Life is tough these days at NASA, the space agency that can’t launch anyone into space. It wrestles with basic questions: Where to go? How to get there? When? And for what purpose? It killed a plan to return to the moon and now is building a jumbo rocket to go to . . . well, it’s unclear. Maybe to an asteroid: a rock to be named later. Read full article > >

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NASA’s science missions bring the universe into sharper focus even as agency struggles with manned flight

Miami-Dade County officials are expected to abolish the city of Islandia, a desolate chain of 33 islands that mid-century land developers had hoped to turn into a rollicking resort town.

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Islandia, a Florida City That Never Was

Yea, though NBC walks through the valley of the shadow of death, all hope is not lost. “Smash,” the network’s easily engaging new Monday night drama about the making of a Broadway musical, turns out to be quite the little sunbeam. It has some endearing characters, an instinct for backstage meows and a firm grip on its own sense of camp control, which, if nothing else, sets it apart from Ryan Murphy’s now fully atrocious “Glee.” Read full article > >

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‘Smash’ review: All that jazz is sometimes worth it

CAIRO — A little over a year ago, on the eve of the revolution that ousted Egyptian autocrat Hosni Mubarak, Hisham Kassem was poised to launch the Arab world’s first independently owned multimedia news company. But the revolution failed to redeem its promise of full democracy, press freedoms deteriorated, the economy tanked, and Kassem’s shareholders abandoned him. Read full article > >

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New hope for Egypt’s pioneering journalist

Dear Newt: These are difficult times for you, no doubt, and we understand that people sometimes say things they don’t really mean. We hope that explains your cruel comment about us here in Orlando this week. Read full article > >

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The media ♥ Newt Gingrich

Republican candidate Mitt Romney hopes to convert a solid opinion-poll lead into a resounding win over Newt Gingrich in Florida’s high-stakes primary.

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Republican rivals in Florida vote

Researchers in Nebraska hope to learn more about the scientific underpinnings of political preference, starting with how our eyes focus on positive and negative images.

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VIDEO: Fear factor: The science behind America’s red/blue divide

Hopes are fading of finding more survivors after Wednesday’s building collapse in Rio de Janeiro killed at least 17 people, Brazilian officials say.

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Rio disaster survivor hopes fade

The young male, tracked with a GPS unit, is believed to be the first gray wolf in California in decades, raising hopes that the endangered species may once again thrive there.

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Wildlife Activists Follow Lone Wolf’s Trek Into California

What? Huh? Are you talking to me? Can’t you see that I’m in the middle of a very important e-mail on my BlackBerry? If you stand to the RIGHT side of the escalator, I might pull my earbuds out and roll my eyes while you ask me where the Hope Diamond is. But sorry, I don’t have time to show you how to use your Metro Farecard. Read full article > >

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D.C.: Rude, busy or both?

With exclusive video of Oscar hopefuls

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Postage rates jumped Sunday for the first time in two and a half years as the U.S. Postal Service hopes to generate more revenue amid historic losses. First-class postage stamps now cost 45 cents each, a price jump that officials anticipate will generate an additional $888 million in annual revenue. The rate increase does not affect the use of Forever stamps purchased before Sunday. Read full article > >

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Stamp prices go up as postal labor talks reach an impasse

Postage rates jumped Sunday for the first time in two-and-a-half years as the U.S. Postal Service hopes to generate more revenue amid historic losses. First-class postage stamps now cost 45 cents each, a price jump that officials anticipate will generate an additional $888 million in annual revenue. The rate increase does not affect the use of Forever stamps purchased before Sunday. Read full article > >

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Stamp prices go up as postal labor talks fail

Newt Gingrich, buoyed by a raucous debate performance on Thursday, expressed new hope for victory as voters headed out to settle the South Carolina primary battle.

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Sedate Stroll to South Carolina Polls Turns Into a Brawl

Bernard Tomic, up against 13th seed Alexandr Dolgopolov, carries home hopes on day three of the Australian Open.

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Live – Australian Open day five