10 things you need to know today: December 18, 2014

1. Obama announces historic diplomatic thaw with Cuba

The U.S. and Cuba announced Wednesday that they would reestablish diplomatic relations after a half-century rift that began in the Cold War. "Isolation has not worked," Obama said. "It's time for a new approach." The decision followed 18 months of secret talks, and Cuba's Wednesday release of U.S. aid contractor Alan Gross, who had been held by the communist Caribbean government for five years. Conservatives in Congress vowed to fight the easing of sanctions. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said the rapprochement amounted to "coddling dictators."

The Washington Post Fox News

2. Judge vacates conviction of boy executed in 1944

A judge has thrown out the conviction of a 14-year-old African-American boy named George Stinney who was executed 70 years ago for allegedly killing two white girls. Stinney, the youngest person executed in the U.S. since the 19th century, was convicted in 10 minutes by 12 white jurors after a three-hour trial in which no witness or evidence was presented in his defense. Circuit Judge Carmen Tevis Mullen said his confession was likely coerced and his trial was unfair. "I can think of no greater injustice," Mullen said.

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CNN The Associated Press

3. New York bans fracking

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration announced on Wednesday that it would ban hydraulic fracturing, a controversial natural-gas extraction method also known as fracking. Despite calls by environmentalists for a ban, Cuomo, a Democrat, had put off a decision as he awaited the results of a long-awaited study, which was just completed. The acting state health commissioner, Dr. Howard Zucker, said the research found "significant public health risks" associated with fracking.

The New York Times

4. Stocks surge as the Fed signals patience on raising interest rates

U.S. stocks posted their biggest daily gains of 2014 on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve signaled that it was moving confidently but cautiously toward raising historically low interest rates next year. Fed Chair Janet Yellen said that with the economy picking up but still needing improvement, the central bank would be "patient" and wait "at least a couple of meetings" before pushing interest rates higher, which would mean the hike could come in April or later.

MarketWatch

5. Nigerian soldiers sentenced to die for refusing to fight Boko Haram

A Nigerian army court on Wednesday convicted 54 soldiers of mutiny and cowardice for refusing to fight Boko Haram, and sentenced them to death. The soldiers were members of the Nigerian army's 7th Division, which was ordered in August to retake three towns that had been seized by the Islamist militant group. Many of the African nation's soldiers have complained that they are being sent to fight Boko Haram without adequate weapons and supplies.

Voice of America

6. Jury rejects Montana man's "stand your ground" defense in student's death

A Montana jury on Wednesday convicted Markus Kaarma, 30, for the killing of a 17-year-old exchange student he caught in his garage, rejecting the homeowner's "stand your ground" defense. Kaarma argued that he was only defending himself after a string of burglaries. Prosecutors said he had invited intruders by intentionally leaving his garage door open, then blasted the student — Diren Dede of Germany — with a shotgun when he snuck in on April 27, looking for alcohol.

USA Today

7. Church of England picks its first female bishop

The Church of England on Wednesday named its first female bishop, breaking with a tradition that had been uninterrupted since the church broke with Rome under King Henry VIII five centuries ago. "This is unexpected and very exciting," the newly nominated bishop, the Rev. Libby Lane, said, calling the move "historic." Lane has been a priest for 20 years. Her husband, George, also is a priest — they were one of the first married couples ordained together. She will be consecrated Jan. 26.

The New York Times The Guardian

8. Scientists say inmates might have survived 1962 escape from Alcatraz

Three men who escaped the famous Alcatraz island prison in 1962 might have survived, according to a study released Wednesday by Dutch scientists. Investigators at the time said the prisoners, brothers John and Clarence Anglin and Frank Morris, died trying to cross the cold waters of San Francisco Bay, but their bodies were never found. The scientists, however, found in simulated boat launches that currents might have deposited the men north of the Golden Gate Bridge — instead of sweeping them to their deaths in the Pacific — if they left between 11 p.m. and midnight.

The Associated Press

9. Actor Stephen Collins breaks his silence on abuse allegations

In an interview due for release on ABC News' 20/20 on Friday, 7th Heaven star Stephen Collins admitted to Yahoo Global Anchor Katie Couric that he sexually abused three female children decades ago. The allegations surfaced two months ago with the leak of audio recordings in which Collins tells his ex-wife about the encounters. Collins, who earlier broke his silence in an interview with People magazine, told Couric that the last offense occurred in 1994, and that he had "done everything to address" his transgressions in private, and had "put that stuff behind me."

ABC News

10. Sony Pictures cancels release of film that angered North Korea

Sony Pictures said Wednesday it was canceling the planned Dec. 25 release of the controversial film The Interview as top theater chains balked at showing it. The decisions came after an anonymous threat against anyone screening the film, a comedy that stars Seth Rogan and James Franco, and depicts a plot against North Korea's leader. The group claimed responsibility for a massive computer hacking attack against Sony Pictures. U.S. officials say North Korea was behind the hacking.

Chicago Tribune