In Syria, there are reports city of Homs is under siege by the Syrian army .The reports came huge crowd in Damascus turn out for funerals more than 50 people killed in suicide bombing attack in the capital.NPR Deborah Amos reports from Perugia.

 

The shelling and shooting is nearly coincident. The electricity has been cut for more than 24 hour says a businessman weigh by phone. According to Activists and residents, the Syrian army has stepped up sought in the city. Storming and bombing Homs in one neighborhood that's been central of protest. Syrian dissidents are rise alarm with secretary general of Arab League. Arab Monitors are expected to arrive in Damascus on Monday. Dissidents called on monitor to make Homs the first stop, Deborah Amos ,NPR news, Perugia.

 

Kim Jong Moon, the son of North Korea late Kim Jong il has now been claimed nation new supreme commander. Meanwhile, the South Korea government says it will send delegate for South Korea to memorial service of late leaders. Former first lady and Hyundai car makers’ chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun will represent her nation.

 

The GOP primary ballot in the state of Virginia will not bury the name vise the former house speaker News or Taxes governor Rick Perry.NPR Laura Sullivan explains what happened.

 

Virginia primary vote on March and one of important first Tuesday vote in public primary. Failure to be list in ballot could be major setback for both Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry’s campaign. Perry campaign spokesman Ray Sullivan issued statement yesterday saying despite aggressive effort collecting thousands of Virginia signatures ,there will notify last night falling a short of 10000 signature needed. The Gingrich campaign says the Virginia has a failed system. Of seven GOP candidates only Mitt Romney and Ron Paul have qualified to have their names in the pill of Virginia ballot. Laura Sullivan NPR news.

 

In the Holy land of Christmas, the sound was out in Bethlehem today. And bell rang out throne prepare to remember the birth of Jesus. The Bethlehem been midnight mass at church of .In Rome ,in couple of hours ,Poly will celebrate Christmas Midnight Mass a 

couple of hours early. Mild night is late for 84-year old Ballade. He is also due Christmas day to deliver traditional speech reflecting on the state of world. This is NPR news Washington.

 

An average American will pay 3 23-gallons for regular gasoline this season the American Automobile association reports. The Tripoli says that's not stopping them from driving.

 

91% of holiday travelers would do so by automobile that's approximately 83.5 million Americans would travel by car. Gasoline cost about 20 cents a gallon more than do this time last year.

 

Not clear what fuel Santa use, but Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado spring NORAD Santa tracker are bracing for annual journey of Christmas pop by com. General Charles H. Jacoby is NORAD commander.

 

We got wail well, we track it closely. Last year Volunteer in NORAD answered 8000 phones Christmas Eve calls and 7000 emails.

Santa Claus play an important part of holiday for many Americans.NPR Allison Keyes has more.

 

Santa Claus is coming to tome. The fact little air in bright red soon and twin remains popular. Within 2 thirds of parents with kids under 18 telling APG key pollster he is important part in season of celebration. And half of non-Christian adults say Santa is very important for their holiday as well. Poll also finds 84 % of Americans adult used to believing the Santa when they were small. But any kids will tell you, those would stop believing are just wrong. Allison Keyes ,NPR news.

 

National retail federation forecast 3.8% increase in Christmas sales over last year.

I'm Louise Schiavone, NPR News , Washington.