Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/305901117?client_source=feed&format=rss
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Thursday, May 16, 2013
Eurozone recession extends into 6th quarter
PARIS (AP) ? The eurozone is now in its longest ever recession ? beating even the calamitous slump that hit the region in the financial crisis of 2008-9.
The European Union statistics office said Wednesday that nine of the 17 EU countries that use the euro are in recession, with France a notable addition to the list. Overall, the eurozone's economy contracted for the sixth straight quarter, slumping by 0.2 percent in the January-March period from the previous three months.
Though the contraction is an improvement on the previous quarter's 0.6 percent decline, it's another unwelcome landmark for the single currency bloc as it grapples with a debt crisis which has prompted governments to slash spending and raise taxes. And while the eurozone's 9.5 trillion euro ($12.22 trillion) economy struggles, companies' order books around the world are suffering.
Austerity measures introduced across the eurozone have inflicted severe economic pain and social unrest. Unemployment across the eurozone is at a record 12.1 percent. In Greece, the figure is even higher at 27.2 percent, while in Spain it's 26.7 percent and Italy's unemployment is 11.5 percent.
There was also bad news for the wider 27-country EU, which includes non-euro members such as Britain and Poland. It too is now in recession after shrinking by a quarterly rate of 0.1 percent in the first quarter, following a 0.5 percent drop in the previous period.
Though the eurozone's recession is not nearly as deep as the one in 2008-9, which ran for five quarters, it is the longest in the history of the 14-year history of the euro. A recession is typically defined as two straight quarters of negative growth.
"The eurozone is facing a double blow from necessary restructuring of its domestic economy and somewhat disappointing growth in world trade, in particular demand from emerging markets," said Marie Diron, senior economic adviser to Ernst & Young.
With a population of more than half a billion people, the EU is the world's largest export market. If it remains stuck in reverse, companies in the U.S. and Asia will be hit. Last month, U.S.-based Ford Motor Co. lost $462 million in Europe and called the outlook there "uncertain." McDonald's saw its sales in Europe, the hamburger chain's biggest market outside the U.S., fall 1.1 percent of in the first quarter.
Other major economies have faltered this year but none are in recession. The annualized contraction in the eurozone, based on this quarter's figures, of around 0.9 percent contrasts with the equivalent expansion of the U.S. of 2.5 percent. Meanwhile, China, the world's number 2 economy, is growing around 8 percent a year.
For many analysts, that discrepancy highlights Europe's flawed economic approach since the end of the financial crisis. Instead of keeping the spending taps on ? as the U.S. has largely done ? the region concentrated on austerity even though companies and consumers weren't able to plug the gap left by the retrenching state.
However, there have been some recent indications that Europe's leaders are willing to ease up on their adherence to cuts and tax rises at a time of recession. Some countries, for example, are being given more time to meet certain economic and financial targets.
Also the European Central Bank cut its benchmark interest rate this month a quarter-point to a record low of 0.50 percent. President Mario Draghi has said the ECB was prepared to flex its muscles further, and is "ready to act if needed."
Despite the latest relaxation of some deficit-reduction targets ? and an easing of concerns over the debt crisis in financial markets ? most economists think the eurozone will remain in recession in the second quarter.
Growth is expected to emerge in the second half of the year ? but it isn't set to amount to much. Many economists warn of a lost decade ahead for the eurozone similar to Japan. It, like the eurozone, has zigzagged its way in and out of recession over the past few years. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the last set of available figures, Japan's economy was flat.
The eurozone has been in recession since the fourth quarter of 2011. Initially it was just the countries at the forefront of its debt crisis, such as Greece and Portugal that were contracting.
But the malaise is now spreading to the so-called core countries. Figures Wednesday showed Germany, Europe's largest economy, grew by a less-than-anticipated quarterly rate of 0.1 percent, largely because of a severe winter.
The Achilles heel for the German economy right now is the weak demand for investment goods" such as industrial equipment and factory machinery, said Ralf Wiechers, economist for the German Engineering Association.
"No one knows where things are going in Europe."
Germany's paltry growth still allowed it to avoid a recession following the previous quarter's 0.7 percent fall, when orders for the country's high-value good from its struggling euro neighbors declined.
However, France, Europe's second-largest economy, has not avoided that fate. On the first anniversary of Francois Hollande becoming president, figures showed that the country's economy contracted by a quarterly rate of 0.2 percent for the second quarter running.
"We are in Europe, the eurozone countries are our main clients and our main suppliers, and when the environment around us is depressed, well, that's the main factor in the slowing of the French economy," French finance minister Pierre Moscovici said.
This marks the third time that France has been in recession since 2008, when a banking crisis pushed the global economy into its deepest contraction since World War II.
Guillaume Cairou, CEO of the consultancy Didaxis and president of France's Club of Entrepreneurs, said the news that the country is in recession merely confirms the difficulties its businesses have long experienced.
"The situation of companies on the ground is grave and more serious today than in 2008," Cairou said in a written statement.
____
Pylas contributed from London. Geir Moulson in Berlin and David McHugh in Frankfurt also contributed to this story.
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/eurozone-recession-extends-6th-quarter-090331917.html
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Nokia to launch Smart Camera app on all of its Windows Phone 8 devices in Amber software update
Jealous of the Lumia 925's flashy new imaging software? At Nokia's London event, Jo Harlow has promised that other Lumia owners won't be left out in the cold. The company will be pushing out "Amber," an update that'll bring Smart Cam, amongst other apps, to the company's wider range of Windows Phone 8 devices. There's no word on when Amber will actually arrive beyond a vague mention of "summer," but the company hopes it'll be ready in time for your next vacation.
Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Software, Mobile, Microsoft, Nokia
Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/TJcYF5xxKtw/
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Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Bill Hader's best celeb impersonations on 'SNL'
TV 
13 hours ago
NBC
Bill Hader as Charlie Sheen on "Saturday Night Live."
Bill Hader is pulling a Kristen Wiig.
The "Saturday Night Live" mainstay announced that after eight years, he's leaving the comedy sketch show and told The New York Times that Wiig's departure played a part in his own decision to leave.
Hader's exit, like Wiig's, will be a major blow to "SNL". Not only is he credited with portraying some of the show's most hysterical and off-beat characters, but he is arguably the most gifted celebrity impressionist to ever appear on "SNL." Over the years, he's depicted everyone from Franklin Roosevelt to Phil Spector with frighteningly accuracy.
Here's a look back at some of Hader's most impressive celebrity impersonations.
Vincent Price
Hader was spot-on with his portrayl of Golden Age horror-film star Vincent Price. He nailed Vinnie's distinctive creaky voice and stare during the holiday-themed skits, which poked fun at Price's horror-themed specials and movies. Hader depicted Price in six episodes, and each time he managed to capture Price's perfect blend of camp and creep.
CharlieSheen
Charlie Sheen was a common target for "SNL" jokes during his infamous 2011 breakdown, but Hader's impeccable portrayal of the actor is one of the most memorable Sheen-related skits. In this classic cold-open, Hader, as Sheen, interviews other celebrities known for getting bad press, and does a spot-on impression of the actor's intense mannerisms and gravelly voice.
JohnMayer
Hader captured John Mayer's signature blase attitude -- and not-so-hot singing face -- when he partnered with Wiig in this 2007 skit to mock the awkward relationship of Mayer and Jessica Simpson. The sketch captures the odd couple in an "intimate moment" in which Hader, as Mayer, is trying his best to relate to his girlfriend.
ClintEastwood
Hader earned rave reviews for his spoof of Clint Eastwood's "Empty Chair" speech at the 2012 Republican National Convention. Hader, as Eastwood, and his chair go on the road to bring their "high-waisted hi-jinks" to audiences across America. Eastwood himself later revealed that he enjoyed Hader's impression of him, telling E! News, "It was good. Hader has me down pretty good."
AlanAlda
Although he didn't necessarily look like "M*A*S*H" star Alan Alda, Hader's spot-on impersonation of Alda's voice more than makes up for it. Hader portrayed Alda on several episodes of "SNL" over the years, each time being more freakishly accurate than the last. In this 2011 sketch, Hader and other members of the cast appear as various celebrities whose "lost" auditions for the movie "Top Gun" surface on a 25th anniversary edition of the film. Hader's impersonation of Alda's voice and mannerisms in this skit is eerily accurate.
AlPacino
Hader impersonated Al Pacino on his very first episode of "SNL" back in 2005, and continued to imitate the "Scarface" star throughout his eight years on the show. In this sketch from last month, Hader poked fun at Pacino's tendency to portray murderers in his movies with this fake HBO commercial.
Which is your favorite celeb impression of his? Tell us in the comments!
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'90210's' 7 craziest story lines
TV 
6 hours ago
The CW
The cast of "90210."
Over the course of five seasons, the kids of The CW's ?90210? have seen their share of drama. From kidnappings (multiple!) to various run-ins with the law, the plot lines have always been a bit far-fetched.
As the show bids its final farewell with its series finale Monday, we take a look back at some of the jaw-dropping (and mind-boggling) twists.
7. 18-year-old Liam buys a bar (season 4)
Despite the fact that he is barely out of high school, Liam (Matt Lanter) buys a beachfront bar during the fourth season?s premiere episode. Say what?! Yes, after Annie (Shenae Grimes) turned down his proposal, Liam spent all night drinking at the establishment, only to learn the next morning that he had purchased it from its owner the night before. Despite the fact that he is three years shy of the legal drinking age, he is able to open, run and turn the Offshore into a hip nightlife spot where all of the gang is able to drink. Illegally, of course.
6. Annie commits a hit-and-run on prom night (season 1)
At a post-prom party, an infuriated Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord) accused Annie of sleeping with her boyfriend. The false accusation caused Annie to jump in her car and speed home, and while driving distracted, she hit a pedestrian on a deserted road. The first season ends with Annie driving away without getting out of her car to check on the man, who ended up dying. In a strange twist, she ends up dating his nephew.
5. Adrianna kidnaps the daughter she gave up for adoption (season 4)
When Silver (Jessica Stroup) discovered that the new guy she was dating was the adoptive father of the daughter Adrianna (Jessica Lowndes) gave up for adoption during the first season, she tried to hide the news from her friend. Adrianna eventually found out, of course, and desperate to spend time with her daughter, took the little girl from her day care.
4. Annie becomes a prostitute (season 4)
After her brother Dixon (Tristan Wilds) developed a drug addiction, Annie became determined to get him the help he needed by sending him to a pricey rehab facility. Unfortunately, the inheritance money she was expecting was late, so she took a job as a professional escort. (Great idea ...) She eventually began dating Patrick, who paid her to sleep with him. She used the money to fund Dixon?s rehab stay, but didn't tell anyone how she got her hands on the money. Annie eventually wrote a best-selling book about her experiences as a call girl.
3. Naomi is raped by a teacher (season 2)
Naomi made faculty member Mr. Cannon?s life miserable after she falsely accused him of sexually harassing her. Then one night, when she was alone at school with him, he raped her. When Mr. Cannon drugged Silver and attempted to take advantage of her too, Naomi?s sister and teacher, Ryan, convinced her to press charges against Mr. Cannon. Naomi?s troubles continued when she and Silver are held hostage in her home by her crazed teacher.
2. Adrianna switches Silver?s pills (season 3)
After Adrianna discovered that Silver had been hooking up with her boyfriend, Navid (Michael Steger), she plotted to get revenge. She broke into Silver?s house and tampered with her bipolar medication, which eventually caused Silver to act erratically. Silver then had mental breakdown and was checked into a mental hospital by Navid and Dixon.
1.Liam almost gets shipped to Mexico in a crate (season 5)
In what is arguably one of the most outlandish plot lines in ?90210? history, Liam was kidnapped by Ashley, a crazed fan who pretends to be a police escort sent over from his movie studio to protect him. Fearful that Liam is rekindling his old flame with Vanessa (Arielle Kebbel), Ashley told a tied-up Liam that she was going to ship him to Mexico in a crate. Luckily, Annie and Vanessa came looking for Liam and found him before Ashley can carry out her plan, but Annie ends up getting shot in the chest while attempting to free him.
What do you think was the craziest plot line of the show? Tell us in the comments!
Source: http://www.today.com/entertainment/90210s-7-craziest-story-lines-1C9873131
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Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Amazon Cloud Player scores a dedicated PC app, Mac version in the works
Amazon's Cloud Player may have been accessible on PCs through browsers since its launch, but today Bezos & Co. have given the service a desktop app of its own. Once installed, the free program will detect and add music from iTunes and Windows Media Player to its library, and continue doing so as new songs are purchased from other storefronts. Naturally, tunes bought from the firm can be streamed and downloaded through the application, and even exported to iTunes. While there's no sign of Linux support, the company says it's working on a version just for Mac users. If you count yourself in Microsoft's camp, hit the neighboring source link for the download.
Via: Mashable
Source: Amazon
Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/CqOspkI8WPk/
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Chris Hadfield, space music video star, back on Earth
Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian to command the International Space Station, landed on Earth. But Chris Hadfield made a bigger splash with his music video.
A Soyuz space capsule with a three-man crew returning from a five-month mission to the International Space Station landed safely Tuesday on the steppes of Kazakhstan.
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Canadian astronaut Chris?Hadfield, American Thomas Marshburn and Russian Roman Romanenko landed as planned southeast of the town of Dzhezkazgan at 8:31 a.m. local time Tuesday (0231 GMT; 10:31 p.m.?EDT Monday).
Live footage on NASA TV showed the Soyuz TMA-07M capsule slowly descending by parachute onto the sun-drenched steppes under clear skies. Russian search and rescue helicopters hovered over the landing site for a quick recovery effort.
Rescue teams moved quickly to help the crew in their bulky spacesuits exit out of the capsule, charred by the fiery re-entry through the atmosphere. They were then put into reclining chairs to start adjusting to the Earth's gravity after 146 days in space.
The three astronauts smiled as they chatted with space agency officials and doctors who were checking their condition. Hadfield, who served as the space station's commander, gave a thumbs-up sign. They made quick phone calls to family members and friends before being carried to a medical tent for a routine medical check-up prior to being flown home.
NASA spokesman Josh Byerly said on NASA TV by telephone from the landing site that the three returning astronauts were fine. "They look like they are doing pretty well," he said.
Hadfield, 53, an engineer and former test pilot from Milton, Ontario, was Canada's first professional astronaut to live aboard the space station and became the first Canadian in charge of a spacecraft. He relinquished command of the space station on Sunday.
"It's just been an extremely fulfilling and amazing experience end to end," Hadfield told Mission Control on Monday. "From this Canadian to all the rest of them, I offer an enormous debt of thanks." He was referring to all those in the Canadian Space Agency who helped make his flight possible.
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