Dua-Lisa Kautel

NPR's Tamara Keith reports the action was taken in cooperation with the Nigerian government.

Nigeria's foreign ministry said it provided the U.S.

with intelligence on ISIS extremists ahead of the Christmas Day strikes, but said it is not to do with religion.

It is protecting Nigerians and innocent lives.

The White House says more than 300,000 federal employees will be out of the government by year's end.

And Piers Andrea Hsu reports that's more than double the average of the past five years.

In January, more accurate numbers will be released about the biggest holiday spending.

But

NPR's retail correspondent Alina Selyuk says so far, all signs point to a surprisingly big year considering all the tariffs.

She adds, so far, it's been growing wages fueling much of the shopping.

But one big thing to watch in the New Year's is the job market.

This is NPR News from New York.

China has announced sanctions on several American defense companies over arms sales to Taiwan.

Ashish Valentine reports any assets these companies have in China will be frozen and Chinese companies are forbidden from doing business with them.

The sanctions hit Northrop Grumman

Boeing's branch in St.

Louis, and several other companies.

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un announced an increase in its production of missiles and artillery shells while visiting factories in his country's South Hamgyong province.

This is according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, or KCNA.

and is not independently verified.