but nevertheless i think the bowl of the security state that vladimir putin search -- vladimir putin himself came, very much directed more at inflating the regime from precious coming from outside rather than it is towards securing a public hearing by general. in the context of the olympics trying to make that pivot to do more of a public security role because of the political importance that it has and i don't know about the capacity to do that. the second point i would emphasize here, something we haven't talked about, a lot of context related to corruption. the discussion in russia has been the lead up to the games focused on this element, the amount of money that was misappropriated into dodgy contract and offshore bank accounts, these other most expensive olympic games ever, upwards of $150 billion, a third of that may have been embezzled or stolen. what does this have to do with security? operationally, the security services can be supreme be effective but they are only in the macro sense as effective as their weakest link. in a lot of cases the weakest link is corruption. if y

that, of course, being vladimir putin. so no, we're not going to talk today about -- well, let me just say one more thing. because we are in washington, d.c. i don't think ever before has a sports icon from washington, d.c. been so close is associated with the foreign host, the leader of the country, vladimir putin, of these games are obviously i'm talking about alexander ovechkin, the russian hockey team and is a friend of putin. very close friend i believe. so an interesting aspect of the washington, d.c. angle. so i've already said too much because we have a really terrific set of panelists. in which i will give brief introduction for all of them in the order in which they speak. the first speaker will be jeffrey mankoff, to my left, as the deputy director and fellow here at csis of the russia and eurasia program. speaking after jeff will be orden on, analysts and advisory board member of the geostrategic forecasting corporation and gordon has been a visiting fellow here at csis. and i would point to in particular a rep

vladimir putin has never been known for his tact. today he said gays coming to sochi won't be harassed, but there are limits, he said, to russia's tolerance. even as workers dig and add finishing touches to sochi, vladimir putin moved to defuse the controversy over a russian law banning so-called gay propaganda, promoting homosexuality to minors. "we aren't banning anything", he said, while meeting olympic volunteers. "we aren't rounding up anyone. we have no criminal punishment for such relations. everyone should feel at ease", he said, "but please, leave the children in peace." and that may have made the controversy even worse. but these are putin's games, and putin's rules in his city. sochi isn't the most natural place to host the winter olympics. there was no infrastructure here. it isn't very cold. more palm trees than snow. it's not very far from the most dangerous part of russia. but putin likes sochi. it would be like an american president hosting the olympics in crawford, martha's vineyard, or kennebunkport. putin wants his

i don't mean in any respect to compare vladimir putin to adolf hitler or current rush with not see germany. current russia with nazi germany. for putin, he has said this amount -- has said this on numerous occasions. to host the olympic games, you have to be a country, to put it in layman's terms, that has its act together. to award the games over the other three finalists at the korea,ustria and south and he convinced the committee to award the games to russia. now, and for vladimir putin, he said this on numerous occasions that he looks upon -- holding the olympic games, you have to be a country, to put it in layman's terms, that has its act together. you have to be a major country. this is not a small undertaking, the olympic games, so this is not russia of the 1990's that was the wild, wild east, where there were the images of the russian mafia basically running the country to the extent it could be run, or the organized crime, which i referred to as disorganized crime. no, this is vladimir putin's russia, where he has restored order to the country, and the country is suddenly finding

would vladimir putin, a former cold war spy member even ask the u.s. for help?> certainly vladimir putin's past history, the long cold war history between the united states and russia make any likelihood of requests either before the games or catastrophically after an event far, far, far less likely in this case. >> reporter: state department, diplomatic security officers will be in sochi, as well as fbi agents, primarily to protect the u.s. delegations. two u.s. warships will be positioned in the black sea, in case americans need to be evacuated. but experts put the odds they'd be asked to help near zero. >> there's too much bad blood, there's too much mistrust between the security services for them to simply link arms and say we're going to work on this together. >> reporter: that could now be changing. today russia's top general asked joint chiefs chairman martin dempsey for sophisticated electronic sensors to detect remote-controlled bombs in sochi. if they are sent, u.s. military personnel would have to go along and run them. the dangers in sochi are clear.

president obama made a call to vladimir putin today.hey talked about security at the winter olympics. terrorist threats are clouding the festive event and 34 people died last month in a suicide bombing so the u.s. has offered russia high tech bombs attacking equipment according to pentagon officials. no word on whether president putin will accept a security measures are adding $ to the already high cost of this year's games. absolutely incredible. read more about it in "bloomberg businessweek." vladimir put in is trying to assure the international community on the security measures. >> we have adequate means available to us through the federal security service them of the interior ministry, armed forces units that will be involved in providing security on the water and in the air. if necessary, all those tools will be activated. the job of the live exposed is to ensure security for participants and the olympics and visitors. we will do whatever it takes. >> we sat down with the russian deputy prime minister in davos and he says the coun

around the world, securing synergy -- vladimir putin gets help from president barack obama. is starting aan new chapter and we will tell you about that. says hospitality like barbed wire and media. an investor goes up against giant dish in a key wireless auction that starts today and in the movies, jack ryan is facing a life-threatening challenge but this one of the offscreen. we will get it up -- we will kick it off withdavos in switzerland or they do it every year about now. there is always one nagging question -- why does anyone actually go? >> we come to learn. what is going on a particular country or industry. it's important. uniquely for banking, it is a chance for the ceo's across the road to sit in a room with policymakers and others and have a dialogue. obviously there is a chance for to see a lot of people like clients. >> we try to build businesses and you have to do that in a macro environment. you come here and you can learn about what is going on in the world. you can meet all sorts of bankers and ceo's who can be sources of deals. >> when i came here 12 years

but vladimir putin says it's just the price you pay to do business in russia.lions, miriam, allegedly siphoned off here. where exactly do we think all of that went? >> well, according to a new report that came out today by someone who has been investigating russian corruption for years, he says that it's been stored offshore so we don't know exactly know who the end participant is but the allegations that he makes in this report are friends of vladimir putin that he's had since childhood, the officials that he's surrounded himself since he's been ruling russia. >> $8.7 billion to build a new road and rail line connecting the olympic events on the coast with the events in the mountains. one russian magazine says it would have been cheaper to pavement road in cavier. none of this is exactly new. these stories have been going on for months and months. why haven't alarms been raised sooner? >> well, the question is, how do you raise the alarm? the fact that russia is a corrupt country, you're right, it isn't news at all but the international olympic committee knew

. >> russian president vladimir putin has called for a crackdown after two bombings and as the olympicsroach. we report from russia. >> reporter: by the thousands russian police swept through volgograd's shops last night hunting for those connected to the bombings that killed 34 money vladimir putin backed the show of force with a strong warning. >> translator: we will confidently, consistently continue the fight against terrorists until their complete annihilation." a 26-year-old russian, russian and foreign media reports say his parents posted this message to his son after he left six months ago. "come home," his mother pleaded. we see how many people die because of people like you. "don't harm people," said his father, no what their religion. but in a video of his own, pavel told his parents he had made his choice. "it is not easy to go this way, the way of jihad," he said, "but jesus makes us strong." >> officials in utah have identified an illness that has killed more than two dozen bald eagles. >> the bald eagle is just what america stands for. >> reporter: tests show the eagles a

it's vladimir putin figure skating. and if you look closely, you can also see a row of judges of himself scoring. so, we figured, caption contest! yeah. tweet us your best and most creative caption. exactly what else? using #waytooearly. we'll get your best captions on the air later in the show. >>> still ahead here on "way too early," the man who started a nationwide debate on bullying and the nfl is breaking his silence. we'll hear from dolphins' lineman jonathan martin. then, one of the most recognizable guests at the state of the union, "duck dynasty's" will robertson. the responses he got from handful of congressman. we've got that and a check of weather when "way too early" comes right back. [ woman ] ring. ring. progresso. i just served my mother-in-law your chicken noodle soup but she loved it so much... i told her it was homemade. everyone tells a little white lie now and then. but now she wants my recipe [ clears his throat ] [ softly ] she's right behind me isn't she? [ male announcer ] progresso. you gotta t

olympics next month, recent terrorist attacks in sochi left at least 34 dead, president obama vladimir putin staked a lot of prestige on the success of the games, western observers are concerned about security issues and the recent record on human rights. >> putin signed a new law banning the spread of homosexual propaganda, yesterday a speech to ambassador the president offered his assurance every athlete will be treated equally, last month he freed members of the punching collective pussy riot along, along with jailed oligarch. >> vladimir putin is david herszenhorn, the moscow correspondent for "the new york times". masha gessen, leza russian american journalist and author of a new book, word will break cement. julia ioffe, sr. editor at the new republic and joining us from washington, stephen sestanovich, a senior fellow at the council on foreign relations, his next book is maximal list, from truman to obama. welcome all. david, tell me where russia is at this moment. >> just on the other side of europe. >> rose: how long has he been there? >> quite a long time. russia is, as always, an

. >>> i'm barbara with the latest news from europe including russian president vladimir putin visits victims of the deadly attacks in volgograd. >> reporter: i'm from riga where people are preparing for a new year but also for a new currency as the country changes from the lat to the euro. >> and in colorado begins the general sale of marijuana. >> the united nations says it will do everything it can to prevent further terrible acts of violence in south sudan. negotiators from both sides of the conflict are in the ethiopian capitol. in the world's newest country has left more than a thousand people dead. most of the battles have happened in these places in juba, bor and we have just sent this report from the capitol of juba. >> reporter: marching to war as the conflict in south sudan continues these men and women are preparing themselves for the battle ahead. we are coming. we are united, we will defeat you, they sing. these government soldiers are preparing for the front lines. fight something going on in at least three different fronts, and military commanders say they will continu

tensions are high as officials meet face-to-face with russian leader vladimir putin.posed egyptian president mohammed morsi is back in cairo in court, appearing on charges in connection with a mass jailbreak during the 2011 uprise. president franÇois hollande's state visit to turkey is the first by a french head of state in more than 20 years. it is being viewed as a into men mendions -- bid to relations, and an essential gesture to smooth the way for french companies looking to do business in turkey. the french president somewhat cautiously backed the aim to join the eu. that a turkish government -- amidst a turkish government crackdown on corruption. for more on this historic trip, i'm joined by an associate professor from an istanbul university. the trip has come for a -- at a rather difficult time for the turkish government, hasn't it? >> it has. it is a difficult time in terms of domestic turmoil in turkey since the government has been facing difficult days with respect to the process of judicial control, with respect to the coalition within the government that h

vladimir putin had a strong warning. we will confidently, fiercely and consistently continue the fight against terrorists until their complete annihilation. police say they have a suspect in the first bombing. 26-year-old russian, a former paramedic and reportedly converted to islam. his parents say they posted this video to his son after he vanished. come home, his mother pleaded. we see how many people die because of people like you. don't harm people, said his father, no matter what his religion. in a video of his own, he told his parents he made his choice. it is not easy to go this way, the way of jihad he said but allah makes us strong. >>> wildlife officials in utah have identified the mysterious illness that has killed over two dozen bald eagles over the past two weeks. nbc's miguel almaguer has that story. >> reporter: it was a bald eagle rescued by bob carter and taylor schulte that helped solve the mystery. >> the bald eagle is just what america stands for. >> reporter: brought to a wildlife rehab center blood

my bet is that vladimir putin will be also presiding over the ifa world cup in 2018. spent a lot of time down in sochi. the valadez discussion club, a group that we have met annually putin in sochi -- there is a nice spread down there. it is kind of like a russian california. in the swim in the sea morning and then go up the mountains 45 minutes away. you can ski. you have this very unique combination. , ais bizarre that russia country that is known for being a northern country, is hosting the winter olympics in a subtropical climate. go figure. the really significant thing tout sochi is its proximity northern provinces. this is a personal issue for vladimir putin. his rise to political stardom in russia -- it took place when he was originally prime minister in when the second chechnya war started. russiathe humiliation of where they lost civil war on its own territory. russian troops performed miserably. in the beginning, russian military forces performed better than they had. the perceived success of those early strikes on the terrorists and opposition were big boost

mean in any respect to compare vladimir putin to adolf current rush with not see germany. ia with not with nazi russia germany. for putin, he has said this said this on numerous occasions. to host the olympic games, you have to be a country, to put it in layman's terms, that has its act together. you have to be a major country. this is not a small undertaking to put on an olympic games. so this represents. this is not rush of the 1990s that was the wild, wild east. where we had the images of the russian mafia running the country to the extent that it could be run. -- or as i refer to it, disorganized crime. this is where he has restored a sense of order and stability to the country and the country finds itself much more wealthy than it was. the timing, now, in 2007, this is after russia became financially solvent. in 2009, russia pays off its debt to the imf. in 2006, it pays off its debt to the paris club. so russia is financially sovereign, which means russia is politically solvent. we are actually a real independent country again. so the timing that he can go down to gua

and russia's antigay law - vladimir putin defended it comparing gays to paedophiles. putin says russia needs to cleanse itself of homeo sexuality but that they are welcome to the games. >> some say that edward snowden may have had help from russia when he leaked n.s.a. documents. edward snowden may get credit for revealing privacy concerns, but most of the revelation concern how the n.s.a. conducted overseas revelations. >> this was a feast who we believe had help, who stole information, the vast majority had nothing to do with privacy. army, navy, air force marines have been harmed by the data he has taken with them. there's a reason he ended up in the loving arms of the f.s.b. agent in moscow. rogers was not alone. texas republican michael mccall, chairman of the committee said he believes edward snowden was cultivated by a foreign power. >> a mayor, joe hockhobbin hobo zimmer said chris christie's aids tried to pressure her to support a governor project to receive aid for hurricane sandy victims. >> we are starting out with more fog and low clouds and large portions

sochi just a few weeks ago and the recent bloody terror attacks just a few weeks ago, president vladimir putin know the threats are high and real and there are a number of groups who would like to put putin's pride and joy in a world humiliation. >>> russian security forces killed islamist leader, a senior insurgent suspected in leading numerous attacks on russian target. >> what has happened in the run up olympics is proof of a hard line approach 1234 the shootout comes at a time when the russian leader faces intense international pressure over rising security concerns at the sochi olympic games next month. he spoke about the situation last friday. >> we provide security for guests of the olympic games, and we're going to do everything for them. >> the collapse of the soviet union in the early 1990's reignited movements in the caucasus region. check knee i can't has seen two wars and violence has spilled over. putin led the second war against chechen separatists in 1999, thousands were killed. extremist groups are now vowing to disrupt the games as pay back for russia. security services are c

hi, richard. >> reporter: vladimir putin is not known for tact. he's unapologetic about it.i to try, it seems at least, to do away with the controversy regarding russia's stance about gay rights and how open gay visitors will be able to be and gay athletes when they come to, if they come to participate in the sochi olympics. he came forward with what, i think he thought were conciliatory comments. they showed there are limitations to what russia seems willing to accept. they are still digging in sochi with just three weeks to go until the olympics. as vladimir putin moved to diffuse controversy and promo promoting homoaxiality. >> we are not banning anything. we have no punishment for such relations. everyone should feel at ease, he added, but please leave the children in peace. in sensitive comment, but these are putin's games and his city. sochi isn't the most natural place to host the pinter olympics. there was no infrastructure here, it isn't very cold, more palm trees than snow. it's not far from the caucuses, the most dangerous part of russia, but putin likes sochi. it

leave the children in peace from vladimir putin. >> reporter: vladimir putin was here today in sochi.nspecting the venues. and he approached a group of volunteers. and it was actually one of the volunteers who raised this issue. i'm not sure if you've seen them, the uniforms that the athletes and judges and volunteers are wearing during the sochi games are very brightly colored, unique. one of the volunteers said, how is it possible, mr. president, our uniforms are rainbow colored yet there are laws in place in russia banning so-called gay propaganda. it is illegal in russia to promote homosexuality to minors. and putin responded, well, first of all, i didn't design the uniforms. and then he said that no one will be arrested based on their sexuality. that homosexuals should feel welcome in this country. but then he went on to say, just make sure the children are left in peace. and promoting, some thought, the stereotype that gays are predatory and it has received quite a bit of attention online. >> and richard, he also made comments that gay people won't just be grabbed up on the stre

vladimir putin mistakes control for security. the heavy hand for some of the better intelligence gathering you need to stop this kind of stuff. >> it is incompetence security state. that's why russia has been hit time and again since 9/11 and even before with multiple terrorist attacks on moscow stations and moscow airports a few weeks ago. the city of volgograd, once known as stalin grad. and russia is a big place. it is easy for the terrorists to strike particularly at will in any number of cities spread out over thousands of square miles. >> but we had a terrorist bombing at the atlanta games. so it is not as if we are immune from that. they went to dagestan and we know they traveled -- well one of them traveled there. >> dagestan by the way is not far from sochi. >> they traveled there to come back here and was rail cal -- radicalized with the bomb building before he came back. >> here is the difference, paul, in atlanta or boston that was a little group, a cell of terrorist. russia has terrorist armies on its soil. there is

. >> russian president vladimir putin promised a forceful crackdown on terrorists after two suicide bombings killed more than 30 people, raising more concerns about security as the sochi olympics approach. this morning putin met with officials to discuss efforts to fight terrorism. jim maceda reports from russia. >> reporter: last night they hunted for accomplices to the bombings. vladimir putin added "we will confidently continue the fight against trysts until their complete annihilation." this 26-year-old paramedic, his parents posted this message online after fearing he joined armed insurgents. "come home, his mother pleaded, we see how many people die because of people like you." "don't harm people because of their religion." >>> wild live officials in utah have identified the mysterious illness that's killed more than two dozen bald eagles overs past few weeks. we have the story. >> reporter: it was a bald eagle rescued by bob and taylor that helped solve the mystery. >> the bad eagle is just what america stands for. >> reporter: the eagle and five others being treated are suffering fro

and this is also a very, very personal issue for vladimir putin. his rise to political stardom in russia, to the national caliber, took place when he was initially prime minister in the fall of 1999 when the second chechnyan war started. and the first chechnyan war, of course, was a representation of the humiliation of russia, where russia effectively lost a civil war on its own territory. russian troops performed miserably. in the second war and particularly in the beginning, russian military forces, the security forces performed better than they had, and the perceived success of those early strikes on the terrorists in opposition, the second chechnyan war, were a big boost for putin's popularity. it was where putin also kind of bonded with the russian people with his, you know, his kind of macho way of being. you know, he said famously i'm going to wipe them out in the outhouses, you know? well, you know what? okay, guess what? russia, you've got to -- get the vernacular. what putin was saying is russia is a rich language -- russian's a rich lang

vladimir putin is visiting these volunteers, as you say.that will be trying to spread the olympic spirit, help visitors while wearing big, bright, colorful uniforms. they're usually the heroes of any local olympics, and vladimir putin is trying to maintain a positive message about these games with just three weeks to go until the opening ceremony. and while russian officials say the final preparations are on track, going smoothly, they continue to be shadowed by some pretty serious issues. firstly, security and the threat of terrorism, particularly domestic terrorism after recent suicide attacks in something of an upstep in islamic militant activity, and secondly, the ongoing international criticism that the russian government is actively pursuing a policy that discriminates against the country's gay community. vladimir putin has been maintaining a consistent message on this point. he'll continue to do so today through a number of media activities. he will be saying that russia is ready to host these games safely, that it's done all it can

. >>> obama reaches out to russian president vladimir putin trying to get a handle on sochi olympics threat. president obama has a chance to look good helping out mr. tough guy. >>> and the film maker. this guy thought he had won the thing. it is great to watch to learn it from the inside. finally look who is back in the head lines. >> that's booze, i guess. that is toronto mayor rob ford under the influence admits he was drinking. he is in the side show where he will always be. this is "hardball." i bought a car, over and tells you, and you're like. a good deal or not. looking at truecar.com. there's no buyer's remorse. save time, save money, and never overpay. visit truecar.com >>> louisiana, i guess they have seen worse. we will be right back. for the new mattress models but sleep train's huge year end clearance is ending soon. for a short time, save hundreds on tempur-pedic mattresses. get the most highly-recommended bed in america at closeout prices. plus, get interest-free financing and free same-day delivery. why wait for the new models? sleep train's year end clearance is end

the games, analysts say, are an opportunity to grab attention and to try to harm vladimir putin. u.s. officials tell us they expect the olympic park itself will be secure but worry there could be an attack somewhere else. lester? >> richard engel, thanks. >>> meantime tonight, questions being raised in this country over whether the russian government had a hand in helping former nsa contractor, edward snowden, leak thousands of secret documents. we get more from this on white house correspondent kristen welker. >> reporter: the new allegations are stunning. today, three top lawmakers suggested nsa leaker edward snowden may have had help. on "meet the press," house intelligence chairman, mike rogers, pointed the finger at russia. >> some of the things that he did were beyond his technical capabilities. >> you think the russians helped snowden? >> i believe there's questions to be answered there. i don't think it was a gee whiz luck event that he ended up in moscow under the handling of the fsb. >> and do you agree with chairman rogers, that he may have had help from the russians?

was it a visa problem, or because he was critical of president vladimir putin? we're going to hear from that journalist, up next. >>> and new jersey governor chris christie's state of the state speech isn't usually followed so closely. but today the eyes of the nation are fixed on the likely presidential hopeful after his administration's bridge scandal. >>> and french president, francois hollande faces reporters for the first time since he claims he had an affair or claims he had an affair with a french actress. we're going to tell you what he said from paris. >>> welcome to "around the world," i'm suzanne mal crowe malveaux. another school shooting in the united states. unbelievable when you think this could happen again. it has. this time at a middle school in roswe roswell, new mexico. two children taken to a hospital after a report of a shooting at varendo middle school. school public safety officials say it started just after 8:00 local time. we don't know the extent of the injuries yet. but authorities do have a suspect in custody. officials released this

we get our report tonight from nbc's jim maceda in sochi. >> reporter: russian president vladimir putin making sure every olympic venue is ready for its closeup. he even tries out the slopes today looking relaxed and controlled. a contrast to wednesday, just 400 miles away in volgograd where a solemn putin honored those killed in the bombing. even as putin toured sochi today, a bomb threat led to the evacuation of a mall. a false alarm, but another sign of nerves on edge. since islamist militants declared war on the olympics, so putin invested billions to keep things safe. it's called ring of steel for a reason. at least 40,000 special forces and police will be manning checkpoints. drones will be watching above. offshore high speed patrol boats. even ultra sensitive sonar devices listening around the clock under water. but while it may look safe here, it's now clear this is a dangerous neighborhood. and if you're wondering just how close sochi is to trouble, we're going to be taking a drive to the border with a breakaway republic and a potential flash point. it's now 1:06 in the afterno

if you are vladimir putin, this is not good as the world comes to sochi. the ruble appreciates and then it has been churning and you see this massive spike, some of the emerging market tension which we sought yesterday comes back on u.s. investors. it is not a correction but getting there perhaps to rapidly. we will do a lot of markets today. we are scouring the papers and the web. the federal reserve appears to be uniting behind its strategy of a gradual withdrawal from stimulus. policymakers said they are cutting qe by another $10 billion per month. quantitative easing remains but less than before. this is the first meeting without a dissent since june of 2011. >> they did not talk about emerging markets. they did not talk about the turmoil and jpmorgan said it would take serious data to knock the fed off its course. >> i would agree with that. courtesyy there is a among central banks never to speak about other nations and other central banks unless there is a major crisis. i was not all that surprised . shares of facebook are up as much as 13% in the pr

most shared a dislike of this man vladimir putin. helping ukraine is a matter of principal, and setting an example for people at home. >> well, nick is live for us in kiev. it was always symbolic that the protesters had taken over the justice ministry. we hear they are leaving. have all of them gone. what are you seeing. >> 15 minutes ago al jazeera was in contact with someone inside. the occupation is over, the occupiers have left. one would assume that would mean the justice minister's threat of imposing emergency measures in the country will be lifted. we should think about it for a minute. it's one of those moves by the government that is likely to embolden the pougs. the minister should say such a thing risks having an effect of making people think of how stretched the security forces are. how will they impose a national state of emergency when regional buildings are taking over, when the army came out and says it's against the constitution for it to control the population to put down a rebellion. by the strong language, by the

the russians from vladimir putin down, have been telling the world, in effect, we've got this. despite the very real threat of terrorism, they have been assuring the athletes and tourists and media who plan to attend, these will be the safest and most heavily defended games ever. the problem is the threat has become more real in just the past few days. it now includes specific people, some of whom may have tried to infiltrate the games in advance. so we begin here tonight with our chief foreign correspondent, richard engel, in moscow. richard, good evening. >> reporter: good evening, brian. russia has described its security perimeter around sochi as a ring of steel. well, it may not be as impenetrable as they hoped. at the sochi airport today, travelers were closely watched, as russian security forces searched for as many as four women, suspected suicide bombers who may be planning an attack on the olympics. one of them, who may have already made it into sochi, is 22-year-old ruzana ibragimova. police distributed wanted posters. ruzana is a so-called black widow. she reportedly

the games, analysts say, are just an opportunity to grab attention, and to try to harm vladimir putin. security is only one emerging point of tension between the u.s. and russia. another, of course, is edward snowden. the nsa leaker who now lives in russia, with some u.s. officials suggesting that he had help from russia. other officials say he acted alone. richard engel, nbc news, moscow. >> the terror threats richard is talking about are unsettling to olympic athletes and their families who will attend the winter games. within weeks, jim and yvonne butler are planning to cheer their son, 32-year-old cory butler. they just found out their son did indeed qualify for the games. they're proud. they have their tickets, their visas, they are ready to go. but they have mixed emotions about traveling to russia with all the latest terror threats. >> i just was told we're not to sit there and be so flashy in the village. you know, usa and stuff. which i understand. so we're just going to be cautious. >> the family says they don't plan much sightseeing. instead, they're going to stick close to

if you play your cards right, maybe vladimir putin, too. yeah. yeah. vladimir putin. speaking of

the russian president vladimir putin. well, while we are waiting for that, let's speak to our con sponge dent simon mcgregor wood who has been followed events there. simon, i hope you can hear me. this meeting was meant to be a two day affair between the union and russia. it was shortened to just a uh the hours really. >> joint working the g 20, and g eight, for example. we have supported the russian chairmanship on many international issues like the fight against terrorism, we adopted today on combating terrorism. once again, left me firmly condemn the recent barbaric actions which deserve our strong and firm condemnation. we need to address some outstanding in issues in which sometimes we have differences. and we also address some of these differences during our talks today. the european actively supported. but since then, a number of measures that you believe are trade restrictive were introduced. if you leave this economic relationship, and we also need to find a solution for long standing pending issues such as the s

vladimir putin, president and former kgb chief, has said russia can handle it. >> certainly vladimir putin's past history, the long cold war history between the united states and russia, make any likelihood of a request either before the games or catastrophically after an event, far less likely in had this case. >> reporter: but the u.s. is taking some precautions on its o own. a small number of fbi and state department security officials will be on hand. mostly to protect the american delegation. and two u.s. warships will be positioned in the black sea in case americans need to be evacuated. the terror threat in russia comes mainly from the suicide bombers including women known as black widows. russia is on the hunt for at least five suspected bombers, two men and three black widows. and today several olympic delegations including germany and hungary said they received threatening letters warning their athletes not to come to sochi. officials, however, dismissed those threats as not credible. richard engel, nbc news, sochi. >>> still to come, how google glass got one man yanked out

vladimir putin on skis. -- he has been known to do a lot of things out there that have caught our eye, and this would be another one of them. >> you know, you used the word image and the kremlin is acutely aware of its image. today, president putin strapped on his skis to prove he's on the case to make the sochi olympics safe. after days of horrific images of terrorist bombings raised fears that russia's upcoming olympics could be vulnerable, president vladimir putin and his prime minister took to the slopes above sochi. media cameras in tow. the athletic russian leader looking relaxed and confident. even pausing for a glass of mulled wine. the sochi olympics are a little over five weeks away. president putin has visited the sites several times but on this trip, he inspected the hotels where athletes in training already are living, and russian media reported, completely surprised them. he asked one of the female athletes if conditions are okay. yes, generally, she said, but there are a few things not right.

. >>> obama reaches out to russian president vladimir putin trying to get a handle on sochi olympics threat. president obama has a chance to look good helping out mr. tough guy. >>> and the film maker. this guy thought he had won the thing. it is great to watch to learn it from the inside. finally look who is back in the head lines. >> that's booze, i guess. that is toronto mayor rob ford under the influence admits he was drinking. he is in the side show where he will always be. this is "hardball." we use this board to compare car insurance rates side by side, so you get the same coverage, often for less. [ rattling ] that's one smart board. what else does it do -- reverse gravity? [ chuckles ] split atoms? [ whoooosh! ] hey, how is that atom-splitting thing going? [ rattling ] [ electronic whistling ] oh! [ zap! ] a smarter way to shop around. now, that's progressive. call or click today. [ male announcer ] the rhythm of life. [ whistle blowing ] where do you hear that beat? campbell's healthy request soup lets you hear it in your heart. [ basketball bouncing ] heart healthy. [ m'm.

vladimir putin backed a strong force. we will consistently continue the fight against terrorists until their complete annihilation, he said. police now say they've identified a suspect in the first bombing. the one that hit volgograd's train station, though they have yet to have evidence. the 26-year-old russian, a former paramedic, who allegedly converted to radical islam in 2011. the russian and foreign media reports say his parents posted this message to their son online after he vanished six months ago. they feared he joined armed insurgents. come home, his mother pleaded. we see how many people die because of people like you. don't harm people, said his father. no matter what their religion. but in a video of his own, pablo told his parents he made his choice. it is not easy to go this way, the way of jihad, he said. but allah makes us strong. with the sochi games just weeks away, the bombings have gotten attention of u.s. athletes. >> once you see it, it kind of hits you like all these things happen. you kind of wor

two deadly attacks in two days have shaken that promise by president vladimir putin who had personallyen charge of the games and says he isn't taking any chances. tonight in his new year's address putin vowed to pursue terrorists until their total annihilation. after the suicide bombings that killed 34 security forces in volgograd arrested almost 90 people and searched 1500 buildings. but that has done little to ease the growing worry of some on team usa including the ceo and several athletes who have said they're concerned about the attacks just 38 days before the games. this is exactly the scenario that russia wanted to aidentify vo before sochi and despite the crackdowns russia knows all too well how the mayhem that can be brought by its determined enemies. >>> next a glimmer in hope in the fight against alzheimer's. more than 5 million americans over the age of 65 are living with the disease. a new study showing vitamin e may hold a secret benefit for some of those patience. dr. richard besser back here with us tonight. there was some good news here. >> this is good news. researche

>> terrorists want to get the individual communities on their side and against vladimir putin.y're not merely bloodthirsty. they seek territorial independence and to shift the political support for them. how do they do that? by drawing attention to putin's tactics against them. aey are looking not just for spectacular attack that resulted in bloodshed, but the repression and police action of russian forces against what are going to be innocent civilians erie >> much like vladimir putin trying to draw into a battle in the thele east erie >> offscreen dynamic at the super bowl are the ads everyone talks about. at sochi, it's not going to be that. >> you are the deputy for counterterrorism in the new york police department. the city try to prepare for the risks that might present themselves question mark >> the nypd is involved at the planning in the meadowlands even though it is in new jersey. is a trickle-down parties. >> the nfl will have a lot of promotional sponsored events and those are tightly secured. the responsibility for securing them is private and governmental. the nf

president vladimir putin has promised to games will be the safest in olympic history. but with two recent terror attacks just a few hundred miles away there is concern in sochi. nbc'sry charred engel reports. >> reporter: we are now in sochi with just about one month to go before this city will host the winter olympics and security concerns will vrd started to overshadow these games. there have been two recent terrorist attacks not here in sochi but a few hundred miles away. the biggest concern is that militants from the north caucuses will try and carry out attacks perhaps not right in this area because this area already is very secure and will be even more secure in the lead-up to the games officials assure us but perhaps somewhere else in this very broad country. another concern is the criticism that is taking place in russia, particularly that these games have been so expensive. already $50 billion for all of the infrastructure required for these games. the city was not considered a winter resort in the past. people came here, in fact, to spend their summer but vla

controversial comments from russian president vladimir putin on gays. ould face no discrimination and should feel at ease, but they must leave the children in peace. putin defended the country's anti-gay law saying it is aimed banning propaganda of homosexuality and pedophilia. putin said russia needs to cleanse itself of homosexuality if it wants to increase its birth rate. >>> switching gears now to a dramatic whale rescue in new zealand. more than 100 volunteers helped bring dozens of whales into deeper water. they poured water on them to keep them warm and dug in the sand to help them breathe. the procedures were able to save about 46 of the 70 stranded whales. >>> so member of the russian orthodox church took a dip in freezing water to celebrate one of their faith's biggest holidays. despite sub-zero temperatures, parishioners in moscow plunged into a frozen river, dipping themselves three times in the icy water. it signifies the baptism of jesus. participants believe the quick plunge washes away all of your sins. >> that's the way to do it, the sta

. >> president vladimir putin insists tourists will be kept safe. >> iran is taking its first steps in cutting back its nuclear program. u.n. inspectors are on the ground. they are ready to oversee the historic agreement. as al jazeera reports, people in toronto are excited about the promise of easing sanctions. >> 10 years in the making after marathon diplomacy, january 20th marks the day when the iranian agreement comes into force. in iran the key issue is how much if at all it will affect daily life. many do not thing much will change. >> translation: they put us under so much pressure that we are hopeful. it's about giving and taking concession, so for the beginning it's good, but it's not enough. >> iran and the six world powers will implement the agreement over the next six months. it means a stop to enriching uranium to levels of 20% purity. iran will continue to enrich, but at a lower level of 5%. and tehran will convert half its stock into fuel. >> translation: if the agreement is not implemented simultaneously it will be sprnded. if the other -- suspended. >> if the other sid

favorite lines in the speech last night was the part where president obama really stuck it to vladimir putintch this. >> our leadership is defined not just by our defense of threats, but by the enormous opportunities to go good, and promote understanding around the globe. we do these things because they help promote our long term security. and we do them because we believe in the inherent dignity and equality of every human being regardless of race or religion, creed or sexual orientation. and next week the world will see one expression of that commitment when team usa marches the red, white and blue into the olympic stadium and brings home the gold. that's one sure fire way to get lots of applause, and i think steve schmidt was a little thumb in the eye to vladimir putin who has pushed all these anti-gay laws ahead of the winter olympics. that kind of push bach is the thing that can bring together all americans, right? other than the ones who like russia being so anti-gay. steve schmidt can like a moment like that, liberals like me can like a moment like that, but that's not the best new th

vladimir putin is granting an interview to abc news, a much-sought-after interview ahead of the olympicsone message to send to putin, what would it be? >> well, i mean, considering that we're talking about to olympics, my message to vladimir putin would be based on the way this which the russians -- in which the russians have acted in previous hostage situations. i would say to vladimir putin if there's a hostage-taking situation, you are the one who insisted on sew chi as the site of to olympics, you are the one who's responsible for bringing visitors or and sportsmen to a war zone. if any hostages are taken in a terrorist incident, your first obligation is to protect the lives of the hostages and not to open fire indiscriminately as you've done on the previous occasions. in effect, massacring the hostages. that's what i would tell him, and i would be sure he got the message. jenna: that is a claim you've had and you've written about in a few other situations over the years. i'd love to have you back, but let me ask you this, david, before we have to say good-bye. what would you say to

a price worth paying vladimir putin speaks about the record breaking cost of the sochi olympics ball dispelling fears over safety and security of those attending. the reforms i'm proposing today should give the american people greater confidence that their rights are being protected for forms didn't inspire confidence on capitol hill where top ranking lawmakers criticized the proposals themselves and the speech for creating a climate of uncertainty. two am in moscow i met treasury bring you today's top stories and a look back at the week's news but we begin with breaking news tonight disturbing images emerging of violence in kiev around seventy police officers hurt in clashed with protesters according to the ukrainian interior ministry this is one of the most dramatic pictures that we've seen in the footage from artie's video agency ruptly you can see rioters beating officers with sticks the crowd also three stones and firecrackers at police who responded with water cannons and tear gas ukrainian journalist andre botched avoid told us what he witnessed. i saw the moment of cocktails

and rachael madow tells dave about a one finger salute for vladimir putin. "scrambled politics" is next. for cross-country, classical. and for jumps, i need something...special. so i use my citi thankyou visa card for music downloads and earn two times the points... plus a little extra inspiration. [ ♪ music plays ] the citi thankyou preferred visa card. earn two times the points on entertainment and dining out with no annual fee. citi, with you every step of the way. and five simple whole grains, new multigrain cheerios dark chocolate crunch is breakfast... with benefits. start your day with a delicious new crunch. healthy never tasted so good. start your day with a delicious new crunch. side by side, so you get the same coverage, often for less. [ rattling ] that's one smart board. what else does it do -- reverse gravity? [ chuckles ] split atoms? [ whoooosh! ] hey, how is that atom-splitting thing going? [ rattling ] [ electronic whistling ] oh! [ zap! ] a smarter way to shop around. now, that's progressive. call or click today. thoughtful combinations, a

russian president vladimir putin saying he'll fight terrorism to the end in his new year message to the nation before heading to the city of volgograd where to bomb attacks killed thirty four people. as latvia enters the euro zone at the start of two thousand and fourteen we look at what this could bring for the country based on the increasing debts of those already in the club. and our correspondent giving you the chance to become more familiar with the host city of sochi and it's there to catch the eye in iraq for from the streets and squares of the winter games capital. you with us as we ring in the new year on r.t.i. matras are with you as we welcome twenty fourteen around the world the new year has just made its way to america's west coast arriving in the states of washington oregon and california where this is live video you're looking at here of san francisco fireworks to welcome two thousand and fourteen earlier the eastern part of the u.s. the crossroads of the world in times square was the epicenter of the holiday excitement there were here you can see the fireworks near the g