And christmas preparations get underway in the west bank town of bethlehem but this years festivities are being overshadowed by tensions resulting from the u. S. Shift in its middle east policy. And coming up to help us all have a merry little christmas. Ah ha. Ha twenty eight thousand fans thronged the korean barely ends soccer stadium to sing carols in what has passed become an annual holiday tradition. Im edith to money welcome to the program some two hundred people are dead in the philippines up to a tropical storm. Brought devastation to the south of the country rescue operations are underway to find dozens who remain missing tembin is the second deadly storm to hit the country this week its wept over the island of mindanao living destruction in its wake. Tropical storms rarely hit mindanao in the south of the philippines ten being proved a brutal and deadly exception. The heavy rains caused massive flooding and numerous landslides. Entire villages were swept away. Washed up they used to be one hundred three houses here but when the flash flood happened everything was washed out all their homes and livelihoods gone ninety families have been affected in the least that. Towns were deep under water with people trapped in their homes. Across the affected region at least forty thousand people have been displaced scores are still missing. Emergency workers and volunteers have been searching for survivors and victims. Of the devastation is widespread endless mud. Flattened crops. And entire communities where people have to rebuild their homes and their lives. Staying in the philippines where people are mourning another tragedy this Christmas Eve at least thirty seven people are feared dead after a fire broke out at a four story Shopping Mall firefighters have begun recovering bodies and of origin say theres no chance of survival for anyone trapped inside crews have now put out of every is over south a city of devoured its believed the fire started on the third floor the cause is not yet known. Christmas celebrations are underway in bethlehem amid heightened tensions this year a procession is taking place as worshippers make their way to the church of the nativity at the spot where christians believe jesus was born among those taking part is the law Team Patriarch is a top Roman Catholic official in the holy land and will be celebrating Midnight Mass later. But this years festivities come at a time of simmering anger after u. S. President Donald Trumps controversial decision to recognize jerusalem as israels capital now that move has triggered clashes and has been weighing on christians as well as they prepare to celebrate Christmas Day eight pastries not too sweet these palestinian delicacies called mahmoud have a special significance who would be largely not make these easter because they symbolize christs crown that this year weve decided to make them a christmas as well because the children like them so much. The whole family joins in the mans sewers are christians living in bethlehem Charlie Mansour is a doctor he and his wife rader have three children as christians celebrating christmas in the birthplace of jesus is extra special but this year politics is putting a damper on the celebrations. And. Worried and afraid well probably go to church for christmas and then just stay at home with the family. You can see why had bethlehems town walls palestinians dressed as father christmas taunt Israeli Border guards they retaliate with tear gas its been like this for the last two weeks the tension is getting to the man soars. Elimination a bad shot christmas is different this year we can even smell the tear gas in town its all because donald trump decided to move the American Embassy to jerusalem city although we consider jerusalem an arabic city where all religions should coexist message to. The mores in calls the faithful to prayer in the center of bethlehem. Two thirds of the towns thirty thousand residents are muslim one third christian the two faith communities treat each other with respect. We celebrate together with our christine presence. There are no differences between us. More and more tourists are coming to bethlehem the Palestinian Authority has stepped up security measures but a feeling of ease remains. At the grotto of the nativities where jesus is believed to have been born a group of pilgrims starts an informal choir a prayer for a peaceful christmas. Kremlin critic. Is holding rally as a citizen across russia to back his bid to run in next years president ial election not only is hoping the show of support will persuade officials to overturn a Court Conviction that bars him from standing as a candidate a ruling he says is politically motivated now the is considered the strongest potential challenger to president Vladimir Putin that could see put to extend his hold on power for another six years. We have come together to live a better life and make our country better. This is something we will fight for i thank you all for your trust to be your candidate and fight for your interests. I promise that i will not disappoint you. But he writes together we will lead russia to a better future. For this around. Lets now look at some of the other stories making news around the world north korea has condemned the latest u. N. Sanctions against the country as an act of war pyongyang insists it will carry on developing its Nuclear Program to establish a balance of force with the United States on friday the u. N. Security Council Unanimously backed fresh sanctions against north korea in response to its test of an intercontinental ballistic missile. A u. S. Judge has partly blocked president Donald Trumps latest restrictions on refugees now the courtroom the measures could not be applied to people with a bonafide relationship to a person or entity in the United States the white house has effectively stopped refugee admissions from eleven countries mostly in the middle east and africa. The and people in japan are getting ready for twenty eighteen with the bell you brought this laughing ritual at a shrine in a soccer is meant to cast off the bad memories of the past year the ritual stems from a tale of shinto date is using laughter to hear the song goddess out of a dark cave. With christmas just around the corner you can imagine that centers are suddenly in high demand they play to the toughest of audiences namely children and better be ready for the unexpected one season does one sees an instructor is making sure the santas he schools meet the highest of standards. As worth a record so i want to welcome your well ladies and gentleman or well be doing a workshop on how to be santa claus today the first drillers discover your center. Oliva is a first time center and perhaps its not as easy for him as others to impersonate the festive figure but the Course Instructor here in a local town hall takes his yuletide mission quite seriously. Trimmer is beards like this one here all full of people run around the slings and call themselves sanchez and they have no idea what its all about. Thats pretty good i think we need to head outside for a practice your bite with both of you give each other a bit of room or maybe everyone will keep an eye on you and be the referee season and maybe give you a few tips about what you can do better. How is it good is a lot of fun. I do. Know. But the first trial run isnt all smooth sailing. Look do you want some. One who was. Look here im not i wont hurt you. There you go i. Know where theyre going to christmas. And. The. First to find love this week do you have a blonde drawl with long hair now youve learned of her learn how to love and a car as a Christmas Present. Not know how bustling but i want to barbie car for christmas one barbie i want to try my hand wait a second i know if a blonde girl in the christmas albums told me about her beauty vinyl. Can you bring me one of those ones bring them to im sure i can switch them. Two days later all of his first proper appearance its december sixth and hes classed as a sand technically its st nicholas day. But no ones being too picky certainly not at a local car dealership this is Opening Night so to speak. Your whats your name. Are you sure its here should we try and find them. The pressures on if the children were good this year tradition dictates that their boots will be filled with goodies. He wants. And then the next kids have arrived its a chance for a lever to work on his holiday chops. But he is well aware that his outing at the car dealership is just a warm up for the main events Christmas Eve. How do you feel about working on Christmas Eve. Christmas eve well you need to have a feeling for what makes it so special and you really have to enjoy being santa claus i really like advent. I like looking around and seeing all the houses lit up its impressive and every year i just cant get enough of it. So while others are lounging around their trees here in germany all evil will be celebrating his premiere and dashing from one Christmas Celebration to the next. Second Division German soccer team ballin have been battling to reach the bundesliga for many years but it just hasnt happened yet still every christmas the club makes headlines because of a much loved tradition twenty eight thousand fans packed their stadium to sing festive caroles. The. Past by nothing and started back in two thousand and three now ballin fans make the annual pilgrimage to their stadium not for football but for singing their moms would do exactly like we did at the start all or all music were all in firms wrote amateurs on the stage and among the crowd thats all part of the charm oneone have become synonymous with christmas in germany not just because they kit has the same color as santa. Who knows where this will lead. To. The. Christmas carols have become a Marketing Tool for the club. To take their sons and rides a wonderful stem it is not about a flight the few young here is like family thats why it is great to experience at my age. People come from all around the world to take part in the singing like mad to ataris shes from mexico. Was. Really like its a great atmosphere and i really enjoy this that they found way to celebrate christmas. If the team plays as well as their fans sing in your belly in could well be in the bond as the go this Time Next Year now wouldnt that be a great Christmas Present was. Youre watching the news from berlin thank you for watching. Where i come from we have to fight for a free press and was born and raised in a military dictatorship with just one t. V. Shadow and a few in his favor as one official