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Flying These Planes Cost $2 Million an Hour
Twenty turboprops for Afghanistan's Air Force cost $486 million, flew only 234 hours.
Oversight
Nominee to Lead IRS Criticizes Recent Agency Budget Cuts
Koskinen promises senators cooperation in probe of tax-exempt division.
Pay & Benefits
Will Feds Get Christmas Eve Off?
The holiday falls on a Wednesday this year, decreasing the likelihood of extra vacation.
Nextgov
This 6-Year-Old Wants to Be an Astronaut, So He's Petitioning the White House to Save NASA
Connor Johnson started by donating his allowance to the cause. Then he decided to do more.
Nextgov
Hackers Successfully Baited Foreign Diplomats With Nude Carla Bruni Pics
China is likely behind the attacks, researchers say.
Nextgov
Government's IT Skills Shortage Points to a Future of Failure
Agencies fall short when it comes to having the top-notch talent to effectively develop, leverage or understand technology.
Pay & Benefits
Defense Combat Pay, Bonus Authority At Risk
Bipartisan plan would fast-track legislation to avoid interruption of special military compensation.
Management
Does Divided Government Hinder or Help Federal Investigations?
Public service professor finds quality and quantity of probes has improved despite political gridlock.
Management
How I Lead: Bringing Openness to Clandestine Service
A Q&A with a senior National Intelligence Service executive.
Defense
Republican Discord Leaves Defense Policy Bill in Limbo
It's unclear whether lawmakers will support plan to fast-track the bill.
Oversight
Poll: Majority of Americans Say Bag Sequestration
61 percent of those surveyed would undo all or some of the automatic budget cuts.
Management
Federal Offices in Washington Closed Tuesday
Telework-ready employees must continue to work or take leave.
Nextgov
The Federal Managers' Guide to Tech Trends in 2014
New tools and mandates are fueling unprecedented innovation in government, but they’re also creating new challenges.
Oversight
Can Democrats Recover From the Obamacare Catastrophe?
If Republicans don't flub the coming fiscal debates like they did in the fall, voters will focus squarely on the health care rollout.
Defense One
Hagel Softens on Troop Deal, Gives Karzai Until February - But Not April
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel now says Afghanistan has to sign a troop deal by February’s NATO meeting. It’s not the April elections that worries him; it’s the runoffs. By Stephanie Gaskell
Pay & Benefits
Federal Employee Unions Gain Members Post-Shutdown
Despite shrinking workforce, unions are growing.
Management
For Customer Service, Please Press Pound (Or Is It Hashtag?)
Are government call centers ready for the generation gap?
Pay & Benefits
Feds’ Tension Over Possible Pension Changes Escalates
The budget conference committee could unveil its plan as early as Tuesday.
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