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There have been five major mass extinctions over the last half-billion years, when the diversity of life on Earth suddenly and dramatically contracted. Scientists are currently monitoring an era of mass extinction predicted to be the most devastating since the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs. But this time around, says Elizabeth Kolbert, author of The Sixth Extinction, it's humans that are causing it.

Robert speaks with ESPN's Scott Burnside about the differences between ice hockey as it's played in the National Hockey League and in the Olympics. One main difference is that when the games are played outside of North America, the dimensions of the rink are larger, changing the tactics of the teams.

History is being made Tuesday in Sochi, as women's ski jump makes its debut as an Olympic event. While men have competed in ski jumping for nearly a century, women have not been included in Olympic competition. They've been seeking equality in their sport for more than a decade. Tamara Keith was on hand to report on the day's events.

Despite efforts by two-thirds of its 28 member states to block the move, the European Union took a large step toward approving a new genetically modified corn Tuesday. Opponents say the corn, a DuPont Pioneer product called TC1507, has harmful qualities.

Tom Brokaw, the NBC News correspondent who for years was one of America's favorite news anchors, has been diagnosed with Tmultiple myeloma, a cancer that affects blood cells in bone marrow, the network says.

Wearing oversized sweaters, sensible shoes and loose-fitting suits, the models on the runway this year look downright comfortable. New York Times Style Magazine editor in chief Deborah Needleman says these styles are "much more about comfort" than they have been in the past.

Carnival in Rio attracts tourists from all over the world. But there is a murky — and sometimes deadly — underbelly to the celebrations. The recent murder of a samba school official highlights the links between the glittering affair that is Carnival and the city's criminal world.

Wildlife groups from around the globe are gathering in London this week, hoping to find ways to slow the trade in rhino horns, elephant tusks and other illegal wildlife products.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs cost taxpayers $32 million by overpaying for space and renting too much of it. It's just one in a long line of federal leasing problems, according to reports. Health and Human Services has been leasing a building in Maryland for 60 years that it could have owned 10 times over by now.

American snowboarder Shaun White had hoped to win his third consecutive gold in these games. Instead, he's going home empty-handed. Not a single member of team USA was on the podium for the snowboard halfpipe event.