Time to rethink the CIA?

Time to rethink the CIA?


Time to rethink the CIA?

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 08:22 AM PST

President Obama should pause before choosing a successor to CIA Director David H. Petraeus and rethink the role of the nation's primary intelligence agency. Its main focus for the past decade has been fighting terrorists and insurgents.

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New Crackdown On Using Independent Contractors

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 02:40 PM PST

Whether to hire employees or independent contractors can seem like a no-brainer. With independent contractors you don't have to withhold taxes or pay benefits and they are easier to fire. But if your "independent contractors" are reclassified  the IRS can assess crippling retroactive penalties. See Ten Consequences of Reclassifying Independent Contractors as Employees. Classically, [...]


Turkmen gas company says flows to Iran restored

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 10:41 PM PST

ASHGABAT (Reuters) - Turkmenistan has resumed gas supplies to Iran after a brief stoppage for repairs along a stretch of pipeline linking the two countries, the head of Turkmenistan's state gas company told Reuters on Friday. Iran buys almost a third of Turkmenistan's exported gas, relying on it for heating in winter and using it year round to meet industrial demand in regions distant from the country's own fields clustered around the Gulf. Turkmengaz Chairman Sahatmurad Mamedov said Iran had requested the halt. ...


Ceasefire announced for Egypt PM's Gaza visit

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 10:56 PM PST

Israeli military halts strikes conditionally during Hesham Qandil's brief solidarity meeting with Hamas rulers.


Turkmen gas company says flows to Iran restored

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 10:42 PM PST

ASHGABAT (Reuters) - Turkmenistan has resumed gas supplies to Iran after a brief stoppage for repairs along a stretch of pipeline linking the two countries, the head of Turkmenistan's state gas company told Reuters on Friday.


Preaching To The Converted: The Divisive Nature Of Web Media

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 05:14 PM PST

Dan Barlett is disappointed with the discussion on the Web. After spending 7 years working at the White House for George W. Bush, Bartlett moved on to take the top job at PR giant Hill & Knowlton. From his perch, he's in good position to comment on the nature of online [...]


Israel to hold fire in Egypt premier's Gaza visit

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 10:47 PM PST

Israeli soldiers ride on top of an armored personal carrier close to the Israel Gaza Border, southern Israel, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012. Israel's prime minister says the army is prepared for a "significant widening" of its operation in the Gaza Strip. Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters on Thursday that Israel has "made it clear" it won't tolerate continued rocket fire on its civilians. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)Israel will suspend its offensive in the Gaza Strip on Friday during a brief visit by Egypt's premier there if militants refrain from firing rockets at Israel, an official said, the first possible break in the escalating conflict.



VIDEO: Software pioneer denies Belize murder

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 07:52 AM PST

The founder of the anti-virus software firm McAfee has denied murdering one of his neighbours in Belize.


VIDEO: China's richest man on wealth gap

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 10:59 AM PST

China's richest man, Zong Qing Hou, who grew up in poverty and now sits on a fortune of up to $20billion, told the BBC's George Alagiah that the gap between rich and poor is something that will have to be tackled by the country's new leader.


Election Aftermath: A Chat With Former Bush Staffer Dan Bartlett

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 05:04 PM PST

Dan Bartlett, who spent 7 years working the White House under George W. Bush, now heads the giant PR and communications firm Hill & Knowlton. At the Techonomy conference in Tucson this week, we sat down for a discussion on the state of the nation - an in particular what [...]


Japan set for polls; no clear winner likely

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 09:33 PM PST

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiko Noda arrives at a debate with Japan's main opposition Liberal Democratic Party President Shinzo Abe at Parliament in Tokyo, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012. During the heated parliamentary exchange with Abe, Noda said that he is ready to dissolve the parliament by Friday, bringing an election within weeks, if Japan's main opposition party agrees to key electoral reforms. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda was poised to dissolve Japan's parliament Friday, setting the stage for elections next month that will likely result in a weak coalition government with differing policies on the country's economic woes, territorial disputes and other problems.



VIDEO: Tortilla wrapper ads for missing people

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 11:49 AM PST

In the Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez some shop owners are using tortilla wrappers to raise awareness of missing people.


Election Over, Liberals Call For Entitlement Cuts

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 04:31 PM PST

With the election over, liberals now want entitlement reform, but they're only pushing the same old benefit cuts and tax increases rather empowering workers through personal accounts.


'Twilight' By The Numbers

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 04:14 PM PST


Looking At 'Twilight' By The Numbers

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 04:14 PM PST

The film is expected to top the box office this weekend with $150 million.


Mexico's top organized crime investigator steps down

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 07:45 PM PST

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The head of Mexico's organized crime unit stepped down on Thursday, just weeks after announcing that members of his team had been charged with having links to the nation's most powerful drug cartel. Jose Cuitlahuac Salinas, head of the unit in the attorney general's office, resigned for "personal reasons," a spokesman for the office said. Attorney General Marisela Morales has accepted his resignation, which was effective immediately, he added. ...


Casualties, attacks in Israel-Hamas conflict

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 08:21 PM PST

The Iron Dome defense system fires to interecpt incoming missiles from Gaza in the port town of Ashdod, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012. Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that the army is prepared for a Casualties and attacks in the Israel-Hamas conflict:



Employees Really Do Waste Time at Work, Part II

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 04:02 PM PST

Previously, my friend Russ Warner, CEO of ContentWatch, has been getting a great deal of response to his post, Employees Really Do Waste Time at Work. So  I interviewed him this week as a follow up to get some more of his thoughts. The prevailing Gen Y attitude is that as [...]


Employees Really Do Waste Time at Work, Part II

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 02:00 PM PST

Previously, my friend Russ Warner, CEO of ContentWatch, has been getting a great deal of response to his post, Employees Really Do Waste Time at Work. So  I interviewed him this week as a follow up to get some more of his thoughts. The prevailing Gen Y attitude is that as [...]


VIDEO: Gang violence escalates in Sao Paulo

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 08:44 PM PST

Violence is gripping Brazil's biggest city - at least seven people were killed in Sao Paulo in just one night this week.


Dunford sees some U.S. forces in Afghanistan post-drawdown

Dunford sees some U.S. forces in Afghanistan post-drawdown


Dunford sees some U.S. forces in Afghanistan post-drawdown

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 01:33 PM PST

President Obama's pick to be the next commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan said Thursday that he foresees maintaining American forces and equipment in the country after international contingents leave by the end of 2014.

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Qatar backs Xstrata-Glencore deal

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 01:43 PM PST

The planned merger of commodities trader Glencore and mining group Xstrata moves a step closer after Xstrata's second-largest shareholder said it would back the deal.


Jordan vows 'iron fist' response to unrest

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 01:40 PM PST

Authorities warn of heavy crackdown on riots after attack on police during protests over fuel price rises.


Embassy violence suspect dies in Tunisia

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 01:51 PM PST

Man detained in connection with unrest outside the US embassy in Tunis dies after a 57-day hunger strike.


Political Memo: As G.O.P. Governors Gather, Prescriptions for 2016

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 01:19 PM PST

As Republicans examine how to recalibrate and regain their footing, they are moving forward without a clear national leader.


England must limit India - Swann

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 04:16 AM PST

Graeme Swann warns that England must keep India below 450 when they resume on day two on 323-4 in Ahmedabad.


Did Netanyahu just take back his thanks to President Obama?

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 12:53 PM PST

With all the talk about Israel and Hammas' aggressive Twitter campaigns, Buzzfeed flags an example of a potential Israeli social media misfire.

It appears as though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted at President Obama thanking him for his "unequivocal clear sided" support of Israel's right to defend itself, then promptly deleted the message.

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Man charged over Syria kidnap

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 12:59 PM PST

A second man is charged in connection with the alleged kidnap of a British photographer in Syria.


A Pakistani Lawyer Takes on the Army and Pays in Bruises

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 01:13 PM PST

Inam Ur Raheem, who has challenged the tenure of Pakistan's supreme military commander, has entered perilous waters at a time when the military leadership's longstanding grip on power is being tested.


Myanmar's Thein Sein, junta henchman to radical reformer

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 01:10 PM PST

BANGKOK (Reuters) - There is a Jekyll-and-Hyde quality to President Thein Sein, the bookish-looking former general Barack Obama will meet on Monday during the first visit by a U.S. president to Myanmar.


Can Twitter censor the Israel Defense Forces?

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 12:39 PM PST

Israel made history Wednesday when it began live-tweeting its own strike on the Gaza Strip. Now that the initial shock is over, the questions are setting in: Are governments allowed to use Twitter that way? And even if they can, should they?

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The ‘Fiscal Cliff,’ Explained

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 12:59 PM PST

Questions and answers on $500 billion in tax increases and across-the-board spending cuts scheduled to take effect after Jan. 1.


Greek protesters assault German diplomat

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 12:37 PM PST

Coffee and water thrown at consul in Thessaloniki as anger over austerity measures demanded by creditors boils over.


Russia threatens tough response if U.S. backs rights bill

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 12:15 PM PST

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia warned the United States on Thursday to expect a tough response if the U.S. Congress passes "unfriendly and provocative" legislation designed to punish Russian officials for human rights violations.


Three held over Colombia killings

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 12:14 PM PST

Three men are arrested on suspicion of killing 10 Colombian farm workers in an attack suspected to have been ordered by a jailed gang leader.


Iran may step up underground nuclear work soon: diplomats

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 12:13 PM PST

VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran could soon increase uranium enrichment in an underground nuclear plant, diplomats say, a development that may further complicate efforts to resolve peacefully a dispute over Tehran's atomic ambitions.


BBC settles with Lord McAlpine

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 01:07 PM PST

The BBC reaches a settlement with Lord McAlpine over a Newsnight broadcast which led to him being wrongly implicated in child abuse allegations.


Strikes in Israel, Gaza reignite conflict

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 11:10 AM PST

Rockets and shells crisscrossed the skies Thursday as Palestinian militants continued rocket attacks on southern Israel and Israel pounded what it called terror sites in Gaza.


Ground war fears in Gaza

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 09:55 AM PST

Strikes flew across the Gaza border in rapid succession Thursday, a Israel responded to an onslaught of militant rocket attacks by targeting "terror sites."


What it sounds like in Tel Aviv with first air raid siren since 1991

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 11:59 AM PST

Air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv, Israel's second-largest city, for the first time tonight since Iraqi missiles flew toward the city over 20 years ago, according to the Times of London and other outlets. The above video, reportedly taken around noon U.S. east coast time and 7 p.m. local time, was posted to Facebook by Israeli photographer Ron Shoshani.

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