Major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by moving our economy for 160 years. Bnsf, the engine that connects us. Xq institute. Lincoln financial committed to helping you take charge of your financial future. The ford foundation. Working with visionaries on the frontlines of social change worldwide. And with the ongoing support of these institutions and friends of the newshour. This program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. And by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. Thank you. Sreenivasan russian president Vladimir Putin today slammed u. S. Sanctions and the expulsion of Russian Diplomats over electionhacking attacks. But, he said, moscow will not toss out u. S. Diplomats. Instead, he invited the children of american diplomats to holiday parties at the kremlin. And, in a statement, he said russia will plan further steps to restore relations, based on the policies of the Trump Administration. Later, the president elect tweeted