Mark Memmott

Credit Doby Photography / NPR

Mark Memmott joined NPR News in the spring of 2009 to launch a new blog, "The Two-Way," with co-blogger Frank James.

"The Two-Way" is the place where NPR.org gives readers breaking news and analysis — and where it engages users in conversations ("two-ways") about the most compelling stories being reported by NPR News and other news media.

Memmott came to NPR from USA Today, where for over 20 years he worked as a reporter and editor on subjects ranging from politics and, foreign affairs to economics and the media.

In recent years he helped launch and then led three different news blogs at USATODAY.com, including the website's 2008 presidential campaign blog, On Politics.

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7:50am

Tue May 14, 2013
The Two-Way

Russian Security Service Claims To Have Uncovered CIA Agent

Originally published on Tue May 14, 2013 5:09 pm

Credit Sergei Ilnitsky / EPA /Landov

From Russia Today:

"Russia's counterintelligence agency has detained a CIA agent in Moscow trying to recruit an officer of the Russian secret service, the Federal Security Service (FSB) announced. The agent was operating under guise of career diplomat."

According to Reuters, the Russian foreign ministry has summoned U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul for a discussion.

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7:36am

Tue May 14, 2013

6:57am

Tue May 14, 2013

5:37am

Tue May 14, 2013
The Two-Way

Afghan Taxes Weigh Heavily On U.S. Contractors, Report Says

Originally published on Tue May 14, 2013 6:52 am

Since 2008, the Afghan government has assessed nearly $1 billion dollars in taxes — sometimes erroneously — on U.S. contractors working in the country, according to a new report from the Pentagon's Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, NPR's Tom Bowman tells our Newscast Desk.

John Sopko, the special inspector general, says the tax confusion has led to the arrest of contractors for nonpayment, increased costs to the U.S. government and interruptions to American military operations.

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4:43am

Tue May 14, 2013
The Two-Way

Actress Angelina Jolie Shares Story Of Her Double Masectomy

Originally published on Tue May 14, 2013 6:47 am

Credit Alastair Grant / PA Photos /Landov

Saying she is "writing about it now because I hope that other women can benefit from my experience," actress Angelina Jolie reveals on the op-ed pages of The New York Times that she had a double mastectomy earlier this year to substantially reduce the chances she will develop breast cancer.

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