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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says Sony Films "made a mistake" in shelving a comedy about a plot to assassinate North Korea's leader. The filmmaker and theaters were threatened by hackers that the government says have been linked to North Korea. Sony later released a statement saying it had no choice in cancelling the Christmas Day release of "The Interview." Obama says the cyberattack caused damage and that the U.S. will respond "in a place and manner and time that we choose."
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — North Korea is denying any connection with the hacking of Sony Films over a new movie that it says has defamed the country's image. U.N. diplomat Kim Song told The Associated Press that his country rejects "The Interview," a satirical film about a plot to assassinate leader Kim Jong Un. But Kim Song says there is "no relation" to the hacking, which the FBI has blamed on the impoverished but nuclear-armed country.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has signed into law a defense policy bill that endorses his plan to expand the military campaign against Islamic State militants. The law authorizes funds for basic military operations. It also includes a 1 percent pay raise for troops and allows the purchase of ships, aircraft and other war-fighting equipment.
SYDNEY (AP) — An Australian woman is in custody for murder in the killings of eight children, seven of whom are believed to be her own. The children were found dead inside the woman's home in northern Australia. Police haven't said how the children died. But they're examining several knives in the home that may have been the weapon used to kill them. The children ranged in age from 18 months to 14 years.
BALTIMORE (AP) — Despite two drunken driving cases in 10 years, Olympic gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps will avoid jail time for pleading guilty to a drunken driving charge. Phelps has been placed on a year's probation. Since his arrest, he has spent 45 days of inpatient treatment and has enrolled in Alcoholics Anonymous. The 18-time gold medalist will not be allowed to drink any alcohol while on probation.
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