Factor here is the restoration of calm and direct dialogue. What we need now is on all sides in this matter, cool heads and really a Calm Approach to this. Yes . Thank you, martin. There are some reports that the leader of the radical opposition on the ukraine called for leader of chechen terrorists to support ukrainian opposition against russia. Does the Secretary General have anything to say on this development . Look, there are all kinds of reports, some more credible than others. Floating about in cyberspace. And i think that we continue to monitor these developments closely. Were aware of various reports
but were not going to comment on every individual one that pops up like that. Yes . One followup. This is official. The governor of belgrade region in russia reported that there ar are thousands of ukraine fleeing into this region of russia. Does the Secretary General plan to discuss this issue with Vladimir Putinputin, maybe some support for the refugees from the United Nations .
Minutes. So when that statement comes, well, of course bring it to you. And of course all of this ongoing in sydney as it comes up on 6 00 local time. This siege going on now for more than eight hours. Im john vause at the cnn center in atlanta. And im natalie allen. We have been with you for several hours, and we will push on as this situation in australia continues. It is breaking news of a siege there in a coffee shop that has been ongoing. A gunman Holding People hostage at the lindt coffee shop in downtown sydney. Sky news has just informed us that the gunman is calling himself the brother, and has contacted a Radio Station and two tv stations via hostages
with demands, a conversation with the Prime Minister and an isil flag. We do know five people have managed to get out. Three men were seen running out two hours ago. Two of them were customers. The man in the blue jacket, the man in the white zirs and a few moments later there was a man wearing an apron who appeared to be a work
That we seize it. My presidency is entering the Fourth Quarter. Interesting stuff happens in the Fourth Quarter. And im looking forward to it. Going into the Fourth Quarter, you usually get a timeout. Im now looking forward to a quiet timeout. Christmas with my family. I want to wish everybody a measure wrimerry christmas, a happy hanukkah, a happy new year. I hope that all of you get time to spend with your families as well because one thing that we share is that were away too much from them. And now, josh has given me the whos been naughty and whos been nice list and im going to take some questions. Reporter thank you, mr. President. Starting with north korea since
that seems to be the biggest topic today, what does a proportional response look like to the sony hack . And did sony make the right decision in pulling the movie or does that set a dangerous precedent . Let me address the second question first. Sony is a corporation. It suffered significant damage. There were threats agai
Raul castro, the president of cuba will also give a News Conference in his country that will happen at noon eastern time. Of course cnn will continue to follow this breaking news throughout the day. Thank you for joining me today, im carol kos toll low. this hour with berman and michaela starts now. Hello, everyone. Im john berman. And. And im michaela pereira. History is being made at this hour after more than a half century of tension and diplomat diplomatic silence between the u. S. Its releasing alan gross from prison after five years. A series of genuinely breathtaking developments. Cuba is also releasing a u. S. Intelligence asset, a spy, whos been locked up in cuba for more than 20 years. In Return Washington is freeing three cuban spies convicted in 2001 of espionage. That is big in and of itself. It all seems part now of something much, much bigger. President obama will announce major changes in u. S. Policy toward cuba. Officials calling them the most sweeping changes since t
This is not an ordinary time and this is not an ordinary election. We are going to be choosing a president who will set policy for not just four or eight years, but some of the important decisions we have to make at home and around the world to energy and so much else. So there is a lot at stake. Its one of the most consequential elections we had. Thats why i tried to put forth specific policies and plans. Try to get it off of the personal and put it on to what it is on i want to do as president. Thats why i hope people will check on that for themselves. So they can see that yes, i spent 30 years, actually a little more, working to help kids and families and i want to take that experience to the white house and do that every single day. Mr. Trump . Well, i consider her statement about my children to be a very nice compliment. I dont know if it was meant to be a compliment, but im proud of my children. They have done a wonderful job and they have been wonderful kids. I consider that a c