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In a sudden reversal, Turkey is now ok with NATOs Baltic defense plan. Thats the word from NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who said today in London that Turkeys President Recep Erdogan has dropped his threat of refusing to support an alliance-wide plan to defend the Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland from possible invasion by Russia. It was an unusual threat from a NATO ally, and alliance officials made it public last week in remarks to Reuters.

What Erdogan wanted in return for supporting Baltic defense: For fellow NATO nations to recognize the Kurdish YPG in Syria which is a U.S.- and coalition-backed militia fighting ISIS as a terrorist group, and to do it in some sort of formaldocument.

What Turkey got: Unclear just yet. But U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper was asked Tuesday if he would support, as Reuters writes, branding the YPG as terrorists in order to break the deadlock. Esper replied, I wouldnt support that. Were going to stick to our positions, and I think NATO will aswell.

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke to Erdogan today in an unannounced meeting that lasted about 30 minutes, according to Erdogans office, which released photos before the White House shared any details with the press. According to the Whitie House, the two men discussed the importance of Turkey fulfilling its alliance commitments, further strengthening commerce through boosting bilateral trade by $100 billion, regional security challenges, and energy security. A bit more from Politico, here.

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By the way: We wont be doing a press conference at the close of NATO because we did so many over the past two days, Trump tweeted this morning. (Politico called it an abrupt cancellation after tense exchanges with world leaders. More on those tensions in the bulletsbelow.)

So whats the alliances message to the world on its 70th anniversary? NATO guarantees the security of our territory and our one billion citizens, our freedom, and the values we share, including democracy, individual liberty, human rights, and the rule of law, according to the alliances London Declaration, which was releasedtoday.

The rest of the nine-point document reaffirms Article 5, the two-percent defense investment guidelines, references Russias aggressive actions, cyber and hybrid threats, irregular migration, challenges to the rules-based international order, the demise of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, commitment to keeping in place NATOs Open Door policy, 5G security, and Chinas growing influence and internationalpolicies.

Here are some of todays headlines summarizing developments inLondon:

Russian Trolls Are Hammering Away at NATOs Presence in Lithuania // Patrick Tucker: A broad disinformation campaign of fake news and other tricks aims to turn the Baltic nations public against thealliance.

NATO Should Count Spending on Secure 5G Towards Its 2% Goals // Lindsay Gorman: Getting 5G right is key to the alliances veryfuture.

NATOs Newest Threat Is Coming From Inside the House / Kevin Baron: Worry less about the gaps between NATO leaders, and more about the gap between those leaders and the national securitycommunity.

Three Tweaks to Foster Innovative Defense Products / Jeff Decker: Even the Pentagon cant lavish billionaire-level cash on every promising tech startup but it can make several moves thathelp.

Welcome to this Wednesday edition of The D Brief from Ben Watson. If youre not already subscribed, you can do that here. On this day in 1941, the Chicago Tribune and the Washington Herald published secret U.S. plans to invade Europe and defeat Hitler in1943.

Pentagon officials say Iran may soon attack U.S. forces in the Middle East. Thats according to CNNs Barbara Starr, who tweeted around 6 p.m. on Tuesday: There is fresh intelligence in last month of a potential Iranian threat against US forces and interests in the Middle East according to several US defense and administration officials speaking to CNN.Where this comes from: Alleged evidence Iran has moved forces and weapons, though there was no indication at this time Iran regime has made any decision to attack U.S. forces.The Pentagons No. 3 official, John Rood, is saying that today, too, according to Reuters, which notes Rood did not provide details about what information he was basing that concern on or anytimeline.

Syrians say U.S. raid on Baghdadi also killed civilians. NPR: A Syrian farmer says his arm was blown off and his two friends were killed by U.S. helicopter fire in the village where American special forces were attacking the compound of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in October. His account is supported by analysis of photos of shrapnel and of a damaged van.That belies a Pentagon statement that said special forces protected all of the non-combatants during the Oct. 26 raid.The U.S. military will review the incident, a defense official told NPR. Read on, here.

North Koreas leader hopped on a horse again, so the images are making their way across the interwebs quickly. AP puts them in context, here.

Iran, Russia and China finally announced joint naval exercises, according to Russias state-run TASS. The drills are expected to begin Dec. 22 and run through January 20. Writes the Washington Posts Liz Sly, who flagged the announcement on Twitter: Its been long promised; now theres a date. A potential challenge to the U.S. & a big boost forIran.

Anyone interested in a real spy story? Bellingcats Eliot Higgins this week flagged a new report from his fellow open-source sleuths all about how Russia recruited a hitman who murdered a Russian businessman in 2013, gave him a new identity, and then he was arrested in 2019 in Berlin for the murder of Zelimkhan Khangoshvili.Khangoshvili had previously fought alongside anti-Moscow separatists in Chechnya, Reuters reports today. Khangoshvili was shot twice in the head in a central Berlin park in August as he was heading to a mosque.Russias reax: This is absolutely groundless speculation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today.By the way: Germany just booted two Russian diplomats out of the country on allegations Russia is refusing to cooperate in the Khangoshvili investigation. More from Reuters, here.

ICYMI: A former Green Beret is running against a former SEAL in Virginia to unseat a former CIA agent in the House. AP has the story, here.

Former Marine officer, Rep. Duncan Hunter pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of conspiracy in a case surrounding his alleged misuse of $250,000 in campaign donations for personal expenses such as family vacations and oral surgeries, ABC News reported after months of denials from the California Republican.Hunter said he pleaded guilty for his children. I think itd be really tough for them, he said. Its hard enough being the kids of a public figure, and I think its time for them to live life outside the spotlight. Story, here.

Do you want to end Americas endless wars? So does George Soros and Charles Koch. Politicos Brian Bender explains why a new think tank called the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft is opening today in Washington, here.

Lastly today in NCAA football,No. 25 Air Force is ranked for the first time since 2010. With Navy at No. 23, there are two service academies ranked at the same time for the first time since Oct. 14,1985.

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Turkey's Article 5 reversal; Russia's disinfo in Lithuania; NATO spending ideas; Iran-Russia-China plan naval wargames; And a bit more. - Defense One

Feeling the heat, Iranian hard-liners are distancingthemselves from the government's fuel price hike.

The government announced Nov. 15 an important decision affectingdaily life in Iran: the rationing of gasoline and a subsequent increase in gas prices. Iranians have bitter memoriesof fuel price hikes.They considerit tantamount to a deterioration in their quality of life. Increases in gas prices have always led to increases in the costs of food and other necessities.

The government announced the price hike at midnight on Friday, while most people were asleep. The announcement caught people off guard. The public wasnt prepared to face it, and it caused outrage and anger. The timing of the announcement possibly designed to alleviate the exasperation and to prevent protests ultimately was not effective.

Meanwhile, the hard-liners launched an onslaught against the government, portraying President Hassan Rouhanias the man behind the people's misery, further provoking public irein order to possibly take down the incumbent president. State TV, controlled by hard-liners, also added fuel to the fire, urging people to turn away from Rouhani.

As the protests gain momentum, the institutions and organizations under hard-linercontrol distanced themselves from the fuel price hike. In a Nov. 16 statement, the influential Expediency Council addressed the people, saying that the council's secretary and chairman have never spoken in favor of raising gas prices. Yet the decision to raise fuel prices was made by the Supreme Council of Economic Coordination, formed upon the orderofSupreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The heads of the council judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi, parliamentary speaker Ali Larijaniand Rouhani, among others all favored the hike.Despite knowing this, the hard-liners sought to evoke disillusionment among the public on Rouhani and Reformists ahead of the 2020 parliamentary elections. The same council had also tasked state TV to persuade people on the "logic" behind the hike.

Khamenei's throwing his weight behind the council's decision didn't end the attacks on Rouhani. YousefTabatabaiNejad, thehard-line Friday prayer leader inEsfahan,addressed the government Nov. 22, saying,Why do you say the gasoline price hike won't lead to a rise in other things prices? Hard-line cleric Alireza Panahian also lashed out at Rouhani and Reformists, stating Nov.22,It is not clear who decided to raise the gasoline price. However, the protests grew bigger than the hard-liners had predicted, reaching at least 100 locations in the country,which was unprecedented in the past 40 years.

The recent protests are different than the protests of 2009,when people took to the streets after Reformistpresidential candidates Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi declared that the ballots were rigged. Those protests had leaders and political goals. The protesters demands went beyond holding an election redo they targeted the political system itself. The 2019 events have no leader or specific goal.Nonetheless, the slogans were much harsher in 2009 than today.

The 2019 protests are an expression of deep-rooted anger and pain. The most important factor behind the protests is the dire economic situation,leading people not being able to make their ends meet, that followed the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal and the governments mismanagement of the economy.The US embargo on Iranian oil sales the government's main source of revenue is what prompted Rouhani to raise gasprices to compensate for the budget deficit. Before the United States reimposed sanctions, Iran's economy had actually started to recover.

Apart from US sanctions, Iranians'rage has intensified as they witnessed more corruption scandals and increasing inequality. Adding to the pain and rage was the hard-liners campaign to disclose and magnify to some extent Reformists' and moderates' corruption.The hard-liners didnt realize that the public's distrust of Reformists and moderates didn't equate to a hard-liner victory. Many Iranians totally disagree with hard-liners on several issues,including restrictions on social and political freedoms, and would never join them.

The hard-liners campaign against Reformists hashad an alarming impact, as seen in recent protests.The protesters believe that neither hard-liners nor Reformists can represent them. Their distrust in both camps has grown. Thats why today's protesters have no leader, while in 2009 they pinned their hopes on Reformists like Mousavi and the late Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, whoboth acted as the opposition leaders.If the political establishment does not address the public's anger and demands, such protests will likely be triggered in the future over issues as basic as an increase in the price of eggs.

Sensing the trouble, the hard-liners are striving to find new faces for their camp to gain votes and popularity. Hard-line cleric PanahianstatedNov.22, No, we arent [part of the] Principlists," which is the name of the hard-line current in Iran. "We only think about the results. Don't let people[affiliate us] with Principlism. A statement fromprominent hard-line figureGholam-AliHaddadAdelclearly demonstrates how hard-liners are strivingto ride the public wave of anger. He said Nov. 23 that hard-liners are concentrating on how to solve people's economic troubles, emphasizing that prominent "economists" will be on their forthcoming electoral tickets.

Nonetheless, the hard-liners' attempts are in vain. Putting on new clothes, choosing new candidatesand even distancingthemselves from Iran's dire economic situation won't prompt Iranians who have lost all hope in Reformists to think of hard-liners as their new saviors.

Read the original here:
Iran How Iran's hard-liners tried to ride wave of protests - Al-Monitor

By believing in certain myths youre missing out on the amazing advantages of an HR software. In this article, youll learn about that and educate yourself in order to effectively use HR software, writesMaqsood Rahman, CEO, SEO Audit Agency.

Your HCM System controls the trinity of talent acquisition, management and optimization - and ultimately, multiple mission-critical performance outcomes. Choosing the right solution for your organization....

Dan Brown, a famous American author says- We all fear what we do not understand. Its a very suitable line while I am discussing the myths of HR software. Because we all need to clear our confusion for the sake of betterment.

Todays topic is very interesting and lets know more about the few popular believes about the HR department that is totally myths.

Its a very common HR myth that is an equally funny and serious thing. The people who have much knowledge about hr software, s/he will definitely laugh by hearing this myth.

HR software is a very smart tool that can be managed by any kind of organization. Organization size doesnt matter rather you can run customized hr software according to your choice. Because the ultimate goal of the software is to reduce the pressure of the HR department and makes this department more productive than before.

So if one organization really needs to ensure good growth of the company then I will suggest you go for customized software.

Wrong. But the people who believe this myth will not agree with me. Because they will go with one logic and the logic is- HR software requires implementation cost, maintenance cost, buying cost.Now you can think that its full of cost!

But maintaining a business is not easy. For the sake of the betterment of business, a businessman needs to do many things. And in the business market, nothing is free!

So, to ensure the good health of your company, you have to pay and HR software is just one part of this paying process. In todays HR software is smartly organized with advanced features. If you dont need all features then customized it depends on your need.

I think this myth is funnier than ever. Where HR software is made to ensure high security then this type of myth doesnt make any sense. Right?

HR store is the most cost-effective and safest storehouse where each information is monitored by control panel members. And higher authority can change access to anyone ( companies might have issues). If the admin wants to secure some special data from the general store then he can do it easily.

Its true that today we are blessed with advanced technologies but technology is continuously updating with the hand of man. I know HR software is definitely smart but without manpower, it is not possible to operate.

Technology will not replace manpower rather it is a beautiful collaboration of technology and manpower. You can call it cute couple too!

Myths are myths, there is no doubt. Because it is very simple and user-friendly with easy operating language.

To operate the software you dont have to be an expert or dont need training. In most cases, software provider companies are used to provide customized software. So, the HR department already knows about the app features and functions properly. So, I will say that all HR members are experts in software operations.

Like above, this opinion is the same for this myth too!

HR software companies are always conscious of the simple user interface and quality navigation of users. Anyone with a little knowledge of technology can easily access the HR software. Even if you are totally new, you will get a user manual to know details about the software.

Now drive the software with little but appropriate knowledge.

Software never breaks human interaction between the HR team and employee rather it helps to make a smooth relation between them. Normal manual system can create misunderstanding between employees and higher authority.

With this software one employee can get proper information about the work plan and HR panel can easily monitor their work plan.

Or, employees can see their job status, work performance, vacation list, overtime list and the same way HR members are also able to see their work status, so they both can be more productive and clear to each other.

So, if any miscommunication happens then authority cant blame the employee and employees will know their mistakes, so as keeps records.

The human brain can make a mistake and the technologies can also make mistakes. Thats why HR software is important for any company and it is necessary for a healthy working background.

This is a complete solution for the HR department. It reduces the pressure of the HR department only. It takes care of everything like-

Now say- it is covering only a specific area, not whole? I am expecting a positive result from you.

Lets see the ridiculous myths and actual reality-

Learn More:Putting An End To The Most Common Artificial Intelligence Myths In The Modern Workplace

You may hear that type of myth but in real life, you will find no connection with this myth. No need to worry about software implementation because software companies will help to implement and will give proper instruction. If you hear the instructions attentively then you can easily operate it. As the software is totally customized so there are no adjustment problems. You can easily use this software just after the implementation.

After discussing a lot it's time to conclude it. Today I have discussed all the common myths about HR software and I have tried to give the best explanation of these myths. Employees are an asset and HR software is just a helping hand to keep the HR section more organized. At the same time, you will get all the records of the work plan so in case of any emergency you will get real-time support from these records. As an HR expert, I would highly suggest to all the businessmen to implement HR software. I hope my article will be helpful to you.

Learn More:Five HR Tech Myths Debunked

Read more from the original source:
Top 10 HR Software Myths That Are Totally Wrong - HR Technologist

Businesses in the East Midlands have stepped up their protection against cyber threats in 2019, but a lack of interest in other digital tactics could be holding them back, according to Lloyds Banks latest Business Digital Index (BDI).

The annual report, the largest of its kind into digital skills, polled 1,500 small businesses across the UK, with more than 140 from the East Midlands. The report combines survey data with businesses transactional data to understand their digital behaviours and intentions.

The security index for the region, which outlines whether firms are protecting themselves against hackers and fraudsters, has shot up by 19 points on last year to 56. An index reading of zero indicates a lack of online cybersecurity capabilities while a reading of 100 shows robust defensive measures are in place.

Nearly three quarters (74 per cent) of the regions businesses have already invested in their cyber security skills, or are planning to in future, compared with 78 per cent nationally.

While the region has made advances in cyber security, a lack of Essential Digital Skills could be hampering opportunities to boost sales or productivity. Nearly two in five East Midlands firms (39 per cent) lack the full range of Essential Digital Skills, compared with the national average of 44 per cent.

Businesses in the East Midlands had the appetite to build their digital strategy and leadership skills, with nearly half (47 per cent) either having done so or planning to do so in future. This compared with 44 per cent nationally.

The region was also above the UK average for attaining skills, or having plans to build them, in search engine optimisation (SEO) (60 per cent, nine points above UK average), social media and marketing (59 per cent, four points above UK average), and customer data analytics (42 per cent, one point above UK average).

Jo Harris, Lloyds Banking Groups Ambassador for the East Midlands, said: Online attacks affect half of all UK businesses and although firms in the East Midlands are slightly behind the national average in terms of their cyber security skills, its really encouraging to see the region is taking steps to protect itself.

However, further investment in digital skills needs to be a priority to ensure businesses are not missing out on huge opportunities.

Our research found that an average small business in the UK with strong digital skills and behaviours earned around 260,000 more a year. This is money that could be spent on hiring more staff, training employees and growing the business.

The digital sector in the East Midlands is now worth around 750million and employs almost 7,000 people** so its clear that skills like SEO, social media and data analytics will become even more important for companies in the future.

Nationally, a third (33 per cent) of firms said they had increased turnover and efficiency as a result of becoming more tech-savvy.

The report also found a national trend that small businesses that are less than three years old had better digital skills, with more than two thirds (69 per cent) of this group having all six Essential Digital Skills. UK businesses without these were also almost two and a half times more likely to be closing down in the next two years compared with those more skilled.

Read more:
East Midlands firms boost online protection but lack appetite for essential digital skills - East Midlands Business Link

National Republicans are breaking with a U.S. House recruit, George Buck, who is running in Florida's competitive 13th Congressional District, after he sought donations from supporters by insinuating that several Democrats, including Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, should be hanged.

In a fundraising email sent last week, the Republican candidate's campaign for the St. Petersburg-area seat, singled out Omar and falsely accused the Somali-born Democrat, elected in last year's midterms, of working for the country of Qatar and asserted she should be punished, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

The email also mentions Buck's Democratic rival, incumbent Rep. Charlie Crist, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.

"We should hang these traitors where they stand," the email reads, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

The campaign literature does not explicitly state who he is referring to as alleged traitors, the paper reported.

ABC News has not independently reviewed the campaign literature.

Buck initially told the Tampa Bay Times he did not write the email, even though it included his signature, adding, "I would never talk like that."

In a statement to ABC News Wednesday, when asked about the fundraising email and the NRCC's decision, Buck asserted that treason is a crime punishable by death.

"I am a decorated veteran of the 101st Airborne Division. As someone who has taken the oath to defend the Constitution, I take that oath very seriously," he said in the statement. "Anyone who commits treason against the United States should be tried to the full extent of the law."

"Treason is one of the few crimes the Constitution has as punishable by death," he added.

In a Facebook post Wednesday, he also said, "Any Republican who calls me out for my rhetoric but doesn't call out the Democrats for theirs are hypocrites."

Buck did not respond when asked by ABC News if he is suggesting Omar or the other Democrats mentioned in his campaign literature committed treason.

Omar's campaign did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.

House Republican Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., disavowed Buck's email, saying in a statement Wednesday, "theres no place for inciting violence in politics."

"Instead of doubling down on these disgraceful comments, the candidate ought to apologize unequivocally and denounce these unacceptable statements," he continued.

The National Republican Congressional Committee, the House GOP's campaign arm, dropped Buck from its "Young Guns" program, the party's recruitment and mentoring program for rising House candidates running in competitive races -- a move that distances the GOP from the controversial candidate who is standing by the email.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy made the decision to remove Buck from the program, and NRCC Chairman Tom Emmer, a Minnesota congressman, agreed with the decision, according to a committee spokesperson. Buck was announced as a member of the program on Oct. 30, alongside 23 other Republicans.

Tlaib, one of Omar's key allies, quickly came to her defense, condemning Buck's email in a tweet: "The fact that those who make these violent threats very publicly without hesitation reaffirms just how much white supremacy has spread within the @NRCC. They are raising money on a call to hang a Black Muslim member of Congress and too many are silent. @IlhanMN."

On the campaign trail, President Donald Trump has frequently ridiculed Omar, Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib and Pressley--four minority congresswomen who have dubbed themselves the "Squad" on the campaign trail, drawing criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans for his rhetoric.

Ocasio Cortez, Pressley and Tlaib were born in the U.S., and Omar, who came to the U.S. as a refugee when she was a child, has been living in the country since she was 12 years old and is a U.S. citizen. In the 2018 midterm elections, all four women won a popular vote to claim their seats in Congress.

Trump has particularly targeted Omar calling her "an America-hating socialist."

The president threaded a vicious string of verbal attacks against Omar at an October campaign rally in her home district, calling out her positions on Israel, which elicited scattered "send her back" chants from the crowd.

"She is a disgrace to our country, and she is one of the big reasons that I'm going to win and the Republican party is going to win Minnesota in 13 months," he continued.

Buck isn't the only congressional candidate to take aim at Omar.

Twitter suspended the account of Danielle Stella, Omar's Republican opponent in the 5th Congressional District race, after she falsely suggested the congresswoman may have passed intel to Iran and should be "tried for treason and hanged," according to the New York Times referencing a screenshot of a tweet sent from her account.

ABC News did not review the original tweet, which can no longer be accessed.

Omar previously denied the allegations made against her according to The Jerusalem Post. Her office told the New York Times that such stories are outlandishly absurd.

Originally posted here:
National GOP breaks with House candidate who says 'traitors' should be 'hanged' - ABC News