john yang, nbc news, chicago. >> and just ahead, jessica simpson's unique way of addressing pregnancy rumors. >>> plus supersize at the movies this holiday season. why are these movies so long? you're watching "early today." >>> good morning, and welcome back. we are talking about some cold, cold air all across the dakotas where temperatures right now are in the single digits. and your windchill is well below zero. 12 below is what it feels like in denver. by the time the next storm system is into the northeast, it will come in the form of rain. also severe storms likely today. down through the east coast, the carolinas where we so see isolated tornadoes and strong storms in florida as well. as well as more snow falling up into illinois and indiana so this storm has all kinds of things with it. >> out west, getting some stuff there, too? >> oh, yeah, more snow in the mountains. >>> for entertainment news. if you plan to head to the movies during the holiday. you probably noticed this, you better make sure you have extra time. many of the season's blockbusters are clocking in in almost

nbc's john yang reports retailers across the country are hoping for a sales bounce after christmas, and they're doing pretty much anything they can to bring shoppers back into stores. >> reporter: in detroit, shoppers lined up before stores opened, ready to spend. >> i'm returning things and i'm buying things. >> reporter: that's the way it was across the country as americans flocked to stores to use gift cards. >> you're lucky today. >> yes, i am. >> reporter: or returning what was under the tree. >> consumers tend to spend more when they come in and return the gift, and that's that second season that retailers love. >> i'm going to do well today, yeah. i'm going to take advantage of it. i'm going to get as much as i can. >> be sure to check out our $5 t-shirts today. >> reporter: stores are luring bargain hunters with deep discounts. >> starting at 60% off. it was better than last week. >> we save a chunk of money for this day specifically. >> reporter: the savings are across the board, from designer goods to electronics. >> there's good deals all over the place post christmas. on ave

we get more now from nbc's john yang. >> reporter: in newtown, connecticut, it was a day of lingering heartache, empty stockings hung as reminders of loss, now filled with gifts. first responders from surrounding communities gave their time so the town's police could spend the day with their families. >> just the right thing today. it's why we're here. something needs to be done, glad to be here. >> it's a pleasure to help them out. >> police officers giving police officers time off, i just think that you probably couldn't ask for a better christmas gift. >> reporter: in the new york area where hundreds are still without homes because of hurricane sandy, volunteers tried to deliver some holiday spirit. >> every table is labeled. >> reporter: handing out food, toys and blankets at relief centers. >> i think what's important is for people to come out and help people. you can't put a price on that and you can't buy that either. >> reporter: in places spared the direct impact of tragedy, americans mark the day in their own ways, while keeping those less fortunate in their thoughts. >> whe

nbc's john yang joins us from chicago's michigan avenue tonight. good evening, john. >> reporter: good evening, natalie. just because christmas is over, it doesn't mean that the shopping is over, as well. today is the beginning of retailers' second season, and this year it's a chance to make up for some lackluster sales before christmas. in detroit, shoppers lined up before stores opened, ready to spend. >> i'm returning things and i'm buying things. >> reporter: that's the way it was across the country as americans flocked to stores to use gift cards. >> you're lucky. >> yes, i am. >> reporter: or return what was under the tree. >> consumers tend to spend more when they come in and return the gift. and that's that second season that retailers love. >> i'm going to do well today. yeah. i'm going to take advantage of it. i'm going to get as much as i can. >> be sure to check out our $5 t-shirts today. >> reporter: stores are luring with deep discounts. >> better than last week. >> we saved a chunk of money for this day specifically. >> reporter: the

john yang has held what for help -- it's believed to be the first public new year celebration in north korea. burma has joined the global party. ♪ >> the end of the year would not be complete without the viral pop hit, "gangnam style" being performed with great enthusiasm. while hong kong celebrate with a virtuous so show over victoria harbor. fireworks lit up moscow's red square. in dubai, they filmed the midnight moment under the world's tallest building. the gulf states is eager to take its place among the world's best known venues for the dawn of the new year. >> no happy new year in syria. the situation is as great as ever. the bodies of 30 people found with signs of torture in a suburb of damascus. the international peace negotiator of syria urged to push for peace talks between the government and rebels. the country could become a failed state ruled by warlords. in iraq, a wave of attacks killed nearly 23 people and injured more than 80 as a car bomb in a central baghdad neighborhood killed five and wounded 25. seven people were killed and houses. explosions took place in two ot

john yang, nbc news, chicago. >>> it was a very royal christmas where the queen marked the holiday in royal fashion but these are a few differences. >> reporter: queen elizabeth began her 60th christmas on the throne as she has every other at a morning church service with prince philip and other royals in tow. afterwards she greeted several hundreds who waited hours to see the royals at christmas but there were missing places at the christmas lunch table. prince harry out fighting in afghanistan and william and kate spent their day with their siblings in kate's hometown. a shocking breach of protocol? hardly. >> they want to do their own thing. the queen is kind of a xxi century queen and alouss laws t. >> reporter: so 21st century, she did it in 3d. it is queen elizabeth that led the phone age to social network ing and facebook and she's even a doodle on google. >> by the time she made her first televised christmas speech 55 years ago, she was a mark. >> for those it's possible to see me today, it's another example of the speed of which things are changing all around us. >> reporter: