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February 07, 2013 | | POLITICAL SURVIVOR Fox has cast out the Clinton adviser turned GOP pundit over his epic Romney fail. But the wily political operator has been down before, says The Daily Beast's Matt Taylor, and his latest self-renovation—which he previewed on CNN—may well work again. REJECTED Was it something we said? Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Thursday rejected proposals by the U.S. for direct talks on the nuclear standoff and other issues. "Talks will not solve any problems," Khamenei said in a statement posted on his website. "You are holding a gun against Iran, saying you want to talk. The Iranian nation will not be frightened by the threats." After months of vague proposals about talks with Iran, Vice President Joe Biden last week called for the U.S. and Iran to discuss the nuclear standoff "when the Iranian leadership, the Supreme Leader, is serious." Iran and six world powers, including the U.S., are scheduled for more nuclear negotiations later this month. FACE THE MUSIC Looks like this will go more the way of Chuck Hagel than John Kerry. John Brennan, President Obama's nominee to lead the CIA, is expected to be grilled by a Senate committee Thursday over interrogations, leaks of sensitive information, and U.S. spy activities. Congressional aides said much of the questioning will focus on Brennan's alleged knowledge of the harsh interrogation techniques at secret CIA prisons after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Brennan is also expected to be questioned about his alleged involvement in leak investigations, a rumor he tried to quash Wednesday when he posted a written statement on the Senate intelligence committee website admitting he was a witness in the investigation. TRANSPARENCY Is that a flip-flop we see? President Obama has backtracked on his previous stance and agreed to give classified Justice Department legal advice authorizing using drones to kill U.S. citizens abroad to congressional intelligence committees. The decision came Wednesday evening, after 11 senators sent Obama a letter demanding the access, calling the withholding of the legal opinions "practicing secret law." The move comes the day before John Brennan will face his confirmation hearing to lead the CIA.
JOIN US! Save the date: On April 4 and 5, the fourth annual Women in the World Summit kicks off in New York City! The event will be held at Lincoln Center and will feature Tina Brown, Diane von Furstenberg, 2012 Nobel Peace Prize nominee Hawa Abdi, Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, and many more inspiring women from the around the globe. Buy your tickets here. All proceeds from ticket sales go to the Women in the World Foundation, which promotes solutions that advance women and girls throughout the world. | | 
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