Obama’s 'Jedi mind meld' reference ridiculed by sci-fi fans

WASHINGTON — Now that’s illogical.President Obama yesterday outraged nerds everywhere when he committed sci-fi heresy by mixing up “Star Wars” and “Star Trek” in remarks about budget cuts.Speaking at a White House press conference, Obama joked that he couldn’t use a “Jedi mind meld” to get Republicans to agree to his budget plan.“I know that this has been...

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Coffee, tea or ‘Shake’ - Dance craze joins mile-high club

The feds are not amused by shakes on a plane.The FAA is investigating a Frontier Airlines flight in which passengers got up from their seats and danced wildly to film what has become a viral “Harlem Shake” video.A clip of the stunt has gotten 400,000 views on YouTube. In it, members of the Colorado College Ultimate Frisbee team and numerous other passengers...

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Pope Benedict XVI pledges 'unconditional reverence and obedience' to successor

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI promised his "unconditional reverence and obedience" to his successor in his final words to cardinals Thursday, a poignant and powerful farewell delivered hours before he becomes the first pope in 600 years to resign.In an unexpected speech inside the Vatican's frescoed Clementine Hall, the pontiff appeared to be trying...

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New Yorkers in favor of woman for mayor: poll

New Yorkers say they're ready for a woman mayor. They're not as ready to have another business executive calling the shots at City Hall.Those were the findings of a Quinnipiac University poll released today that asked voters to rate race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and a business resume as factors in the mayoral race.On just about every count,...

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Horror as hot air balloon catches fire and crashes in Egypt, killing 18 foreigners

REUTERSPolice and rescue officials check the wreckage of a hot air balloon that crashed in Luxor, Egypt, killing at least 18 foreigners.LUXOR, Egypt — A hot air balloon flying over Egypt's ancient city of Luxor caught fire and crashed into a sugar cane field on Tuesday, killing at least 18 foreign tourists, a security official said.It was one of the worst...

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Lawrence floored by Best Actress win; 'Argo,' Daniel Day-Lewis also take home Oscars

Chris Pizzello/Invision/APActress Jennifer Lawrence stumbles as she walks on stage to accept the award for best actress in a leading role for "Silver Linings Playbook" during Sunday's Oscars ceremony.It was the rise and fall and rise of a great young star. Twenty-two-year-old “Silver Linings Playbook” star Jennifer Lawrence won the Oscar for Best Actress...

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Crowds gather for Pope Benedict XVI's final Sunday blessing

Getty ImagesPope Benedict XVI delivers his last Angelus Blessing from the window of his private apartment to thousands of pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square Sunday.VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI has given his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square.Benedict says...

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Einhorn wins round against Apple

Your move, Tim Cook. Apple was dealt a major blow in its battle with David Einhorn, when a judge sided with the hedge-fund manager and blocked Apple from moving ahead with a shareholder vote on a controversial proposal. Manhattan federal judge Richard Sullivan yesterday granted Einhorn’s bid to stop Apple from lumping several measures together as one proposal...

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14 people face charges after takedown of Brooklyn drug ring

Authorities say 14 people face charges after the takedown of a drug ring in Brooklyn.District Attorney Charles J. Hynes says narcotics detectives made over 60 purchases, including heroin and crack, at the Red Hook Houses.Hynes says community complaints about drug dealing prompted the investigation that began last summer. ...

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Donor controversy taking toll on Sen. Menendez's popularity: poll

TRENTON, NJ — A new poll shows a donor controversy is taking a toll on Sen. Robert Menendez's popularity.The Quinnipiac University poll out Thursday shows the Democrat's job approval rating at a five-year low of 36 percent, compared with 41 percent who disapprove of his performance.It also shows 44 percent think Menendez isn't honest and trustworthy, compared...

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Witness heard 'non-stop shouting' from Pistorius home before fatal shooting

REUTERSOscar Pistorius stands in the dock during a break in court proceedings at the Pretoria Magistrates court in South Africa today.PRETORIA, South Africa — A witness heard "non-stop shouting" coming from the home of Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius shortly before his girlfriend was shot dead, the lead detective in the murder investigation said on...

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Kate reveals royal baby bump

EPACatherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, arrives at Hope House Tuesday.Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, debuted her baby bump today for the first time since being hospitalized for severe morning sickness in December.The Duchess, wearing a grey print wrap dress that demurely revealed the future king or queen and black heels, visited Hope House in London today....

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Elevate their game

There’s a cool ride at Barclays Center that’s impressing even NBA players.The Brooklyn Nets’ new home is the buzz of the league because of its one-of-a-kind $4 million elevator and parking system that transports team buses and players’ cars directly from the street to an area 2 1/2 stories underground.“I’ve never seen nothing like this in an arena, man,”...

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Pope Benedict XVI blesses thousands at St. Peter's Square in one of his final public addresses

ReutersPope Benedict XVI waves as he leads the Sunday Angelus prayer in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican Sunday.VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI is blessing the faithful from his window overlooking St. Peter's Square for the first time since announcing his resignation, cheered by an emotional crowd of tens of thousands of well-wishers from around the...

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Mrs. Alec client bent out of shape: suit

Alec Baldwin’s better half allegedly caused a Greenwich Village grad student to be severely injured during a crowded yoga class, a new lawsuit claims.Spencer Wolfe, 32, a Yale Ph.D. candidate and Huffington Post blogger, was at Yoga Vida’s studio near Union Square on Jan. 15 when Hilaria Thomas allegedly directed him “to perform a dangerous activity at...

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Olympian Oscar Pistorius weeps during court appearance over girlfriend's death

APOscar Pistorius weeps in court in Pretoria, South Africa Friday.PRETORIA, South Africa — Oscar Pistorius held his head in his hands and wept openly in court Friday as prosecutors said they would pursue a charge of premeditated murder against the Paralympic superstar.Pistorius was formally charged at Pretoria Magistrate's Court with one count of murder...

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Nixon advised President Clinton on navigating the post-Cold War world

YORBA LINDA, Calif. — In the final months of his life, Richard Nixon quietly advised President Bill Clinton on navigating the post-Cold War world, even offering to serve as a conduit for messages to Russian President Boris Yeltsin and other government officials, newly declassified documents show.Memos and other records show Nixon's behind-the-scenes relations...

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In weekly audience, Pope Benedict XVI says he's resigning for 'the good of the church'

VATICAN CITY — Looking tired but serene, Pope Benedict XVI told the thousands who gathered for his weekly audience that he was resigning for "the good of the church" — an extraordinary scene that unfolded in his first appearance since dropping the bombshell announcement.The 85-year-old Benedict basked in more than a minute-long standing ovation when he...

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No visit from plows leaves some Suffolk residents stuck in homes

VICTORALCORN.COMResidents of the community off of Kensington Gate Road said they had all called Town of Brookhaven phone lines repeatedly and were told to leave messages or send e-mails.It’s the land the plows forgot.Infuriated residents of an eastern Suffolk County neighborhood remained stuck in their homes yesterday after failing to get even a single...

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Pope Benedict XVI resigning on Feb. 28 due to age, health concerns

REUTERSPope Benedict XVI leaves at the end of a mass at the St. Peter Basilica in Vatican February 9. Pope Benedict will step down as head of the Catholic Church on Feb. 28, the Vatican confirmed Monday.VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday that he would resign Feb. 28 — the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years. The decision sets the stage...

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