Vladimir Putin: Is it the Economy, Stupid?

Declining oil prices and economic sanctions because of Ukraine have Russia's economy close to recession. Vladimir Putin today reassured Russians about the economy and suggested the possible deployment of nuclear weapons in Crimea.

Also, the US plans to sue New York over civil rights abuses at Rikers Island, and after threats of violence, Sony Pictures has cancelled showings of its comedy about the assassination of North Korea's dictator Kim Jong Un. Did Sony acquiesce to terrorism as a business necessity?

Photo: Customers inspect kitchen electronic utensils at a store in Stavropol, southern Russia, December 17, 2014. (Eduard Korniyenko/Reuters)