Hi, this is Warren Alney. Thanks so much for listening to this podcast of To the Point,

and I want to tell you about another podcast that's available here at KCRW,

and that's the program, DNA, hosted by Francis Anderton.

Francis is well connected in the industry of design and architecture and art.

She used to be editor of an architecture magazine.

She knows the trends before they happen. She'll be able to fill you in on them. You can find DNA on KCRW's

iTunes page. From KCRW in Santa Monica and PRI, Public Radio International, this is

To the Point. Vladimir Putin. Is it the economy, stupid?

Hello again, I'm Armin Alney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International,

a daily look at the issues Americans care about most. The price of oil and economic sanctions

have panicky Russian consumers rushing to buy

whatever they can as the ruble loses its value. But at today's three-hour end-of-the-year

news conference, Vladimir Putin said not to worry. The crisis will only last a couple of years.

He blamed the U.S. and Europe and said the Russian bear won't be chained up, saying he was

referring to nuclear weapons.

We'll look at what might be in store for Ukraine and at the role of Saudi Arabia in Russia's economic decline.

Today's talking point, Sony pictures, terrorism and business. First, here's the news.

Music First, here's the news. Listen to KCRW's 24-hour all-news channel.

Stream BBC World Service, NPR and KCRW programs,

continuous coverage and accessible via our smartphone app or online at kCRW.com.

Support for To the Point comes from the members of KCRW and from the Public Radio International Program Fund.

Hello again, Worminali, back with To the Point.

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