In the Nation

NEW YORK

Sony gamer network remains offline

Microsoft's Xbox Live and Sony PlayStation Network, Internet services that video gamers use to play online, were hit by connection failures Christmas Day. The hackers Lizard Squad claimed responsibility. Service was restored Friday for Xbox users, while the PlayStation Network remained offline. Sony said its engineers were "working hard to resolve the network issues."

Hackers attacked the video-game networks the same day The Interview was released online. Major U.S. theaters had decided not to show the movie after hacking incidents at Sony's TV and film unit last month.

Another group, Guardians of Peace, claimed responsibility for infiltrating Sony Pictures Entertainment's servers, destroying data, exposing Hollywood secrets, and forcing the movie studio to cancel the release of the comedy. That group and Lizard Squad had threatened further disruptions Christmas Day. - Bloomberg

FLORIDA

Ship worker's body

The body of a missing cruise ship worker, Cliford B. Minej of Thane, India, has washed up on a beach in Clearwater, Fla., authorities say.

Police believe Minej, 27, who had worked on a Holland America Line cruise ship that came to port Sunday in Tampa, jumped or fell off the ship last week near Egmont Key. The Coast Guard had been searching Tampa Bay-area waters when the body was found Friday morning. Clearwater is about 20 miles away. - AP

NEVADA

Kid-friendly waste

Near Reno, the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District began using a unique, not to mention environmentally sustainable, method of recycling: goats, and they're eating Christmas trees. Pine needles and all. The goal, firefighters say, is to keep the trees out of the landfill and to reduce illegal dumping, as well as eliminate what might otherwise be a fire danger. - AP