todd? >> 88 prince albert rd., clapham. >> you said this jewel of a cook, went out on wednesday and did not return? >> wednesday, yes. it was her day off. >> and the day before yesterday. has it occurred to you, madame, that she might have met with some accident? have you enquired at the hospital? >> that's exactly what i thought yesterday, but this morning, if you please, she sent for her box. >> what box? >> her box. >> her trunk. luggage. >> oh, i see. will you describe her to me, madame? >> oh, she's most respectful. 10 years in her last place, middle-aged, gray hair, thin. >> and her name? >> dunn. eliza dunn. >> this is clapham. there's the common. >> charming. you have no disagreement with her on wednesday, madame? >> no. that's what makes it all so queer. >> how many servants do you keep? >> two. miss dunn and the house parlor maid annie. >> oh. >> here we are. there's 88. all right, driver! annie. >> hastings, my friend, promise me one thing. >> what's that, poirot? >> never, but n

ernest todd." it is to me, hastings, a little reminder never to despise a trivial, eh, with the undignified. a disappearing domestic at one end, a cold-blooded murder at the other. [captioning made possible by friends of nci] [captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org--] very simple, very elegant. it's "a table of all the receipts contained in this book." - so it's a recipe book. - yes. and it also has remedies for illnesses... - oh, really? - which, of course, were made, homemade. you didn't rush to the chemist for-- buy something over the counter. you had to make your own. you boiled them up in the kitchen? you made them in the kitchen. and so i think a lot of cookery books of this time did combine recipes and remedies. indeed. when do you think this was made? well, it came from a farmhouse in westmoreland which belonged to my husband's family. and it was passed on to us. i don't know who mrs. buck, the authoress of the book, is. i think, from the look of the handwriting, we

todd da will itch -- >> wouldn't it? >> woodruff: todd da will itch of the "the takeaway", thank you very much. >> my pleasure. >> brown: still to come on the "newshour": a wave of deadly attacks in baghdad; mistakes by nato forces in pakistan; stores targeting high and low end shoppers and the top secret bird flu research. but first, the other news of the day. here's hari sreenivasan. >> sreenivasan: the economy showed new signs of life in new numbers released today. the labor department said first- time claims for unemployment benefits last week were the lowest in three-and-a-half years. and, a separate report lowered the estimate of third quarter growth, but it was still the best this year. on wall street, the dow jones industrial average gained nearly 62 points to close at 12,169. the nasdaq rose 21 points to close at 2,599. the prime minister of egypt called today for a national dialogue and a two-month respite from protests. kamal el ganzouri spoke after recent days of violent clashes between protesters and soldier

todd. he's right this is a tiny drop in the bucket as far as the broader economic growth. the tax cut is going to give us as a minimum. 110 billion dollars pumped into the economy and taxes maximum 6 billion and tiny drop and these jobs, are not permanent jobs, a lot of temporary construction jobs. we need a much bigger, broader plan and the number of jobs they're talking about, 20,000, even those, they're talking one work year, could be over one job, this isn't 20,000 jocks, it's a fraction of what we need. >> and jonas. >> we're going to need a much bigger pipeline. look, in general, tax cuts would be spectacular, but at this stage we have to pay for them with offsetting tax increases so it kind of neutralizes the effects. i'm all for tax cuts in a recession, we're not in a recession, we don't need to extend the fax breaks that is bankrupting social security, where it would go. we don't need further payroll tax at this. the pipeline doesn't cost the government money, the key difference at

>> todd, thanks so much.oing to believe who says she is helping lindsay lohan keep on the straight and narrow. >>> plus hell hath no fury like a 6'9" free agent scorned. kris strikes back at kim. you're watching "first look" on msnbc. bringing you down! try root touch-up by nice 'n easy. to extend the life of your color. nice 'n easy has 50% more shades, so you can find your seamless match. with root touch-up by nice 'n easy. i'd like a decaf 360 calories please. i'll have a triple iced 410 calories please. you know what... i'll have this instead. [ female announcer ] swap one thing a day for a yoplait light at around 100 calories. it will add up to amazing. laces? really? slip-on's the way to go. more people do that, security would be like a -- there's no charge for the bag. thanks. ♪ i know a quiet little place where we can get some work done. there's a three-prong plug. i have club passes. [ male announcer ] now there's a mileage card that offers special perks on united, like a free checked bag, united clu

a new poll with some surprises and nbc's chuck todd goes one on one with newt gingrich. >>> the dramatic farewell for north korea's dictator. the elaborate funeral shown to the world today from one of the most secretive places on earth. >>> fighting cancer. tonight news about a drug that could give women more time. >>> where is winter? golf in december, skiing on the water. this year a lot of folks can barely remember december. >>> plus, hollywood mourns a crowd favorite. >>> plus, hollywood mourns a crowd favorite. "nightly news" begins now. captions paid for by nbc-universal television >>> from nbc news world headquarters in new york, this is "nbc nightly news" with brian williams. >>> good evening. brian is off tonight. i'm lester holt. there is some real political drama building tonight ahead of next tuesday's republican caucus in iowa. a brand-new poll of likely caucus-goers has just reshuffled the gop deck showing mitt romney with a late surge, now moving out front with 25%. previous front-runner ron paul is hanging close at 22%. rick santorum showing his own late momentum has now

it's not a bad program. >> todd, what do you think? it's going to alleviate the pressure for the younger generation to come in there, mike. >> and-- >> well, hold on though, because when the pensions are this much and talking about half a million dollars in year, in i have. the safe program and guaranteed 4.5% interest. it's clear that nobody from wall street or any other banker from half a brain would predict that, 4 1/2 per year, so if you start thinking about the local municipalities and on the finances how can they hire again? i don't see where the money is coming from. >> i've got to get everybody in, how can they get the math right? >> first of all, i will say that the s&p 500 has the math wrong and pension and when they return-- >> sure, no, question. >> it's not just the government. i could say that this could turn and work in the benefit of taxpayers in the state if we had massive inflation, and/or the stock market took off. and 322 a lifetime would be a bad trade off. they need to fix the calculation and that's all that's wro

>> look at you, todd, trying to be sweet and nice. that's my job.ith some more good-looking poll numbers coming out for him, newt gingrich comes out and says it -- quote i'm going to be the nominee. the question is -- is there any chance he might be right? >>> herman cain, meanwhile, sounding more and more like the emperor wearing no clothes, if you'll forgive the expression. talking like there's nothing to worry about, even as his candidacy evaporates. the question is, how much longer can the cain train keep this up. >>> and president obama hosts a christmas party at his place. the question is how did it go when he took the mike and started carolling, with due respect to the president, it's "way too early" for this. ♪ ♪ >>> good morning, i'm willie geist and this is way too early, the show that's prone to drinking with the ladle directly from the

chuck todd and john harris. we have the heavy hitters. her's the question. nationwide, gingrich is at 36, way ahead of where romney has been nationally. romney below that 25%. he never gets above a 23%. ron paul, the libertarian is at 12. he's irreallevant to the debate. chuck todd, i have a theory. the more they attack newt, the better he looks. he looks more blooded, tougher, nastier with more dirt on his uniform. it's what he wants to look like. >> it's the rush limbaugh theory. more the establishment. >> a broken clog twice a day, we're talking rush. >> george will, david brooks, peggy noonan. now we have the superpack. that is the risk here. if you don't knock him out now, what does not kill him will only make him stronger as this marches on. that's why this is a risk strategy. the people have no choice. they can't let him get ahead of steam in iowa but it comes with risk. iowa is a place that whoever is the perceived conservative has the upper hand. >> isn't this definitional, john harris? if you get into a boxing match, you make him into a boxer. ever

tonight he's crunching his own numbers and sharing them with chuck todd. chuck joins us now from des moines. good evening, chuck. >> reporter: good evening, lester. for the entire year the question hanging over the republican race is who is the alternative to mitt romney? today we spent the day with the once surging newt gingrich who days ago looked like he locked up the anybody but romney slot but was now struggling. newt gingrich now acknowledging his slipping status in iowa making a case a close fourth would be enough. what do you have to do here? >> you have to be in the up top three or four. >> reporter: you have to win iowa or new hampshire? >> and south carolina. every single one. >> reporter: for gingrich it's the lone alternative to mitt romney, and romney is doing everything he can to keep the former speaker down here. today a telling exchange over romney's health care mandate. >> i knew he supported the plan in the past, and i believe he supported it until he got into the race this year. maybe before that he changed his view. >> it's aamazing th

anyway, thank you very much steve mcmahon and todd harris.st love this stuff. >>> up next, michele bachmann's latest gaffe is a real head-scratcher. how does bachmann, who sits on the intelligence committee, not know a crucial fact about our relationship with iran? stick around for the sideshow, where she belongs. you're watching "hardball," only on msnbc. [ male announcer ] all over the world, there's a battery that's relied on to help bring children holiday joy, and while it doesn't travel by sleigh or reindeer, it does get around... in fact, every year duracell sends loads of batteries to the mattel children's hospital, u.c.l.a. of course, children here and everywhere don't really think about which battery makes their toy run... but, still... you'd never want to disappoint. duracell. trusted everywhere. >>> back to "hardball." now for the side show. we've got a doozy tonight. first up, scuffle on the floor. what led to a little senate floor spat yesterday between arizona senator john mccain and new yorker chuck schumer? well, it was a deba

todd da will itch -- >> wouldn't it? >> woodruff: todd da will itch of the "the takeaway", thank you very much. >> my pleasure. >> brown: still to come on the "newshour": a wave of deadly attacks in baghdad; mistakes by nato forces in pakistan; stores targeting high and low end shoppers and the top secret bird flu research. but first, the other news of the day. here's hari sreenivasan. >> sreenivasan: the economy showed new signs of life in new numbers released today. the labor department said first- time claims for unemployment benefits last week were the lowest in three-and-a-half years. and, a separate report lowered the estimate of third quarter growth, but it was still the best this year. on wall street, the dow jones industrial average gained nearly 62 points to close at 12,169. the nasdaq rose 21 points to close at 2,599. the prime minister of egypt called today for a national dialogue and a two-month respite from protests. kamal el ganzouri spoke after recent days of violent clashes between protesters and soldier

anyway, thank you very much steve mcmahon and todd harris. just love this stuff. >>> up next, michele bachmann's latest gaffe is a real head-scratcher. how does bachmann, who sits on the intelligence committee, not know a crucial fact about our relationship with iran? stick around for the sideshow, where she belongs. you're watching "hardball," only on msnbc. ♪ our machines help identify early stages of cancer, and it's something that we're extremely proud of. you see someone who is saved because of this technology, you know that the things that you do in your life matter. if i did have an opportunity to meet a cancer survivor, i'm sure i could take something positive away from that. [ jocelyn ] my name is jocelyn. and i'm a cancer survivor. [ woman ] i had cancer. i have no evidence of disease now. [ woman #2 ] i would love to meet the people that made the machines. i had such an amazing group of doctors and nurses, it would just make such a complete picture of why i'm sitting here today. ♪ [ man ] from the moment we walk in the front door,

anyway, thank you very much steve mcmahon and todd harris.just love this stuff. >>> up next, michele bachmann's latest gaffe is a real head-scratcher. how does bachmann, who sits on the intelligence committee, not know a crucial fact about our relationship with iran? stick around for the sideshow, where she belongs. you're watching "hardball," only on msnbc. we're america's natural gas and here's what we did today: supported nearly 3 million steady jobs across our country... ... scientists, technicians, engineers, machinists... ... adding nearly 400 billion dollars to our economy... we're at work providing power to almost a quarter of our homes and businesses... ... and giving us cleaner rides to work and school... and tomorrow, we could do even more. cleaner, domestic, abundant and creating jobs now. we're america's natural gas. the smarter power, today. learn more at anga.us. [ male announcer ] you never know when a moment might turn into something more. and when it does men with erectile dysfunction can be more confident in their ability t

todd da will itch -- >> wouldn't it? >> woodruff: todd da will itch of the "the takeaway", thank you very much. >> my pleasure. >> brown: still to come on the "newshour": a wave of deadly attacks in baghdad; mistakes by nato forces in pakistan; stores targeting high and low end shoppers and the top secret bird flu research. but first, the other news of the day. here's hari sreenivasan. >> sreenivasan: the economy showed new signs of life in new numbers released today. the labor department said first- time claims for unemployment benefits last week were the lowest in three-and-a-half years. and, a separate report lowered the estimate of third quarter growth, but it was still the best this year. on wall street, the dow jones industrial average gained nearly 62 points to close at 12,169. the nasdaq rose 21 points to close at 2,599. the prime minister of egypt called today for a national dialogue and a two-month respite from protests. kamal el ganzouri spoke after recent days of violent clashes between protesters and soldier

. >> christina and todd, let's look at john huntsman strategy.ass is aimed away from -- i don't know how to do this metaphor exactly, but it involves ron paul. h doesn't strike me as a good idea. let's take a look at him. >> there are some pretty racy and racist things if you see these letters. >> one author suggests 95% of black men in washington, d.c. are criminals. are criminals. >> boy, i a national holiday for the procommunist blend for martin luther king. >> these stoojs don't scare me. threats or no threats. i blame the coming race war in our big cities. >> saying in 1993 the israelis were responsible for the bombing of -- well, christine, he's aiming at it new hampshire voters, but in the iowa caucus, does that play as an ad for or against ron paul? >> i don't think iowans are going to pay tension to that. that's what huntsman is trying to do in new hampshire. he's thinking that let's say paul wins the iowa caucus. that will tarnish romney to then drop him in new hampshire. new hampshire is huntsman one place. i was predicting paul would

and nbc's chief white house correspondent chuck todd. also joining the conversation this morning, iowa'sepublican governor, terry branstad. >>> good morning. what a difference a month makes. newt gingrich is now the undisputed front-runner in the republican race, he's atop the polls in iowa and new hampshire, and look at this, this morning we have new results from our nbc/maris poll, south carolina and florida, it is gingrich going away in both of those states. as the front-runner, gingrich bore the brunt of the attacks in last night's republican debate in iowa and here with us live this morning, dr. ron paul, the texas congressman and candidate for president, of course. dr. paul, welcome back to the program. >> thank you, david. good to be with you. >> did newt gingrich do anything to diminish his chances in iowa last night? >> well, i don't know whether he did it. but i think because he had to face a lot of serious questions about, you know, his change in positions, and what he has to defend, i would think that he shouldn't have gained

todd, what's your reporting todd zwillich is covering the back and forth on capitol hill for "the takeaway" from public radio international and wnyc. he joins us now. tell you about what led to today's rejection of the extension by house republicans? where is the pressure coming from? >> well, the pressure really appears to be on speaker john boehner. jeff, it's pressure frankly that we've seen before. a lot of us on capitol hill and a lot of viewers have seen different versions of this movie before. think back to the debt limit. think to the threat of a government shutdown in march. when john boehner, the speaker, was either close to a deal with democrats or appeared to have one and then only had ex-streak difficulty selling to conservatives, in some cases tea party members but not in all cases. that is largely what's gone on here. this time the volume is higher, the anger is higher and people are dug in much deeper. the senate and republican leader mitch mcconnell cut a deal with harry reid last week. it was on that two-month extension that you described. they got an overwhelming biparti

todd, sonja and colton. good morning to all of you. >> good morning. >> and, todd, i have to wrnd, you have your son have this incredible experience. he decides to write about it. but are you surprised by how much attention his story is getting and how popular it's become? >> we're very surprised. we thought a few people would find it, it would sit on a shelf and that would be it. >> commenton, let me ask you, this trip to heaven happened when you were a little boy. i know memory starts to fade a little bit. what still stands out the most to you when you remember those moments? >> well, two of the things i remember the most are my family members and jesus. >> and what do you remember about them? talking to them, what they looked like? >> well, with jesus, i remember being with him and just having a great time with him up in heaven. but my family members, i just liked having a great time with them. >> and meeting them for the first time. >> yes. >> and sonia, speaking to that, i can only imagine how shocking

that's why todd grantham was pounding the ball.e knew you, he could feel his team losing the intensity. verne: that was a 17-yard gain and hilliard now, six carries for 44 yards. there's the option pitch. hilliard again. another first down. boykin. well, the a.p. pulled out of the b.c.s. i can't remember how many years ago. said no we're not part of it and they do crown their own national champion and other the years we've had splits. gary: yeah, remember the u.s.c. one. they were playing michigan in that game. oklahoma lost to get into that game. u.s.c. wins it and a.p. decided to give u.s.c. half the championship. i've advocated that l.s.u. has done enough already. if alabama beats them that'll each have one win. i've advocateed that l.s.u., on the basis of what they've done in the regular season, has earned at least a share of the title. verne: kenny hilliard again. a gain of 15. gary: one of the few teams that still run the toss and they run it inside. todd grantham said that really gist his linebackers problems. they see the t

todd, any thoughts on that? >> a little bit. he's smiling too much. that's a problem. >> exactly. he doesn't have that angry, mean man look. i don't know. i don't think it looks anything like vladimir putin but if the guy thinks it will help him score a lady, god bless him. >> whatever works. >>> time for an early look at the stories we'll follow throughout the day here on nbc. it is world aids day supporting those living with and succumbed to the virus. president obama will be joined by former presidents george w. bush and bill clinton for a discussion marking the day. bush is currently in africa to raise cancer awareness, an event he calls, quote, a natural extension of an aids relief program started during his presidency. the navy celebrates 100 years of naval aviation with a wreath-laying and black tie gala paying tribute to legacy of those who have served over the past century. and woody allen turns 76. >>> all day long you can stay on top of the very latest developments in those stories and others as they break on msnbc. and tonight be sure to watch brian williams with "nbc

our report from nbc's chuck todd. >> reporter: former speaker gingrich was quintessential newt in iowa, making broad assertions and diving into issues that haven't been front and center like child labor laws and the poorest work habits. >> really poor children in really poor neighborhoods have no habits of working and have nobody around them who works. >> reporter: those remarks came as he tried to clarify his claim at harvard two weeks ago that child labor laws are truly stupid. >> you have kids who are required under law to go to school. they have no money. they have no habit of work. what if you paid them part-time in the afternoon to sit at the clerical office and greet people when they came in? what if you paid them to work as the assistant librarian? >> reporter: meanwhile, herman cain with the newspaper admitting that he never told his wife about a 13-year friendship with a woman who said it was an affair. he denied that but said he still hasn't talked to his wife about it in person. >> i haven't had an opportunity to sit down with her and walk through this with my wife and my f

that's why todd grantham was pounding the ball.e knew you, he could feel his team losing the intensity. verne: that was a 17-yard gain and hilliard now, six carries for 44 yards. there's the option pitch. hilliard again. another first down. boykin. well, the a.p. pulled out of the b.c.s. i can't remember how many years ago. said no we're not part of it and they do crown their own national champion and other the years we've had splits. gary: yeah, remember the u.s.c. one. they were playing michigan in that game. oklahoma lost to get into that game. u.s.c. wins it and a.p. decided to give u.s.c. half the championship. i've advocated that l.s.u. has done enough already. if alabama beats them that'll each have one win. i've advocateed that l.s.u., on the basis of what they've done in the regular season, has earned at least a share of the title. verne: kenny hilliard again. a gain of 15. gary: one of the few teams that still run the toss and they run it inside. todd grantham said that really gist his linebackers problems. they see the t

all right. >> there is. >> chuck todd in atlantic. thank you very much. >>> first it was banks and credit card companies that triggered outrage over new customer fees. now the nation's largest wireless phone and internet provider says it will start charging a fee to millions of customers who pay their bills online. you heard that right. they want you to pay for the privilege of paying your bill. it's got more than a few people more than a little steamed. pete williams is in washington with the details. pete, good evening. >> reporter: verizon is calling this a convenience fee. it means customers who pay their wireless phone or internet bills directly to verizon online on the company's website will be charged $2 each time for the privilege of paying their own bills. the new fee goes into effect in mid january and applies to subscribers of verizon wireless. the nation's largest wireless service provider. as word of it spreads it's coming as an unwelcome surprise. >> $2 is a lot when it sums up through the years. >> if there is extra mon

i'm chris cillizza in for chuck todd this morning. let's get to my first reads of the morning. we begin with the massive game of political chicken that is going on in our nation's capitol. in a last-ditch effort to extend the tax cut and unemployment benefits president obama called boehner. boehner wouldn't bend. with most of the conduct cuss leaving orrer are gone, chances of a deal appear slim. mark murray joins me now. i was saying, before we came on, this is second verse, same as the first. we've been here for the last 24 to 48 hours which is essentially the house says we're not doing it the senate says we're not doing it. and certainly feels like house republicans are on an island at the moment. you're got senator republicans, democrats united in congress, the "wall street journal" editorial page saying this is not a good strategy and they need to change it. how can they -- is there a way out of the corner they've backed themselves into? >> that's the question we don't have an answer to now. yes, democrats hold a political and pr advantage now. talk to any republican outsi

chuck todd at the american legion post on the campaign trail tonight. thanks. >>> we have an unusual story tonight to report about what the army thinks really happened in the case of a young private whose body was found in a guard tower in afghanistan in october. danny chen, an asian-american from the chinatown section of new york city had committed suicide but the military's investigation further found that chen had been the target of ethnic slurs and physical attacks at the hands of his fellow soldiers. tonight eight of them have been charged with manslaughter and other serious crimes for allegedly driving danny chen to take his own life. >>> with more citizen video coming out of syria these days during a very bloody week, the obama administration is using very strong language about what is happening there, accusing president asad's government of mowing down its own citizens. more than 200 are now dead there it's believed since monday. >>> we'll take a break. up next as we continue on a wednesday night, on the ground in afghanistan with americans in u

my name's todd grisham.good day. >> we will have a good day. >> thanks, todd. >>> coming up next, hollywood's award season has begun. we'll have the latest nominations. >>> and you'll meet scamp, the family dog who died. or so the family thought. my name's jeff. i'm a dad, coach... and i quit smoking with chantix. knowing that i could smoke during the first week was really important to me. [ male announcer ] along with support, chantix is proven to help people quit smoking. chantix reduced my urge to smoke -- and personally that's what i knew i needed. [ male announcer ] some people had changes in behavior, thinking or mood, hostility, agitation, depressed mood and suicidal thoughts or actions while taking or after stopping chantix. if you notice any of these, stop taking chantix and call your doctor right away. tell your doctor about any history of depression or other mental health problems, which could get worse while taking chantix. don't take chantix if you've had a serious allergic or skin reaction to i

thanks, chuck todd for waking up early. >>> now to 2012 politics. newt gingrich continues to top the field. the former house speaker is looking toward the general election focusing his attack directly on president obama and called the president's speech "wild rhetoric." >> he represents a hard left radicalism. he is opposed to free enterprise. he is opposed to capitalism and opposed to everything that made america great. we'll have the candidate of food stamps, the finest food stamp president in american history in are barack obama. i want to help every american have a better future. he wants to make sure he levels americans down so we all have a mediocre future. >> with larry kudlow. a new poll shows gingrich surging to the top with 37% support. that's up 15 points from mid-november. mitt romney holding teddy at 22% but 15 points behind newt gingrich. that again a national poll. the iowa caucus is less than a month away, what you want to focus on, gingrich continues to lead there. the latest "the new york times"/cbs poll shows him with 31% support.

it will be a major accomplishment for all of us who includes the president and general manager and todd, with all of their great wisdom, not yet to get to the promised land on this issue. fiam understanding it correctly, and i also want to see if i am getting this, those customers who are not paying at all now, city hall and hall of justice in particular, over four years that only gets them to two cents. even if we went with the half cent per year it would take 17 years to get to the current cost of service meaning that they would not pay the full freight until like 2030 when many of us will still be here. that is how long it takes to get those at the lowest rate up to where other people are or could be. is that correct? >> that is correct. >> taking people from where they are today and adding a half cent to it. >> it seems like at a minimum someone could pencil out at least the next six years of a half cent per year to see what 10 years of bringing them to, and because it does not -- it is not a straight line calculation, not all of those customers are at answer and they are not all bu