North Korea Calls U.N. Sanctions "Act of War"; U.S. Ambassador Denies Controversial Muslim Remarks; Trump's Jerusalem Decision Overshadows Celebrations; How To Help Our 2017 Top 10 CNN Heroes With Their Work
MARSH: This morning, strong rejection of new sanctions and a warning from North Korea on state TV, North Korea said if the U.S. wishes to live safely, it must abandon its hostile policy towards the country.</s>BLACKWELL: Now this response is a day after the United Nations Security Council adopted a new set of sanctions that further straps the country's economy. North Korea called the sanctions rigged by the U.S. They say they are an act of war, violating peace along the Korean Peninsula. They also said that countries that supported the resolution will pay a heavy price.</s>MARSH: The U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands is apologizing after lying and accusing a reporter of spreading fake news. In 2015, he told a panel -- he told a panel the Netherlands was in chaos because of what he called an Islamist movement and a stealth jihad. Well, when a reporter asked him about it and those comments specifically, he denied them and called it fake news, but he did say when the cameras were rolling.</s>PETER HOEKSTRA, FORMER U.S. REPRESENTATIVE: The Islamic movement has now gotten to a point where they have put Europe into chaos. Chaos in Netherlands --</s>MARSH: Well, Hoekstra asked for forgiveness and says he regrets the exchange with the reporter.</s>BLACKWELL: Christmas is happening in Jerusalem now but the holiday is in some parts being overshadowed by a political policy.</s>MARSH: Well, protests continue over the decision by President Trump to recognize Jerusalem as Israeli's capital. CNN's Oren Liebermann joins us live from Bethlehem this morning. Oren, do you notice any sort of difference this morning with the celebrations?</s>OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's not uncommon for religion and politics to very much mix here especially in Bethlehem and Jerusalem because of the sensitivities of these holy places and that's certainly the case here on Christmas Eve in Manger Square. First a look at the Square here behind us. It is not nearly as full as it would otherwise be on the morning of Christmas Eve, especially as the parade has begun and the celebrations leading up to the entrance of the Latin patriarch of the holy land. That of course leads into the big event of the evening, midnight mass. But President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has affected these festivities in two very distinct ways. First as I mentioned the mixture of religion and politics. Around Manger Square here are signs that Jerusalem will always be the eternal capital of Palestine. That's directly a shot back at Trump's announcement that his recognition of Jerusalem is the capital of Israeli. There's another very concrete way it has affected these celebrations. Because right after that there was an expectation from the State Department that there will be demonstrations around here so they issued a travel warning for Bethlehem. That means hotel reservations were cancelled and the stores here lost tourists and the Square itself as I mentioned is empty. So two very serious ways that it has affected Christmas Eve here. You feel it even though there is still very much a festive mood here in Manger Square as we count down the hours until midnight mass.</s>MARSH: Oren Liebermann, thank you.</s>BLACKWELL: Moscow Ballet is trying to promote good relations between the U.S. and Russia performing the Nutcracker in the U.S. but not the original version. We'll tell you the difference here.</s>MARSH: And first, we want to show you how you can help our 2017 top 10 CNN heroes continue their important work and have your donations matched dollar-for-dollar.</s>ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Anderson Cooper. Each of this year's top 10 CNN heroes proves that one person really can make a difference. And again this year we are making it easy for you to support their great work. Just go to CNNheroes.com and click "donate" beneath any 2017 top 10 CNN hero to make a direct contribution to that hero's fundraiser on CrowdRise. You'll receive an e-mail confirming your donation, which is tax deductible in the United States. No matter the amount, you can make a big difference in helping out heroes continue their life-changing work. And right now through January seventh your donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to a total of $50,000 for each of this year's honorees. CNN is proud to offer you this simple way to support each cause and celebrate all these everyday people changing the world. You can donate from your laptop, your tablet, or your phone. Just go to CNNheroes.com. Your donation in any amount will help them help others. Thanks.</s>MARSH: Well, nominations for 2018 are open and we are waiting to hear from you. Go to CNNheroes.com to make your nomination.