VENTURE CAPITAL POST

Swiss banks are criticized for sharing banking data with the CIA, sparking debate over privacy rights and law enforcement needs, while Switzerland's Finance Minister defends the decision.

The CIA reportedly prevented federal authorities from interviewing Kevin Morris, who is known as Hunter Biden's associate, during a five-year investigation into his taxes.

Sony Pictures (6758.T) said "The Interview" has earned more than $15 million in online sales and another $2.8 million in theaters, an impressive return made possible by the publicity surrounding the cyberattack blamed on North Korea.

"The Interview," the Sony Pictures film about a fictional plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, opened in more than 300 movie theaters across the United States on Christmas Day, drawing many sell-out audiences and statements by patrons that they were championing freedom of expression.

CIA's former Chief Technology Officer Gus Hunt will be foraying into the venture capital space to serve as an advisor to investment firm Artis Ventures, VentureBeat reported.

A US SEC filing by big data company Palantir revealed that it was set to do a USD57.5 million fundraising three months after it had raised USD195.5 million in an earlier funding round.