1. North Korea denies hacking Sony Pictures, but gives the perpetrators an attaboy
North Korea on Sunday denied responsibility for hacking the computers of Sony Pictures but appeared to relish the cyberattack that crippled the computer systems of the Hollywood company, which is set to release a comedy involving an assassination attempt of its leader, Kim Jong Un. Sony Pictures is producing “a film abetting a terrorist act while hurting the dignity of the supreme leadership,” a spokesman of the National Defense Commission, Kim’s top governing agency in Pyongyang, was quoted as saying by the North’s Korean Central News Agency. The spokesman said North Korea did not know why Sony was targeted, but he speculated that the attack “might be a righteous deed of the supporters and sympathizers with” North Korea. A hacking attack last month shut down the computer systems of Sony Pictures and exposed a trove of internal data, including salary figures. North Korea has since emerged as a possible suspect because it has been criticizing Sony Pictures for producing “The Interview,” a comedy starring Seth Rogen and James Franco that involves a plot to assassinate Kim. North Korea saw no humor there.
2. FishBrain’s algorithm reveals anglers’ path to glory
The sport of fishing may be about to experience its biggest revolution since the 1920s, thanks to an app developed by Swedish startup FishBrain. Relying on the average piscator’s impulse to brag about a catch, FishBrain uses shared photos of fish to generate big data. The company says it has now logged enough data to predict when and where fish will bite. Recreational fishing is one of the world’s most practiced hobbies. In the United States, anglers spend $48 billion annually on bait, tackle, gear, and trips, according to the American Sportfishing Association. The big-data version of the app became available on Android last week and on iOS this week. Algorithms predict where to find nine species, including northern pike, largemouth bass, and spotted sea trout.
3. Brazil to indict key figures in oil company graft scandal
Brazil’s prosecutor general said during the weekend that he was preparing to indict at least 11 executives from the country’s largest construction companies on charges including bribery and money laundering in connection with a graft scandal roiling Brazil’s oil industry and the government of President Dilma Rousseff. In pressing ahead with the case, Rodrigo Janot, the prosecutor general, is opening the way for a trial that would focus scrutiny on growing testimony about a web of illicit dealings between former executives at Petrobras, the state-controlled oil company, powerful contractors, and political figures in Rousseff’s government.
4. Chinese exports go tumbling down during November
China’s export growth tumbled in November and imports contracted unexpectedly in a new sign of weakness in the world’s second-largest economy. Exports rose by a weaker-than-expected 4.7 percent, down from October’s 10.6 percent, trade data showed Monday. Imports were forecast to post a small increase but instead contracted by 6.7 percent from a year earlier. China’s economic growth slowed to a five-year low of 7.3 percent in the latest quarter. The ruling Communist Party is trying to cool growth to a more sustainable level.
5. Japan’s economy in worse shape than originally thought
The contraction in Japan’s economy last quarter was larger than initially estimated, according to figures released Monday that confirmed a recession ahead of an election on Sunday. The world’s third-biggest economy shrank an annualized 1.9 percent in the July-September quarter compared with the initial estimate of a 1.6 percent contraction. A sales tax hike to 8 percent from 5 percent on April 1 is the main reason why the economy has faltered after recovering from the last recession in late 2012.
6. Greek Parliament passes 2015 budget
Greece’s Parliament passed the 2015 budget which projects a narrowing deficit and an economic growth rate of 2.9 percent. The budget passed early Monday on a vote of 155 to 134, with one deputy voting ‘‘present.’’ The budget’s approval, coming at the end of a five-day debate, was expected. One independent lawmaker, formerly of the Democratic Left party, joined members of the government coalition in supporting the budget. The budget forecasts that the Greek economy will grow at a rate of 2.9 percent in 2015. The budget projects Greece’s primary surplus — which excludes interest payments on outstanding debt — will be 3 percent of its Gross Domestic Product, but Greece’s creditors anticipate a lower surplus. The budget sees the deficit narrowing to 0.2 percent of GDP next year, down from 1.3 percent this year.