To the Point
The President, the Pope and the Saudis
President Obama met with Pope Francis today. Tomorrow, he'll be in Saudi Arabia. We look at US relations with two traditional allies, one Catholic, another Islamic.
By Warren Olney • • 51m ListenPresident Obama met with Pope Francis today in the capital of Roman Catholicism. Tomorrow, he'll be in Saudi Arabia, the heartland of Islam. We look at America's current relations with two traditional allies, important for very different reasons. Also the IMF pledges billions in loans to help ailing Ukraine, and a regional director of the National Labor Relations Board has ruled that some college football players are employees with the right to form unions. What's the future of the student-athlete?
Banner image: President Barack Obama talks to Pope Francis during their meeting at the Vatican March 27, 2014. Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
In this episode
3 storiesIMF Pledges Billions in Loans to Help Ailing Ukraine
After three weeks of urgent negotiations, the International Monetary Fund has agreed to provide $18 billion in loans to the interim government of Ukraine. President Obama welcomed the deal during his trip to Europe, saying it would bolster democratic reform.
Read the story8 minThe President, the Pope and the Saudis
Today, President Obama went to the Vatican for the first time since Francis was elected Pope a year ago. The President presented Pope Francis a gift of seeds today, perhaps suggesting his Administration wants a re-boot in relations with the Vatican.
Read the story36 minThe First Step Toward Unionizing College Athletes
College football is big business, and there's long been dispute about the status of so-called "student athletes." Peter Ohr, regional director of the National Labor Relations Board in Chicago, ruled yesterday that football players at Northwestern University are employees with the right to form a union and bargain collectively.
Read the story8 min
