Scott Newman

The country's government says attacks by militant groups are less about religion and more about where the groups operate.

In his post, Trump wished a, quote, Merry Christmas to all, including the dead terrorists.

Scott Newman, NPR News, Washington.

In its monthly report on existing home sales, the National Association of Realtors said in November home sales increased 0.5% for a seasonally adjusted rate of 4.13 million homes.

Sales increased in the Northeast and South, but showed no change in the West and actually fell a bit in the Midwest.

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yoon said the increase in sales could be explained by lower mortgage rates, while a decrease in the number of unsold units could

was likely due to homeowners holding off listing their homes for sale during the winter.

The NAR says the median home price in the U.S.

is at just under $410,000.

Scott Newman, NPR News, Washington.

Aaron Zelen, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, says the Islamic State has been severely weakened since its peak a decade ago, when it controlled vast territory across Iraq and Syria and carried out brutal killings broadcast on social media.

But he says ISIS has continued to use social media to incite and encourage attacks in the West.

Last year, the Pentagon estimated that the Islamic State still had 2,500 fighters in Syria and Iraq.

Scott Newman, NPR News, Washington.

The monthly figures from the National Association of Realtors show a varied picture nationwide, with sales up in the Midwest and South where prices are lowest.

Sales were flat in the Northeast and actually fell in the West, the region where homes are most expensive.

Overall, the median price for a home was $415,200 in October, and year-on-year sales of existing homes were up 1.7%.

The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage in October was 6.25%.

About 9 out of 10 sales in the U.S.

are of existing homes, not new builds.