US designer Thom Browne talks shop (VIDEO)

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• US designer Thom Browne talks shop (VIDEO)
• ‘Forgetful’ Malaysian Muslim missing in Mecca found with Thai pilgrims, minister says
• What China? Strategists predict vintage year for European stocks
• Five Saudi troops die on Yemen border after major offensive against rebels
• Are these animals cute or what? (VIDEO)
• Reuters Video: Animals around the world

US designer Thom Browne talks shop (VIDEO) Posted: 13 Sep 2015 05:53 PM PDT NEW YORK, Sept 14 — Thom Brown­e talks with Vanes­sa Fried­man about the virtu­es of minim­alism­, the colour gray and havin­g his staff membe­rs dress as if he's their fathe­r. — New York Times Screengrab of US designer Thom Browne in his studio.

‘Forgetful’ Malaysian Muslim missing in Mecca found with Thai pilgrims, minister says Posted: 13 Sep 2015 05:43 PM PDT 'Forgetful' Malaysian Muslim missing in Mecca found with Thai pilgrims, minister says Minister Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom will head to Saudi Arabia to help expedite the search and identification process for the missing trio. — file pictureKUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 — One of the eight Malaysian Muslim pilgrims who went missing after a crane collapse that killed 107 people at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, has been found safe, Minister Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom has confirmed. The minister in charge of Islamic affairs told reporters in Petaling Jaya late last night that the previously missing man, Abdul Muluk Ishak, 71, from Pantai Remis, Perak was a "forgetful" person who had got lost after strong winds toppled a giant crane near the mosque, killing at least 107 people and injuring over 200 others. "He ended up at the Thai pilgrims' accommodation and they eventually sent him back to Tabung Haji officials," the minister was quoted as saying by The Star Online today. Four other Malaysian Muslim pilgrims died in the incident while three are still unaccounted for. Those still missing are: Abdul Habib Lahman, 68, from Sik, Kedah; Shahidan Saad, 52, from Kodiang, Kedah; and Zainun Taha, 69, from Ampang, Selangor. The fatalities are: Rusiah Suar, 56, from Sungkai, Perak; Siti Nuroshlizan Zolkifli, 37, from Tanah Merah, Kelantan; Rohana Ismail, 54, from Kuala Krai, Kelantan; and Munah Jusoh, 73, from Cherang Ruku, also Kelantan. According to the minister, the Malaysian Muslim pilgrims who died will be buried in Saudi Arabia. The Star Online reported Jamil Khir saying he and Tabung Haji chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Rahim will head to Saudi Arabia today to help expedite the search and identification process for the missing trio.

What China? Strategists predict vintage year for European stocks Posted: 13 Sep 2015 05:39 PM PDT A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, as television screens display Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen speaking, in this June 17, 2015 file photo. — Reuters picNEW YORK, Sept 14 —The global market selloff triggered by China last month hasn't dented the confidence of European strategists, who bet strong earnings will propel the region's stocks to their biggest rally since 2009. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index will climb about 18 per cent in 2015, according to the average of nine forecasts compiled by Bloomberg, outperforming US equities and recovering all ground lost after China devalued the yuan in August. To do this, it will have to jump 13 per cent in less than four months. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index is predicted to rise 6.9 per cent this year. "The call on Europe comes down to earnings being better than the rest of the world, and when we look at measures of valuation, the market doesn't seem to be pricing that in,'' Barclays Plc's European equity strategist Dennis Jose said in a phone interview from London. "There seems to be skepticism with the way the stock market is pricing Europe relative to other regions, while we think profitability will pick up.'' Earnings of companies in the Stoxx Europe 600 will grow 35 per cent this year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That compares with 4.6 per cent growth for S&P 500 companies and a 2.4 per cent advance for MSCI Emerging Markets Index members. The European gauge's price-to-book value is the cheapest relative to the US since 1975, Jose said. European shares will probably end the year at an average level of 1.74, the lowest since 2012, compared with a ratio of 2.5 for US companies. In addition, China's economic deceleration will be gradual and offset by growth in Europe, according to Barclays and Societe Generale SA. European companies will earn investors the best returns in the world as they benefit from expanding economies, a weaker euro and lower energy prices, said Roland Kaloyan, head of European equity strategy at Societe Generale. "Taking a wine metaphor, it will be a vintage year for European equities,'' Kaloyan said by phone from Paris. "We're seeing more upside in the euro zone than in the rest of the world.'' Not everyone is so optimistic. Citigroup Inc chief economist Willem Buiter last week forecast a global recession in the next few years. It will likely originate in emerging markets, with China in particular at risk of a hard landing, he wrote in a report. Barclays' Jose and SocGen's Kayolan are among the more bullish strategists in the survey, predicting the benchmark will end the year at 430 and 400, respectively. UBS Group AG had the highest call at 440, while ING Groep NV had the lowest at 360. The divergence between the most and least bullish bets doubled to 80 points, compared with a July survey. Strategists forecast the S&P 500 will rise to 2,200, which implies a 6.9 per cent gain for the full year, while predictions for Japan's Nikkei imply an increase of about 21 per cent for the full year. According to DZ Bank AG analyst Michael Kopmann, European stocks are attractive after sliding 14 per cent from their high following the Greek crisis and devaluation of the Chinese yuan. "Now that we've seen a correction, we're getting a good valuation on European stocks,'' Kopmann said. "After the correction, people start asking how much deeper can the market fall, and that's when fundamentals come back into focus and we're seeing good arguments there to support an increase.'' — Bloomberg

Five Saudi troops die on Yemen border after major offensive against rebels Posted: 13 Sep 2015 05:35 PM PDT SANA'A, Sept 14 — Militiamen loyal to Yemen's exiled government fire a mortar cannon during fighting with Houthi militia in Yemen's central province of Marib September 13, 2015. — Reuters picFive Saudi soldiers have died on the border with Yemen, the Saudi-led coalition said late yesterday as forces inside Yemen began a major offensive against rebels. A coalition statement did not say how the army soldier and four Border Guard troops died in the kingdom's southern Najran region. Neither did it specify the date of the incident. The statement, carried by the official Saudi Press Agency, said they died "in the line of duty while protecting the nation's borders". It appeared to be the largest single military loss in the border region announced by the coalition since March 26, when it began action in Yemen against Iran-backed Houthi rebels. However, unlike most announcements of Saudi military casualties in the border zone, the statement gave no details. In June the coalition said four Saudis and dozens of Yemenis were killed in battle when forces loyal to Yemen's former president attacked several locations on the Saudi border. Months of coalition air strikes failed to dislodge the Houthis from territory they had seized in Yemen. But they began to lose ground in July when the coalition, according to military sources, sent in armour, troops and Yemeni fighters trained in Saudi Arabia. Yesterday coalition-supported anti-rebel forces in Yemen began a major offensive aimed at pushing the Houthis out of Marib province and eventually moving on the capital Sanaa which the Houthis seized last year. Riyadh formed the Arab alliance, in support of exiled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, in response to fears that the Houthis would take over all of Yemen and move it into the orbit of Sunni Saudi Arabia's Shiite regional rival Iran. At least 60 people have been killed in Saudi Arabia from shelling and skirmishes along the frontier with Yemen since the coalition campaign began. Most of the border casualties have been soldiers. Another 10 Saudi troops died inside Yemen earlier this month. They were among 60 coalition soldiers killed when a missile hit their base in Marib province. The World Health Organisation says more than 4,500 people, including a vast number of civilians, have been killed in Yemen since March 19. — AFP

Are these animals cute or what? (VIDEO) Posted: 13 Sep 2015 05:30 PM PDT NEW YORK, Sept 14 — Cuteness radiates in Crimea where cubs are frolicking with visitors, a Giant Panda celebrates her birthday in San Diego, and baby seat lions dive back in the water after several months of rehab. Nathan Frandino reports. — Reuters Screengrab of one of the white tiger cubs in a safari park in Belogorsk.

Reuters Video: Animals around the world Posted: 13 Sep 2015 05:28 PM PDT Duration: 1:34, Published 14 Sep 2015 Cuteness radiates in Crimea where cubs are frolicking with visitors, a Giant Panda celebrates her birthday in San Diego, and baby seat lions dive back in the water after several months of rehab. Nathan Frandino reports. — Reuters

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British yatchsman dies in Cipper Round the World race (VIDEO)

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• British yatchsman dies in Cipper Round the World race (VIDEO)
• Reuters Video: Sailor dies in round-the-world yacht race
• Eddie Redmayne had transgender help for transsexual role
• In Shaxi, time stands still for Yunnan’s last ancient market town
• Hundreds rally in support of jailed anti-gay US clerk
• Iceland, Wales, Northern Ireland look to make Euro football history

British yatchsman dies in Cipper Round the World race (VIDEO) Posted: 05 Sep 2015 06:38 PM PDT LONDON, Sept 6 — British crew member of a yacht taking part in the Clipper Round the World race has died after an accident off the coast of Portugal, his team said in yesterday . Paramedic Andrew Ashman, 49, was reefing a sail on the IchorCoal entry around midnight on Friday during the first leg from London to Brazil when he was knocked unconscious. "We are deeply saddened to report the death of crew member Mr Andrew Ashman, our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time," a statement posted on the official website of the race said. It added: "Andy was knocked unconscious by the mainsheet and possibly the boom (although not confirmed). He was given immediate medical assistance and attempted resuscitation but failed to regain consciousness." The yacht was diverting to Porto in northern Portugal and was expected to arrive today. An investigation has been launched, organisers said. Race founder Robin Knox-Johnston said in a statement: "This is extremely sad news and my heart goes out to his bereaved family and friends, and to his fellow crew. Safety is always our utmost priority, as our record shows, and we shall investigate the incident immediately in full cooperation with the authorities." The 40,000 nautical mile race offers crewing places to members of the public even without previous sailing experience although Ashman was described as an experienced yachtsman. It began in London on Aug 30. — ReutersImage from the Reuters video on sailor who dies in yacht race.

Reuters Video: Sailor dies in round-the-world yacht race Posted: 05 Sep 2015 06:34 PM PDT Duration: 00:48, Published 6 Sep 2015 A yachtsman taking part in a round-the-world race has died after being hit by a sail, say organisers. — Reuters pic

Eddie Redmayne had transgender help for transsexual role Posted: 05 Sep 2015 06:22 PM PDT Eddie Redmayne as transgender pioneer Einar Wegener in 'The Danish Girl'. VENICE, Sept 6 — Eddie Redmayne said transgender people helped him prepare for his portrayal of transsexual pioneer Lili Elbe in "The Danish Girl" that opened yesterday at the Venice Film Festival, even if no transgender person got the main role. "Across the board the generosity of people was amazing," Redmayne said at a press conference launching the film about Danish landscape painter Einar Wegener. Wegener was born male in 1882 but began living as a woman after his marriage and had the first of several sex reassignment operations in 1930. She died in 1931 but left diaries and her life was fictionalised in the book "The Danish Girl". Director Tom Hooper, who made "The King's Speech", said the film industry did not make sufficient use of transgender actors and actresses, but defended his choice of Redmayne to play Elbe. "I think there's something in Eddie that's drawn to the feminine," Hooper said, citing Redmayne's casting in a woman's role in a stage production of Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night". "I think also to some extent in our film Lili is presenting as a man for the majority of the film, for about two thirds of the movie, and her transition happens quite late, so I also had to consider that coming to the decision." Hooper said he had used transgender actors in the film, including Britain's Rebecca Root as a nurse, but said that in general transgender actors and actresses were not used enough in the film industry. "I feel that within the industry at the moment there is a problem. There is a huge pool of talent in trans actors and the access to parts is limited and so I would champion any shift where the industry can move forward to embrace trans actors." Redmayne said a couple in Los Angeles, in which the wife stayed with her husband while he made the transition to becoming a woman, as well as Elbe's diaries and the book based on Elbe's life, had helped to form his portrayal. "So it was ... trying to take all of that information and see if I could find some of those aspects in me," said Redmayne, who won the Oscar for best actor this year for his portrayal of physicist Stephen Hawking in "The Theory of Everything". "I don't know if I succeeded but what I learned in that process was quite incredible." The film also stars Alicia Vikander ("Ex-Machina") as Wegener's wife Gerda. It is one of 21 films in competition for the Lion d'Or top prize. — Reuters

In Shaxi, time stands still for Yunnan’s last ancient market town Posted: 05 Sep 2015 06:20 PM PDT Every Bai woman who sells at the market carries one such weaved basket on her back. – Pictures BY Vivian ChongSHAXI, Sept 6 — The women walk in silence, briskly with their heads slightly bowed from the weight on their backs. The rattan baskets strapped to their waists and heads are filled to the brim with forest harvests, vegetables from their home gardens, Chinese medicinal herbs and homemade specialty items. These ladies are from the Bai ethnic group, the second largest minority in Yunnan. In Shaxi, they inhabit the mountainous areas and maintain a matriarchal way of life in which children take on their mothers' family names. They make their way towards the valley town of Sideng every Friday where a street market bustles from the crack of dawn. There, they lay their offerings on tarpaulin sheets on the ground and join local vendors in plying their goods. In the centre of Sideng Square stands this tree that's believed to be 300 years oldThe Bai minorities live in the surrounding mountainous areas, and hike about three hours to get to ShaxiFrom the familiar and expected (breakfast on fluffy mantou steamed freshly on the spot, the ubiquitous soup noodles topped with dollops of chilli and coriander) to the exotic (dried rattlesnakes and tortoise carapace at the medicine herbs stall) and downright absurd (coils of human hair for wig-making and cushion stuffing, apparently), nothing is off limits here. The best spot to hang around is the poultry section, where young chicks and ducklings chirp and quack noisily inside wire or rattan containers while sellers cradle fat hens under their arms, parading their prized produce to lure customers. The buying and selling of chickens is a truly lively affair as fierce haggling ensues between vendor and customer while the bird in question is closely scrutinised before a decision is made. The chook is then weighed and a final price is named. By late afternoon, the market comes to a close and the Bai ladies retrace their steps home. Their rattan baskets, emptied of the produce they had brought to sell, are full once again with raw ingredients and household items they pick up at the market. It's a routine they carry out dutifully, chatting cheerfully along even though it's a journey of at least several hours each way. They hike past verdant fields of rice and wheat, and 16 sleepy villages that spread out across the Himalayan foothills on north-west Yunnan. It's worth renting a bicycle from the shops in Sideng to explore this scenic countryside on two wheels. A goatherd watches over while his charge grazes in the verdant fields (left). Chicken buying is a lively, noisy event at the weekly market (right)The market is not only a weekly highlight for the villagers, but is also significant of Shaxi's place in history: It was an important stop on the ancient Tea and Horse Caravan Trail that stretched from Tibet to Myanmar, and predates the Silk Road by 300 years. In those days, horses and animal furs were valuable currencies that merchants traded with for tea, salt and medicine. The Friday market is held along the main street of Sideng, whereas the original Shaxi Market site is now known as Sideng Square and remains the focal point of the town. The square is encircled by a complex of buildings that served the needs of those ancient merchants, and included guest houses, horse stables, a temple and a theatre stage where performances were held for their entertainment. The Shaxi Market is considered the most complete surviving example of a trading town along the Trail and for that reason, in 2002, the World Monuments Fund placed it on their Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites. The acknowledgement saved Shaxi Market from crumbling into oblivion, and the funding that came with it (USD1.3 million) has been put to good use. Led by Swiss conservationist Jacques Feiner, the Shaxi Rehabilitation Project set about restoring the buildings as well as the defence gates that protected the village. Bai ladies in their traditional fineries are a common sight in ShaxiGoat's cheese parcels, wrapped up like traditional gift parcels in dainty handkerchievesFeiner's approach focuses on fortifying the existing structures, returning them to their former glory while retaining their original forms. The revived Sideng Square thus has all the authenticity of a centuries-old market town, complete with ancient architecture, cobblestone walkways and a towering tree that's believed to be three centuries old. The idyllic old world vibe permeates across town, not only seen in the buildings and willow tree-lined roads but also in the people. It is not uncommon to see a man walking his goat or horse around town, or Bai ladies out and about clad in their elaborate traditional ensembles. Surrounding and within the vicinity of the square, what used to be shelters and resting posts now house a mix of eateries, specialty shops and artisans' studios where goods are still painstakingly made by hand the old-fashioned way. Exotic surprises await at the herbs and medicine stall (left). Grab a pizza and pasta from Hungry Buddha, and dine al fresco by the river (right)At the Old Town Shoe Shop, an elderly Mr Lee sits patiently in front of a vintage sewing machine facing the open window that looks out to the square. He has since passed the business on to his daughter, he says, but steps in to help out when she's away. Inside the tiny shop, the racks displays traditional embroidered shoes embellished with chinoiserie. The shoes come in several combinations of bold colours and styles that include sandals, Mary Janes, wedges and boots, and you can customise a pair to your liking. Next door, a family of young silversmiths are hard at work, melting, welding and knocking late into the night as they rush to build up a stockpile of designs. The approaching Golden Week holidays promise to bring a deluge of travellers to Shaxi, and they want to ensure they have enough goods to cash in on the rush. Diagonally opposite, Old Street is a laidback bar with tatami-style seating upstairs and a picnic table outside if you prefer to people watch over ice cold beer or their homemade fruit wines. Next door, you can buy a variety of mushrooms — a Yunnan specialty — including the very aromatic, truffle-like song rong (pine mushrooms, or Matsutake Tricholoma) that's highly prized by the Japanese. Further up from Old Street, the tiny Wood Fish cafe seats only six and everything is made fresh upon order. On the small menu are easy favourites like burgers, sandwiches, fried rice and homemade breads. Loose tea leaves, sold by weightQuiet and bucolic, Shaxi is still much of a hidden travel gemMore substantial offerings can be had at Karma Cafe, where local and Western dishes can be enjoyed with a selection of Bai and Tibetan delights, served fine dining style within a casual atmosphere. The food is of excellent quality, featuring the freshest locally sourced ingredients, as is the service. The cafe is actually part of the Laomadian guesthouse, a heritage boutique accommodation in a 150-year-old courtyard building that was originally a caravanserai (Persian for roadside inn). Rooms are tastefully dressed in a mix of modern amenities and traditional furnishings. Owner A Fang, a Taiwanese who speaks fluent English, welcomes guests warmly and will sit down for a chat if she's not busy running around. She splits her time between Shaxi and Lijiang, where she operates a second outlet of Karma Cafe and Laomadian. On the same row as Karma towards the East Gate end is Hungry Buddha cafe, owned by Italian chef Maurino Anzideo and his Chinese wife Ai Xin, which specialises in organic vegetarian fare. Everything is made from scratch with ingredients from the Friday market — including cheese, made using local milk. Their specialty is thin crust pizza, delightfully crispy with well balanced flavours. Hungry Buddha has limited bar stool seating, so it's best to grab your pizza and pasta to go. Walk through the East Gate and you will arrive at the Heihui riverside promenade which, on a balmy evening and looking out towards the Huazhong mountain range, makes for the perfect picnic cum vantage spot. Most of Shaxi's eateries close early, with Old Tree Cafe among the few exceptions. The first Western-style cafe to open here, in 2005, it is run by an elderly couple who relocated from Shandong in search of a restful retirement. The warm and homey interiors are as inviting as the food, a mix of Chinese favourites and Western classics. Espresso-based coffee drinks are served along with beer, juices and fresh homemade yoghurt. Old Tree Cafe was the first Western-style bar to open in Shaxi (left). This ornate theatre was part of World Monument Fund's restoration project in Shaxi (right)You can sip your choice of night cap at the outdoor seating area, which looks out to the centuries-old scholar tree that inspired the cafe's name. It's just the place to be to wind down while soaking in the serenity of the old market square before retiring for the night. A few doors away is one of Sideng's most popular accommodations, the hostel-style Horse Pen 46, which occupies a traditional Bai courtyard home built in the sanfang yizhaobi architectural style that translates into "three houses, one front wall".Its name and room types — named Foal, Pony or Mustang Stalls — are a nod to Shaxi's market town era. Song rong, one of Yunnan's specialty mushrooms, has the aroma that recalls trufflesThose days may be long gone, but on-going preservation efforts ensure that Shaxi's legacy continues, its bucolic charm further protected by the languid pace and "time stands still" spirit that envelops life here. Still largely hidden from the typical Yunnan tourist trail — most travellers bypass Shaxi for Dali and Lijiang — those who do find their way here could well find themselves drawn to visit again and again, not unlike the tea-trading merchants who once journeyed here by horse caravans. Shaxi travel info Getting there The nearest international airport is in Kunming; from there, you can take a domestic flight to Dali Airport and then catch a bus to Jianchuan, which is about five hours away. Just outside the bus station, look for vans that are headed to Shaxi. The ride doesn't take more than 45 minutes. Works of art - handmade canvas shoes embellished with chinoiserie (left). Knitting to while her time (right)From Kunming, you can also take a train to Dali, a journey of between five and eight hours depending on which service you take. It's best to reserve your tickets in advance as rail travel is very popular in China and seats sell out fast. Bookings can be made up to 60 days ahead, through websites like www.travelchinaguide.com and www.chinaticketonline.com Best time to visit March-June and September-October, when temperatures are mild. Note that the first week of October is the Golden Week holidays across China, so hotel and transport rates will be higher. Combine your visit with Other popular destinations in Yunnan are Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La, all of which are within easy bus access from Shaxi via Jianchuan. Vivian Chong is a freelance travel and lifestyle writer. Read more of her nomadic adventures at http://thisbunnyhops.com

Hundreds rally in support of jailed anti-gay US clerk Posted: 05 Sep 2015 06:18 PM PDT Supporters rally at the Carter County Detention Centre for Kim Davis, who remains in jail for contempt of court in Grayson, Kentucky September 5, 2015. — Reuters picWASHINGTON, Sept 6 — Hundreds rallied yesterday as a show of support for the US clerk who was sent to jail this week for refusing to issue same-sex marriage licences, local media reported. Kim Davis, jailed since Thursday for contempt of court, refused to issue the licenses due to her opposition to gay marriage, which the US Supreme Court legalized across the United States in June. A born-again Christian, Davis says God's authority trumps the laws her job requires her to follow. The mayor of Grayson, Kentucky, where she is being held, agrees. "You play a role in this moment of history and may God bless you and God bless Kim Davis," Mayor George Steele told the crowd at the rally, according to local broadcaster WKYT. Many of the supporters made the 128-kilometre trek from neighbouring Rowan County, where Davis is employed, the channel said. The pink-and-beige detention centre at the end of dead-end street in 4,000-person Grayson has become an epicenter for the culture war over gay marriage, seemingly resolved by the Supreme Court's decision. While Judge David Bunning has said Davis can be released as soon as she agrees to issue marriage licenses to anyone who qualifies, as her position requires, or resigns from that position, she can be held indefinitely if she refuses to do so. Her attorney said Friday she has no intention to resign or to "violate her conscience and betray her God." Outside in the sunny parking lot, the supporters admired her defiance. "She was in good spirits last night (..) She was joking and laughing, saying honey I'm just as comfortable as can be. She'll be fine," her husband, Joe Davis, told WKYT. A larger rally has been planned for Tuesday by Republican presidential candidate and minister Mike Huckabee, who plans to visit Davis in jail and then protest outside against what he calls the "criminalisation of Christianity in this country." — AFP

Iceland, Wales, Northern Ireland look to make Euro football history Posted: 05 Sep 2015 06:08 PM PDT Iceland's team celebrate their victory over the Netherlands with their fans after their Euro 2016 qualifying match in Amsterdam, September 3, 2015. — Reuters picPARIS, Sept 6 — The second of back-to-back matchdays in qualifying for Euro 2016 runs from today to Tuesday. AFP Sports looks at what is at stake over the next three days: Who can qualify?  Iceland are on the brink of making history and qualifying for a major tournament finals for the first time — after beating the Netherlands 1-0 in Amsterdam on Thursday, the island nation need only draw at home to a Kazakhstan side who have registered just one point so far in Group A. The Czech Republic can join them if they win in Lithuania and the Netherlands fail to win in Turkey. "Let's talk about facts, not ifs and maybes," said a cautious Iceland coach Heimir Hallgrímsson as he warned against complacency. "If Turkey win their games, they can take top spot in the group, so we have to win against Kazakhstan on Sunday — we are planning to do that and are focusing on it."  History can also be made in Group B, where Wales will seal qualification for a major finals for the first time since 1958 if they can beat Israel in Cardiff. "There's going to be a fantastic atmosphere, but we mustn't get caught up in it because if you do that you stop thinking about what got you there in the first place," warned Wales manager Chris Coleman. In Group F, Northern Ireland can qualify for a first European Championship, and a first major tournament since 1986, by beating so far undefeated Hungary in Belfast tomorrow. In addition, Austria, whose only previous finals appearance came as co-hosts in 2008, will be there from Group G if they draw in Sweden, or if Russia fail to win in Liechtenstein. Elsewhere, Slovakia will be through to a first European Championship from Group C with a win against Ukraine. World Cup holders Germany can clinch their finals berth from Group D if they win in Scotland and Ireland suffer an unlikely defeat at home to Georgia.  Switzerland would join England in qualifying from Group E with a win at Wembley combined with Estonia failing to win in Slovenia, and Portugal will be through from Group I if they win in Albania and Denmark lose in Armenia. Who is in trouble?  After losing 1-0 at home to Iceland in their first game under new coach Danny Blind, the Netherlands face Turkey away in a huge game for both nations in qualifying Group A. A defeat for the Dutch would leave them in fourth spot and would end their chances of finishing in the top two if the Czech Republic were to take anything in Latvia, seriously compromising their hopes of reaching the finals in France in the process. That said, the game in central Turkey is similarly crucial for the hosts, whose only wins so far have come against Kazakhstan. Bosnia and Herzegovina's chances of appearing at a first European Championship finals are hanging by a thread after they lost 3-1 in Belgium last Thursday. Mehmed Bazdarevic's side should see off Andorra in Zenica, but if Group B rivals Belgium win in Cyprus and section leaders Wales take something at home to Israel, the Bosnians will not be able to finish in the top two, leaving them probably having to settle for a play-off place at best. In Group D, Scotland will be in huge trouble if they lose at home to Germany and Poland and Ireland win their respective games. That would leave Gordon Strachan's side four points behind third-placed Ireland with two games to go. "I think we have to pick up something to make sure that everyone knows that we are still there. We are still in it so we have to get over the disappointment," Strachan said after Friday's demoralising defeat in Georgia. Rooney targets record  England have already qualified so the focus when they face Switzerland at Wembley will be on whether Wayne Rooney can pass Bobby Charlton's England record of 49 international goals after he equalled it yesterday in the 6-0 win in San Marino that allowed Roy Hodgson's side to secure qualification for next year's finals in France. Euro 2016 qualifying fixtures — today (kick-offs 1845 GMT unless stated): Group A At Riga (1600 GMT) Latva v Czech Republic At Konya, Turkey (1600 GMT) Turkey v Netherlands At Reykjavik Iceland v Kazakhstan Group B At Cardiff (1600 GMT) Wales v Israel At Zenica Bosnia and Herzegovina v Andorra At Nicosia Cyprus v Belgium Group H At Ta'Qali, Malta (1600 GMT) Malta v Azerbaijan At Oslo (1600 GMT) Norway v Croatia At Palermo, Italy Italy v Bulgaria Tomorrow: Group D At Warsaw Poland v Gibraltar At Dublin Ireland v Georgia At Glasgow, Scotland Scotland v Germany Group F At Helsinki Finland v Faroe Islands At Belfast Northern Ireland v Hungary At Bucharest Romania v Greece Group I At Yerevan (1600 GMT) Armenia v Denmark At Elbasan Albania v Portugal Tuesday: Group C At Barysaw, Belarus Belarus v Luxembourg At Skopje Macedonia v Spain At Zilina Slovakia v Ukraine Group E At London England v Switzerland At Vilnius Lithuania v San Marino At Maribor, Slovenia Slovenia v Estonia Group G At Vaduz Liechtenstein v Russia At Chisinau Moldova v Montenegro At Solna, Sweden Sweden v Austria — AFP

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Bayern boss says rejected ‘very high’ Mueller offer

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• Dollah Salleh resigns as national football coach after 10-0 drubbing

Bayern boss says rejected ‘very high’ Mueller offer Posted: 04 Sep 2015 09:09 AM PDT Munich's Thomas Mueller celebrates his goal against Bayer Leverkusen during their German first division Bundesliga match in Munich, Germany August 29, 2015. — Reuters picLONDON, Sept 4 — Bayern Munich rejected a "very high" offer for versatile attacking midfielder Thomas Mueller this summer, president of the German club Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has said. The 25-year-old Mueller, who worked with Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal during his time in charge of Bundesliga champions Bayern, was heavily linked with a move to the Red Devils throughout the summer. United's last offer for the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner was thought to be in excess of £70 million (approx. RM456 million), according to British media reports. "I'm talking about figures which were very high indeed. If I were a bank manager then I would have had to accept it," Rummenigge was quoted as saying by the Manchester Evening News. "But as a football club we allowed ourselves to close the door on it, and this door is remaining closed. I can promise that to everybody. "But one thing is for certain, in view of the increased television money in England things are not going to get any easier for Bayern in future," he added. Mueller has started the campaign in outstanding form, scoring five goals from the opening three league matches. — Reuters

Men claiming discovery of Nazi ‘gold train’ go public Posted: 04 Sep 2015 08:52 AM PDT Tadeusz Slowikowski, retired miner and explorer shows map of an area where a Nazi train is believed to be at, in Walbrzych, southwestern Poland September 4, 2015. — Reuters picWARSAW, Sept 4 — Two treasure hunters claiming to have discovered a Nazi "gold train" went public today for the first time but failed to reveal evidence for the alleged find they insist is "irrefutable". The men, who identified themselves as Piotr Koper, a Pole, and German national Andreas Richter, told Poland's TVP public broadcaster they would only communicate via their lawyers from now on. Authorities in Poland's southwestern province of Lower Silesia where the armoured train is allegedly buried cast doubt on its existence earlier this week insisting there was no credible evidence for it. The Polish military has since deployed technicians to check the area in question. "We have irrefutable evidence it exists," Koper told TVP today, adding that "we aren't responsible for the media circus surrounding the train." He insisted that evidence the pair had presented confidentially to local authorities on August 18 had later been leaked to the media. The men, who under Polish law are entitled to a 10 per cent finder's fee, say they have enough funding to independently excavate the train and its presumed treasures. They vowed to use part of the finder's fee earned from the discovery to set up a museum at the site. Lower Silesia Governor Tomasz Smolarz said Monday it was "impossible to claim that such a find actually exists at the location indicated based on the documents that have been submitted." This came just days after senior culture ministry official Piotr Zuchowski said he was "more than 99 per cent sure" an armoured train had been found based on ground-penetrating radar images. Zuchowski also claimed that someone who had been involved in hiding the train, presumed to be over 100 metres in length, had disclosed its location before dying. Police have blocked off the presumed location of the train along a stretch of active railway tracks in a bid to prevent accidents as a curious public swamps the area near the city of Walbrzych. Global media have become fascinated by the prospect of a railway car full of jewels and gold stolen by the Nazis. The World Jewish Congress has asked that any valuables found that once belonged to victims of the Holocaust should be returned to their owners or heirs. Rumours of two special Nazi trains disappearing in the spring of 1945, towards the end of World War II, have been circulating for years, capturing the imagination of countless treasure hunters. The lore is fuelled by a massive network of secret underground tunnels near Walbrzych — including around the massive Ksiaz Castle — that Nazi Germany built and where legend has it the Third Reich stashed looted valuables. — AFP

Music on the go: Parrot Zik 3 add smartwatch compatibility (VIDEO) Posted: 04 Sep 2015 08:48 AM PDT NEW YORK, Sept 4 — The latest upgrade to the Philippe Starck-designed Parrot Zik headphones adds the ability to play from smartwatches such as the Apple Watch and Android Wear. The new generation of the Bluetooth headphones also includes adaptive noise cancelling and USB audio compatibility as well as a few design changes, such as a wider headband for comfort. They feature wireless charging and hi-fi sound and come in colours including black, green and red. The Parrot Zik 3 headphones are set to release in late 2015. — AFP-Relaxnews The Parrot Zik 3 is now compatible with some smartwatches. — AFP pic

Parrot Zik 3 heaphones — Wireless everything Posted: 04 Sep 2015 08:43 AM PDT Duration: 1:22, Published 4 Sep 2015 The latest upgrade to the Philippe Starck-designed Parrot Zik headphones adds the ability to play from smartwatches such as the Apple Watch and Android Wear. — AFP-Relaxnews

1MDB did not receive RM42b from government, says book Posted: 04 Sep 2015 08:40 AM PDT A man covers his mouth as he walks past a 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) billboard at the funds flagship Tun Razak Exchange development in Kuala Lumpur, February 27, 2015. — Reuters picKUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 — 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) did not receive RM42 billion from the government. According to the "1MDB: Siapa Kata Tidak Dijawab" book, on the contrary, the RM42 billion fund's debts were in the form of bank loans, bonds and sukuk. 1MDB had only received RM1 million in equity in 2009 and a short-term loan of RM950 million in March 2015 in the form of available credit. "1MDB is not funded by local and international capital and invested by using its own capital," according to the book published by the Special Affairs Department (JASA) of the Communications and Multimedia Ministry. The book also explains that of the RM42 billion fund's debts RM18 billion was used to purchase an independent power producer company, RM15.4 billion for investment funds, RM5.8 billion for financial costs, RM1.7 billion for the land purchasing cost and RM900 million in cash. The 62-page book comprises a collection of answers about 1MDB that had been given by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, 1MDB President and Group Executive Director Arul Kanda Kandasamy. It provides answers to 32 questions about 1MDB which were presented in simple and straightforward explanations as well as infographic. The book among others, answered questions about whether the joint-venture inivestment with Petrosaudi is a scam? is it true 1MDB really had to borrow RM2 billion from Ananda Krishnan to pay the interest? why did the government sell the 70-acre land to 1MDB at such a low price? Is it true the 1MDB funds went into Najib's personal accounts? 1MDB's rationalisation plan? is it true that the police had interfered with, the MACC's (the Malaysian-Anti Corruption Comission) investigation on 1MDB? — Bernama

Dollah Salleh resigns as national football coach after 10-0 drubbing Posted: 04 Sep 2015 08:36 AM PDT Malaysia's head coach Dollah Salleh (centre) confirmed today that he has resigned. — Reuters picKUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 — National football coach Dollah Salleh confirmed today that he has resigned following Malaysia's 10-0 drubbing at the hands of the United Arab Emirates in their World Cup qualifying match yesterday. National newswire Bernama confirmed the news in a one-line news flash at 11.12pm today. Malaysia lost to UAE in Abu Dhabi yesterday in the Asian Zone World Cup qualifiers, after the latter led by 7-0 in the half-time.

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