Feb 07 Background Briefing: Why is Russia's North Caucasus region unstable? By Council on Foreign Relations A series of suicide bombings ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi has brought new attention to Russia's unstable North Caucasus region. Read more in this Council on Foreign Relations backgrounder. Continue reading
Feb 07 Sephardic Jews get dual nationality from Spain By Justin Scuiletti Descendants of Sephardic Jews, who were expelled from Spain in 1492, will now be allowed to seek Spanish nationality without having to give up their current citizenship. The law, passed by the Spanish government Friday, will give the… Continue reading
Feb 07 Leaked U.S. phone call about Ukraine draws anger from Russia, EU By Zachary Treu A taped and leaked telephone conversation about the future of Ukrainian politics between two U.S. politicians has caused a diplomatic flap, exacerbating tensions between the United States and Russia. The phone recording features voices resembling those of Assistant Secretary of… Continue reading
Feb 07 Thousands of athletes, 4 rings and 1 dog at the Olympics opening ceremony By Margaret Myers The opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, was a spectacular affair studded by fireworks and dazzling lights. Several news agencies live tweeted the event, which included at least one mishap and one stray dog. Continue reading
Feb 06 Watch UN says children caught in Syria's civil war suffer 'unspeakable' abuse By PBS News Hour A UN report has found that in addition to the thousands of children who have been injured, killed or displaced as part of the war, the Syrian government has also tortured kids they suspect of being connected to the opposition,… Continue watching
Feb 06 Watch Athletes prepare to prove their mettle at Sochi By PBS News Hour In Sochi, the Olympic torch made its final tour and some preliminary competitions got underway. A day before the opening ceremony, Gwen Ifill gets a preview of the venues, the security, the new official events and the athletes to watch… Continue watching
Feb 06 Watch U.S. Olympic hopefuls take their marks as Sochi spotlight shifts to competition By PBS News Hour The Winter Games are finally set to begin in Sochi, Russia, after weeks of being overshadowed by controversy over the host country’s human rights record, unfinished accommodations and security concerns. Gwen Ifill looks at the roster of American athletes who… Continue watching
Feb 06 TSA bans toothpaste, liquids aboard flights from U.S. to Russia By Andy Swab Airlines have been warned to be on look out for explosives that terrorists might use on the eve of the Winter Olympics opening ceremonies. Continue reading
Feb 06 Der Spiegel journalists on walking the fine line between informing the public and compromising NSA intelligence By Margaret Warner PBS NewsHour Chief Foreign Affairs correspondent Margaret Warner talks with two journalists from the German magazine Der Spiegel to get their take on covering an international spy scandal that has lead a lot of Americans to rethink the fine line… Continue reading