Qaeda Group in Yemen Threatens to Kill American Journalist

nytimes.com - WASHINGTON — The affiliate of Al Qaeda in Yemen is threatening to kill an American journalist it is holding hostage by the end of the week unless its demands are met, according to a video posted Wednesday night on YouTube. The hostage identifies himself as Luke Somers, 33, a photojournalist who was kidnapped in Sana, the Yemeni capital, in September 2013. Mr. Somers, wearing glasses and a purple shirt, appeared composed as he directly addressed the camera.

Putin: Confident of Handling Grozy Attack

nytimes.com - GROZNY, Russia — Russian President Vladimir Putin says he is confident that local Chechen forces will deal with the terrorist attack in Grozny. At least three police officers and six gunmen were killed earlier on Thursday in an early morning attack on Chechnya's capital, Grozny. The fighting punctured the patina of stability ensured by years of heavy-handed rule by a Kremlin-appointed leader. Speaking in Moscow, Putin described the attackers as "rebels" — a reference to the 1990s separatists who fought federal forces who are receiving support from abroad.

Understanding word-of-mouth in the digital age

i-scoop.eu - Word-of-mouth is not new. People have always talked about their experiences, emotions, needs and also products, services and brands. With the arrival of interactive and social media the patterns, role and impact of word-of-mouth have evolved and new, forms of online communities were shaped. These changes affected the ways businesses can leverage the power of word-of-mouth for marketing purposes and, vice versa, the impact of word-of-mouth on businesses.

 

Get Your Business Calendar Under Control

curatti.com - As we come to a close in 2014 it’s time to reflect on our business productivity and accomplishments throughout the year. This is a perfect opportunity to check out your calendar and learn what needs to stay and what can be trimmed. According to a 2013 report by the Standish Group less than one third of all projects were finished on time, and were over budget. Time management is a big factor in this equation with social networks like Facebook and Twitter being at the top of the list.