MSNBC was the first cabler to break the news of Peter Pace's retirement this afternoon, at 12:31pm.

"We're bringing in breaking news from the Pentagon while waiting for Paris to come out," a control room producer said.

CNN International followed at 12:52pm. Fox News Channel was last at 12:55pm.

An e-mailer says it was a "stark contrast" as the nets briefly interrupted Paris coverage to mention Pace's retirement...