Source: Hackers send new message to Sony  —  The hackers behind a devastating cyberattack at Sony Pictures have sent a new message to executives at the company, crediting them for a “very wise” decision to cancel the Christmas day release of “The Interview,” a source close to the company told CNN.

SEE IT: NYPD plainclothes officer delivers body blows to youth as he's being cuffed, Internal Affairs investigating  —  'I can't believe he just did that after everything that's happened' a witness says as the boy is punched repeatedly while three NYPD officers try to subdue and cuff him in an incident caught on video.

Obama's options on Cuba end at embargo  —  WASHINGTON — President Obama's steps toward normalizing relations with Cuba don't alter two key facts: Only Congress can overturn the law barring widespread commerce with Cuba, and there's almost no chance that will happen anytime soon.

The Unidentified Queen of Torture  —  For the past eight months, there has been a furious battle raging behind closed doors at the White House, the C.I.A., and in Congress.  The question has been whether the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence would be allowed to use pseudonyms as a means …

GOP goes on K Street hiring spree  —  Lobbyists can come home again.  —  As Republicans take control of Congress, they are bringing in veteran influence peddlers to help them run the show.  Nearly a dozen veteran K Streeters have been named as top staffers to GOP leaders or on key committees …

Putin's Bubble Bursts  —  If you're the type who finds macho posturing impressive, Vladimir Putin is your kind of guy.  Sure enough, many American conservatives seem to have an embarrassing crush on the swaggering strongman.  “That is what you call a leader,” enthused Rudy Giuliani …

Woman Seeks Trademark For “I Can't Breathe,” Dying New York Man's Final Words  —  Buster  —  An Illinois woman is seeking to trademark the dying last words of the New York City man who gasped “I can't breathe” while being arrested by NYPD cops for selling loose cigarettes.

Dog shoots man: Accidental shooting injures man  —  SHERIDAN — The Johnson County Sheriff's Office has released its findings on the shooting of a man Monday on Murphy Gulch Road.  —  Sheriff Steve Kozisek said Richard L. Fipps, 46, of Sheridan had driven to Murphy Gulch Road with two employees to move a vehicle that had become stuck.

Nebraska and Oklahoma Sue Colorado Over Marijuana Law  —  DENVER — Two heartland states filed the first major court challenge to marijuana legalization on Thursday, saying that Colorado's growing array of state-regulated recreational marijuana shops was piping marijuana into neighboring states and should be shut down.

Bush officials gave CIA wide latitude  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — In July 2004, despite growing internal concerns about the CIA's brutal interrogation methods, senior members of George W. Bush's national security team gave the agency permission to employ the harsh tactics against an al Qaida facilitator …

A Model Senator  —  “In any election,” Tom Coburn often says, “you should vote for the candidate who will give up the most if they win.”  All things being equal, we should prefer politicians who have accomplished something in their lives beyond government work—and who are willing to sacrifice it …

COLORADO GIVES $3 MILLION IN CASE OF INMATE WHO DIED AS GUARDS LAUGHED  —  com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DLqdLDLiyiwQ%26ytsessi on%3DHPxQw_ X43hfvX20V0y8giMOaVcPT6EJu8d8rlPp4pIwDh I1Zx1b4q54PL65woN160nGcZLIhzJIuzc3iyyzA2 O3CcCWHfpHu_ eZG9MI8tgMQ4erlmiyd7ixbzfzyN7G8VOp5hYsb 50GUfRvAXpPJ3P0dxv- kqWeRUzHREzXQCLQ3lDUvk6vaN7I …

Carly Fiorina Hiring for Presidential Campaign  —  Despite her improving political skills, the California businesswoman would be an underdog in a likely all-male GOP field.  —  Carly Fiorina is laying the groundwork for what one ally says is an “imminent” presidential campaign—one that could launch as early as next month.

Rep. Blake Farenthold Joked Online About Drinking And Hitting On Women  —  WASHINGTON — Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas), who is being sued by a former employee for sexual harassment, wrote posts about alcohol and female travelers on an online forum geared toward frequent fliers.