own foundation, giving all profits to charity and pursuing the common good for over 30 years, and union bank. >> and now, "bbc world news america." >> at union bank, our relationship managers work hard to know your business, offering specialized solutions and capital to help you meet your growth objectives. we offer expertise and tailored solutions for small businesses and major corporations. what can we do for you? >> and now, "bbc world news america." >> this is bbc world news america. i'mrting from washington, katty kay. the taliban and tells the bbc they are ready to take over afghanistan. and return it to the old days. a contentious meeting with the catholic church as the vatican is publicly questioned about the child sex abuse scandal for the first time. and whohas made a list has not. we look at this years oscar nominees and some surprising absences. welcome to our viewers on public television in america and also around the globe. the taliban and claimed they are winning the war in afghanistan and will seize power again when international forces leave at the end of this year according

bank. union " (george chattering excitedly) this program was made possible by: at houghton mifflin harcourt, we believe reading opens new worlds and inspires curiosity in learners of all ages. we're proud to sponsor curious george on pbs kids. can fuel a lifetime of learning. abcmouse.com early learning academy, proud sponsor of pbs kids and curious george. abcmouse.com early learning academy, are designed for kids to be as active as their imaginations. all she knows is that, today, purple is her favorite color, and that's good enough for us. stride rite is a proud sponsor of "curious george." funding for curious george is provided by contributions to your pbs station... ooh. ...and from: rum intro ) ♪ you never do know what's around the bend ♪ ♪ big adventure or a brand-new friend ♪ ♪ when you're curious like curious george ♪ ♪ swing! ♪ ♪ well, every day ♪ every day ♪ ♪ is so glorious ♪ glorious ♪ george! ♪ and everything ♪ everything ♪ ♪ is so wondrous ♪ wondrous ♪ ♪ there's more to explore whe

own foundation, giving all profits to charity and pursuing the common good for over 30 years, and union bank. >> and now, "bbc world news america." >> at union bank, our relationship managers work hard to know your business, offering specialized solutions and capital to help you meet your growth objectives. we offer expertise and tailored solutions for small businesses and major corporations. what can we do for you? >> and now, "bbc world news america." >> this is bbc world news america. i'mrting from washington, katty kay. the taliban and tells the bbc they are ready to take over afghanistan. and return it to the old days. a contentious meeting with the catholic church as the vatican is publicly questioned about the child sex abuse scandal for the first time. and whohas made a list has not. we look at this years oscar nominees and some surprising absences. welcome to our viewers on public television in america and also around the globe. the taliban and claimed they are winning the war in afghanistan and will seize power again when international forces leave at the end of this year according

we'll be up to work on the banking union. at the end of the year, one of the banks are sound and safe again. these are the top issues for us. we are making a lot of progress. >> the political will to get this done, does it seem to be there or have like a few years go? >> the sense of urgency is there and the will is stronger than ever. the main issues regarding the bank and the structural imbalances in our economy are throughout the eurozone north and south. a sense of urgency is very strong. >> and the critics will say landing as not where it should be to support economic growth. if you look at any banks right now, what is your opinion? should they do that? the economy taking the temporary hit of availability to avoid future problems. >> what you see is the problem of credit availability especially the larger companies throughout europe is able to invest once again and are investing. the process of going to asset quality review and preparing for the union will show the banks are already in advance billing with their problems

own foundation, giving all profits to charity and pursuing the common good for over 30 years, and union bank. >> at union bank, our relationship managers work hard to know your business, offering specialized solutions and capital to help you meet their growth objectives. we offer expertise and tailored solutions for small businesses in major corporations. what can we do for you? >> and now, "bbc world news." >> this is "bbc world news america." a standoff in the ukraine takes an ugly turn. the police tried to arrest a protest leader who claims he was kidnapped, tortured, and left to die. still worlds apart, the first round of syrian peace talks draw to a close with both sides blame each other for the lack of progress. shamusdy to take a ride, o'connor is headed for sochi, but first he tells us how he ended up competing for the emerald isle. welcome to our viewers on public television in america and also around the globe. tonight, the unrest in the ukraine took another twist when the police there attempted to arrest a protest leader who said he was kidnapped and tortured, sparking a tense sta

and union bank. >> at union bank, our relationship managers work hard to understand the industry you operate in. working to nurture new ventures and help provide capital for key strategic decisions. we offer expertise and tailored solutions in a wide range of industries. what can we do for you? >> "bbc world news" was presented by kcet, los angeles. captioning sponsored by macneil/lehrer productions >> ifill: infighting and acrimony marked the first day of the syria talks, highlighting the hard road ahead to any peaceful end to the civil war. good evening, i'm gwen ifill. >> woodruff: and i'm judy woodruff. also ahead this wednesday, the drought emergency in california, declared on the heels of the state's driest year on record. >> ifill: plus, closing the skills gap in our jobs market by testing high school students for work-readiness instead of focusing on college prep. >> what does an "a" mean to an employer today? "i got an 'a' in math." what does that mean? nothing. >> ifill: those are just some of the stories we're covering on tonight's "pbs newshour."

giving all profits to charity and pursuing the common good for over 30 years, charles schwab, and union bank. >> at union bank, our relationship managers work hard to know your business, offering specialized solutions and capital to help you meet your growth objectives. we offer expertise and tailored solutions for small businesses and major corporations. what can we do for you? >> and now, "bbc world news america." >> this is bbc world is america. reporting from washington, i'm laura trevelyan. people killed during a wave of attacks in iraq. we speak with one of the country's top politicians about what is behind the deadly violence. an international gathering ledges $2 billion of aid to syria. there are warnings that it could be so much greater. and hitting the open road. we will show you the technology that makes some drivers and passengers. welcome to our viewers on public television in america and also around the globe. today witnessed one of the bloodiest days in months with 75 people killed in a string of attacks. , shotsere roadside bombs fired at drivers, and a blast at a funeral the

own foundation, giving all profits to charity and pursuing the common good for over 30 years, and union bank♪ >> at union bank, our relationship managers work hard to know your business, offering specialized solutions and capital. we offer expertise and tailored solutions for small businesses and major corporations. what can we do for you? >> and now, "bbc world news america." >> this is "bbc world news america." reporting from washington, i am katty kay. the iraqi government says it has killed 25 al qaeda militants in an airstrike, but extremists are not giving up, and there is fear of a civil war. to morgan chase was slapped with a 1.7 billion dollar penalty. authorities say the bank ignored obvious warning signs of bernie ponzi scheme. and we will show you the new gadgets rolling out at the consumer electronic show. ♪ welcome to our viewers on public television in america and also around the globe. today, there was fierce fighting in the iraqi province of an bar, as the military tries to gain the upper hand of those who are in key cities. they say they have killed 25 al qaeda-linked milit

and union bank. >> at union bank, our relationship managers work hard to understand the industry you operate in. working to nurture new ventures and help provide capital for key strategic decisions. we offer expertise and tailored solutions in a wide range of industries. what can we do for you? >> "bbc world news" was presented by kcet, los angeles. (george chattering excitedly) this program was made possible by: at houghton mifflin harcourt, we believe reading opens new worlds and inspires curiosity in learners of all ages. we're proud to sponsor curious george on pbs kids. can fuel a lifetime of learning. abcmouse.com early learning academy, proud sponsor of pbs kids and curious george. abcmouse.com early learning academy, are designed for kids to be as active as their imaginations. all she knows is that, today, purple is her favorite color, and that's good enough for us. stride rite is a proud sponsor of "curious george." funding for curious george is provided by contributions to your pbs station... ooh. ...and from: ♪ you never do know what's around the bend ♪ ♪ big adventure or

swab -- charles and union bank. >> at union bank, our relationship managers work hard to know your business, offering specialized solutions and capital to help you reach your growth objectives. we offer expertise and tailored solutions for small businesses and major corporations. what can we do for you? >> and now, "bbc world news." the united nations warns of humanitarian disaster in the central african republic. we are in one refugee camp where tens of thousands are sheltered from the fighting. the white house fires back at robert gates after a new book that said the president did not believe in his own afghan strategy. 10 wind power be the answer to china's energy needs? it is a lovely idea, but there might be one hitch in the idea. >> on a day like today when there is not much wind, it hardly works. >> welcome to our viewers on public television in america and around the world. the united nations children's fund unicef has warned of a humanitarian disaster in the central african republic. it follows fierce fighting between christians and muslims with widespread atrocities on both sides.

. >> banking union is important. he does not want his banks, the u.s. banks, to be at a competitive disadvantage. tothere are two aspects that. they're the cap additive this advantage and that is why he will be pressing especially in germany, and also to come together on some sort of banking union. look for potential fireworks on the strips and it could happen tomorrow when he has that press conference. treasury officials are also saying that jack lew is also going to listen. he was an update on just what to new coalition is doing spend, to boost aggregate demand. also, what the new minimum wage is wage law will do. >> it will not be one-way traffic. the u.s. -- the europeans could talk about the u.s. debt ceiling. >> i suspect they will raise that. lou's answer will be -- lew's answer will be what was always along which is the u.s. will not default on its debt. >> hans nichols live in berlin. wife i had, stormy weather they have bumped down flights but it has to lead -- actually boosted online sales over the holiday

own foundation, giving all profits to charity and pursuing the common good for over 30 years, and union bank>> at union bank, our relationship managers work hard to know your business, offering specialized solutions and capital to help you meet your growth objectives. we offer expertise and tailored solutions for small businesses and major corporations. what can we do for you? ♪ >> and now "bbc world news america. >> this is "bbc world news america." reporting from washington, i am katty kay. the state of the union, president obama hits the road a day after laying out his priorities to the american public. ukraine's parliament offers amnesty to demonstrators who have been arrested, but first they must vacate the building they have been occupying. and could a simple procedure create stem cells? researchers have found it works in mice and are looking at the human possibilities. welcome to our viewers on public television in america and also around the globe. president obama wasted no time today and acting one of the promises he made last night in the state of the union address. he used the pow

and personally, we are now entering, of course, the new european banking union. it's a big change for all european banks and a positive one. and a period of growth. now the focus is on further transforming the businesses and growing. >> how do you see the evolution of the monetary policies in 2014 now that the fed started its tapering process? >> let's say it was expected and it's a good thing. we need to progressively come out from these exceptional situations which can be risky because it creates perhaps distortion in the asset prices. so it's good to see the fed starting to reduce progressively the liquidity it is providing. the very positive thing is the fact that the market did not overreact, but to keep more positively because behind this decision the market probably sought more comfort in 2014 for the u.s. economy. and so i'm happy to see -- to have seen this decision implemented. again, it is behind us. we know probably that the fed should, he month on, reduce further the amount of purchase it will do. we could expect the end of the qe asset purchase at th

own foundation, giving all profits to charity and pursuing the common good for over 30 years, and union bank. >> at union bank, our relationship managers work hard to know your business, offering specialized solutions and capital to help you reach your growth objectives. we offer expertise and tailored solutions for small businesses and major corporations. what can we do for you? >> and now, "bbc world news america." >> reporting from washington, i am katty kay. egypt votes on a draft constitution, but violence kills nine people in the first poll since morsi was ousted. francois hollande tells the rest his private life is off limits, but a difficult moment amid allegations of an affair. need the cloned pigs helping to make china a scientific superpower. we get a rare look inside one of the country's research centers. iswhat is new here in china it is being employed on an almost industrial scale, while in the west cloning remains controversial. here, it is becoming almost normal. >> welcome to our viewers on public television in america and around the globe. today, egyptians went to the polls

own foundation, giving all profits to charity and pursuing the common good for over 30 years, and union bank>> for nearly 150 years, we believe that commercial banks owes its client strength, it's ability, security. we believe in keeping lending standards high. capital ratios high, credit ratings high. expected it then. companies expect it now. doing right, it's just good business. union bank. >> and now, "bbc world news america." >> this is bbc world news america. the protest in ukraine spreads beyond the capital. the government and rebels find a cease-fire in south sudan, but are they really ready to lay down their arms? more than 40 years after ping- relations, is it time for diplomacy? welcome to our viewers on public television in america and also around the globe. today antigovernment protests that had been focused on the ukraine capital spread to three other cities. demonstrators stormed government buildings. the u.s. vice president joe biden called president yanukovych, urging him to in the standoff, warning if not, there would be consequences. >> this evening, ukraine held its breat

this is why also it was so important to built the banking union.anty for the future. >> speaking of the eurozone, how much has france prepared to reach out to other countries it's portugal, perhaps extend a credit line. is that something you would support for portugal? >> we are discussing that, which will meet next monday. the question is, how can they get back to markets? is there a need for a program? might be. we'll discuss with the government. we'll discuss that with our partners. if you look at yours, one year ago, the question was, will greece get out? greece is in. will cypress default? the program is on track. ireland and portugal are get back in the markets. holland already. portugal, tomorrow. i can say also that spain, one year ago the question was, will there be a program for spain? no, now they're performing well. eurozone gained stability, and now we must re-create the sense of growth in the eurozone and make the necessary efforts for those countries who made strong reforms. >> that brings to us greece. are we going to have another b

own foundation, giving all profits to charity and pursuing the common good for over 30 years, and union bank>> for nearly 150 years, we have believed a commercial bank owes its clients strength, stability, security, so we believe in keeping the lender to standings high, capital ratios high, ratings high. companies expected it then, and companies expect it now. doing right. it is just good business. union bank. >> and now, bbc world news america. world newsbbc america. reporting from washington, i am katty kay. the u.s. says it will step up sales to iraq, where they are trying to get areas back controlled by al qaeda militants. much of the u.s. is in a deep freeze, with dangerous temperatures not seen in decades. it is not the most obvious job in the world. the night, we introduce you to a whose products appear on stage and screen. our viewers on public television in america and elsewhere around the globe. two years after american troops pulled out of iraq, tonight, the country is tense and violent, and the future looks uncertain. they called for residents of falluja to expel al qaeda militan

giving all profits to charity and pursuing the common good for over 30 years, charles schwab, and union bank. >> for nearly 150 years, we have believed that commercial banks owes its clients strength, stability, security. so we believe in keeping lending standards high. capital ratios high. credit ratings high. companies expected it then. companies expect it now. doing right -- it's just good business. union bank. >> and now, "bbc world news america." >> this is bbc world news america. the leader of dubai speaks exclusively to the bbc telling us why he thinks it is time to lift sanctions on iran. the ceremony attended by dignitaries from around the globe. going home with a golden globe. the stars came out to shine and we will have all the highlights. >> welcome to our viewers on public television in america and also around the globe. new restrictions on iran's nuclear program will be put into place. this comes after striking a that mightdeal actually be implemented. it is seen as an encouraging sign and a comprehensive deal could be reached. president obama warned that there are still many s

foundation, giving all profits to charity and pursuing the common good for a over 30 years, and union bank>> at union bank, our relationship managers work hard to know your business, offering specialized solutions and capital to help you meet your growth objectives. we offer expertise and tailored solutions for small businesses and major corporations. what can we do for you? >> and now, "bbc world news." "bbc world news america." way justrmy paves the months after it removed president morsi from power. ukraine's president says he will scrap harsh and you protest laws that have sparked violent demonstrations. will be enough to end the unrest? a century ago, the fear of world war i sent panicked through london's financial markets. tonight, we get exclusive access to the revealing archives. >> ♪ welcome to our viewers on public television in america and around the globe. tonight in egypt, expectations are growing that the army chief is preparing to run for president. the country's military leadership has given its approval. today, the general was promoted to field marshal, a necessary step in

own foundation, giving all profits to charity and pursuing the common good for over 30 years, and union bank. >> for nearly 150 years, we've believed that a commercial banks owes its client strength, stability, security. we believe in keeping lending standards high. capital ratios high, credit ratings high. companies expected it then. companies expect it now. doing right -- it's just good business. union bank. >> and now, "bbc world news america." >> this is "bbc world news america" reporting from washington. i'm kathy k. europe ofuses meddling in ukraine after the government makes concession to protesters, and the premier resigns. president obama is getting set to make his state of the union address. in divided washington, what can he get done? and with whack -- and -- long time passing. >> his folk music struck a chord. tonight we look back on the life and legacy of pete seeger. welcome to our viewers on public television in america and around the globe. ukraine's prime minister and his entire cabinet resigned today, and the government repealed controversial laws, but this may not satisfy

bank. >> union bank, our relationship managers work hard to know your business, offering specialized solutions and capital to help you meet your growth object tips. we offer expertise and tailored solutions for small businesses and major corporations. what can we do for you? >> and now, "bbc world news america." bbc world news america, reporting from washington. i'm jane o'brien. cairo is rocked by a series of bomb blasts, killing at least six people. three years after the revolution egyptusted hosni mubarak, is a country on edge. in syrian peace talks, both sides agree to meet saturday in the same room for face-to-face negotiations. and two of vincent van gogh cost most famous paintings are reunited. twothe first time, these shining sunflowers are together again. welcome to our viewers on public television in america and around the globe. today, a series of bomb attacks in cairo killed six people and wounded 100 more. among the targets, police headquarters. supporters of the army general who seized power last year has blamed the muslim brotherhood and its leader, bahamas morsi, for the attack

own foundation, giving all profits to charity and pursuing the common good for over 30 years, and union bank. >> for nearly 150 years, we believe commercial banks owe clients strength, stability, security. so we believe in keeping lending standards high, capital ratios high, credit ratings high. companies expected it then. companies expect it now. doing right -- it is just good business. union bank. >> and now, "bbc world news america." >> this is "bbc world news america." on anhan 50 passengers ill-fated journey are rescued after being trapped in the antarctic for days. the bbc's man on board has the story. >> there is a helicopter to take us home. thanks, everyone. of violence in south. a special report as peace talks are about to start. >> not a side of portugal we want you to see, but tonight we take you on the worst tour that people are actually signing up for. welcome to our viewers on public television in america and also around the globe. tonight, more than 50 passengers trapped aboard a ship in antarctic ice since christmas eve have been rescued. they are heading home. after three i

own foundation, giving all profits to charity and pursuing the common good for over 30 years, and union bank>> at union bank, our relationship managers work hard to know your business, offering specialized solutions and capital to help you meet your growth objectives. we offer expertise and tailored solutions for small businesses and major corporations. what can we do for you? >> and now, "bbc world news >> this is "bbc world news america" reporting from washington. u.s. forces prepared to pull out of afghanistan but there's a lot of the satisfaction about what they leave behind. >> the war is ending because of a timetable drawn up in london and washington. with all of the lives lost than money spent, it could have been so much better. >> u.s. prosecutors will seek death against the so cards and i have -- marathonhe boston bomber. welcome to our viewers on public television in america and also around the globe. the u.s. is growing increasingly impatient with the president of afghanistan. defense secretary chuck hagel suggested that time is running out for hamid karzai to sign an agreement th

then there's the banking union which will be rolled out in two thousand and four change aimed at restoring study europe's finance sector. this is indeed the beginning of the end of bank bailouts banks now taxpayers will carry the costs for their own mistakes. the real aim is to get banks lending again to households and businesses of the banking union deal hammered out by leaders in december. he is complicated and lacks real firepower another major concern is unemployment. it creates is to ration reference appellant's the increase in the province remains close to twenty five percent of the key for permission. then there was a real danger that in the coming year some politicians might propose during the year reflecting the stability of the eurozone pretty much depends on the pay is that the candidate you is the number of employed can fill of comfort. so if all the eurozone and the eu as a whole two thousand and fourteen is expected to be a year of growth and slow to recover what was the only thing change size from being in concepts and toss with the blocks to a shaky foundations. what impact

and leaders have been doing everything in their power to suffer such hopes look at the banking union that they decided upon last december if you look at it very carefully it effectively does precisely the opposite of what it promised to do it does not establish a banking union so i shall be optimistic when i see signs real empirical evidence of the change in the. forces that are leading towards the disintegration of europe i'm a european it's if i sound negative it is because you or our leadership to be more precise has been doing their dumbest over the last three years studies comedy of errors. well there you have a honest thank you so much and i can we can see and hear your passion so we thank you for sharing it with us. that was younus vera fokus economic professor at the university of texas at austin time now for today's big deal. big deal time with harris and he joins me now to talk about the cost of living actually more specifically the cost of living well yeah well we're now the website pakistan x. pakistan dot com it recently mapped out the most expensive cities in the world

european leaders have been doing everything in their power to shout that if such hopes look at the banking union that they decided upon last december if you look at it very carefully it effectively does precisely the opposite of what it promised to do it does not establish a banking union so i shall be optimistic when i see signs real empirical evidence of the change in the. forces that are leading towards the disintegration of europe i'm a european it's if i sound negative it is because you look or our leadership to be more precise has been doing their dumbest over the last three years studies comedy of errors well there you have a honest thank you so much and i can we can see and hear your passion so we thank you for sharing it with us. that was younus vera fokus economic professor at the university of texas at austin time now for today's big deal. big deal time with harris and he joins me now to talk about the cost of living actually more specifically the cost of living well yeah well we're very well now the website pakistan x. pakistan dot com it recently mapped out the most expensive cities

we will get his take on the and the banking union that is not a banking union. the lack of a backstop and the resources is a big problem. andill get his take on that the political newcomer in italy onunveiling his jobs plan thursday. what does mr. monte make of that? we will get that out. a strong a tying theme. -- italian theme. >> guy johnson with the pulse. constructive of an suv in 2017, according to a ceo. they will get the first suv since the 1990s. aluminum is the material of choice with ford and the company entiree it with their lineup. they introduced an aluminum body for the f1 50. f150. digital stocks and smoke alarms. they will be subject to regulatory review and will close in the next few months. joining me is ryan chilcote. us.executive showed that we arty have in our house. stuff that we already have in our house. >> what makes it smart is that it has wi-fi and you can react to it by hearing the alarm and monitoring it on your computer or smart phone. it you interact with the other products. the other product is the smart thermostat. you can monit

own foundation, giving all profits to charity and pursuing the common good for over 30 years, nd union bank. >> at union bank, our relationship managers work hard to understand the industry you operate in, working to nurture new ventures and help provide capital for key strategic decisions. we offer expertise and tailored solutions in a wide range of industries. what can we do for you? > "bbc world news" was presented by kcet, los angeles. captioning sponsored by macneil/lehrer productions >> woodruff: stiff winds, ice and snow gripped the northeastern u.s. as frigid temperatures show no mercy. good evening, i'm judy woodruff. also ahead, from california, a look at latino senior citizens leaning more on long-term care facilities. >> you can have a homelike environment, but yet still be able to read your newspaper with your coffee in the morning, and have those little comforts. and then you can have a big fiesta feast with a mariachi band. >> woodruff: and it's friday. mark shields and david brooks are here to analyze the week's news. those are just some of the stories we're covering on

opinion leaders have been doing everything in their power to suffer such hopes look at the banking union that they decided upon last december if you look at it very carefully it effectively does precisely the opposite of what it promised to do it does not establish a banking union so i shall be optimistic when i see signs real empirical evidence of the change in the. forces that are leading towards the disintegration of europe i'm a european it's if i sound negative it is because you or our leadership to be more precise has been doing their dumbest over the last three years that isn't black comedy of errors. well there you have a honest thank you so much and i can we can see and hear your passion so we thank you for sharing it with us. that was younus vera fokus economic professor at the university of texas at austin time now for today's big deal. big deal time with harris and he joins me now to talk about the cost of living actually more specifically the cost of living well yeah well we're now the website pakistan x. pakistan dot com it recently mapped out the most expensive cities in t

european lawmakers are racing to broker a banking union deal before elections in may. e talks began as u.s. treasury secretary jack lew begins his tour of europe. lew is pressing european officials to follow the u.s. in adopting tougher banking regulations. for a little bit more on jack lew's european tour, let's get the international flavor. hans nichols joins me now. what do you make of what we have seen so far? the swagger of lew just doesn't diminish. >> i don't know if swagger and lew are used to frequently in the same sentence. what he is talking about our two separate issues. he is talking about stimulating growth and he is nudging germany to do a little more for short- term growth, aggregate demand, what you can do to boost it. the more important issue is what you do on the banking union. clearly jack lew wants to see more progress there and he wants to see a backstop. secret that we think having backstops in place is very important. we would like to see more action taken. i think you have to look at where things were just a year- and-a-half ago and where things

own foundation, giving all profits to charity and pursuing the common good for over 30 years, and union bank>> at union bank, our relationship managers work hard to understand the industry you operate in, working to nurture new ventures and help provide capital for key strategic decisions. we offer expertise and tailored solutions in a wide range of industries. what can we do for you? >> "bbc world news" was presented by kcet, los angeles. presented by kcet, los angeles. (george chattering excitedly) this program was made possible by: have over 90 years of first steps behind them. what he does know is that, today, he's started walking, and life got a whole lot more exciting. stride rite is a proud sponsor of "curious george." can fuel a lifetime of learning. abcmouse.com early learning academy, proud sponsor of pbs kids and curious george. funding for curious george is provided by contributions to your pbs station... ooh. ...and from: ♪ you never do know what's around the bend ♪ ♪ big adventure or a brand-new friend ♪ ♪ when you're curious like curious george ♪ ♪ swing! ♪ ♪ well, every day ♪

bank owes its clients strength, stability, security. we believe in keeping lending standards high, capital ratios high, credit ratings high. companies expected it then. companies expect it now. doing right. it is just good business. union bank. and now, "bbc world news america." >> president obama rolled out his reforms to u.s. surveillance. he called for an end to the government control of some data. he made this promise to partners abroad. >> unless there is a compelling national security purpose, we will not monitor b communications of heads of state and government of our close friends and allies. >> the russian president tells the bbc he has had western help securing the winter olympics in sochi during a rare interview. could this contact lens help millions of diabetics worldwide with the technology embedded inside? google tells us what this might do. welcome to our viewers on public television in america and around the globe. after months of revelations by national security agency analyst edward snowden, today president obama rolled out his reforms to u.s. surveillance programs. he vowed the nsa would take a new approach when it comes to collecting and storing the phone records of americans. he promised the govern

. >> greece wants to complete the banking union and deal with migrationlows. the huge issue across europe, it wants to focus on gross policies like maritime energy projects. for greece, what matters is that it glides through these next six months without embarrassing hitches this is a very important public relations drill. it was to showcase what it is calling its success story. and to show international lenders it is no longer the basketcase of europe. hoping that ultimately europeans and its creditors will help. it will bring down this very high debt that it has. >> they have been painting that teacher of the success story, haven't they act out do ordinary greeks by that? >> this is not the first time they have heard such words of praise only to be clobbered weeks or months later with added austerity measures. the greeks are very pro-european and they believe their nationstate does belong in europe. they have grown very apprehensive and cynical of such remarks. they have also learned by now to decode a lot of them. deep in these upbeat statements, particular

the dutch prime minister said to me yesterday that banking unions, that's fine, we needed that, but we don't need a fiscal union and we don't need a political union. how does that fit with your core that we need to see a united states of europe? it doesn't, does it? simply, i do not want to discuss what the prime minister has said. i'll just say we are in the creation of a very strong banking union because it is a central control of the decentralized system. the fiscal union we have already half created it with the control of the national budgets before they go to the national parliament. so that no budget goes best and has a negative influence on other countries. and the political union, we are in the creation of it because we need it. we need europe to speak with one voice outside and to defend our positions in an efficient way. that's all we want to do and that's what we're going to do. >> but we don't stick with one voice. we're going off in different directions and we're denying things that have been achieved as you made the point about potential fiscal union. . we're all going in

greece will officially be at the helm of the eu and will be responsible for projects like the banking unionamongst other things. it is not an easy task for the country that still has massive problem's at home. the greek government says it's optimistic that economic growth is returning and that unemployment will go down. the greek prime minister is even expecting his country to soon be able to cope without financial help from its international partners. some greeks have meanwhile taken matters into their own hands with a little help from brussels. >> they call saffron red gold. harvesting saffron is a long and painstaking process. the precious spice is in the stamens of the flowers. the women here work hard all day, but not one of them is complaining. many here in the macedonian plane have been given a new future. >> so this is how it should look -- all three stamens must remain intact. >> it takes 150,000 flowers to glean one kilo of saffron. >> we don't want to deliver damaged goods to our cooperative. >> the head of the cooperative is a saffron farmer who volunteers his time to advise the