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Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Actor who played 'Seinfeld's' Mr. Pitt dies
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Ian Abercrombie played Mr. Pitt on
By Todd Cunningham, TheWrap.com
Ian Abercrombie, the classically trained British stage actor best known to American TV audiences as Elaine Benes' nutty boss Mr. Pitt on "Seinfeld," died of a heart attack Thursday in Los Angeles. He was 77.
Abercrombie appeared on several other U.S. TV shows. He played the 800-year-old Professor Crumbs on "Wizards of Waverly Place and a butler on "Desperate Housewives," and made guest appearances on "Twin Peaks," "Dynasty" and "Days of Our Lives."
He appeared in a number of movies, including "Stalag 17," "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" and "The Prisoner of Zenda," with Peter Sellers.
He did voiceover work in "Star Wars: The Clone Wars," "Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties" and "Rango," and had completed "Green Lantern" for the Cartoon Network just before he died.
As Mr. Pitt in Seinfeld, he was known for his obsession with socks and quirky habits like eating candy bars with a knife and fork.
He is survived by his wife, Gladys.
Do you remember Abercrombie as an actor? What was your favorite scene? Tell us on Facebook.
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Monday, January 30, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Economy grew modest 2.8 pct. in Q4, best in 2011 (AP)
WASHINGTON ? The U.S. economy grew at a 2.8 percent annual rate in the final three months of last year, the fastest growth in 2011.
Americans spent more on cars and trucks, and companies restocked their shelves at the strongest pace in nearly two years. But growth in the October-December quarter ? and all of last year ? was held back by the biggest annual government spending cuts in four decades.
The Commerce Department said Friday that the economy grew just 1.7 percent last year, roughly half of the growth in 2010 and the worst since the recession.
Most economists expect businesses to ease up on restocking in the first three months of the year. That should slow first-quarter growth. And consumers may cut back on spending if their wages continue to lag inflation.
In the final three months of last year, consumer spending grew at a 2 percent annual rate. That's up modestly from the third quarter.
Much of the growth was powered by a 14.8 percent surge in sales of autos and other long-lasting manufactured goods.
Incomes, which have been weak all year because of high unemployment, grew at a modest 0.8 percent annual rate. That followed two straight quarters of declining incomes.
Consumer spending is important because it makes up 70 percent of economic activity.
Business restocking, which can vary widely from quarter to quarter, was the greatest contributor to growth in the October-December period. It added nearly 2 percentage points to the gross domestic product, or GDP.
Government spending at all levels fell at an annual rate of 4.6 percent in the fourth quarter and 2.1 percent for the year ? the biggest decline since 1971. Sweeping federal defense cuts at the beginning and end of 2011 were a major factor.
The economy is measured GDP, which covers everything from haircuts to hotel bookings to jet fighter planes. Friday's estimate was the first of three for the fourth quarter.
Paul Ashworth, an economist at Capital Economics, said growth is likely to slow in the first three months of this year to below 2 percent. That's largely because business restocking will slow.
"Overall, the pickup in growth doesn't look half as good when you realize that most of it was due to inventory accumulation," Ashworth said.
But not all economists agree that the first quarter of this year will be weak.
Ian Shepherdson, an economist at High Frequency Economics, said business investment in capital goods should be stronger, consumer spending firmer and government activity less of a drag.
Other data show the economy ended 2011 on a strong note. Companies invested more in equipment and machinery in December. The unemployment rate fell to 8.5 percent last month ? the lowest level in nearly three years ? after the sixth straight month of solid hiring.
People are buying more cars, and consumer confidence is rising. Even the depressed housing market has shown enough improvement to make some economists predict a turnaround has begun.
Still, many economists worry that a recession in Europe could dampen demand for U.S. manufactured goods, which would slow growth. And without more jobs and better pay, consumer spending is likely to stagnate.
The Federal Reserve signaled this week that a full recovery could take at least three more years. In response, it said it would probably not increase its benchmark interest rate until late 2014 at the earliest ? a year and a half later than it had previously said.
The central bank also slightly reduced its outlook for growth this year, from as much as 2.9 percent forecast in November down to 2.7 percent. The Fed sees unemployment falling as low as 8.2 percent this year.
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Movie Scores: How the critics rated the new movies (AP)
LOS ANGELES ? Liam Neeson continues to impress critics with his reinvention as an action hero as he approaches 60 in this weekend's "The Grey."
Neeson stars as one of a group of oil-rig workers who find themselves stranded in the snowy Alaskan wilderness when their plane to Anchorage crashes. AP Entertainment Writer Jake Coyle only gave the movie two stars out of four, though, saying: "`The Grey' is not `Jaws,' and it's certainly not `Moby-Dick.' In the script by (director Joe) Carnahan and Ian Mackenzie Jeffers, adapted from Jeffers' short story `Ghost Walker,' the philosophical subtext is forced and obvious."
Also opening this weekend to far less favorable reviews is "Man on a Ledge," starring Sam Worthington as a disgraced New York cop who threatens to jump off the 21st floor of a hotel to deflect attention from a heist going on across the street. AP Movie Critic Christy Lemire gave it one and a half stars out of four, writing: "`Man on a Ledge' is so cliched and reheated, it almost feels like a parody of a generic action picture ? only no one seems to be in on the joke."
Here's a look at how these movies and others fared on the top review websites as of Friday afternoon. Each score is the percentage of positive reviews for the film:
? "The Grey": Metacritic, 64; Movie Review Intelligence, 63.5; Rotten Tomatoes, 76. Average: 67.8.
? "Albert Nobbs": Metacritic, 58; Movie Review Intelligence, 64.2; Rotten Tomatoes, 53. Average: 58.4.
? "Man on a Ledge": Metacritic, 40; Movie Review Intelligence, 42.9; Rotten Tomatoes, 22. Average: 35.
? "One for the Money": Metacritic, 13; Movie Review Intelligence, 11; Rotten Tomatoes, 0. Average: 8.
___
Online:
http://www.metacritic.com/
http://moviereviewintelligence.com/
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/
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Monday, January 23, 2012
AT&T and T-Mobile file request for FCC approval of spectrum transfer
AT&T and T-Mobile file request for FCC approval of spectrum transfer originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sony VAIO series get minor processor refresh, Z series grabs LTE option on the way
Ahead of any possible Ultrabook announcements, Sony's looking to give its existing VAIO catalogue a (relatively underwhelming) shot in the arm with a bundle of hardware retweaks. The Z series looks to gain the most out of the Spring refresh, with a new off-white Carbon Fiber Silver color option set to be offered up alongside an optional LTE modem. The series also gets a processor step-up, with new Intel Core i5 and i7 options rounded off with the choice of SSD storage. Including the connectable drive, prices for the series refresh will start from $1,950. Meanwhile, both the S (13-inch, $800, 15-inch, $980)and E series will get a similar bump to Core i7 processors, with both the S and aforementioned Z series able to lock into an extended sheet battery accessory. If minor processor improvements, more battery options and LTE connectivity enough to fork over your cash, you can expect the revitalized units to arrive early next month.
Sony VAIO series get minor processor refresh, Z series grabs LTE option on the way originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink |Sony | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/23/sony-vaio-processor-spring-refresh-z-series-lte/
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Sunday, January 22, 2012
Longtime Hamas leader Mashaal asks to quit (AP)
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip ? Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal has decided not to seek another term, the movement said Saturday, paving the way for a possible leadership contest at a time when the anti-Israeli Islamic group faces far-reaching decisions on whether to stay the course of militancy or moderate.
However, Hamas suggested Mashaal could be asked to stay on, in what would be a boost for his more pragmatic line.
Mashaal could not be reached for comment Saturday, but his decision not to seek another term as head of Hamas' political bureau was confirmed in a Hamas statement. Mashaal, who like other top Hamas leaders is based in Syria, has led the 15-member bureau since 1996, or nearly twice as long as permitted under Hamas rules.
Hamas said Saturday the final decision on Mashaal's future will be left to the 55-member Shura Council, which oversees the political bureau and authorizes key decisions. Mashaal was last reaffirmed in his post in April 2009, and it is not clear if and when the Shura Council would appoint a successor.
Word of Mashaal's decision comes at a time of change in Hamas' relationship with its parent movement, the pan-Arab Muslim Brotherhood. The Brotherhood has scored election victories in Egypt and Tunisia following the pro-democracy protests of the Arab Spring over the past year, and has urged Hamas to moderate.
Brotherhood leaders have encouraged Mashaal to pursue reconciliation with Palestinian rival Fatah, led by Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and to abandon violence, according to several Hamas figures.
In discussions within Hamas, Mashaal has praised the pragmatism of the Brotherhood and proposed that Hamas take steps toward becoming a strictly political movement, rather than also maintaining a parallel military wing. This would eventually require a decision to halt attacks on Israel, something Hamas has so far avoided.
In recent months, Mashaal has led attempts to reconcile with Fatah, although he has encountered some opposition from senior Hamas activists in the Gaza Strip, controlled by the Islamists since they seized the territory from Abbas in 2007. The Gaza branch of Hamas would likely lose jobs and influence in any reconciliation deal.
Mashaal is to meet with Abbas in Cairo early next month to try to move bumpy reconciliation efforts forward. The rivals had previously agreed to hold general elections in the Palestinian territories in late spring, but smaller gestures, such as mutual prisoner releases, have not yet been carried out, suggesting continued distrust.
Some in Fatah expressed concern Saturday that a Hamas leadership change could put reconciliation on hold.
"Mashaal had a significant role in pursuing reconciliation," said Amin Maqboul, a Fatah negotiator in the talks with Hamas. "We hope that his successor takes the same path, particularly ... since there are some forces in Hamas in Gaza who are not interested in reconciliation."
Raed Naerat, a West Bank-based Hamas expert, said he expects the movement to stay on Mashaal's current course, arguing that his policies have been endorsed by the collective leadership.
Mashaal first told the Hamas leadership at a Shura Council meeting in Sudan last month that he does not plan to seek re-election, according to Hamas insiders who spoke on anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
It is unclear whether Mashaal is serious about stepping aside, or hopes to elicit a show of support from the movement by announcing he is not seeking re-election. Under Hamas' internal rules, the head of the political bureau can only serve two terms for a total of eight years, and Mashaal faced severe criticism in the past for staying on past that.
Some said the Arab Spring may be influencing Mashaal's strategy.
"With this step, Mashaal wanted to emphasize that Hamas is a democratic movement, but the final decision will be made by the Shura Council," said Ahmed Yousef, a Hamas figure in Gaza who spoke to Mashaal earlier in the week.
It's not clear if and when Hamas elections would be held. Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas official in Lebanon, said the date of possible internal elections would not be revealed, citing security reasons.
Possible contenders for Hamas' leadership include Mashaal's deputy, Moussa Abu Marzouk, and Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas prime minister in Gaza.
In recent months, Mashaal has increasingly adopted a pragmatic tone, though Hamas insists it will not formally renounce violence or recognize Israel ? conditions set by the international community for ending its boycott of the group. In its founding charter, the movement is committed to Israel's destruction and has killed hundreds of Israelis in militant attacks that have included shootings and suicide bombings. Since 2007, the group has ruled the Gaza Strip, a sliver of territory wedged between Egypt's Sinai desert and Israel.
In a December interview with The Associated Press, Mashaal said he wanted to focus on a strategy of holding mass protests against Israel, in the style of Egypt and Tunisia, where citizens successfully overthrew their dictatorships. However, he did not renounce violence.
Hamas leaders in Gaza tend to adopt a harder line, although they have mostly observed a truce with Israel for the past three years. Palestinian militants from other groups have fired rockets at Israel with varying intensity recently, but it has not escalated into larger violence.
Hamas considers all of Israel to be occupied Palestinian land. The Palestinian Authority, led by Abbas, seeks a state alongside Israel in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem.
Mashaal is originally from the West Bank Palestinian village of Silwad. He survived an Israeli assassination attempt in 1997 in Jordan.
___
Daraghmeh reported from Ramallah, West Bank. Associated Press writers Diaa Hadid in Jerusalem, Zeina Karam in Beirut and Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria, contributed reporting.
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Monday, January 16, 2012
Face and 'effort' controlled iPad game helps you outrun the competition (video)
Continue reading Face and 'effort' controlled iPad game helps you outrun the competition (video)
Face and 'effort' controlled iPad game helps you outrun the competition (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sunday, January 15, 2012
Really, Greece? Pedophiles? (ContributorNetwork)
COMMENTARY | OK, Greece, I read in a story by the Associated Press that you have recently decided to recognize kleptomaniacs, pyromaniacs and pedophiles as those deserving of disability payments. I can say that although I may understand your logic in deciding this, I must say that your logic fails to recognize one of its major flaws -- that although these things may be debilitating to those who suffer from it, these "disabilities" are much more debilitating for the victims than for the sufferers.
Victims otherwise known as the rest of your citizens and tourists. Let's be honest with each other, Greece, diabetes and organ transplant recipients aren't suffering from an illness that affects the lives of the rest of your citizens -- other than financially, that is. But these people, who suffer from these other mental illnesses, harm otherwise innocent people.
Greece, you have always been rather high my list of places to visit; your rich ancient history, gorgeous views, wonderful food (minus the tripe). This recent decision of yours, though, is seriously making me rethink my travel plans.
Tourism is a great moneymaker for your almost bankrupt country, and I don't really see how providing government subsidies to those who suffer from "illnesses" -- mental illnesses whose impulses sufferers are rarely able to stop acting upon -- will do much to help your economic situation.
I mean, sure, you can argue that now Greece will be a beacon for the pedophiles and pyromaniacs of the world, but perhaps this isn't the contingent of the population you'd really like to have tour Greece. As I said, I'd love to visit Greece. However, I don't think I'd like to visit Greece knowing that I'd have to tie my daughter to my arm, clutch my purse, and jump every time someone lights a match. I have a feeling that I'm not the only person who feels this way.
I understand that pedophiles and pyromaniacs are in every society, and they are an issue that all governments must deal with. Let me suggest a more palatable solution for all of us potential tourists: that you take all of the money you would hand out to these sufferers and instead, use the money to build a government run institution where they can reside without interacting with the public. Not only will you be helping these mentally ill people, but you will also be taking a stride to try and make Greece's streets safer for its citizens and tourists.
Greece, please keep in mind that diabetes patients or organ transplant recipients aren't suffering from an illness that affects the lives of the rest of your citizens -- other than financially, that is. But pedophiles, pyromaniacs, and kleptomaniacs harm otherwise innocent people. Really, Greece, as a civilized nation, do you really want to help keep free those people whose mental illnesses lead to criminal activity?
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Saturday, January 14, 2012
RI unions push for income tax hike on wealthy (AP)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. ? Rhode Island union leaders say state lawmakers should raise income taxes on the state's highest earners to reverse years of budget cuts.
State AFL-CIO President George Nee said Thursday that Rhode Island needs additional tax revenue to stabilize government budgets and prevent deep wage and pension cuts to public workers.
But Gov. Lincoln Chafee says raising income taxes could backfire if high earners leave the state. Chafee, an independent, has said he is open to considering some kind of tax increase this year as lawmakers grapple with a $120 million budget shortfall.
The comments came after a closed-door meeting between Chafee and union leaders to discuss a possible overhaul of municipal pension plans.
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Friday, January 13, 2012
Oscars: Five Great Actors Who Have Never Been Nominated
For his role in "Tinker Tailor Solider Spy," Gary Oldman is getting a lot of buzz as a potential Oscar nominee. It would be his first, if you can believe it. He?s popped up in so many memorable roles over the years, but he?s never received any adulation from the Academy.
In anticipation of the [...]
In anticipation of the [...]
Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2012/01/11/oscars-five-great-actors-snubs/
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