Cuba Deal Digested; Hackers Win Vs Sony, A reshaping of foreign policy in the Western hemisphere. Reaction pouring in to the news we first reported yesterday that the U.S. will restore full relations with Cuba.. an enemy of the U.S. for more than five decades. President Obama ordering the restoration of diplomatic relations, a new Havana embassy and a prisoner swap. Republicans and some Democrats are outraged calling it appeasement of dictatorships. Some lawmakers suggested they will try to block the lifting of the trade embargo. We've got Fox team coverage today with Rick Leventhal, Doug McKelway, Ed Henry and James Rosen reporting.
Another big story we're following is the cancellation of the Sony film "The Interview." The federal government confirmed that the North Koreans were behind a major cyber hack of Sony Pictures that has been embarrassing for Sony and caused legal headaches. We are awaiting a formal statement from the FBI. The hackers had threatened to launch terror attacks against theaters showing the movie which was due to open on Christmas Day. Yesterday, Sony cancelled the release and said it had no plans to distribute the movie. William La Jeunesse and Catherine Herridge reporting, and we'll ask Julie Banderas about the Hollywood reaction to the news of the cancellation.
As the Russian economy continues to collapse, Russian President Vladimir Putin today told the press Western sanctions are 25-30% responsible for the troubles. He insists the U.S. and Europe want to infringe on Russia's sovereignty. Maybe it will inspire Putin to pull his military out of Ukraine? The Russian Ruble has lost more than have its value against the U.S. dollar and the dramatic fall in oil prices has sent the Russian economy into a tailspin. Putin said today he would not order government intervention to shore up the Ruble.. which may reassure markets.
Oil trading up slightly today after a more than 45% fall in the past few months. Yesterday U.S. stocks surged on the news the Fed was leaving interest rates unchanged.. in a happy surprise for investors. The Dow finished up more than 1.6%, the S&P and Nasdaq up more than 2%. In early trading this morning, stocks in Asia also higher.
Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is due in court for the first time in nearly one-and-a-half years today as a judge holds a final hearing before his trial next month.
The parents of the German exchange student killed by homeowner Markus Kaarma will be in court today in Missoula, Montana. Kaarma was convicted yesterday of deliberate homicide in the shooting death of the student Diren Dede who had snuck into his garage. Kaarma is sentenced today and faces up to 10 years in prison.
