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Holiday pleasures We Bought a Zoo and The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn are pure entertainments — not high art, but solid family films that just want to show an audience a good time.

The standoff over Iran's nuclear program heads into 2012 with virtually no positive signs for movement. Domestic politics in Tehran and Washington make conciliatory initiatives unlikely.

Though its economy is usually strong, the Netherlands' emphasis on exports makes it vulnerable to the euro crisis. Most of Dutch trade is with other European countries, and as they head into a recession, the Netherlands will follow, says one economist.

Like many adult converts, Gingrich was drawn by the philosophical richness of the Roman Catholic Church. In 2010, Newt and Callista Gingrich produced a documentary about Pope John Paul II's historic trip to Poland. But for Gingrich, the turning point was Pope Benedict XVI's "joyful and radiating presence" on a visit to the US in 2008.

Most incandescent light bulbs were supposed to be phased out starting Jan. 1. But tucked inside the House's omnibus spending bill, there's a provision barring the Energy Department from enforcing more energy-efficient standards for light bulbs. For those who still want them, there are increasing options for efficient bulbs. Renee Montagne talks to Bill Hamilton, merchandising vice president of electrical at Home Depot, which sells about a third of all light bulbs in the U.S.

Ratings for this week's episode of the reality TV show, All-American Muslim, dropped more than 30 percent from the previous week. The show had plenty of drama off-screen earlier this month when home improvement retailer Lowe's admitted it pulled its ads off the show after pressure from a conservative Christian group.

The death of longtime leader Kim Jong Il puts his son and heir apparent in the spotlight, even as preparations for next week's state funeral are still under way. The younger Kim inherits a country in dire economic straits, and faces a tough fight to consolidate his political power and legitimacy.

The Democratic political action committee American Bridge 21st Century has taken over the website newtgingrich.com. Visitors to the site — which is not controlled by Newt Gingrich's presidential campaign — were re-directed to, among other things, the website Tiffany & Co., and to articles critical of the former House speaker.

The fight between Syria's government and anti-government forces continues. Activists and groups that monitor the country say recently hundreds of people have been killed in the villages and towns near the Turkish border as the Syrian government mounts an offensive on anti-government forces.

Americans make more charitable donations than people of any other country, and this is the time of year they dig the deepest. In Little Rock, Arkansas, that means the anti-poverty charity, Heifer International, is going full throttle. Contributors purchase living things, which are donated to struggling families in 52 countries.