National

DHS Wants To Build A Computer System To Help Determine Who Gets To Visit The U.S.

4:23pm December 15, 2017

by Joel Rose

Can a computer tell if you're going to be a productive member of society? Can it tell if you're a terrorist? The Department of Homeland Security is trying to answer these questions. The agency hopes to build a computer system to help determine who gets to visit or immigrate to the U.S., but that idea has some techies worried.

People are seen walking past the "You Are Beautiful" sign, an art installation by Matthew Hoffman, in the Englewood neighborhood on Chicago's South Side. Nearly half of the people in this African-American neighborhood live below the poverty line, and many

Sometimes It Takes A 'Village' To Help Seniors Stay In Their Homes

3:22pm December 15, 2017

by Ina Jaffe

Hundreds of "villages" have been created across the country as a "grass-roots movement on the part of older people who did not want to be patronized, isolated, [or] infantilized."

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Members of the United States Army Special Forces, also known as the Green Berets, look through night vision goggles during a training of Afghanistan Special Forces on Sept. 10, in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

National

U.S. Army Green Berets Accused From Within Of Lowering Standards

1:04pm December 15, 2017

by Tom Bowman

The Green Beret community is in a bitter internal debate over whether standards have been lowered for the U.S. Army elite force.

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Rule Change Could Give Restaurants More Control Over Workers' Tips

12:33pm December 15, 2017

by Scott Horsley

The Trump administration has proposed a new rule that would give owners of restaurants more leeway to redistribute tips received by their employees. Critics say it's too much leeway.

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A truck drives past a closed section of the municipal landfill in Toa Baja, which is near Puerto Rico's capital city of San Juan.

After Maria, Puerto Rico Struggles Under The Weight Of Its Own Garbage

11:15am December 15, 2017

Even before Maria hit, most of the island's landfills were filled beyond capacity and nearly half had EPA closure orders. The storm generated millions of cubic yards of waste and debris.

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Mubin Shaikh: Why Did a Former Extremist Go Undercover To Fight Terrorism?

10:37am December 15, 2017

by NPR/TED Staff

When his childhood friend was connected with a terrorist attack, Mubin Shaikh set out to help combat Islamic extremists--even though he used to be one. So he joined the Canadian Intelligence Service.

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Shoppers fill a Walmart on Thanksgiving day in Bentonville, Ark. Sales in November were up from last year.

Retailers Hope For Strong Holiday Season As November Sales Beat Expectations

8:26am December 15, 2017

by James Doubek

Retail and food sales were up 5.8 percent in November over the same time last year, the Commerce Department said. Retailers are hoping for their best year since before the economic recession.

British Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach salutes an honor guard during during an official welcoming ceremony in Ankara, Turkey in February.

Top British Officer: Russia May Be Able To Cut Undersea Cables

8:25am December 15, 2017

by Scott Neuman

British Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach says the Kremlin's improved naval capabilities pose a risk to communications and Internet cables that would be an economic catastrophe if severed.

President Trump speaks about tax overhaul in the Grand Foyer of the White House on Wednesday. Republican lawmakers say they've reached a deal on their tax bill, but they haven't released details yet.

How The House Tax Overhaul Bill Could Hurt Affordable Housing

8:03am December 15, 2017

by Chris Arnold

Builders of affordable housing say the House Republican tax plan has a poison pill inside it that removes a tax incentive crucial for about half of the affordable housing units that get built.

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National

Cow In Live Nativity Scene Makes A Break For It

6:36am December 15, 2017

Maybe Stormy the cow had stage fright — just couldn't take the pressure — who knows — but she took off not once but twice. The second time she was found on the 4th floor of a parking garage.