'The Interview' Returns

Dec. 24, 2014 The Agenda The Interview is coming to theaters after all Mic Sony Pictures cleared the way on Tuesday for release of The Interview in some U.S. theaters on Christmas Day, less than a week after pulling the movie following a devastating cyberattack that has been blamed on North Korea. Take that, terrorists. + Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton: "While we hope this is only the first step of the film's release, we are proud to make it available to the public and to have stood up to those who attempted to suppress free speech." + White House statement: "The president applauds Sony's decision to authorize screenings of the film." + Here's how indie movie theaters decided to save The Interview. + Now that we can actually see the movie, is it any good? The reviews are mixed. + Also, did North Korea really hack Sony? Some analysts are skeptical. FDA to recommend ending lifetime ban on blood donations from gay, bisexual men Mic The FDA announced Tuesday that it will recommend ending its absolute ban on blood donations from men who have sex with men, a major change to a blanket policy that has been in place since 1983. "For the past 31 years, men are who have had loosely defined 'sexual contact' with another man at any point since 1977 have been permanently banned from donating blood for fear of unknowingly spreading HIV," reports Mic's Sophie Kleeman. "The new recommendations would loosen those restrictions: Only men who have had sex with another man in the past year would be banned." Marvels Why New York's police protests must continue now more than ever. [Mic] How Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's iron grip on the media powers an absurd, thriving rumor economy. [Digg] Americans love holidays — but spend them doing things they hate. [FiveThirtyEight] Nearly 200 years after her death, Jane Austen's words matter now more than ever. [Mic] Here's exactly how Americans consume porn over the holidays. [Vice] Jealousy is actually better for relationships than you think. [Mic] This poor BBC reporter stood next to a pile of burning hash and literally couldn't finish his report without giggling. [Digg] The case for cliches. [Irish Times] The most groundbreaking TV series of 2014 was actually a kickass Nickelodeon cartoon. [Mic] Is Chinese takeout actually more popular on Christmas? [Slate] Can police body cameras actually prevent abuse? Science finally has an answer. [Mic] Photo of the Day This is what Santa's workshop actually looks like. Christened "China's Christmas Village," the city of Yiwu is home to 600 factories that together produce over 60% of all the world's Christmas decorations and accessories, according to China's state-run news agency. The complex was declared by the U.N. to be the "largest small commodity wholesale market in the world." Yiwu is far from the idyllic workshop of Christmas lore. The "elves" that staff these factories are mainly migrant laborers who work 12 hours a day in grueling conditions for between $300 and $500 a month, the Guardian reports. 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