Behind a terror attack at a sydney cafe. Australias Prime Minister speaking out. Good morning, everyone. Welcome to early start. Im john berman. It is wednesday, december 17th. 5 00 a. M. In the east. Christine romans is off this morning. Breaking overnight, premiere cancelled. New fears overwhelm the industry. The entertainment chain announced that the World Premiere of the interview has been called off. It had been set for tomorrow. This follows a new warning from the group behind the huge cyberattack on sony. They call themselves the guardians of peace. They threatened unspecified violence at theaters that show the the interview. Its a film about an attempt to assassinate north Korean Leader kim jongun. Now despite the premiere cancel las vegas, a person close to theization tells cnn that so far sony has no plans to pull the film, pull the interview altogether. Cnns pamela brown with latest from washington. Pamela. Well, john, this morning, the fbi is investigating a threatening message reportedly from the sony hackers promising a bitter fate to anyone who sees the controversial comedy the interview set to release on Christmas Day. The message says that soon the world will see what an awful movie Sony Entertainment has made. The word is full of fear. Remember the upset in september 2001. We know that Homeland Security is assessing the threats credibility. Officials say they are looking into this similar to how they would investigate a bomb threat. But at this point theres new new intelligence indicating threats against theaters in the u. S. In the wake of the threats, the stars of the comedy seth rogen and james franco have actually pulled out of public appearances. The strong suspicion is that north korea is the instigator of the hack and possibly outsourced it elsewhere as retaliation for the movie. This morning, sony is trying to gather enough evidence to be able to definitively point the finger at the hacker. John, these investigations are complex and nuanced. It could be some time before we know for sure. This story has implications in washington, here in new york, with the hollywood Entertainment Industry reeling right now. And in japan, which is where the sony Corporate Headquarters are housed. Japan has a long tense relationship with north korea. And the release of this film the interview has helped to fuel that. Lets go to will ripley. He joins us from tokyo. Will, what are we learning about how this film was approved in the first place . Well, thats a good question, john. Thats a question that sony executives may actually have to answer to the japanese government because insiders here in tokyo are telling us that there undoubtedly will be meeting between sonys top executives and many of the top lawmakers here who want to know why the Japanese Company, the Parent Company of sony aloud this incendiary film. And the timing couldnt be worse for this, john. This week happens to be the threeyear anniversary of kim jonguns reign. The threeyear anniversary of his fathers unexpected passing. He ascended to power. The company is not only mourning the loss of the previous leader but celebrating the reign of kim jongun. So the fact that theres a Japanese Company thats essentially bank rolling this american movie featuring a graphic scene showing the assassination of the japanese leader. Hes held up high. From a few months ago, john, a lot of people are asking how could this have happened. And will, youve uncovered news overnight how the ceo is dealing with this. The ceo, michael lynton, actually met with officials from the Rand Corporation to vet this film . Yeah, hes on board of directors. But he asked them to take a look at the film. It appears that sony executives were becoming more and more uncomfortable with the contents. He had them write up a detailed memory. This film would not be received well in north korea or japan one, because, that kind of comedy doesnt translate well. And frankly, people in this part of the world with the geopolitical in play wouldnt find the subject funny. This is not bad news for sony, there is more, were talking more, Christina Alesci is here with that. The companys legal troubles started today. Two employees filed a lawsuit against sony for failing to protect their personal information in Social Security numbers, medical information an pay data. Heres the problem for sony. They say sony was hacked before, yet, still failed to protect its networks. The former employees are asking the court to make the lawsuit a class action so other employees could join in. That could get really expensive for season nah. Sony shares are down 9 since the attack kurd at the end of november. Remember, the stock market has been down in recent days, so this may not be tied to the hack specifically. The stock is still up 14 this year. And the market may not get too down on sony because the hack only affected sony picture which is accounts for 10 of the companys sales. But there are longterm questions about alisters not wanting to work for sony after embarrassing emails were released. People do say, based on reports ive read, that this lawsuit could actually result in sony paying out significant claims. When customers have tried to sue companies because their personal information have been released publicly, they have not been successful. But theres a greater onus if its your employees information, it turns out. This is now grounds in terms of lawsuits. And this is something that other companies are going to be paying attention to, maybe causing them to beef up their own security. Thanks. North korea is asking the United NationsSecurity Council to add torture by the cia to its agenda to its meeting next week. Pyongyang called the cias harsh interrogation techniques brutal and inhumane. The Security Council is also discussing north koreas resolution. And called to be brought before court for crimes against humanity. And funerals have begun in pakistan for the 145 people murdered in the horrific attack by the pakistani taliban. That number includes 132 students under the age of 16. Children who died in this attack. They were slaughtered by these terrorists. Cnns Michelle Stockman live for us in islamabad. Good morning, michelle. Thats right, john. This is a country that has just been shocked. This is a city, peshawar, that is paralyzed with grief. And a nation that has so much political division, that today is trying to show a united front. Weve been addressed by the Prime Minister who has said that this attack is blowback from the success of the militarys operations against the taliban in their strongholds in the northwestern areas of the country, the tribal areas where they are known to congregate and to launch attacks from those areas. The military chief is traveling today to kabul to meet with the afghan president. Now, there has been a significant warning in relations between these two countries after the election of the afghan president. In his remarks, the Prime Minister said theyve turned a new page, not only a new page, bus but a new book. So theyve asked to launch operations along this border area. And its strongly implied through its comments todayed that its likely that this attack originated in afghanistan, perhaps directed from afghanistan. We know with the ttp they were in indirect contact with militants in the school telling them who to target. Looking ahead to the response of the nation its likely to be an International Effort to try to root out those responsible. Michelle stockman, thank you so much. We have new information about the terror attack in sydney. It does appear, at least according to some sources that the gunman who sieged that attack, led to the deaths of two people. Theres some report that he had a gun license and had fallen off the australia watch list. And the Prime Minister is vowing to find out why and how this happened and make sure it doesnt happen again. Listen. I will not rest until i am confident that you are as safe as any government can possibly make you. Lets go live to sydney this morning. Cnns Andrew Stevens is there. Andrew, whats the latest . Well, tony abbott, john, has put a lot of credibility in his domestic policies on securing australia from terrorism. And hes introduced some of the toughest measures weve seen anywhere in the world, antiterror measures. And so for this to happen on his watch, he says hes determined to get to the bottom of it. When you consider, there does seem to be a fail of the system. Given the fact that this is a man who did have a criminal record. Who was facing multiple charges, accessory to murder and also found guilty of sending poison pen letters to the parents of the deceased. Yet, he could carry a gun australia has very tough gun laws as well. He could carry a gun into a cafe into the heart of sydney. And we all know what happened after that. So tony abbott really pushing hard on this investigation. Also, john, ill step out of the frame for the moment, the scene behind me. This is just a short distance away from the Lindt Chocolate cafe where the assault took place and the death of two victims. And this evergrowing sea of flowers is a tribute to those victims. Theyve been coming here in house to for the past two days to show their solidarity, to show their respect. And to grieve together the loss of those two lives. And certainly, when you see this, it is a mark of just how sydney is pulling together in the wake of this tragedy, john. This scene is likely to continue for another 24, 48 hours at least, people tell me. In fact, theres a lot of people now talking about making this area of sydney, certainly, which would make it a permanent memorial to those two who lost their lives in that sea. Andrew stevens for us in sydney. Thanks so much. Some news in domestic front break overnight, president obama signed a huge 1. 1 trillion spending bill that will keep the federal government rolling for months. It does keep obamacare funded for the length of this deal. Now the department of Homeland Security will only be funded until february which sets up a showdown over the president s executive action on immigration. A federal judge in pennsylvania has ruled that the president s actions on immigration are unconstitutional. Judge Arthur Schwab said that the president violated the policy. 13 minutes after the hour. Wet weather ahead in the south and northeast. We want to go to meteorologist Pedram Javaheri for an early look at the forecast. Pedram. Good wednesday morning to you. Lets talk about whats happening around the northeast. Fog starts your morning in new york. Visibility down to two miles on into new york and boston, thats where the wet weather is sticking around for the next day or so. North of boston decent snow accumulations. Big story in the gulf states, but the next couple of days pretty active all the way from new orleans as we head into friday. And it could potentially be a noreaster in this portion of country but it looks like it will steer offshore the forecast for the next couple days for the northeast should be light rainfall for areas like boston. Gusty winds half an inch in the forecast. One to two inches of snowfall in southern portions of maine. And up into the north, 4 inches. Jackson, mississippi, they do have several inches of rain in their forecast. A soggy next couple of days in the south. 14 minutes after the hour. A familys fury. Their loved ones shot and killed by police while carrying a pellet gun that was for sale inside a walmart. That family now filing a lawsuit after a grand jury does not indict the officers involved. That story is ahead. The mercedesbenz winter event is back, with the perfect vehicle thats just right for you, no matter which list youre on. [ho, ho, ho, ho] lease the 2015 ml 350 for 579 a month at your local mercedesbenz dealer. Ive had moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis most my life. But that hasnt stopped me from modeling. My doctor told me about stelara®. It helps keep my skin clearer. With only 4 doses a year after 2 starter doses. Stelara® helps me be in season. 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The family of a man fatally shot by Police Officers in an ohio walmart is suing the retail giant also police. John crawfords family filed a wrongful death suit after he was shot and killed by police as he held a bb gun. You can see on the video right there. A grand jury in september decided not to indict any of the officers involved in the incident. Walmart is not commenting on the specifics of the case but did release a statement saying, out of respect for everyone involved we believe its not appropriate to discuss this had matter but we can say that the family acted properly. The family says they want justice for crawfords death. The first thing to do in this ace country this great is to make sure we hold accountable everybody for their actions. Whether youre the police or not. Whether youre a Corporate Giant like walmart, we all as citizens, corporate citizens, governmental citizens, owe it to each other, to make sure we treat each other with the respect, the care, the dignity, that we all deserve. The Beaver Creek Police Department also released a statement saying, quote, we acknowledge the familys right to bring this action and are confident the trial will be fair and impartial. We believe the evidence will prove the officers actions were legally justed. The city of los angeles is buying 7,000 body cameras for evers as a way to increase transparency. The mayor of los angeles calls the cameras a critical part of the formula to regain the Publics Trust in police. More than 1 million raised through private donations will help pay for these cameras. The new york city Police Department is offering a 12,000 reward for information lead to get arrest of seven demonstrators who clashed with officers on the Brooklyn Bridge during protests last saturday. A video posted to youtube shows an assault against two new york police lieutenants. Both officers were badly bruised and one suffered a broken nose. The manhunt for a suspected mass murderer in pennsylvania is over this morning. The body of iraq war veteran Bradley William stone was discovered in the woods near his home north of philadelphia. Officials say the exmarine appears to have died from selfinflicted knife wounds. Stone was involved in a bitter custody battle with his exwife. Hes suspected of killing her and five relatives. Prosecutors in los angeles will not file child sex abuse charges against bill cosby. The decision comes just ten days after alleged victim judy huth met with los angeles detectives. She has filed a civil suit against cosby claiming he forced her to perform a sex act on him in 1974 when she was just 15 years old. Cosbys attorneys claim huth tried to extort 250,000 before filing the suit. Cosbys daughter evin is defending her father. Releasing a statement to access hollywood saying he is the father you thought you knew. The cosby show was my todays tv reality show. Thank you. Thats all id like to say. Nfl players with veterans the after the Impact Program is held at ann arbor, michigan. It provides intense treatment for concussions and mild traumatic brain injury. The Players Association said that 28 of its players could suffer from mild brain. Futures are up in the markets, futures are up but who nose what will happen in this wild market. Take yesterday, for example, it was a very volatile day. The dow closed down 109 points now down a record 12 and fell for six of the last trading days. Investors are looking at one of the key facts, one the rubl is in trouble. And its currency is plunging against the dollar. And the Federal Reserve may hint at an Interest Rate hike today. And three, the biggest one, as i say, crude oil is 55 a barrel right now. Its so crazy. You think about it, its a fiveyear low. Down almost 50 from the superpeak. That is causing big concerns about Global Growth around the world. Of course, oil is tied to production. Its tied to business activity. Its tied to consumer demand. So the demand for oil is low, it kind of says something about the health of those economies and how economies in europe and asia may not be as healthy as some people started thinking at the beginning of the year. Great news for drivers, but, man, the markets are rattled. We took a road trip this weekend, it was like one gas station after another, wow, wow, lets get gas here. Its so cheap. 22 minutes after the hour. A matchup of unlikely nba powers. The Golden State Warriors with their 16game win streak on the line against the memphis grizzlies. Who came out on top, andy scholes w