Good evening and welcome to bbc news. North korea has described the latest United Nations sanctions as an act of war and tantamount to a complete economic blockade. The Un Security Council imposed the measures, drafted by the us on friday in response to pyongyangs Ballistic Missile tests. Sophie long sent this report from the south korean capital seoul. North Korean State Television broadcast the first reaction to the sanctions. It described the Un Resolution as an act of war that violates peace and stability on the korean peninsula. Please raise their hand. Pyongyang promised to punish those that voted for the us drafted resolution. That includes china, north koreas main ally and trading partner. Beijing urged restraint on all sides. Its previously called for an end to joint us south Korean Military drills, like this one, in exchange for a halt to north koreas weapons programme. A so called freeze for freeze. There is little hope either side will agree to that. Instead, the toughest sanctions yet. The americans had wanted to go further, but they were pleased with the support they got. I am grateful to my colleagues for the serious measures we have enacted on behalf of the north korean people, and i ask you keep them in your thoughts and prayers this holiday season, as we continue to fight against this, the most tragic example of evil in the modern world. The new sanctions include a ban on the import of nearly 90 of oil supplies to north korea, vital to its missile and nuclear programmes. They demand the deportation of North Koreans working abroad, to stop them funding the regime. There will also be a ban on exports of some north korean goods. The sanctions come in response to this. Pyongyangs launch of an intercontinental Ballistic Missile at the end of november. One it said could reach the us mainland. The resolution is intended to push pyongyang to the negotiating table and towards a diplomatic solution. But instead, its vowed to strengthen its Nuclear Capability and its got form. This is the third set of un sanctions to be imposed on north korea this year. Within weeks of the previous two rounds, it carried out its Biggest Nuclear test and fired its most powerful missile. Todays response shows little sign it is willing to stop now. Sophie long, bbc news, seoul. Tens of thousands of people have been left homeless after a Tropical Storm in the philippines in which more than 200 people have died and dozens are missing. Our World Affairs correspondent Richard Galpin reports. At last, some aid now getting to those most in need after this latest storm to hit the philippines begins to subside. Troops helping deliver supplies here in the Southern Region of mindanao, which lay right in the path of the storm. Reaching these impoverished areas has not been easy. They were hit by a landslide, mudslides, caused by an inordinate amount of rainfall that caused the ground to move and killed people innocently. As well as surging currents from swollen rivers that overcame their banks, it swept people out of their homes and killed many others as well. The speed with which the rivers were turned into lethal torrents over the weekend caught people here by surprise. Many drowning in their own homes, others buried under mudslides, including children. The call for people to evacuate in good time before the storm didnt have an effect. The storm passed over some of the poorest areas in the whole philippines. At least 200 people are known to have died. Large numbers are still missing, and tens of thousands have been forced to move away in search of emergency shelter. In rome today, pope francis offered prayers for the people of mindanao in his weekly blessing to the crowd on st peters square. Translation merciful lord, take in the souls of the dead and comfort those who are suffering as a result of this calamity. Lets pray for these people. At least Tropical Storm tembin has now been moving away from the philippines. Its currently over the south china sea, where its picking up strength again and has been categorised as a typhoon. Its expected to hit vietnam later this week. Meanwhile, the people of the southern philippines continue the search for loved ones. They will be hoping for much more help to reach them in the coming days. Two men have died in a crash involving five vehicles that closed part of the mao in oxfordshire for several hours last night. One vehicle is thought to have overturned in the incident which happened between junctions io and 11 near banbury. Jo kent reports from the scene. This northbound stretch of the mao here between junctions 10 and ii opened again this morning and is running freely now. There is really no trace of the terrible crash which happened here last night. It was a very different scene last night as members of all of the Emergency Services raced here to try to help in the aftermath of this multi vehicle crash. Five vehicles were involved in it and we know that two men sadly died. They were a 60 year old man from oxfordshire and a 29 year old man from warwickshire. One of those men died at the scene, the other was taken to hospital in a Critical Condition and died later. A third man is being treated in hospital for very serious leg injuries while a further three people sustained minor injuries. All of those were treated at hospitals in banbury or oxford. The police have said that their thoughts are with the families of the two men who died and those families are being supported by specially trained officers. Police are also appealing for witnesses. Anyone who saw this crash who they havent already spoken to are being asked to get in touch with Thames Valley police so they can try to piece together what caused this terrible crash. Joe kent, bbc south today over the mao in oxfordshire. In northern iraq, mosul is celebrating its first christmas since the city was taken by Islamic State militants injune 201a. Since then, Iraqi Christians were persecuted and driven out, while residents who remained were brutally oppressed until iraqi forces were able to retake the city. Alan johnston reports. They gathered in mosuls cathedral, marking a christmas they will never forget, the first christmas after the war. Under the rule of the Islamic State militants this would have been impossible. There could be no christian worship in public. The community was persecuted and many fled. This was a coming together, not just of christians, muslims helped prepare the church for this service. And they were here too as the worship unfolded. Mosul was the scene of months of ferocious street fighting. Iraqi forces and their western allies battled to drive out the militants. Thousands of civilians were killed and much damage was done. Now the healing must begin and the Christmas Service is a small part of that vast process. Translation without peace there is no life. Our message is that after everything that happened with our glorious victory against Islamic State group and others, we must all call for peace. Among those in the church, the message was being heard. Translation we are from the Muslim Community and today we share this glorious celebration with our Christian Brothers in the province and the city of mosul. We share theirjoy today and we hope our brothers outside of iraq from the Christian Community will return to mosul because we are all brothers and we are united. Beneath the cross in the cathedral this Christmas Eve there was some of the best of the spirit of this time of year and nowhere needs it more than mosul. Alan johnston, bbc news. But shoppers across the uk have been out all weekend to grab a last minute bargain. Yesterday was dubbed Super Saturday as it was the last full day of trading before christmas. And shoppers were out in force. For a shorter period, but yesterday there were i7. A Million People who were planning to make purchases and they were going to spend £1. 6 billion. That covers Online Purchases and going to the shops. If you were in a shop and thought it was busy, that is because there were ia million of us who were going out to shop yesterday. Possibly a lot of men leaving it to the last minute. I know that is a horrible stereotype, but i am afraid it is true. The survey does not provide a breakdown of sexes, but it says the person who will buy a last minute gift for us is our partner. And for grab and go items, you are most likely to buy toiletries and chocolates. You can interpret those figures as you can. They are not very imaginative. Find us they are not very imaginative. Find usa they are not very imaginative. Find us a stocking filler if anyone is watching at home. What about black friday . That was the other big day in november when people were supposed to be getting ready for christmas and getting bargains. Another black friday, another colourful name for a Different Event in the retail character, last friday in november when retailers make big discounts to encourage us to spend money. It works because we spent more on black friday this year than last year and it pushed up the overall retail sales for november. But while the overall amount that we spent went up, the number of people going into shops is going down, so it is quite a stark reminder of the shift towards Online Shopping that many of us are doing. Second, many analysts say that the money we spent on black friday is money that we probably would have spent at some time anyway, so it distorts the figure slightly. Perhaps we bought a Christmas Present early or delayed spending we would have done over the summer. It is not necessarily new money we are spending because we were drawn in by a good offer. What has the year been generally light for retailers generally like for retailers and what is the outlook . Even those figures i said at the beginning on Super Saturday was based on peoples intentions. But in the year to date there is a picture of growth, we are buying more than we were a year earlier. But there are lots of challenges facing retailers. One is the shift to Online Shopping. You would have heard about the problems faced by toys r us, they had a heavy shop presents and they had not built an online us, they had a heavy shop presence and they had not built an online offering and their business suffered as a result. Beyond that change in consumer habit is the economic things that are going on that make life potentially challenging for retailers. One is that the pound is comparatively weak. If retailers are importing goods to sell, it becomes more expensive, so it weighs on their Balance Sheet a bit more. The second is the cost of living and inflation which is going up. It is going up faster than wage packets, so the pound in peoples pocket is not going as far and they have less money pockets is not going as far and they have less money to spend on goods. Finally, we saw Interest Rates go up in november and while we are not expecting an immediate Interest Rate rise, they are on an upward trajectory. When Interest Rates go up and people are more likely to save rather than spend and that is a further pressure on retailers. Thank you very much. Coming up in a moment werejoined by viewers on bbc one for a round up of all the days news with fiona bruce. Good evening. Tens of thousands of people have been left homeless after a Tropical Storm in the philippines thats left more than 200 dead and dozens missing. Authorities are trying to provide food and shelter to those whove been displaced with rescue teams struggling to reach some of the affected areas. Our World Affairs correspondent Richard Galpin reports. At last, some aid now getting to those most in need, after this latest storm to hit the philippines begins to subside. Troops helping deliver supplies here in the Southern Region of mindanao, which lay right in the path of the storm. Reaching these impoverished areas has not been easy. They were hit by a landslide, mudslides, caused by an inordinate amount of rainfall that caused the ground to move and killed people innocently. As well as surging currents from swollen rivers that overcame the banks, it swept people out of their homes and killed many others as well. The speed with which the rivers were turned into lethal torrents over the weekend caught people here by surprise. Many drowning in their own homes, others buried under mudslides, including children. The call for people to evacuate in good time before the storm didnt have an effect. The storm passed over some of the poorest areas in the whole philippines. At least 200 people are known to have died. Large numbers are still missing and tens of thousands have been forced to move away in search of emergency shelter. In rome today, pope francis offered prayers for the people of mindanao in his weekly blessing to the crowd on st peters square. Translation merciful lord, take in the souls of the dead and comfort those who are suffering as a result of this calamity. Lets pray for these people. At least Tropical Storm tembin has now been moving away from the philippines. Its currently over the south china sea, where its picking up strength again and has been categorised as a typhoon. Its expected to hit vietnam later this week. Meanwhile, the people of the southern philippines continue the search for loved ones. They will be hoping for much more help to reach them in the coming days. Richard galpin, bbc news. North korea has described the latest United Nations sanctions as an act of war and tantamount to a complete economic blockade. The Un Security Council imposed the measures drafted by the us on friday in response to pyongyangs Ballistic Missile tests. North korea has vowed to strengthen its Nuclear Deterrent to frustrate america. Sophie long sent this report from the south korean capital seoul. North Korean State Television broadcast the first reaction to the sanctions. It described the Un Resolution as an act of war that violates peace and stability on the korean peninsula. Please raise their hand. Pyongyang promised to punish those that voted for the us drafted resolution. That includes china, north koreas main ally and trading partner. Beijing urged restraint on all sides. Its previously called for an end to joint us south Korean Military drills, like this one, in exchange for a halt to north koreas weapons programme. A so called freeze for freeze. There is little hope either side will agree to that. Instead, the toughest sanctions yet. The americans had wanted to go further, but they were pleased with the support they got. I am grateful to my colleagues for the serious measures we have enacted on behalf of the north korean people, and i ask you keep them in your thoughts and prayers this holiday season, as we continue to fight against this, the most tragic example of evil in the modern world. The new sanctions include a ban on the import of nearly 90 of oil supplies to north korea, vital to its missile and nuclear programmes. They demand the deportation of North Koreans working abroad, to stop them funding the regime. There will also be a ban on exports of some north korean goods. The sanctions come in response to this. Pyongyangs launch of an intercontinental Ballistic Missile at the end of november. One, it said, could reach the us mainland. The resolution is intended to push pyongyang to the negotiating table and towards a diplomatic solution. But instead, its vowed to strengthen its Nuclear Capability and its got form. This is the third set of un sanctions to be imposed on north korea this year. Within weeks of the previous two rounds, it carried out its Biggest Nuclear test and fired its most powerful missile. Todays response shows little sign it is willing to stop now. Sophie long, bbc news, seoul. Police are appealing for witnesses after two men died and several people were injured in a crash on the mao involving a number of vehicles. Emergency services were called to the scene just before midnight yesterday on the northbound stretch of the motorway in oxfordshire. The motorway reopened this morning. Opponents of president putin have held a series of mass rallies in cities across russia in support of a candidate to challenge him in elections early next year. The opposition politician alexei navalny, whos beenjailed in the past for criticising the president , told supporters he will stand against mr putin. But its not yet certain if hell be able to run as he is officially disqualified. Plans to ditch the armys slogan be the best have been stopped by the new defence secretary, Gavin Williamson. Half a Million Pounds had been spent on a re branding exercise that would have got rid of the slogan because it was felt to be elitist. Andy moore reports. A well known slogan at the heart of Army Recruiting for more than two decades. Its not clear when the new defence secretary Gavin Williamson saw these plans for a rebrand, but he clearly didnt like them. The research reportedly showed that the be the best slogan was dated, elitist and non inclusive. These plans for a rebrand were well advanced at a senior level here at the ministry of defence, then there was a sudden about turn. A statement was issued last night, saying the defence secretary believes the british army is the best of the best and these proposals have been put on hold. Colonel richard kemp was the commander of british troops in afghanistan. He says a lot can be improved in the recruitment process but there is nothing wrong with the slogan. If the army is not an elite, it is hardly likely to defeat our enemies. If it is not better than our enemies, all of our enemies, then again it is not going to win, it is not going to win in the war. It has to be the best. Young people who are thinking aboutjoining, they want to join the best, they dont want to join anything that is second rate. This rebranding exercise was said to have the support of the armys most senior officer, but now his authority has been publicly undermined by the defence secretary. Whatever the argument on tactics, the crisis in recruiting remains. Every year for seven years now, more soldiers have left the army than signed up. Andy moore, bbc news. Pope francis has held Midnight Mass in rome. The pontiff carried out the service in st peters basilica. His sermon included a condemnation of human traffickers who were described as modern day herods. Meanwhile pilgrims are celebrating Midnight Mass, in bethlehem. This years celebration takes place amid rising tensions in the region following the us decision to recognisejerusalem as israels capital earlier this month. Our religion editor Martin Bashir is in manger square for us. Is there something of a different atmosphere there this year . Despite the inclement weather as you can see, there are no spaces in the queues of the church of the nativity behind me and the Midnight Mass which started a few minutes ago. The reality is that donald trump was my decision to officially recognise jerusalem as the capital city of israel which provoked clashes, has had a stark effect across the city. Many of the hotels which are generally oversubscribed are currently closed and empty. Traders complain ofa currently closed and empty. Traders complain of a lack of business and the fact is the threat of violence has had a greater effect on pilgrims who might normally have wanted to be here to mark the birth of christ on Christmas Eve, instead the fear of violence has kept them away. Martin in bethlehem, thank you. Apologies for the sound. That was the rain causing that. That was the rain causing that. Thats it from us. From everyone here at bbc news, have a very happy christmas. Good evening, the festive forecast is not looking particularly cold wintry. It has been quite a mild state again today and this was the scene from one of our weather watchers in cambridgeshire. Quite a lot of rain around and this continues into Christmas Day as well. It is mild and breezy and for some of us it is damp. This is Christmas Eve. The rest of this evening and overnight we have got some rain in the north west of the country. South east it is mostly dry and for most of us it is frost free. Some colder airjust pushing into the far north. For many central and southern parts of england and wales we have a breeze coming in from the south west. Cloudy and later on the rain will work its way in from the west. The rain arrives in wales and cornwall on Christmas Day. Much of england and wales pretty mild, breezy and cloudy with the odd bright spell breaking through. The odd bit of rain in Northern England and Northern Ireland and the potential for snow on the highest ground. Northern scotland well see the odd coming in. This moves eastwards a cross the odd coming in. This moves eastwards across the country and there is a bit of potential for wintry naz in the central lowlands. As that rain clears things are turning colderfor as that rain clears things are turning colder for boxing as that rain clears things are turning colderfor boxing day and there could be the odd bit of ice around first thing in the morning. On boxing day it is a different feel to the weather. Perhaps the odd wintry shower in parts of scotland. Rain wintry shower in parts of scotland. Ra i n clears wintry shower in parts of scotland. Rain clears from the east, but later in the day wet and windy weather arriving in the south west. Temperatures are a bit cooler. Through boxing day evening that rain gets going towards the south, pushing eastwards. Heavy rain and squally winds moving there will wake eastwards as we head through boxing day night and into wednesday. Then we are left with an northerly flow ofair. We are left with an northerly flow of air. Heavy rain initially in the south east on wednesday and a return to sunny spells, a few scattered showers and it is feeling fresher thanit showers and it is feeling fresher than it has been. This is bbc news our latest headlines north korea says the latest un sanctions are an act of war, as they amount to a complete economic blockade. Pyongyang has vowed to strengthen its Nuclear Deterrent. Rescuers are searching for victims of a Tropical Storm in the southern philippines. More than 200 people have died in mudslides and flash floods. Emergency services have yet to reach some of the affected areas. Two men have been killed following a multiple vehicle crash on the mao in oxfordshire. It closed a section of the motorway near banbury for several hours last night. Four people were injured, one seriously. Christians in the iraqi city of mosul are celebrating christmas for the First Time Since 201a, after Islamic State was driven out earlier this year. Controversial plans to scrap the army slogan be the best because it was felt to be elitist, have been stopped by the new defence secretary, Gavin Williamson. Now on bbc news, from the engagement of prince harry and meghan markle, to the retirement from royal duties of the duke of edinburgh, Sarah Campbell looks back on the key events in review 2017 the royal year. Reporter congratulations from all of us how are you both feeling . Thrilled this was the year in which prince harry introduced his new leading lady, the american actress, meghan markle. The fact that i fell in love with meghan so incredibly quickly, was sort of confirmation to me that everything, all the stars were aligned, everything was perfect. After 70 years of public service, the duke of edinburgh, britains longest serving royal consort, hung up his hat and retired from royal duties. Prince george had his own milestone moment