearne Trio, 7:30-11 p.m., no cover. 100 E. San Francisco St. TINY’S: Mike Clymer of 505 Bands, 8:30 p.m.-close, no cover. 1005 St. Francis Drive, Suite 117.
uuu A story in Tuesday’s edition about a bond rating dispute misspelled the name of Reuters wire service.
uuu A list provided by the Santa Fe Public Schools, showing which schools each member of the Santa Fe school board is responsible for, was published in the Back to School guide in the July 27 edition of The New Mexican. That list was inaccurate. The correct list follows:
VANESSIE: Bob Finnie, pop standards piano and vocals, 7 p.m.-close, no cover. 427 W. Water St.
District 1, Steven Carrillo: Atalaya, Acequia Madre, Chaparral, E.J. Martinez, Wood Gormley and Santa Fe High School District 2, Glenn Wikle: Amy Biehl, Capshaw, El Dorado, Turquoise Trail and Capital High District 3, Susan Duncan: Aspen, Agua Fría, Carlos Gilbert, Gonzales, Tesuque, and Academy at Larragoite District 4, Linda Trujillo: Capital High, César Chávez, Ortiz, Nye ECC, Ramirez Thomas, Nina Otero and Sweeney District 5, Lorraine Price: De Vargas, Kearny, Nava, Piñon, Salazar and Santa Fe High
uuu The New Mexican will correct factual errors in its news stories. Errors should be brought to the attention of the city editor at 986-3035.
For more events, see Pasatiempo in Friday’s edition. To submit an events listing, send an email to service@ sfnewmexican.com.