News Headlines - 19 January 2014

▽Olympics Security Worries U.S. Officials - NYTimes.com

Tensions rose Sunday over security preparations ahead of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, as several congressional leaders expressed concern about Russia’s willingness to share information about terrorist threats, while President Vladimir V. Putin asserted that he would “do whatever it takes” to protect the thousands of visitors arriving soon for the Games.

▽Bangkok Protests Hit by Two Explosions - NYTimes.com

More than two dozen people were injured in twin explosions at an antigovernment demonstration in Bangkok on Sunday, a further escalation of violence in Thailand’s protracted political crisis.

▽Obama placates Germany over NSA | DW.DE | 18.01.2014

President Barack Obama has told Germany's ZDF public television that US intelligence services will continue to spy on foreign governments, but he would not let such work damage relations with Germany.

▽Violence-hit CAR Shortlists 8 for President

Central African Republic lawmakers shortlisted eight candidates, including two sons of former presidents, on Sunday to become interim leader and pull the country out of months of turmoil and factional killings.

▽Culture of secrecy blamed for BBC's failure to stop Jimmy Savile's crimes | The Guardian

Senior BBC figures are facing calls to reform the corporation's "culture of secrecy", as an internal inquiry is expected to reveal Jimmy Savile sexually abused up to 1,000 children while working for the corporation.