Haaretz | According to Israeli intelligence officer quoted in report, weakened but intact Syria under President Bashar Assad is better for Israel and region than takeover by Islamist rebels.

Reuters | North Korea fired three short-range missiles from its east coast on Saturday, South Korea’s Defense Ministry said, but the purpose of the launches was unknown.

Haaretz | Sends a dozen warships to protect its naval base on Syria’s shores.

Weekly Standard | So, what about the video?

RT | Even after cutting off the head of al-Qaeda, the United States Department of Defense doesn’t believe an end to the war on terror is in sight.

WORLD NEWS ARCHIVE

Bloomberg | Gold bears are dominant again after prices resumed their slump and billionaire George Soros joined investors selling holdings in exchange-traded products that have retreated to a two-year low.

Prison Planet.com | Expected to retire in June, Joseph Grant, head of the tax-exempt and government entities division of the IRS, said on Thursday he was leaving the agency immediately.

Fox News | Outgoing IRS chief apologizes for agency’s ‘foolish’ actions, GOP rep calls program ‘tip of the iceberg’.

CNNMoney.com | Boomers lost a significant chunk of their retirement nest eggs in the recession, but it was members of Generation X who were really hit the hardest, according to a report released Thursday.

MONEY WATCH ARCHIVE

Business Insider | There has been little attention given to covert actions by the Central Intelligence Agency that were partially uncovered during the September 11, 2012 attack.

London Telegraph | The Prince of Wales held a meeting this week with the head of the Security Service, Sir Jonathan Evans, and his successor as MI5 chief, Andrew Parker.

Daily Caller | Islamists A-OK, Conservatives B-A-D.

New American | Citizens of Watertown, Massachusetts, know more than most Americans about the weapons, tactics, technology, and vehicles employed by law enforcement.

PRISON PLANET ARCHIVE