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Erik Prince, the chairman of the private security company, Blackwater USA, has rejected allegations that his employees have acted inappropriately in Iraq and Afghanistan. The FBI is investigating Blackwater personnel for their role in a shooting two weeks ago that left 11 Iraqis dead.

American Red Cross President Marsha Evans announces she is stepping down from her post, effective at the end of December. During her tenure, the charity faced criticism over its response to Hurricane Katrina. Evans characterizes her departure as a long-planned retirement, though others at the agency cite problems with communication and coordination.

Pope Benedict XIV meets behind closed doors with at least two victims of the clergy sex-abuse scandal. The meeting took place after the public Mass on Thursday in Washington, D.C.

Before leaving for Thanksgiving break on Friday, Congress fought along party lines about a farm bill and funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as presidential vetoes loomed.

Actors who are members of SAG-AFTRA called for a work stoppage against the big studios. NPR's A Martinez talks with Ben Whitehair, the union's executive vice president, about the strike.

Recovery efforts in Dujiangyan, China are also focused on hydropower dams around the ancient city. The epicenter of last week's massive earthquake was near the huge Zipingpu dam, cracking its walls. Officials say Zipingpu is structurally safe and are releasing water to decrease pressure. Scientists warn that if the dam fails, the destruction would be even greater than the quake. NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with NPR's Melissa Block.

China is testing a new plan to make it easier for citizens do business, but also to help them trust each other more. It's called the social credit score.

Local governments in Fort Erie, Niagara-on-the-Lake and others could soon cease to exist under a proposed municipal amalgamation plan.

LifeKit offers tips on how to barter -- exchanging things that both parties want.

The company's Claude chatbot is one of the few AI systems cleared for use in classified settings. But a standoff between Anthropic and the Trump administration is putting its government work at risk.