The Brief

A poster for the movie "The Interview" is taken down by a worker after being pulled from a display case at a Carmike Cinemas movie theater, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014, in Atlanta.
David Goldman—AP

U.S. Links North Korea to Hack

American officials have determined the government of North Korea is connected to the hack that left Sony Entertainment Pictures reeling and eventually prompted it to pull The Interview, a movie critical of the country's leader

President Barack Obama shakes hands with Cuban President Raul Castro during the official memorial service for former South African President Nelson Mandela at FNB Stadium, Dec. 10, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

U.S., Cuba Make Nice

The U.S. and Cuba will work to normalize diplomatic relations for the first time in half-century, after the release of an American prisoner

Dow Jones Average Follows Foreign Markets And Closes Lower

Dow Surges 300 Points

The Dow surged after the Federal Reserve signaled it was closer to raising interest rates due to a stronger economy, but promised to be "patient"

PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN - DECEMBER 17: A view of the debris of the army-run school that was attacked by Taliban on Tuesday, in northwestern city of Peshawar, Pakistan, on December 17, 2014. Taliban attack on an army-run school in Pakistan on Tuesday has left at least 141 people dead, most of whom are students. (Photo by Metin Aktas/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Peshawar Death Toll at 148 as Full Horror Emerges

With the death toll from Peshawar school massacre rising to 148 — at least 132 of them children — residents of this strife-torn Pakistani city, and survivors, are struggling to come to terms with Tuesday's horror, in which Taliban gunman attacked an army-run school

Elton John AIDS Foundation's 13th Annual An Enduring Vision Benefit

Elton John to Wed Longtime Partner David Furnish

The pair entered a civil partnership in 2005, but in recent weeks, rumors have run rampant about impending nuptials. Various outlets have reported that a private, intimate ceremony will take place at their Windsor estate on Dec. 21

Home Shootings Pennsylvania

Ax, Machete, Pill Bottles Near Pa. Rampage Suspect

Bradley Stone, a man believed to have killed his ex-wife and five of her relatives, had an ax, a machete and two prescription pill bottles beside him when he was found dead Tuesday in the woods near his suburban Philadelphia home following a manhunt

NFL: Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys

Chicago Judge Rejects $75 Million NCAA Settlement

A Chicago judge on Wednesday rejected a $75 million settlement with the NCAA on player concussions, saying the funds allocated as part of the deal would potentially fall short and urging both parties to resume negotiations

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Most of the World Is Living Longer

Life expectancy across the globe has increased by more than six years since 1990 to 71.5 years, according to a new study published Wednesday in the Lancet. Medical funding for fighting infectious diseases has grown since 1990 and helped drive the improvement

NYC Rapper Bobby Shmurda Arrested

Brooklyn rapper Bobby Shmurda was arrested in New York City on Wednesday, in connection with an investigation into street violence and drug trafficking in the city's outer borough. Shmurda, whose real name is Ackquille Pollard, was taken into custody by investigators

University of Utah Researchers Work Toward Cure For Ebola Strains

Scientists Spot Drugs That Could Treat Ebola

Scientists have identified 53 existing drugs that could be effective in fighting Ebola, according to newly published research that came from screening drug compounds already available to see if they can treat the deadly disease

Uber

Uber Promises to Make Rides Safer

Uber outlined various steps it is taking to make the popular ride-sharing app more secure, following multiple highly publicized incidents of driver misconduct that have put the company under fire in the U.S. and abroad

Stephen Collins in Beverly Hills in 2010.

Stephen Collins Confesses to Child Molestation

Actor Stephen Collins has admitted to inappropriate sexual contact with three female minors in a statement to People. "Forty years ago, I did something terribly wrong that I deeply regret," Collins said