Actor Joel Edgerton sell script to New Regency (omg!)

LOS ANGELES, Jan 17 (TheWrap.com) - Joel Edgerton, the Australian actor who received strong reviews for his role opposite Tom Hardy in "Warrior," is a writer now, TheWrap has confirmed.

He sold "One Night Stand," a comedy about the aftermath of a hook-up, to New Regency.

Edgerton will executive produce the comic drama, but is not attached to star in it.

The studio is now looking for a director.

Edgerton is one of Hollywood's most promising stars. He stars alongside Jennifer Garner in "The Odd Life of Timothy Green" and in Baz Lurhmann's upcoming "The Great Gatsby."

The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news.

(Editing By Zorianna Kit)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/omg_rss/rss_omg_en/news_actor_joel_edgerton_sell_script_regency034445980/44212870/*http%3A//omg.yahoo.com/news/actor-joel-edgerton-sell-script-regency-034445980.html

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Chinese growth hopes lift stocks, euro (Reuters)

LONDON (Reuters) ? A slightly brighter picture for global economic growth countered concerns over Europe's debt crisis on Tuesday, lifting shares and the euro, but German data, Greek default fears and a looming debt sale by Spain were set to test sentiment.

Standard and Poor's late on Monday added to its credit rating downgrades for nine governments last week by cutting the euro zone's EFSF rescue fund by one notch to AA-plus.

But early trade was dominated by better-than-expected figures on Chinese growth, even if the 8.9 percent annual rise was the weakest in 2-1/2 years and down from 9.1 percent in the previous quarter.

"The slowdown is quite modest, and the overall situation of the Chinese economy is stable," said Hua Zhongwei, analyst with Huachuang Securities in Beijing. "According to our field studies, demand for heavy equipment and machinery is recovering, and that is a very good sign for the economy."

The data boosted China shares, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index (.SSEC) closing up 4.2 percent in its biggest single-day percentage gain since October 2009 and its highest closing level since December 9, 2011.

Commodity prices, mining stocks and commodity-related currencies all gained, with the Australian and New Zealand dollars hitting their strongest levels against the U.S. dollar in 2-1/2 months.

The MSCI world equity index (.MIWD00000PUS) gained by around 0.8 percent while European shares (.FTEU3) hit a five-month high, up 0.8 percent at 1,034.18 points, with miners leading the gains.

The euro rose 0.5 percent to $1.2729, its gains accelerated by stop-loss buying and pulling away from a 17-month low of $1.2624 hit last week.

"All that is happening is short-covering in currency pairs such as Aussie/yen and euro/yen," Maeba said.

"There are still many reasons to be concerned and we are still in a situation where we need to keep in mind the possibility of default (of Greece's debt)," Maeba said.

Germany's ZEW think tank releases its survey analyst and investor sentiment toward Europe's biggest economy at around 1000 GMT. The index rose unexpectedly in December after a run of nine monthly declines.

The EFSF plans to hold a 1.5 billion euro 182-Day bill auction on Tuesday, a day after it saw its rating cut.

Spain will also test market appetite for its short-term debt, before facing a bigger hurdle on Thursday at an auction of bonds with maturities of up to 10 years.

Despite a two-notch cut in its rating by Standard & Poor's, the Spanish auctions should benefit from support from banks flush with European Central Bank cash and market perceptions the new government is serious about addressing its economic woes.

The ECB tender was a factor in a strong sale last week in which Spain perked up debt markets by selling 10 billion euros of bonds, twice the amount it targeted, at falling yields.

Greece and Belgium are also expected to hold auctions of short term Treasury bills.

Britain releases its consumer price and retail prince inflation measures for December later while in the U.S. the New York's Fed releases its manufacturing index.

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China GDP and exports: http://link.reuters.com/zeq95s

Package of ECB graphics: http://link.reuters.com/neg32s

Euro-zone sovereign ratings: http://r.reuters.com/maf75s

Global government yields: http://link.reuters.com/ser95s

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(Additional reporting by Anirban Nag. Editing by Patrick Graham.)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/eurobiz/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120117/bs_nm/us_markets_global

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Cracker Barrel founder Dan Evins dead at 76

LEBANON, Tenn.?? The founder of the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store chain, Dan Evins, has died at 76.

The company said Monday that Evins ? known as Danny ? died Saturday in Lebanon, Tenn. No cause of death was given.

Evins opened his first restaurant in Lebanon, Tenn., in 1969. The restaurant catered to highway travelers and focused on offering Southern hospitality, country-style cooking and an associated gift shop that came to define the chain.

He fashioned the restaurant after the country stores of his youth in rural Tennessee and used a number of family recipes. The restaurant was named after the practice of customers gathering at country stores to share news and play checkers on top of an empty barrel that had been used to deliver crackers to the store.

Evins helped build the chain into a national brand as CEO from 1969 to 2001 and chairman until he retired in 2004. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc., headquartered in Lebanon, Tenn., now operates more than 600 restaurants in 42 states.

"Danny was a straight-shooter and dedicated to authenticity. It was an honor and a responsibility that I took seriously to follow Danny as CEO, and then as chairman when he retired." Cracker Barrel Executive Chairman Michael Woodhouse said in a statement. "Danny was the keeper of this special brand for so many, many years, and he left us with a strong culture that values quality and honesty. He will be missed deeply."

Survivors include five children. A private funeral service was being planned.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46015373/ns/business-us_business/

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Kobe goes for 40-plus again as Lakers beat Cavs

Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving, left, goes up for a shot as Los Angeles Lakers small forward Matt Barnes defends during the first half of their NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving, left, goes up for a shot as Los Angeles Lakers small forward Matt Barnes defends during the first half of their NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Cleveland Cavaliers small forward Omri Casspi, left, of Israel goes up for a shot as Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum defends during the first half of their NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant reacts after scoring a three-point basket during the first half of their NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant dunks during the first half of their NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Matt Barnes, right, goes up for a shot as Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao of Brazil defends during the first half of their NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Even Kobe Bryant has to acknowledge he's on his most impressive scoring tear in a half-decade, decimating opponents' defenses with the flair and determination of the Los Angeles Lakers superstar's best seasons.

And he's got a little more bad news for the Cleveland Cavaliers and every other opponent in his way.

That severely injured wrist on his shooting hand? It's starting to heal.

Bryant scored 42 points in his third straight 40-point performance, and the Lakers blew a big early lead before hanging on for their fifth straight victory, 97-92 over Cleveland on Friday night.

Bryant managed just seven points in the fourth quarter, but two big jumpers down the stretch gave him three straight 40-point games for the first time since March 2007, when he had five straight. With just three of his teammates managing more than one field goal, the 13-time All-Star guard did most of the Lakers' heavy lifting despite that torn ligament in his right wrist ? an injury that would require most players to shut it down for a stretch.

Nobody is shutting down Kobe, who has scored at least 30 points in seven of his last eight games.

"The wrist is feeling stronger, feeling more comfortable," Bryant said. "It's just motivation. Nobody wants to hear about a bad wrist as being the reason why I had a bad game. Nobody wants to hear excuses."

None necessary: Bryant is third in NBA history with 110 40-point games, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan.

Pau Gasol had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who won their eighth consecutive game at Staples Center since Christmas. Until Bryant took charge, Los Angeles allowed a 19-point lead to dwindle to three in the final minutes of coach Mike Brown's first meeting with the Cavaliers since they fired him in 2010.

"We have to make sure we keep executing offensively so we don't need to rely on (Bryant) so much," Brown said. "It's good to have a guy like Kobe Bryant in your pocket."

Kyrie Irving scored 21 points and Ramon Sessions added 12 for the Cavaliers, who have played eight of their first 11 games on the road. Cleveland foundered in the first half before rallying impressively in the second half, avoiding anything close to the embarrassment of last season's 112-57 debacle at Staples Center.

Daniel Gibson missed a 3-pointer that could have tied it for Cleveland with less than seven minutes to play, and the Lakers missed 11 of their first 12 shots in the fourth before Bryant's 18-footer with 4:02 left. The Cavs had absolutely no answer for Bryant, who went 15 for 31 with four 3-pointers and six turnovers, often dominating the ball while his teammates were listless.

"He's seen every defense that you can throw at him," said Cavs coach Byron Scott, the longtime Lakers guard. "He's one of the smartest players I've been around, and one of the most competitive. So I don't know if it's better for us if he's taking most of the shots and the other guys are getting less, or if he's taking less shots and they're getting more. I don't know. He's just a threat when he's on the basketball court, no matter what."

Andrew Bynum had 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Matt Barnes added 15 points for the Lakers, who finished the first half with an 18-3 run for an 18-point halftime lead. Los Angeles led by 12 points heading to the fourth quarter, but missed its first eight shots and failed to score for more than six minutes, allowing the Cavaliers to pull within one basket of an even game.

"It shows a lot about the character of our team," Cleveland forward Omri Casspi said. "We didn't let it get out of hand. We just wanted to keep our composure, keep playing defense and share the ball on offense, and we knew good things would happen for us. Our guys kept fighting, but in the last 4 minutes, they had a big run."

Just seven players scored for Brown, who rested Metta World Peace and didn't have the services of backup point guard Steve Blake, who has broken cartilage in his ribs. During the fourth quarter, the Lakers announced Blake will be sidelined three to four weeks.

Derek Fisher had 10 assists for the Lakers, getting double-digit assists for just the 15th time in the point guard's 16-year career. Rookie Darius Morris also played 17 minutes in his second career game.

NOTES: Brown said he harbors no hard feelings toward the Cavs and owner Dan Gilbert, who fired him after five successful seasons ended without a championship. ... The Lakers said World Peace is struggling with back spasms and an Achilles' tendon problem, although he wasn't listed on the pregame injury report. ... Lakers F Josh McRoberts returned from a six-game absence with a sprained big toe, but played just 4 first-half minutes. F Troy Murphy also returned from an illness, and Jason Kapono returned from a two-game absence while his wife gave birth to twins. ... Fans included Adam Sandler, Tobey Maguire, Joe Walsh, A.C. Green and three-time U.S. Olympic boxer Rau'Shee Warren.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-01-14-Cavaliers-Lakers/id-fe40e6a8725746b48981cfff6e87b723

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Verlander trying to take new attention in stride

Paul Sancya / AP

FILE - In this Oct. 13, 2011, file photo, Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander throws during the first inning of Game 5 of baseball's American League championship series against the Texas Rangers in Detroit. Whether he's on a late-night talk show or the cover of a video game, it's been an eventful offseason for Justin Verlander. But in about a month, it will be time to report to spring training and try to repeat his spectacular 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

By NOAH TRISTER

updated 6:37 p.m. ET Jan. 12, 2012

DETROIT - After becoming the first starting pitcher in a quarter-century to win the Most Valuable Player, Justin Verlander was ready for a different kind of offseason.

He's on the cover of a video game now ? and even appeared on Conan O'Brien's show to promote it. The Detroit ace isn't shying away from all this extra attention, but he's determined to stay focused on the season ahead. The Tigers begin spring training workouts for pitchers and catchers in less than six weeks.

"I'm trying to keep everything as normal as possible," Verlander said. "It's easy to get pulled in a lot of different directions."

Verlander will be hard pressed to top last season's dazzling performance. After winning 24 games and leading Detroit to the AL Central title, the hard-throwing right-hander became the first starter since Roger Clemens in 1986 to take MVP honors. Along the way, he threw a no-hitter, led the league in strikeouts and routinely reached triple digits on the radar gun, becoming one of the game's most recognizable faces and helping the Tigers reach the AL championship series.

Of course, Verlander also threw a career-high 251 innings, and that doesn't even count pressure-filled starts in the playoffs against the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers. At 28, Verlander is in the prime of his career, but following up on last year's heavy workload will be a test. He says his offseason regimen hasn't changed much ? although he had to wait a bit to start preparing for 2012 because his 2011 season lasted well into October.

"Just kind of pushed it back a couple weeks," he said in a brief phone interview with The Associated Press.

Verlander took pride in his preparation last season. After some disappointing Aprils, he showed up at spring training with a different approach, treating the preseason a bit more like the regular season.

Verlander was solid for his first few starts, then his season really took off in May, when he threw his second career no-hitter at Toronto.

Soon after that, Verlander established himself as the front-runner for the Cy Young Award and even reopened debate over whether pitchers can be MVPs. He ended up winning both awards.

The hoopla from the regular season helped prepare Verlander for the offseason ? and the celebrity status that comes with all his honors. He takes it mostly in stride, although there are times his place among baseball's stars really hits home.

"When I was the cover of the video game, that was pretty cool," he admitted.

Verlander is on the cover of Major League Baseball 2K12 and is helping promote a contest in which competitors can try to qualify for a possible $1 million prize by throwing a perfect game on their Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 consoles. The competitors with the top eight perfect games qualify for a live tournament to crown the champion.

Verlander was on O'Brien's show Wednesday night to talk about the contest. He also chatted a bit with the TBS host about his superstitious habit of eating from Taco Bell the night before his starts.

Soon it will be time for Verlander to put his offseason obligations to the side and report to spring training. It's been a quiet offseason so far for the Tigers, whose biggest addition to this point has been reliever Octavio Dotel.

Detroit also signed backup catcher Gerald Laird, whose job will be to catch an occasional game and allow starter Alex Avila to rest. Avila was one of the biggest reasons behind Detroit's successful season last year, hitting .295 with 19 home runs. But he also started 130 games at catcher and took a beating behind the plate.

"I think he got worn down by the end of the season," Verlander said. "He would never admit that."

Aside from his own team's moves, Verlander has also kept an eye on the rest of the free agent shakeups around baseball. The Los Angeles Angels signed Albert Pujols, meaning the slugger will now be in Verlander's league. They also signed C.J. Wilson, who pitched for the Texas team that beat the Tigers in the ALCS.

"The Pujols-C.J. Wilson signing was a big splash," Verlander said. "Obviously, I'm excited to face Albert."

Pujols is 5 for 10 lifetime against Verlander, including postseason at-bats. He homered off him in the 2006 World Series, when Pujols was playing for the St. Louis Cardinals. But Verlander was a rookie back then.

He's a much different pitcher now, and in a little over a month, he'll be back with his team and ready to take the mound again.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/45977770/ns/sports-baseball/

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