this is didn't use live from berlin were it all began christmas has come to bethlehem thousands of pilgrims have flocked to the west bank city the place where jesus is believed to have been born visitors take part in christmas eve festivities marking one of the holiest weeks in christianity also coming up a special delivery north korea promises to send a christmas gift to the united states a warning as american as south korean officials on high alert that it could be a potential missile test meanwhile china south korea and japan hold

a special summit to boost corporation over pyongyang's that nuclear program and the no midnight mass and not put down in paris for the 1st time in over 2 centuries christmas services won't be held at the landmark cathedral because of renovation work to repair damage from this year's devastating fire. harker's great to have you along everyone thousands of christian pilgrims and tourists are gathering in bethlehem to mark christmas well christians revere of the west bank city is the birthplace of jesus every year a midnight mass is held in the church of the nativity where catholic priests will later preside over the christmas eve festivities palestinian president mahmoud abbas is also expected to attend church services.

sunrise over bethlehem on christmas eve. early pilgrims can pay a tranquil visit to the church of the nativity before the west bank city takes on a full on christmas party mooned. the church is one of the oldest christian structures built above the grotto believed to be the birthplace of jesus. as every year palestinian scouts have been marching since morning to the manger square in front of the church playing pipes and drums and drawing tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world. it's a good story told by the by we're really impressed by people who swallow it without this kind the friendly atmosphere the square. feeling of the plots that amazingly beautiful. pride of war going to them and not like it if it will. but i guess in that spirit it's the same for poland these allow

in the evening the head of the catholic church in the holy land stucky some bamma will celebrate midnight mass once a year for his visit from jerusalem the wall that divides bethlehem and the palestinian territories from israel has opened the long term conflict in the middle east to signs at least temporarily over christmas. although it's already christmas in north korea and nowhere is the clock being watched more closely than in east asia where pyongyang has warned of an unspecified christmas gift for the united states while u.s. president donald trump says he's not worried about what it might be north korea as they were as or less cheerful they suspect a new weapons test the leaders of china japan and south korea have been meeting in the chinese city of chengdu in an effort to get the u.s. and north korea talking again. they called it a new era of the 3 kingdoms as for leaders of china japan and south korea met for 2 . yes but the one leader setting the agenda of the summit was not at the table.

north korea's kim jong un after the latest tests at the missile launch site earlier this month regional powers are concerned pyongyang is about to undo efforts to ease tensions. we agreed that peace on the korean peninsula was in the common interest of the 3 countries we also agreed to make efforts together to help promote north korea u.s. dialogue for denuclearization and peace. the possibility of north korea turning into serious nuclear threat has become more tangible after february summit between kim and u.s. president on a trump fails to deliver any results. to come and threat of a north korean attack has forced to pan and south korea to overcome their own bilateral tensions over their colonial history. i am willing to improve this important relationship between japan and south korea by all

means today i would like to have a frank discussion. china north korea's only ally supports the call for peace on the korean peninsula beijing is interested in easing tensions in the region also for you cannot make reasons china's premier used the opportunity to promote a new free trade zone between the 3 countries. the prospect of more diplomatic and economic unity in east asia is cause for optimism but the dawn of a new era depends on substantial jeev minutes after the talks. and here are some of the other stories making news around the world. 8 civilians including 5 children have been killed in a missile strike on a school building in syria's it live promise on the opposition is blaming president bashar al assad's government for the attack and school served as a shelter for people displaced by violence in other parts of the country. a court in turkey has ordered businessman us monk of allah to remain in prison on charges

he attempted to overthrow the government is accused of organizing and funding the gazey park protests against then prime minister richard tayyip erdogan while the european court of human rights has called for his release saying there is no reasonable suspicion that he committed a crime. hong kong protesters have clashed with police in demonstrations stoffel broke out after activists occupied shopping malls riot police fired tear gas as thousands of protesters blocked streets outside the shopping centers on the anti-government protests in hong kong are now in their 7th month. as the year draws to a close we want to bring you some of our most memorable stories from the past 12 months in iran did every reporter theresa tropper visited a cafe staffed by people with down syndrome and autism and she found iranians breaking new ground. in the.

completely in his element serving couple chinos to the guests in this cathy waiting tables this is 1st ever job and the 40 year old is loving every 2nd of it. i like the cafe it's big and it's nice. that's why i'm so grateful to the owner. that every night when i go to bed i thank. him for that. he and the others who work here have little chance of finding work elsewhere iran's job market is currently in such a bad state that over a 3rd of college educated young iranians are unemployed for people with special needs it's become nearly impossible to find work. for most of those people there's nothing to do once they finish school they just stay at home but we're convinced it's good for them to show people that they have

other abilities not just good for them it's also good for their families they're often sad because they can't do anything but here they can show just what they're capable of. more than 40 people living with down syndrome autism work here regularity everybody pitches in doing what they can brewing coffee waiting tables or entertaining the guests with music. they all get paid for their work except for the cafe owner he she runs a deficit every month there are very few government programs to support social projects like this one in the islamic republic. we've never received support from any kind of organization it's a completely independent project founded and finance privately were totally self

dependant. giving up is not an option because every day she sees just how much this work means to him ron and the others. i used to just be with my father. but father look at me. i finally made it. well i'm famous and go through life with my head raised high c. . with the positive attitude imran and his colleagues have created an atmosphere found nowhere else in the islamic republic. no other can feel he a neuron could get away with this level of frivolity imraan and the others making the best out being a little bit different and have to inform coffee down to them into

a place that's bursting with positivity. such operator they're reporting now to paris is iconic not saddam cathedral that won't be holding a christmas mass this year for the 1st time since the french revolution the french government pledged to rebuild immediately after a fire earlier this year devastate at the cathedral well that work will take years to complete and the building is just too unstable to hold religious services landmark cathedral of paris still the skeleton of its former self. the work underway now focuses on stabilizing notre dame and preventing its collapse. the fire that ravaged the church's roof and spire broke out on april 15th. tons of poisonous lead melted during the blaze that spells health hazards and good reason to delay holding christmas festivities inside i think it's incredibly sad that they

will be able to celebrate mass especially because it's such a revered monument for catholics probably many many families have that tradition of going every year for christmas services it is quite a break in tradition. as long as the renovation work is carried out quickly and well it is not the right moment to open at one time i think people are aware of that and can go to other churches to. notre dame has held a christmas mass every year since $803.00 even during the horror of world war 2. the last interruptions to the mass came amid the anti catholic fervor of the french revolution. this year worshippers are being sent to nearby sites for services including the church of sun so peace. to think that i was ill last christmas and i missed christmas and talked to them thinking that they would go again this year with no problems. i'm missing that already. in years past thousands

of worshippers and tourists gathered inside notre dumb daily it's still unclear when they'll be able to congregate inside again. well here in germany christmas markets are among the most popular features of the festive season in berlin there are over 70 to pick from and they attract people from all around the world we went to one of berlin favorite christmas markets to hear what visitors enjoy the most. in the center of berlin at the diamond market christmas market there is no shortage of artists and all crafts. there are butchers and bakers. even candlestick maker but the principle offering is an atmosphere. that's hard to find anywhere else.

you see that one 1st i mean gentleman means i mean but even and this is our 1st time experiencing christmas marking it's really nice it's just. it wasn't what i was expecting it's better she said it just cheese. is what it is like very christmas and we all have these things kind of markets in spain it's unlike anything we have in the states so it's kind of a it's a nice time here it's warm cozy you have warm and hot drinks it's my 1st day here in being in this market is so nice this is the best one. and what's your what's your favorite part about this market to eat everything. i think i love it's so. if the goal is crowd to marry him and then donvan marked has it in abundance or a simple stroll also offers a chance to learn holiday greetings in half a dozen different languages but you know you that. pretty much crowd most of.

them are members right now because you know when you go to. the finger in your corner that. they did not allow. me right. so i don't know where you will want to. go by in a. merry christmas and there are now the top stories that we're tracking for you this hour thousands of pilgrims and tourists have gathered in bethlehem to celebrate christmas. of christians revere the west bank town as the birthplace of jesus palestinian president mahmoud abbas is expected to attend the festivities and the leaders of china japan and south korea have agreed to tompkins tensions over north korea's nuclear program they said peace in the region is of quote common interest. you're watching your every news from berlin up next to business africa

which kicks ferguson and a look at christmas shopping habits across the continent and the world i will rock and roll it on behalf of the entire team thank you so much for spending to this part of your davis will see you again at the top of the hour with a bright have lights. from you in your book you are no one on the cheap world you're going to be. exposing injustice global news that matters to me things. 15 years of religions for peace keeping so many different things all working together toward a common goal.