Cuba Libre

Dec. 18, 2014 The Agenda President Obama is moving to "normalize" U.S.-Cuba relations after decades of tension Mic The U.S. will begin talks with Cuba to "normalize" full diplomatic relations and open an embassy in Havana in the coming months after decades of tension with the communist island. + President Barack Obama has instructed Secretary of State John Kerry to initiate discussions with Cuba and will reestablish an embassy in Havana in the coming months. + The shift also includes further relaxing of travel restrictions, increasing remittance levels, expanding commercial sales and exports from the U.S. and reviewing Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. + Yes, this also means that legendary ban on Cuban cigars is going up in smoke. + This change is long overdue: The U.S. embargo of Cuba has been a complete disaster. + Republicans are absolutely livid over the Cuba talks, calling it "appeasement." + There are five essential things to know about Obama's historic deal with Cuba. Sony hackers killed The Interview — and other movies might be next Mic Sony announced Wednesday it will pull the plug on its North Korea-mocking Seth Rogen and James Franco flick The Interview after pressure from hackers caused five major movie theater chains to refuse to show the film. The studio decided to cancel the planned Dec. 25 theatrical release.  The company has had to deal with embarrassing revelation after revelation thanks to a group called the Guardians of Peace, which leaked personal information and emails from Sony employees. + Mic's Matt Connolly: "It's a decision that sets a worrisome precedent: Hack our company and we'll give in to your demands." + U.S. officials say North Korea is behind the hack. Marvels How to take the perfect nap, according to sleep scientists. [Mic] Why the workday should be 10 to 6, not 9 to 5. [Vox] Attorney General Eric Holder: The U.S. has failed to make progress between police and minorities. [Talking Points Memo] Barack and Michelle Obama on their racist experiences: "He wearing a tuxedo at a black-tie dinner, and somebody asked him to get coffee." [Mic] You can now (virtually) walk through the site where Michael Brown was shot in Ferguson, Missouri. [Fusion] Heartbreaking photos capture the aftermath of the Taliban's bloody attack on a Pakistan school. [Mic] A pessimist's guide to the world in 2015. [Bloomberg News] The six best books you probably missed this year. [the Atlantic] One map reveals just how hard it is to pay your rent in the U.S. [Mic] What's the best Kurt Vonnegut book of all time? [the Oyster Review] The CIA tortured people for years. Meet the five brave people who tried to stop it. [Mic] Photo of the Day This is what the holiday season looks like from outer space. Using images captured by the Suomi NPP satellite, NASA scientists have pinpointed the months during which nighttime lights shone the brightest, and the holiday season came out on top. Mic Check is carefully and dutifully assembled each day by Jared Keller. Did we miss something you wanted to read about? Want to see us focus on an under-covered issue? Have a tip for the next edition? Email jared@mic.com. Share Mic Check and help your friends stay informed: http://eepurl.com/of1jj. Follow Mic!      Copyright © 2014 Mic, All rights reserved. You are receiving this because you opted in while creating an account on Mic. Our mailing address is: Mic 325 Hudson Street 1001 New York, NY 10013 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences