National

U.S. Abstains On U.N. Security Council Vote Condemning Israeli Settlements

4:49pm December 23, 2016

by Michele Kelemen

The U.S. broke from previous practice and allowed the United Nations Security Council to pass a resolution condemning Israeli settlements. It's a heated political point drawing criticism by Israel of the Obama administration, which sees settlements as a hindrance to peace efforts.

Sgt. Nathaniel Rivet will deploy for his third time after a visit home for the holidays.

National

In Preparation For The Holidays, Some Troops Start Packing For Deployment

4:49pm December 23, 2016

by Jay Price

Army Sgt. Nathaniel Rivet is one of 1,700 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division's Second Brigade Combat Team who will soon be leaving for Northern Iraq.

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European Banks Reach Multi-Billion Dollar Settlement Over Toxic Mortgages

4:49pm December 23, 2016

by John Ydstie

In the waning days of the Obama administration, two European banks, Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse, agreed to multi-billion dollar settlements with U.S. authorities for selling toxic mortgages prior to the financial crisis. The combined payouts will be approximately $12.5 billion. A third bank, Barclays, balked at a deal and is being sued by the Justice Department.

Encore: An Elf Questions Santa's Naughty Or Nice System

4:49pm December 23, 2016

An elf, tasked with deciding which children are naughty or nice, begins to question Santa's system.

A Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 F-35B Lightning II prepares to make a vertical landing in Yuma, Ariz., in 2013. President-elect Donald Trump asked Boeing to price a version of one of its fighter jets to be competitive with Lockheed Martin's F-35 airc

Amid Trump Defense Spending Statements, His Plans Are Unclear

4:14pm December 23, 2016

by Philip Ewing

As President-elect Donald Trump tweets about expanding nuclear security and the cost of combat aircraft, some wonder whether his hardball posts are just "Art of the Deal" tactics to help the Pentagon.

CIA Director John Brennan at CIA Headquarters on Thursday.

Transcript: NPR's Interview With CIA Director John Brennan

4:09pm December 23, 2016

by NPR Staff

In a wide-ranging interview, NPR's Mary Louise Kelly asks CIA director John Brennan about the incoming Trump administration, Russian interference in the U.S. election and the future of Syria.

A photo released by the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office shows Gary Eugene Holmes. The U.S. Marshals Service said Holmes, accused of fatally shooting a 3-year-old boy in Little Rock last Saturday, was arrested Thursday.

National

Police Arrest Suspect In Toddler's Road-Rage Death In Arkansas

3:23pm December 23, 2016

by Bill Chappell

The arrest comes nearly one week after the boy, Acen King, was shot while on a shopping trip with his grandmother.

National

CIA Chief Brennan Weighs In On Russian Hacking, Retaliation And Donald Trump

3:03pm December 23, 2016

CIA Director John Brennan talks to NPR's Mary Louise Kelly about Russian cyber-intrusions. Brennan warns against in-kind retaliation by the U.S. government for Russian hacking during the election.

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A view of Deutsche Bank's corporate headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany.

DOJ's Big Bank Settlements Remove Potential Conflict Of Interest For Trump

2:13pm December 23, 2016

by Chris Arnold

Regulators reached a $7.2 billion deal with Deutsche Bank over toxic mortgage securities. President-elect Donald Trump owes the bank hundreds of millions. Credit Suisse agreed to pay $5.3 billion.

Rambo the alligator often wears clothes — partly because he's very sensitive to sunlight, according to his owner, Mary Thorn.

National

Florida Woman Gets OK To Keep Rambo, Her Clothes-Wearing Gator

2:08pm December 23, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

Mary Thorn's beloved trained alligator — a rescue animal she says is sensitive to sunlight, hence the outfits — had grown too big for her property, the state said. But she asked for an exception.