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 mid east policy. Also coming up to help us have a merry little christmas. Possible because. The twenty eight thousand fans strong to union billions soccer stadium to seen carrolls in what has fast become an annual holiday tradition. Im come to the program some two hundred people are dead in the philippines after a tropic. Storm brought devastation to the south of the country rescue operations are underway to find dozens who are still missing tembin is the second deadly storm to hit the country this week it swept over the island of mindanao leaving 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 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 Authorities Say there is no chance of survival for anyone trapped inside crews have now put out the blaze in the south of the city of devout its believed the fire started on the third floor the cause is yet unknown. Christmas celebrations are underway in bethlehem amid the heightened tensions this year worshippers have been making their way to the church of the nativity at the spot where christians believe jesus was born among those taking part is the latin patriarch now he is the top Roman Catholic official in the holy land and will be celebrating the 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 that move has triggered clashes that 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 at 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 stores. Elimination bash at shah christmas is different this year we can even smell the tear gas and home as well because donald trump decided to move the American Embassy to jerusalem we consider jerusalem an arabic city where all religions should coexist message to. The more as in calls the faithful to prayer in the center of bethlehem two thirds of the towns thirty thousand residents are muslim one third christian but two faith communities treat each other with respect. We celebrate together with our christine presence and day with those there are no differences between us. With. More and more tourists are coming to bethlehem the Palestinian Authority has stepped up security measures but a feeling of an 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. Now to 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 you know state media said the measures violated peace and stability in the region killing young now insists it will carry on developing its Nuclear Program to establish a balance of force with the United States north koreas ongoing ballistic tests have prompted fresh sanctions by the u. N. Security council. The government of turkeys president ial dawn has announced its sacking twenty seven hundred Public Servants with alleged links to terror. The government has fired or suspended some one hundred fifty thousand teachers judges judges and other Public Servants since it declared a state of emergency after last years failed coup. And people in japan like getting ready for twenty eighteen with the value of this laughing ritual at a shrine in is meant to cast off the bad memories of the past year the ritual stems from a tale of shinto dating is using laughter to mirror the sun goddess out of a dark. Kremlin critic alexina vonnie is holding rallies in cities across russia to back his bid to run in next years president ial election of and he is hoping the show of support will persuade officials to overturn a Court Conviction that bars him from standing as a candidate or ruling he says is politically motivated the is considered the strongest potential challenger to president Vladimir Putin that could see put an extend his hold on power by 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. Together we will lead russia to a better future. For this. Christmas eve is finally here and while some of you some of us may still be doing some last minute shopping to find the perfect presents others appear to be all done and ready to hand them out including santa claus and many kids around the world hoping to catch a glimpse. Of jolly old. Maybe behalf. With rudolph and other reindeer he delivers billions of gifts sounds like a tough job right well he gets it done every year with his journey starting from the north pole and this is a story most of us know but this father christmas really come from the actinic. Judea hand junia hand set out in search of the mythical man with the bright red outfit and white beard and she found him in turkey. But. Its christmas time a reason to celebrate for some people here in istanbul as well and like every year curious children want to know where does sounds like laos come from. Are from somewhere in europe norway. From a snowy place from england. America maybe. From over there. I dont know. Unbelievable but true even many turkish people dont know that good old sense is in fact one of their own so stay tuned we will show you where father christmas really comes from. Its right here the small town of demaris in southern turkey. In the fourth century a bearded man known for his generosity lived here children were especially fond of him because he often gave out gifts it was this man st nicholas. The reading this is the very church in demarest where st nicholas prayed about seventeen hundred years ago he was officially called the bishop of iraq that was the name of this town back then. As is nicholas. Between Saint Nicholas is important all over the world to some of his good deeds reflected in the first here in this church. Like protecting those in prison and healing the sick you also mention so good because it is. A devoted his entire life to the wellbeing of others yet. Many such stories surround the legend of st nicholas he was known for sharing his possessions with the poor and filling childrens boots with gold coins pilgrims spread the word of his miraculous deeds over the centuries the persona of st nicholas evolved into the santa claus figure we know today. The most sacred spot of the church and daimler isnt open to me behind the glass screen people have long believed that this is the last resting place of Saint Nicholas they say his remains were stolen and taken to italy hundreds of years ago. But a team of scientists recently made a fascinating discovery can you clues findings point to an intact burial crypt below the church you clues convinced that this is where the real grave of st nicholas lies. It will take some time before we can prove it but i think the chances are good. If you think. It will be a sensation importance of this place will grow there are many more people would visit down. There. Maybe then word will spread that the original sounds like laos actually comes from taki. Second Division German soccer team in berlin have been backing 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 carols. 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 all in fans wrote amateurs on the stage and in the crowd really come 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. You under. The Christmas Carols have become a Marketing Tool for the club. To take their sons and thats a wonderful stamp 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 it is that the fan way to celebrate christmas. If the team plays as well as their fans sing only on berlin could well be in the bond as they go this Time Next Year now wouldnt that be a great Christmas Present was. Was. Sounds lovely youre watching the news from berlin more coming at the top of the hour to remember to check out our website at www dot com for around the clock news and information thank you for watching. Germany is a strong country. That we have achieved so much we can do this and if something hinders size we must overcome it and. Go