The people who can make snow, but not as you know. None of this is real. Plus we will look back at the yea rs real. Plus we will look back at the years biggest weather stories and storms. Good afternoon 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 us drafted measures 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. An act of war that violates peace and stability on the korean peninsula. That was north koreas reaction to the latest and toughest round of sanctions to be imposed on pyongyang. The us drafted resolution was agreed by all members of the Un Security Council, including china, north koreas main ally and trading partner, who called again for all parties to show restraint. Im 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 all oil supplies to north korea. Vital to its missile and nuclear programmes. They also require the repatriation of North Koreans working abroad. Its believed pyongyang uses their earnings to help fund its weapons development. The sanctions come in response to this, the firing of pyongyangs most powerful missile yet, one it said could reach us soil. Theyre intended to push pyongyang to the negotiating table and towards a diplomatic solution. But todays response indicates kim jong un has little desire to give up his nuclear ambitions. Sophie long, bbc news, seoul. Rescuers are searching for victims of a Tropical Storm in the southern philippines, where more than 200 people have died in mudslides and flash floods. Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes as howard johnson, our correspondent in manila, explains. High winds and heavy rain have battered mindanao for the last three days, as Tropical Storm tembin made its way across the country. Rivers burst their banks, inundating towns, while a number of villages were buried under landslides. A spokesperson for the United Nations Childrens Fund said conditions on the island are dire and that many are without clean water or electricity. There were 103 houses here. When the flood happened, it swept them all away. The Philippines National Disaster Council is spearheading the relief effort, providing meals and shelter to thousands of people displaced by the storm. The call for people to evacuate in good time before the storm actually didnt have an effect. The storm passed over some of the absolute poorest areas in the whole of the philippines and people live in hard to reach areas. The philippines is hit by around 20 typhoons every year, bringing misery to some of the poorest communities in the country. Storm tembin has now passed the philippines and has strengthened to typhoon status. Its now over the south china sea. Its expected to hit vietnam in the coming days. Howard johnson, bbc news, manila, in the philippines. Two men have died after a crash on the mao involving a number of vehicles. Four people were injured, one seriously. Police and paramedics were called to the scene on the northbound stretch of the motorway in 0xfordshire just before midnight. Officers from Thames Valley police are calling for witnesses. London zoo has reopened today after a fire on saturday killed several animals, and some staff had to be treated for smoke inhalation. In a statement london zoo said britains political leaders have used their annual christmas messages to pay tribute to those who help others. They also urge people to support those in need over the festive season. 0ur political correspondent, eleanor garnier, has more. Wishing everyone a happy christmas, the Prime Minister thanked those who help others during the festive period. Like volunteers at faith projects and International Aid workers. Theresa may highlighted the courage and dedication of the Emergency Services who went to the Grenfell Tower tragedy and terrorist attacks in manchester and london. And she thanked the countrys armed forces. This christmas, as people across the uk celebrate this special time of year with their families and friends, we will do so secure in the knowledge that the valiant hearts of our servicemen and women, many far away from their own loved ones at this special time of year, are working to keep us safe. In his second christmas message as labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn called britain a compassionate nation, urging people to think of those who may be lonely at this time of year. Many older citizens, to whom we owe so much, who should be spending this time withjoy, are alone. We think of others such as carers and people with disabilities or dementia. And abroad, we think of those living in nations such as yemen, syria and libya, in fear of bombs and bullets, of injury and death. The snp first minister Nicola Sturgeon paid tribute to those working over the holidays, and visited a Community Cafe in glasgow to thank volunteers. This cafe and the volunteers here are among thousands of organisations and individuals throughout scotland who do so much for local communities all throughout the year, not just at christmas but all throughout the year. The lib dems leader vince cable used his christmas message to highlight the issue of homelessness. Community has always been at the heart of liberalism. This is a time of year to make that commitment real. That is why i am asking you to take out some time this christmas and help with a local charity near you. The Party Leaders festive messages were shared on social media to wish voters a merry christmas, but also remind people to spare a thought for those in need. Eleanor garnier, bbc news. New guidance on how local authorities combat anti social behaviour has been issued by the government, following concerns that some councils are misusing the measures. Critics say so called public spaces protection 0rders have been used inapproriately to target groups such as rough sleepers and dog owners. Andy moore reports. Some charities working with the homeless say the new powers can be used indiscriminately against rough sleepers. Others say so called public spaces protection 0rders, which can cover large areas, are being used to target groups like buskers or dog walkers. But councils argue they are working with their communities to crack down on serious problems. The Manifesto Group campaigns against what they call the over regulation of ordinary life. It says hundreds of these orders have been issued, making a wide range of activities a criminal offence. The group claims, for example, that as part of a crackdown on begging, blackpool wanted to ban loitering around cash machines and shop entrances. Doncaster wanted to ban groups of three or more people causing nuisance or annoyance to people in the town centre. Brighton wanted to stop anyone sleeping in a car, caravan or tent in the town. Fines of up to £100 can be issued for any breaches of these orders. The local Government Association says it will work constructively with the government to introduce the new guidelines. Public spaces protection 0rders are used for the really serious end of anti social behaviour, and councils dont choose to do this on their own. Residents will come to us, businesses will come to us, and say there might be some aggressive begging, daytime drinking or even street racing. That is the sort of things that these orders are used for. The revised guidelines say councils must focus on specific problems rather than blanket bans of behaviour that are not in themselves anti social. And they must make sure they consult the public before the regulations are introduced. Andy moore, bbc news. Police have been granted more time to question three terrorism suspects arrested on tuesday in sheffield and chesterfield. The three men were detained on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. Plans to ditch the armys slogan be the best have been halted by the new defence secretary, gavin williamson. £500,000 has been spent on a rebranding exercise that would have got rid of the slogan, because it was deemed elitist. The ministry of defence said the british army is the best of the best and that the proposals were now on hold. Joining me now from colchester is colonel richard kemp, a former commander of British Forces in afghanistan. Thank you forjoining us this Christmas Eve on bbc news. First of all what did you make of general nick carters all what did you make of general nick ca rters plans . All what did you make of general nick carters plans . Happy christmas to you and all your viewers. I was a bit disappointed with this idea, because i can understand why the general wanted to do it, which was of course partly to do with tackling the armys horrendous recruitment crisis that it faces, but i think it is an error of judgment crisis that it faces, but i think it is an error ofjudgment to suggest the army is not elitist and that we should not aim to have the best. I know that is not really what he had in mind but i think the slogan be the best typifies and exemplifies the best typifies and exemplifies the army. The army should and needs to be the best, better than any of its enemies or potential enemies and its enemies or potential enemies and it isa its enemies or potential enemies and it is a very appropriate slogan to have. Do you really think the british people do see, because this was part of Market Research carried out, do people really see the army oi out, do people really see the army or that slogan as elitist . What is it about that slogan . Well, the army is elitist and should be elitist, but i am pretty confident myself and i have met many people, particularly people thinking aboutjoining the army from all sorts of backgrounds including ethnic minorities, and not one has ever said to me he or she is put off by the fact there is a slogan be the best. People want to join something that is the best, a great aspiration for people. With thejoin something that great aspiration for people. With the join something that suggest it is not the best . Particularly an army, which suggests it could well be defeated and there could be casualties as a consequence. Do you think it was the secretarys place to step in and intervene . Well, i dont really understand quite what happened here and i think we have to be careful about what the spin actually says. I have no doubt that ifa actually says. I have no doubt that if a decision was taken it was in consultation between the defence check secretary and the chief of the general staff. I would have thought it would have been better coming from the chief of the general staff, if you decided to do it, that he should decide to withdraw, but i dont know exactly what happened and i think we have to be careful of what is being spun here. Do you think the army needs a face lift . And if it was to have a rebrand, what would you do . I would not even think about rebranding the army. The army doesnt need a brand, it is what it is. Its capabilities speak for itself, its performance in Northern Ireland, the balkans, afghanistan, in iraq, soldiers today deployed in places like cyprus by my own regiment, the royal anglican regiment, and they are of course still in afghanistan. The track record of the british army speaks for itself and any message we should be delivering should be in that our enemies or potential enemies and that message needs to be that we are a very strong army and we have political will behind us to use if we need to and that is what helps to deter and prevent wars. In terms of the message to our own population at home in terms of recruitment, what we need to do, we dont need to rebrand but we need to sort out the recruiting mechanism which is broken. Most people i speak to who wa nt to broken. Most people i speak to who want tojoin broken. Most people i speak to who want to join the army run broken. Most people i speak to who want tojoin the army run up against brick wall which the armys recruiting agency, outsourced to capita, which needs to be resolved. The government needs to stop hammering away at armed forces and eroding its strength. It is the reduction, the constant reduction in the capability of the armed forces, the capability of the armed forces, the defence cuts and deprivation of resources which, if anything, undermines confidence in the armed forces. I was looking through some of the chat boards of the british services, and in response to this particular story, what came across was despair, lack of morale, anger at low pay, conditions, they feel forgotten. 0ne at low pay, conditions, they feel forgotten. One of the slogans put forward was, army, forgotten. It is really not a happy ship, and you have alluded to this lately. What should the top brass be doing instead of rebranding . should the top brass be doing instead of rebranding . I think the people who need to take action here are not so much the top brass but the politicians, the chancellor of the politicians, the chancellor of the exchequer and the defence secretary, and the Prime Minister, the need to start taking the armed forces and the defence of this country more seriously. The army cannot be a happy ship, the armed forces cannot be a happy ship, without enough money or people to do thejob and without enough money or people to do the job and without enough equipment. That is the first thing that needs to be addressed, but another thing i think is problematic, and we are notjust talking about equipment but the quality of life of soldiers. They are poorly paid and receive a bad remuneration package, having their quality of life constantly eroded by the force has been deprived of funds by the politicians. I know that the generals in the army working very ha rd to generals in the army working very hard to do as best they can with the law resources they have got so it is a decision for the politicians. But the other problematic area i think is the extent to which british soldiers and other members of the forces, even going back to the 19705, forces, even going back to the 1970s, are being hounded through the courts, subjected to thousands of investigations and inquiries. You have old age pensioners now being dragged up in court in Northern Ireland for so called offences they we re ireland for so called offences they were exonerated from decades ago. This sort of thing is what has to stop. It is not in the interests of justice but in the interest of a very undesirable political message. Colonel richard kemp, thank you very much and have a lovely christmas. Thank you. The time is 3 17. The headlines on bbc news north korean state tv describes as an act of war new economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations. Pyongyang has vowed to strengthen its Nuclear Deterrent. Rescuers are searching for 150 missing people, after a Tropical Storm in the philippines left another 200 dead. Two people have been killed and four injured following a multiple vehicle crash on the mao in 0xfordshire the motorway has now reopened. Sport now, and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, heres katherine. Good afternoon. Sheffield wednesday and middlesbrough are both looking for new managers after the two teams met at hillsbrough yesterday. Wednesday confirmed a short time ago that Carlos Carvalhal has left the club after yesterdays 2 1 defeat theyre currently 15th in the championship. Ryan shotton scored boros second goal yesterday in the championship. Ryan shotton scored boros second goal yesterday which gave them the win. Wednesday released a statement earlier saying , both parties earlier saying both parties believe the time is right to go our separate ways. Carvalhal had been in charge for two and a half years. It follows the departure of middlesbrough boss garry monk. Boro are ninth in the championship table. Southamptons Charlie Austin has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association after yesterdays 1 1 draw against huddersfield. This challenge on huddersfield goalkeeperjonas lossl left him with a suspected broken nose. The incident wasnt seen by the match officials but was caught on camera. Austin could now face a three match ban. It looks very ugly from my point of view. I was a striker, and even not with the quality we have seen here in the premier league, but i know exactly. In the premier league, but i know exactly. Jonas was so early on the ball mac, and you have to do, do not touch, and to be fair it looks very nasty and ugly. This is something that usually should not happen. Here is Patrick Gearey with an update on the cricket from melbourne. Melbourne is a city which reaches for the skies. There are more Tall Buildings here than in london or in beijing a reminder to england of their now impossible climb. 3 0 down, the ashes gone, surrounded by criticism and jibes from the aussies, now england have to come here. And in this place, its very easy to feel lost. Its happened before. The last England Test Team to come to the mcg were 3 0 down and ended up losing the series 5 0. So how are this side any different . The morale in the group is still really high, and, you know, no ones theres no bickering, theres no, you know, separation within the group. Its good that weve all stuck together. You know, i wasnt here on that previous ashes tour but, by all accounts, there was differences within the camp back then. And, yeah, it definitely doesnt feel like that here. Everyones working hard to try and win this test match. If theres hope, maybe its in a damaged heel belonging to mitchell starc, the top wicket taker in the series. Hell miss the test, to be replaced byjackson bird. Some in the england camp have claimed australias bowling back ups arent up to the standard of the front line. In response, starc cant bowl actual bouncers, but heres a verbal one. Its quite humorous, actually. Erm, they havent taken 20 wickets yet in the series so. And we have, and then theyre having a crack at our depth. So, i think theyve got bigger things to worry about than the depth of australian fast bowlers. So, as i said, hopefully jacko takes five. He still bowls quick enough. Im pretty sure he still bowls quicker than the pom bowlers as well, so. Laughter. Maybe in adversity, england will find their true character, but australia is planning to celebrate and humiliate. And around here, one thing preoccupies them more than anything. Patrick gearey, bbc news, in melbourne. Theres one game in the aviva premiership today. Leicester against saracens kicked off at 3 oclock. More than 23,000 tickets have been sold for the game. Saracens are currently 10 0 up after ten minutes. There was a penalty afterjonny may threatened Sean Maitland and prevented them from scoring. May is currently in the sin bin. Thats all the sport for now. More sport in an hour. See you then, lu kwesa. Thank you. Its reported that the british iranian woman held in prison for spying in tehran is to face new charges. Following a visit by the foreign secretary borisjohnson to iran earlier this month there where hopes improvements would be made in her case. Earlier this week her family said that her case had been marked as eligible for Early Release. Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe is currently serving a five year sentence for spying which she denies. Earlier, my colleague Christian Fraser caught up with the Richard Ratcliffe who spoke about the latest in his wifes situation. Were sort of going around telling the world that it felt like it was almost over and then the following day, one of people stood up and said, no, there could be more charges. So we have been watching very closely events in iran and yesterday, nothing happened, today, nothings happened. So i spoke to her this morning, no sign of that second court case. In fact, her lawyer went into prison yesterday and said, dont worry, its still marked the same on the computer, this is just being politics, ignore what happens in the iranian media and i promise you still in the next ten days, two weeks, it could be over. There is going to be a Judicial Press conference later on today in iran. So were just watching everything now and trying not to get too up and down and try to keep level headed. Which is of course difficult at this time of year. The last time we spoke, you said that there are these competing high powered elements in iran and each of them has a different take, seemingly, on the case. Thats right, just as we have become. Were on the news quite a lot now, were a political issue in the uk and in iran, and different people have different aspirations for making friends with the uk or preventing that and she has become a political football. The fact that she was on holiday is irrelevant to the fact she is still being used in these ways. So it is not clear if the sort of comments from friday are just a political sounding, or if there is going to be some substance to it. So far, there has not been any substance. 0bviously, she is not going to be home for Christmas Eve, but, you know, Christmas Day possible, boxing day and could be that we are in for a much longer haul. Im not yet gearing up to escalate and do more. Im still hoping and fingers crossed. So, just to be clear, the news that we got from the lawyer and said on the Computer System marked for Early Release is still there . Yes. That is still on the file. Yes. This has come from an element almost within thejudiciary. Yes, and not an insignificant element as well. So he is convinced that the process is still moving forwards and there are some powerful factions saying, no, its not. Of course, we had a second court case that was mooted before, then the foreign secretary went over to iran and then it fell away. 0nly last week, the court case disappeared and was cancelled formally by the court and then it has been revived again. So its really hard to know whats going on and its hard not to get too up or down, but certainly, as i say, i spoke to her this morning and she wasnt in the best of moods. Rail passengers are being warned they could face disruption as network rail carries out its biggest ever christmas engineering programme. 260 projects across england, scotland and wales will lead to numerous station closures over the festive period. Many of britains mainline routes will also be shut or running reduced services over the coming days. Pilgrims have been arriving in bethlehem, ahead of a Midnight Mass this evening. But this years celebrations place amid rising tensions in the region following the us decision to recognisejerusalem as israels capital earlier this month. 0ur middle east correspondent tom bateman is in bethlehem for us. We are in manger square, right in front of the church of the nativity. The basilica here is 1500 years old. The church was built above the spot where christians believe that christ was born. And this church very much the focal point of todays celebrations, of todays festivity. The most senior archbishop of the region, the Roman Catholic church, heads into the square here. He was accompanied by dozens of Palestinian Scout troops. Playing the bagpipes. Thats a legacy of when british troops were here, scottish troops, during the british mandate period. They made their way in up manger street, into manger square, and it is there where speeches are given and dignitaries meet the archbishop, before Midnight Mass takes place tonight on Christmas Eve. The crowds have turned out in the hundreds for the day. But numbers are much lighter than previous years. Thats because tourism has taken a severe dent here because of fears over clashes that have taken place in the last few weeks in the occupied west bank, ever since donald trump announced that the us officially recognise jerusalem as the capital of israel. And all of this, whilst there is a severe diplomatic stand off between the palestinians and the us, the palestinian president , mahmoud abbas, who will be here tonight, will be talking about the fact that he will not accept any new us peace proposals. Meanwhile, the israeli Prime Minister, benjamin netanyahu, has held his weekly cabinet today, and he says all of that is a sign that it is the palestinians who are not prepared to solve the conflict. Tom bateman there. Champagne and fireworks may be part of your new years ritual, but at one shrine injapan they have an entirely of saying out with the old, in with the new. Rylee carlson explains. Its a new years ritual in osaka, japan. Filing into this shrine looking for a fresh start. Here they follow the chief priest. The and then, on his cue. Priest ha, ha, ha crowd ha, ha, ha this is a laughing ceremony to forget the bad they have experienced throughout the year. Translation i laughed all the bad things away. I hope next year will be filled with laughter. The ritual is based on a japanese myth that says laughter opens the cave of the sun goddess. The priests keep them going for about 20 minutes. It spreads throughout the temple. Laughter is contagious, as they say. And here injapan, so is the hope of a happier new year. Rylee carlson, bbc news. Fantastic lets find out how the weather is looking. No laughing matter, with tomasz schafernaker. Mild and grey for many of us today. Not particularly festive but i am sure spirits are up, as are the temperatures. 10 11 for much of the uk across this evening, and we keep the south westerly winds so it will be mild across england and wales come and heavy rain also around in the north of the country. Cumbria in for a soggy period into Christmas Day. This is Christmas Day, ten, 11, 12 degrees, a bit colder in scotland, down to single figures. Notice that it turns wet through Christmas Day evening in many western areas, and there could be some snow mixing in with the rain across the Southern Uplands and the highlands as well, some sleet for a time in glasgow and edinburgh, and boxing day is looking bright itself but then there will be some rain running into that colder air assault overnight into boxing day perhaps across Southern Hills there could be some watery sleet around. Goodbye. Running into that colder air, so overnight into boxing day. 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 died after a multiple vehicle crash on m40. Four people were injured, one seriously. The motorway is now reopen. Britains political leaders are using their annual christmas messages to praise those who help others. Theresa may thanked the armed forces and Emergency Services. LaboursJeremy Corbyn urged people to think of the lonely