Tensions hit French Embassy in C. African Republic

Associated Press Writer Lori Hinnant contributed to this report from Paris.

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U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the armed attacks, saying they "gravely undermine the peace agreements in place and the efforts of the international community to consolidate peace" in the country, U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky said.

The rebel advance began earlier this month, with a push by the Union for the Democratic Forces for Unity, known by its French acronym of UFDR. The group signed an April 13, 2007, peace accord, which paved the way for the fighters to join the regular army, but the group's leaders say the deal was never properly implemented.

The secretary-general welcomed the conclusions of the heads of state summit of the Economic Community of the Central African States in Ndjamena, Chad, on Dec. 21 and urged all parties to abide by the decisions "which provide a basis for a peaceful resolution of the dispute," Nesirky said.

BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) — Angry protesters carrying clubs threw rocks at the French Embassy in Central African Republic on Wednesday, criticizing the former colonial power for failing to do more to stem a rapid rebel advance as fears grew that the insurgents aim to seize the capital.

"We are afraid by what we see happening in our country right now," said Leon Modomale, a civil servant in the capital. "It's as if the rebels are going to arrive in Bangui any moment now because there are too many contradictions in their language."

Rebel Col. Djouma Narkoyo said Wednesday that his forces have continued taking towns in recent days because government forces are attacking their positions. But, he insisted via phone: "Our intention is not to take Bangui. We still remain open to dialogue."

"It's France who colonized us — they should support us until the end. Unfortunately, they have done nothing. In this case, we are merely asking purely and simply that they leave our country," shouted one young demonstrator in front of the French mission in Bangui.

Air France confirmed Wednesday that its once-a-week flight to Bangui turned back because of protests at the French Embassy. The decision was made independently by Air France, and the French government did not make the request, said an airline spokeswoman, who spoke on condition of anonymity because company policy did not authorize her to speak on the record.

The demonstrations began earlier in the day outside the U.S. Embassy before about 100 protesters then took to the French Embassy, carrying pieces of cardboard with messages that read: "No to war! No to France!"

Tensions hit French Embassy in C. African Republic

But many fear that Bangui, a city of about 600,000 people, could be the scene of a battle between government forces and the rebels. The fighters already have seized at least 10 towns, meeting little resistance from soldiers.

The protesters then began stopping cars to verify whether any foreign nationals were inside.

The French foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The U.N. chief appealed to all parties to refrain from any acts of violence against civilian and to respect human rights, he said.

Bangui residents were skeptical of the insurgents' intentions.

U.S. special forces troops have deployed to Central African Republic among other countries in the region in the hunt for Joseph Kony, the fugitive rebel leader of the notorious Lord's Resistance Army.

"These people have taken down the French flag from its pole and removed it," said Serge Mucetti, the French ambassador to Central African Republic. "They have carried out stone-throwing in the area of the embassy and have broken windows. This kind of behavior is unacceptable."

Central African Republic is a desperately poor, landlocked country that has suffered numerous rebellions since independence from France. Despite the nation's wealth of gold, diamonds, timber and uranium, the government remains perpetually cash-strapped.

Memorial to 38 hanged Dakota men unveiled in Minn

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The Dec. 26, 1862, mass hanging marked the end of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, which took place along the Minnesota River valley that fall. Following the war, 1,600 Dakota were held at a camp at Fort Snelling until being sent out of state, and virtually all other Dakota fled Minnesota.

MANKATO, Minn. (AP) — Hundreds of people gathered Wednesday for the unveiling of a memorial to 38 Dakota men who were hanged 150 years ago to the day in what is the largest mass execution in U.S. history.

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The Dakota behind the new memorial and the ride and run have used the mantra "forgive everyone everything" to mark the 150th anniversary. Those words will be engraved in stone benches to be placed around the new memorial next summer.

The Dakota Wokiksuye Memorial Ride…

Information from: The Free Press, http://www.mankatofreepress.com

Bits of ice hang from the mouth…

Peter Lengkeek, The Dakota Wokiksuye…

Riders Gus High Eagle, center left,…

"Through understanding comes a healing that is still continuing today," Urdahl said.

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Enlarge Photo Memorial to 38 hanged Dakota men unveiled in Minn.
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Originally, 303 men were sentenced to be hanged. President Abraham Lincoln was aware of injustices in the men's trials, and also was urged to show compassion by Episcopal Bishop Henry Whipple. Lincoln reviewed all the cases and wrote a letter to Minnesota Gov. Alexander Ramsey, listing 39 men who should be hanged, including one who was later given a reprieve. Some Native Americans today feel Lincoln was wrong to order any of the hangings and that several of the men were innocent of any wrongdoing.

"This is a great day, not only for the Dakota but for the city of Mankato," said Bud Lawrence of Mankato, who helped start a reconciliation effort in the 1970s.

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Peter Lengkeek, The Dakota Wokiksuye…

Peter Lengkeek, The Dakota Wokiksuye…

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State Rep. Dean Urdahl, R-Grove City, who co-chairs a state task force commemorating the Civil War and U.S.-Dakota War, said that while progress has been made through reconciliation and education, there remains a lack of understanding about what led up to the war and the problems that the Dakota suffered long afterward.

About 60 horse riders, including some tribe members who rode for 16 days from South Dakota, were among the roughly 500 people on hand for the dedication of the "Dakota 38" memorial, which marks a dark chapter in the history of the region and country. Dakota runners who departed from Fort Snelling also made it to the ceremony, which took place in Reconciliation Park in downtown Mankato, which is about 65 miles southwest of Minneapolis.

Sidney Byrd, a Dakota/Lakota elder from Flandreau, S.D., read out in the Dakota language the names of the 38 men who were hanged. The names are inscribed on the monument, along with a poem and a prayer.

In August, Gov. Mark Dayton marked the 150th anniversary of the start of the war by asking Minnesotans to "remember the dark past" and by repudiating the actions of Ramsey, Minnesota's second governor, who said after the war that the Dakota should be exterminated or driven from the state.

Dakota warriors and participants…

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Peter Lengkeek of Crow Creek SD…

"I'm proud to be with you today. My great-grandfather was one of those who paid the supreme price for our freedom," he said. Byrd's great-grandfather was among the Dakota originally sentenced to death who were given reprieves by Lincoln. The men were sent from a prison in Mankato to one in Davenport, Iowa, where many died from squalid conditions.

"I heard about the ride and was attracted to its message of forgiveness and remembrance," Milda said.

"Today, being here to witness a great gathering, we have peace in our hearts — a new beginning of healing," said Arvol Looking Horse, the leader of the Dakota/Lakota tribe, according to The Free Press of Mankato (http://bit.ly/WHdMop ).

A traditional drum and song group on Wednesday sang a song composed for the 38 Dakota, to the pounding of a large drum. Mankato Mayor Eric Anderson read a proclamation declaring this the year of "forgiveness and understanding."

Richard Milda, of the Crow Agency in Montana, was among a small group of riders who made the entire trip from Lower Brule, S.D., to Mankato. It's the third year he's taken part in the ride.

Despite changes in style, pipe organs endure

Although electronic and digital instruments can try to emulate the sound of wind being pushed through pipes, "they will never match the sound of the pipe organ," Nordlie said.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The pipe organ has ruled the Christian worship sanctuary for centuries, and the majestic instrument continues to reign supreme in many Roman Catholic and mainline Protestant parishes.

Weaver said the number of organ students dropped tremendously a few years ago as musicians worried about whether their degrees would lead to jobs. He said he's starting to see a turn-around.

Despite changes in style, pipe organs endure
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Another factor contributing to the organ's decline is a fewer number of musicians qualified to sit behind the consoles. The pipe organ is a complex instrument, and playing it well requires intensive training and practice.

Aultman urges organists who want to make a living to embrace contemporary styles. He suggests that organists trained to playing only off of sheet music to learn play off chord charts like Nashville studio musicians.

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The growth in praise-band led services, combined with a nationwide shortage of qualified organists, is prompting many congregations to leave pipe organs out of their new construction plans.

The longtime organist and music professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological said the pipe organ doesn't need to be relegated to funerals and weddings, and it fits nicely into modern worship when used in the right way.

In this Friday, Nov. 30, 2012 photo,…

"My advice to organists is, 'Don't be a snob,'" he said. "You're not going to probably find a position where you can play all Bach preludes and fugues for the bulk of your work."

"The idea of a handmade instrument is something which is just still quite a wonderful thing in our society and it's something that we really care about," Weaver said.

Follow Dirk Lammers on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ddlammers

"Now there are more positions available I think," he said.

"We shouldn't abandon the organ in contemporary music styles," said Aultman, who plays each Sunday at First Baptist Church in Dallas. "The organ is a wonderful instrument to blend in with any kind of instrumental ensemble. It can fill in a lot of holes in the sound."

"There are still students that are majoring in organ, and there are still churches that will hire them and pay them a living wage," he said. "And I think that's just going to get better."

Nordlie crafted his first instrument in 1977 for a church in Appleton, Minn., and has built nearly 50 organs in Sioux Falls shop. Each part is handcrafted, from the wood and metal pipes that turn airflow into notes to the ornate cabinetry that houses the massive structures.

Jerry Aultman thinks that's a mistake.

It's a tougher sell for congregations moving toward contemporary worship.

"The difference is there," he said. "Whether you take the time to listen carefully is entirely up to you."

The instrument has been considered expensive throughout its history, with current price tags ranging from $100,000 to well into the millions. But pipe organs hold their value and can last for generations if they're well-designed and well-maintained, he said.

Aultman agreed. He said there are fewer universities offering organ degrees, but the ones that remain are stronger.

The pipe organ, which dates back to the third century B.C., "has always been the choice for churches who want one musician to fill the room with sound," South Dakota organ builder John Nordlie said.

The large megabuilders of the 1960s have largely disappeared, but numerous smaller companies are building as many instruments as they can turn out, said James Weaver, executive director of the Organ Historical Society.

Weaver said music aficionados still value the incredible amount of craftsmanship put into each organ. For proof, he points to the top-of-the line organs being built for municipal concert halls such as the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia and Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.

Classic fashion brand Burberry goes digital

Mobile commerce gives customers instant access to products they aspire to own. "To me, the key is that even the luxury brands have to learn, have to evolve," Cohen says. "Without evolution the luxury brands will be overtaken by more progressive, up and coming luxury brands. Luxury has to worry about keeping their brand alive."

"This is the biggest flagship store in the world," Ahrendts says, holding up her iPhone during an interview in Chicago where Burberry just last month opened a new store. The Michigan Avenue site immerses customers in all things digital — from iPads for children to play with to video screens streaming Burberry fashion shows.

CHICAGO (AP) -- Angela Ahrendts may be CEO of Burberry, but one of her favorite accessories is an Apple iPhone5 that she's used to oversee a mobile makeover at the 150-year-old company best known for trenchcoats and tartan plaids.

The Burberry website offers 10 times more online than what the company has in stores "because we say that is 'the world's store,'" Ahrendts says.

Burberry has done that by making moves that it says attract a millennial consumer. That includes monthly updates at Burberry.com, where Ahrendts said more people visit every week than walk into all the brand's stores around the world combined.

"It's very easy to allow an iconic brand to remain true to its heritage and at the same time obsolete itself," says Marshal Cohen, chief retail industry analyst with market research firm The NPD Group. "The hard thing to do is keep the iconic brand relevant. This is about somebody at the helm deciding they're going to find a way to keep the brand relevant for the future."

"How do we keep the brand so cool and so pure and so relevant so it cuts through that clutter?" she wonders — then answering her own question. "But by the same token how do we keep the marketing and the communication much more customized and personalized."

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Ahrendts wants Burberry online and Burberry offline to be seamless for customers. But it's not without challenges in a digital world where fashion buyers can become overwhelmed with emails, tweets and others messages.

Online: http://www.burberry.com

"We just kept evolving the structure," she says. "We always said if we were going to target a millennial consumer then we had to do it in their mother tongue, which is digital."

While some efforts were underway when she took the helm, Ahrendts says Burberry was "a manual spreadsheet organization" at the time.

Burberry is interacting directly with consumers in the digital sphere too, launching projects like artofthetrench.com. The website invites users to upload pictures of themselves wearing Burberry trenchcoats, which have been made by the label since World War I. The result is a collage from around the world.

Burberry has long stuck to its English roots, giving its look from time to time modern tweaks, but it's been Ahrendts and chief creative officer Christopher Bailey in the past few years who have pushed the brand's digital, and now mobile, boundaries.

Burberry.com also features Burberry Bespoke, which lets users customize their own trench, down to buttons and belts.

Cohen says iconic luxury fashion brands have the story to attract consumers, but the challenge is finding the right means of communicating it in the digital world. "They have to turn the store into a story and the story into a site," Cohen said.

Classic fashion brand Burberry goes digital

The company has an internal social network called Burberry chat. And since Ahrendts started in 2006 she started hiring a team of "digital natives" with titles like mobile director and music director. The brand also has a strategic innovation council.

Readers Find Creative Ways To Combat Cemetery Thieves

DEAR ABBY: I had the same problem until I started attaching small signs to my floral wreaths that read, "Thou Shalt Not Steal." I make the signs business card-sized, cover them with clear tape, attach them to a beverage straw and insert them in the flowers or attach them to the wreaths. So far it has worked. And if it doesn't, at least it may make the thief think twice. -- MARIE IN PENNSYLVANIA

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DEAR ABBY: My sister made a Christmas tree for our mother's grave and decorated it with functional lights. When I asked her why she went to the extra expense, she replied that she knew it would likely be stolen. She said she wanted the thief to have a tree with working lights, so the person would have a brighter Christmas. -- GERRY IN HUNSTVILLE, TEXAS

I volunteer at a historical cemetery. Many cemeteries have rules about the type and size of grave decorations that are allowed on the grounds, which is sometimes none at all. In fact, if decorations are allowed, unless they can be firmly attached to the ground, real flowers are usually preferred because they biodegrade and do not create a nightmare for groundskeepers when the plastic eventually weakens.

For everything you need to know about wedding planning, order "How to Have a Lovely Wedding." Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Wedding Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)

Readers Find Creative Ways To Combat Cemetery Thieves

DEAR ABBY: After my mother died, I bought a concrete garden angel statue and put it by her headstone. Like "Itching," I too was bitter after it was stolen.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

When I told my husband, he told me, "Honey, your mother was an angel. She didn't need one. Someone else must have needed one." After he said it, it put the incident into a different perspective. -- ANGEL'S DAUGHTER IN MISSOURI

DEAR ABBY: May I comment on the letter from "Itching to Get Even in Cincinnati" (Oct. 1), the woman who was upset that the handmade wreaths she had placed on her family graves had been stolen?

DEAR ABBY: Years ago, the flags my mother and I had placed on Memorial Day were stolen. After that we would write, "Stolen from the grave of ..." on the sticks of the flags we left for my father's and stepfather's graves. It worked! -- DOT IN NEW JERSEY

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TO MY CHRISTIAN READERS: A very merry Christmas to you all!

DEAR ABBY: When Dad died, my mom and I returned to his grave the next day. All the flowers were missing, but the plastic they were attached to was still there. When we inquired about it we were told that deer come down at night and eat the flowers. My dad, a nature lover, would have been pleased that they provided a meal for the deer. -- STILL MISSING HIM

DEAR MAUREEN: For the most part, readers agree that the policies of a cemetery should be checked out before placing wreaths or flowers on graves. However, other readers offered some interesting solutions to the problem:

While it's touching that "Itching" and her sister continue to make thoughtful and beautiful arrangements for their deceased loved ones, they should consider speaking with the cemetery office or groundskeeper about any regulations they might have in order to avoid this kind of upset again. -- MAUREEN IN BROOKLYN, N.Y.

DEAR ABBY: The dead are no longer of this world. When people visit their graves, they should leave good thoughts, not material items that end up as trash or stolen. -- PAMELA IN VICTORVILLE, CALIF.

Shoppers disappoint retailers this holiday season_1

Lawmakers have yet to reach a deal that would prevent tax increases and government spending cuts set to take effect at the beginning of 2013. If the cuts and tax hikes kick in and stay in place for months, the Congressional Budget Office says the nation could fall back into recession.

Spending by consumers accounts for 70 percent of overall economic activity, so the eight-week period encompassed by the SpendingPulse data is seen as a critical time not just for retailers but for manufacturers, wholesalers and companies at every other point along the supply chain.

In this Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012,…

"I'm not looking at anything that's original price," he said.

In the run-up to Christmas, analysts blamed bad weather for putting a damper on shopping. In late October, Superstorm Sandy battered the Northeast and mid-Atlantic states, which account for 24 percent of U.S. retail sales.

Mae Anderson in Atlanta and Candice Choi in New York contributed to this report.

Shoppers disappoint retailers this holiday season Related Content prevnext

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Online sales did enjoy a modest boost after the recent snowstorm that hit the Midwest, McNamara said. Online sales make up about 10 percent of total holiday business.

Shopping picked up in the second half of November, but then the threat of the country falling off a "fiscal cliff" gained strength, throwing consumers off track once again.

Sales for the two months before Christmas increased 0.7 percent compared with last year, according to a MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse report. That's below the healthy 3 to 4 percent growth that analysts had expected — and the worst year-over-year performance since 2008, when spending shrank sharply during the Great Recession.

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In this Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012,…

Holiday sales are a crucial indicator of the economy's strength. November and December account for up to 40 percent of annual revenue for many retailers. If those sales don't materialize, stores are forced to offer steeper discounts. That's a boon for shoppers, but it cuts into stores' profits.

Indeed, there was a crowd equivalent to a busy weekend day at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta by midday on Wednesday. Laschonda Pitluck, 18, a student in Atlanta, had held off earlier because she's a student and saving all her money for college. Last year she spent over $100 on gifts but this year she's keeping it under $50.

Online sales, typically a bright spot, grew only 8.4 percent from Oct. 28 through Saturday, according to SpendingPulse. That's a dramatic slowdown from the online sales growth of 15 to 17 percent seen in the prior 18-month period, according to the data service.

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But stores still have some time to make up lost ground. The final week of December accounts for about 15 percent of the month's sales, said Michael McNamara, vice president for research and analysis at MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse. And the day after Christmas typically is among the biggest shopping days of the year.

"I wasn't looking for deals before Christmas, I waited until after," she said. She bought boxers for her boyfriend, and was looking for a hat but couldn't find one.

In this Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012,…

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. holiday sales so far this year have been the weakest since 2008, when the nation was in a deep recession. That puts pressure on stores that now hope for a post-Christmas burst of spending.

The SpendingPulse data released Tuesday, which captures sales from Oct. 28 through Dec. 24 across all payment methods, is the first major snapshot of holiday retail sales. A clearer picture will emerge next week as retailers like Macy's and Target report revenue from stores open for at least a year. That sales measure is widely watched in the retail industry because it excludes revenue from stores that recently opened or closed, which can be volatile.

In this Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012,…

Shopping over the past two months was weakest in areas affected by Sandy and a more recent winter storm in the Midwest. Sales declined by 3.9 percent in the mid-Atlantic and 1.4 percent in the Northeast compared with last year. They rose 0.9 percent in the north central part of the country.

In this Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012…

She found 50 percent off things she bought, including a hoodie and jeans for herself at American Eagle and a shirt at Urban Outfitters. She said she would have bought the clothes if they hadn't been 50 percent off.

This year's holiday season was marred by bad weather and uncertainty about the economy in the face of possible tax hikes and spending cuts early next year. Some analysts say the massacre of schoolchildren in Newtown, Conn., earlier this month may also have chipped away at shoppers' enthusiasm.

The West and South posted gains of between 2 percent and 3 percent, still weaker than the 3 percent to 4 percent increases expected by many retail analysts.

Daniel Wagner can be reached at www.twitter.com/wagnerreports.

In New York, the Macy's location at Herald Square also was buzzing with shoppers. Ulises Guzman, 30, a social worker, said he held off buying until the final days before Christmas, knowing the deals would get better as stores got desperate. He said he was expecting discounts of at least 50 percent.

He saw a coat he wanted at Banana Republic for $200 in the days before Christmas but decided to hold off on making a purchase; on Wednesday, he got it for $80.

Review- Hooper's 'Les Miserables' is relentless_0

But he also does something clever in asking his actors sing live on camera, rather than having them record their vocals in a booth somewhere as is the norm, and for shooting the big numbers in single takes. The intimacy can be uncomfortable at times and that closeness highlights self-indulgent tendencies, but the meaning behind lyrics which have become so well-known shines through anew. You'd probably heard "I Dreamed a Dream," the plaintive ballad of the doomed prostitute Fantine, sung countless times even before Susan Boyle unfortunately popularized it again in 2009. An emaciated and shorn Anne Hathaway finds fresh pain and regret in those words because her rendition is choked with sobs, because it's not perfect.

This film image released by Universal…

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Tom Hooper's extravaganza, big-screen telling of the beloved musical "Les Miserables" is as relentlessly driven as the ruthless Inspector Javert himself. It simply will not let up until you've Felt Something — powerfully and repeatedly — until you've touched the grime and smelled the squalor and cried a few tears of your own.

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For the uninitiated, Javert hunts for Valjean against the backdrop of the Paris Uprising of 1832. Adorable street urchins, sassy prostitutes and virile subversives band together to build barricades, and to sing on top of them, until they are gunned down by French troops. The adorably smitten Cosette and Marius wonder whether they'll ever see each other again. Thieving innkeepers Monsieur and Madame Thenardier (Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter, garishly over-the-top even by the characters' standards) wonder when their next unsuspecting victim will come along. And Jean Valjean wonders whether he'll ever truly be free.

This film image released by Universal…

This film image released by Universal…

Motion Picture Association of America rating definition for PG-13: Some material may be inappropriate for young children.

"Les Miserables," a Universal Pictures release, is rated PG-13 for suggestive and sexual material, violence and thematic elements. Running time: 158 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.

That's definitely part of the fascination of this version of "Les Miserables": seeing how these A-list stars handle the demands of near-constant singing. Hugh Jackman, as the hero and former prisoner Jean Valjean, is a musical theatre veteran and seems totally in command (although the higher part of his register gets a bit nasal and strained). Amanda Seyfried, as Fantine's daughter, Cosette, whom Jean Valjean adopts, had already proven she can sing in "Mamma Mia!" but hits some freakishly high notes here — which isn't always a good thing. Eddie Redmayne is a lovely surprise as the love-struck revolutionary Marius. And of course, Samantha Barks gives an effortless performance as the lonely and doomed Eponine — everyone here is doomed, it's "Les Miserables" — a role she'd performed on the London stage.

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Review: Hooper's 'Les Miserables' is relentless Related Content prevnext

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You may even cry when key characters die, even though you know full well what fate awaits them. There's no shame in that — we're all friends here.

This film image released by Universal…

How you feel walking out of this film two and a half hours later will depend a great deal on what you brought into it going in. Maybe you listened to the soundtrack fanatically in high school and still know all the words to "On My Own." Perhaps you were thrilled to see the show on stage during a vacation to New York (and there's a nice little cameo from Colm Wilkinson, the original Jean Valjean from the London and Broadway productions). You will probably be in far better shape than someone coming into this cold.

This film image released by Universal…

This film image released by Universal…

This film image released by Universal…

It is enormous and sprawling and not the slightest bit subtle. But at the same time it's hard not to admire the ambition that drives such an approach, as well as Hooper's efforts to combine a rousing, old-fashioned musical tale with contemporary and immediate aesthetics. There's a lot of hand-held camerawork here, a lot of rushing and swooping through the crowded, volatile slums of Victor Hugo's 19th-century France.

This film image released by Universal…

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And then there's Russell Crowe as the obsessed lawman Javert, who has pursued Jean Valjean for decades for breaking his parole and insists he's still a dangerous man, despite the pious and prosperous life Valjean has forged. Although Crowe has sung in rock bands for years, he's vocally overmatched here, which strips the character of the menace that defines him. Seeing him sing opposite Jackman makes you wish you could watch these same actors having these same conversations with, like, actual words. But again, it's hard not to appreciate the effort, the risk it required to take on the role.

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Two years after the release of his inspiring, crowd-pleasing "The King's Speech," winner of four Academy Awards including best picture, Hooper has vastly expanded his scope but also jettisoned all remnants of restraint.

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Santa Tracker Prepares to Follow the Jolly Fellow on Christmas Eve

Santa Tracker Prepares to Follow the Jolly Fellow on Christmas Eve

Yes, Virginia. There is a way to track Santa Claus.
As has been its tradition for 57 years, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) will break out the holiday cheer with all of its Santa Tracker tools, including a new mobile app, to help kids everywhere follow Santa Claus as he delivers gifts around the globe.
So, why would a North American command center that usually is looking out for threats to the air and water turn its attention to jolly Saint Nick? It all started back in 1955, when a local Sears Roebuck & Co. catalog that promised a Santa hotline misprinted the number. Instead of Santa, callers got Continental Air Defense Command, now known as NORAD.
Calls going into the command center were generally red alerts from the secretary of defense or even the president. Instead, a little girl on the other end of the line asked for Santa. Col. Harry Shoup, who was working on Christmas Eve, knew a call to service when he heard one. He instructed staff members to check the radar for signs of Santa. And the tradition has continued ever since.
Let's just say that the task is treated with the military precision you would expect from such an organization. As described on its website, NORAD uses radar, digital cameras, and fighter jets to track Santa's Yuletide trip.
Kids can follow Santa's travels on Christmas Eve with a mobile app, on the website (translated into eight languages), by email (noradtrackssanta@outlook.com), or, yes, by phone (1-877-HI-NORAD).
Last year, NORAD fielded more than 102,000 phone calls and 7,700 emails. Searches on Yahoo! for NORAD Santa Tracker have also increased in the last week. How Santa actually manages to deliver all those gifts to all those kids in one night, well, even NORAD's deputy chief Stacey Knott, admitted to Reuters, "We're not completely sure how he does it. It's a little bit of magic."

Jets Try Something New but End Up With a Similar Result

Jets Try Something New but End Up With a Similar Result
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. ― With nothing at stake in the Jets’ game Sunday against the San Diego Chargers, it had an experimental feeling at the start. Out of the playoffs, the Jets loosened the restraints on their playbook a bit.

Greg McElroy, the third-string quarterback, made his first career start, and wide receiver Jeremy Kerley made two pass attempts. Enjoyable diversions for a team that has had few lately.

The end result, however, was a 27-17 loss to a Chargers team that is also out of the postseason picture. Those few fans who remained at MetLife Stadium for the Jets’ home finale booed as the clock ticked down.

Mark Sanchez, the face of the franchise for four seasons, did not take a snap, in perhaps the cutting of the cord on an era that feels as if it began decades ago.

Neither did Tim Tebow, who was in uniform but might as well have been in street clothes on the sideline ― the Jets twice running the Wildcat in a display that bordered on teasing.

Perhaps Sanchez and Tebow should consider themselves fortunate. The Jets allowed 11 sacks ― the most they have given up since 1987, and the most by any team since 2007 ― leaving McElroy to be hit over and over.

“You’re not beating anybody when you play like that,” Jets Coach Rex Ryan said. “It’s just hard to put into words.”

The offensive line had seemed like one of the team’s solid spots. But the Jets (6-9) continue to find new depths to their ineptitude. McElroy shouldered part of the blame by saying he held onto the ball too long several times.

“You don’t pay attention to the numbers,” he said. “We’ve just got to do a better job getting on the same page, and I’ve got to do a better job anticipating things.”

McElroy completed 14 of 24 passes, some with impressive precision. He also threw an interception and lost a fumble ― the 35th turnover by the Jets this season ― but Ryan said he showed enough to earn a second start next week at Buffalo.

“When he wasn’t on his back, I thought he did some good things,” Ryan said.

The day began with another special-teams misstep: McElroy was sacked on third down on the Jets’ opening drive, and the Chargers’ Michael Spurlock returned the ensuing punt 63 yards for a touchdown 1 minute 59 seconds into the game.

The crowd booed, albeit lightly. They had seen this show before. Resigned to humiliation, one disappointment outflubbing the next, they must have partly expected a deficit.

The Jets responded, running a screen pass to Shonn Greene for 30 yards. Then Kerley lined up at quarterback and threw a 42-yard completion down the middle of the field to Clyde Gates, who hauled it in at the Chargers’ 11.

The Wildcat’s success was a final indignity for Tebow, who did not play in Sunday’s game. Not in a goal-line situation. Not on fourth-and-inches. Not even as a punt protector. If this was his farewell to the New York fan base ― the very fans he was brought in to inspire ― his absence was a loud and clear acknowledgment of the Jets’ blunder in trading a fourth-round draft pick for him.

Ryan danced around questions about why Tebow was active when there seemed no plan to use him. His response several times was that he planned to use Kerley in the Wildcat.

“I had the intention to use Kerley in a number of situations,” Ryan said. “I thought we could create some big opportunities, some big plays. Again, that was my decision.”

The formation was practiced last week, and Ryan said he told the offensive coordinator, Tony Sparano, to use Kerley.

“I’m trying desperately to win a game,” Ryan said. “I’m not going to apologize for putting Jeremy Kerley in the Wildcat. He’s been effective in the past.”

Kerley’s completion amounted to more yards than Tebow has thrown for all year.

“I was just hoping it was going to be successful and work,” Tebow said of Kerley’s pass.

After the catch by Gates, McElroy scrambled for 7 yards and appeared to tumble into the end zone but was ruled down at the 1. A challenge by Ryan confirmed the call. Two plays later, Greene ran in to tie the score at 7-7.

The Jets scored on their third drive with another 1-yard touchdown run by Greene. But the offense stalled after that.

The Chargers (6-9) took a 17-14 lead on their first drive of the third quarter, as Philip Rivers completed a 37-yard touchdown pass to Danario Alexander. Rivers added a 34-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Gates with 1:34 left in the third quarter.

With the lead, the Chargers’ pass rushers had a field day. On the Jets’ final drive, McElroy was sacked on three straight plays.

“We’ve obviously got to do a better job,” center Nick Mangold said. “They brought some pretty good pressures and twists and stuff. But we’ve got to make sure that we give Greg or whoever’s back there the time they need.”

Chargers defensive end Corey Liuget said the pass rush became like a game for himself and his teammate Cam Thomas.

“Cam said, ‘Meet me at the ball’ a couple of times, and I told him, ‘I’m going to beat you there,’ ” Liuget said. “We just kept playing hard.”

Exclusive: SPX closes in on $4.2 billion Gardner Denver deal - source

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Industrial machinery maker SPX Corp is closing in on a roughly $4.2 billion deal to buy rival Gardner Denver Inc, as it makes progress in securing financing, a source familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

A deal could value Wayne, Pennsylvania-based Gardner Denver at about $85 per share, the source said. Gardner Denver's shares closed at $73.68 on Tuesday. SPX has a market value of $3.23 billion, compared to $3.62 billion for Gardner Denver.

SPX's financial advisor Credit Suisse Group AG has been joined by Bank of America Corp and JPMorgan Chase & Co in efforts to raise debt for the deal, the source said on condition of anonymity because the talks are confidential.

A deal could value Wayne, Pennsylvania-based Gardner Denver at about nine times estimated 2012 earnings before earnings, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), the source said, cautioning details had yet to be finalized.

A deal announcement could come as early as this week though no final agreement has yet been reached and negotiations could still fall apart, the source added.

Depending on the availability of financing, SPX shareholders may be called on to vote on a capital increase to finance the share portion of the bid, the source said.

A Gardner Denver spokesman declined to comment while SPX did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Credit Suisse, JPMorgan and Bank of America declined to comment.

A deal with Charlotte, North Carolina-based SPX would represent a huge premium to the $55 per share level that Gardner Denver's shares traded at before Reuters reported news of a potential sale on October 25.

Gardner Denver passed on private equity firms Advent International, KKR & Co LP, and a consortium of TPG Capital LP and Onex Corp, which made all-cash offers in the mid-to-high $70s per share range, people familiar with the matter told Reuters last week.

The SPX offer was substantially higher, the people said. Some analysts looking at the financial fundamentals of a potential deal have suggested that an offer of up to $90 per share would not be unreasonable.

"Comparing this to a sample of 47 large deals since 2009, we come to the conclusion that implied (valuation) multiples do not look egregious -- the average multiples paid since 2009 has been 2.1 times trailing sales and 12.9 times trailing EBITDA," Morgan Stanley analysts wrote in a note on December 16.

SPX Chief Executive Chris Kearney has worked over the past few years to focus the company on its flow control business, making equipment used in processing liquids ranging from petroleum to dairy products.

Gardner Denver makes compressors, pumps and vacuum products for industrial uses. Its decision to explore a sale followed months of pressure from activist investor ValueAct Capital LLC, which acquired a roughly 5 percent stake.

The shareholder campaign followed the sudden resignation of Chief Executive Barry Pennypacker in July and his interim replacement by Chief Financial Officer Michael Larsen, who last month was appointed as permanent CEO.

Gardner Denver has grappled with lower demand for petroleum and industrial pumps, which pressured its engineered products group. That group reported a 20 percent drop in revenue in the third quarter.

(Reporting by Greg Roumeliotis in New York; Additional reporting by Michael Erman in New York; Editing by Ryan Woo)