"I'm unaware of any specific or credible information at this time that points to an AQIM threat against the homeland, but, again, I'm not ruling it out, " he said.

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Dame Judi's M is a contender, though she faces a formidable threat in the supporting actress category from Anne Hathaway, whose Fantine in Les Mis is one of award season's hottest tips.

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"I'm hopeful that we won't have to deal with the threat of a government shutdown while we're dealing with the sequester at the same time, " he said, referring to the new cuts by their Washington-speak name.

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From 11:00 p.m. on Thursday to 12:00 a.m. on Friday, Brennan held a phone call to discuss the threat with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, FBI Director Robert Mueller, NCTC Director Mike Leiter, TSA Administration John Pistole, and officials from the Central Intelligence Agency.

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