Obama Is One of Us, America's Geeks Cheer

... Mark Zuckerberg cracks the top 10

(NEWSER) - When it comes to the world’s 5 most powerful people, Forbes doesn’t offer many surprises. Barack Obama heads the pack, with other world leaders in the next three spots. The full list of 70 powerhouses, however, does offer some food for thought: Mark Zuckerberg (9), for example, is almost as powerful as the pope (7) and more powerful than British PM David Cameron (10). Bill Gates is No. 5, while new Apple CEO Tim Cook is way down at 58; no posthumous place for Steve Jobs. More»

(NEWSER) - Bam! Biff! Pow! President Obama might be struggling over health care reform, but he's going gangbusters in comic books, reports the New York Daily News. No longer content to play second fiddle to Spidey, the comic version of Barack Obama is now grabbing top billing in a new series of indie comic book editions. Devil's Due Publishing has made him a post-alien invasion star in Drafted and the hero of a new series, Barack the Barbarian. More»

Cool-headed 'cultural translator' appeals to Star Trek generation

(NEWSER) - With the release of Star Trek tomorrow, we’ll be seeing a lot of Spock again—but we’ve been watching his earthly counterpart all year. President Obama is our own version of the charismatic half-Vulcan, writes Jeff Greenwald for Salon. His cool head and appealing intellect tie him to Spock; so does his diplomatic role as “cultural translator,” notes a media expert. More»

Secret Service says 44's impenetrable vehicle is most sophisticated in the world

(NEWSER) - The latest limousine to join the presidential fleet is essentially a tank with a Cadillac exterior, Wired reports. The armored vehicle—code-named “Stagecoach” but dubbed “The Beast” due to its makeup—is the world’s most sophisticated car. The Secret Service and General Motors refuse to divulge specs for Caddy One, which is shuttling President Obama between inaugural appointments today. More»

Leon Panetta's 'breadth of experience' will serve him, US well: Woolsey

(NEWSER) - James Woolsey, a former CIA director and adviser to John McCain, tells the Huffington Post he’s “impressed overall by the quality” of Barack Obama’s national-security picks, dismissing criticism that Leon Panetta is a poor fit for his former job. Though an intelligence novice, Panetta is amply qualified, Woolsey said: “People tend to like him. He is decisive but he doesn’t shove people around.” More»