experiencing homelessness this holiday season.# Then as a congressional fight over Ukraine aid## is pushed into 2024, a new film documents the# human toll of the war and the resilience of## those fighting and living on the front lines.# And on this Christmas Eve, we dig into the## lucrative business of Christmas music and why# so many love listening to these holiday hits.

MAN: The oldness of this# music is part of its appeal,## because Christmas the holidays.

This is a# time when you crave familiarity and comfort.

(BREAK) JOHN YANG: Good ev were commodities in some parts of the world.# In Gaza, this weekend has seen some of the## most intense and bloodiest fighting of the war.# More than 200 Palestinians dead according to the## Hamas run Gaza health ministry, including# at least 70 in an Israeli airstrike today.

And the Israeli military says that since Friday,# 15 Israeli soldiers have been killed in combat,## all told since October 7.

Gaza officials say that# roughly 20,400 Palestinians have been killed,## and 154 Israeli soldiers have died.

That's an## addition to the 1200 Israelis killed in# the initial Hamas attack on Octobe Israel is unused to big numbers of# military casualties.

So these numbers## hit hard.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin# Netanyahu said in the Cabinet meeting,## that it's the sacrifice needed to free# the 129 hostages still held by Hamas.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, Israeli Prime Minister# (through translator): The war exacts a## very heavy price from us continue with all the force until the end# until victory until we reach all our goals.

JOHN YANG: In Bethlehem revered by Christians# as the traditional birthplace of Jesus,## there are empty streets instead of the festive# decorations and crowds of international tourists## of past Christmas Eves.

In one churches display# the baby Jesus is wrapped in a cafeteria and lies## on a pile of rubble.

Munther Isaac# is a Lutheran pastor in Bethlehem.

REV.

MUNTHER ISAAC, Pastor, Evangelical# Lutheran Christmas Church: This is what## with the bombardment of children.# While the world is celebrating,## our children are under the world rubble.

While# the world is celebrating our families are## displaced and their homes are destroyed.# So this is Christmas to us in Palestine.

JOHN YANG: In Europe, Security is tight after# an alert about a possible terror attack.

At## the Cologne Cathedral in Germany,# worshippers faced security checks.

In the United States dreams of a white# Christmas will go unanswered outside of## the Mountain West.

For much of the rest# of the country Christmas Day is expected## to be unseasonally warm and wet.

That's# in sharp contrast to last year when a## cold snap brought snow, ice and frost# in many parts of the United States.

This year it's been mild in the# upper Midwest and northern plains.## In Minneapolis today it was in the# 50s well above the previous reco high for the day of 46.

This caps what's# expected to be the warmest year on record.

Still to come on PBS News Weekend, a new# documentary captures the resilience of## soldiers and civilians on Ukraine's frontlines,# and the lucrative business of Christmas music.

(BREAK) JOHN YANG: A new government report estimates# a record number of Ameri homelessness.

Starting in 2007, the Department# of Housing and Urban Development sent volunteers## out on a single night each January to# count all the people they could find who## didn't have shelter.

Experts caution that# this is not a census and it's likely an## undercount because it's hard to find everyone# experiencing homelessness on a single night.

This year, they counted more than 650,000.# That's a 12 percent increase over the last year,## the biggest one year jump on record, and more than# four times greater than any previous increase.

In the past a single category drove the increase.# But this year, all categories went up individuals,## families, unaccompanied children and so# on.

Ann Oliva is the CEO of the National## Alliance to End Homelessness.

Ann, what do# you make of those numbers of that big jump?

ANN OLIVA, CEO, National Alliance to# End Homelessness: Thank you first,## for havi important topic.

And we need to make sur You know, we are certainly concerned about# these numbers.

This is the highest number,## as you mentioned since 2007.

And it's# across all categories.

So what that## means to us is that this is a systemic# problem, and it needs systemic solutions.

JOHN YANG: So explaining that a systemic problem,## what needs to be changed# ANN OLIVA: So what this means is that we have# an affordable ho tells us and what the evidence tells us is that# when housing becomes less affordable for peo homelessness increases, so seeing a 12 percent# jump year over year really should be a wake-up## call to many folks, including our partners in# the federal government, that we need to make## investments in affordable housing and services,# because we know that's what ends homelessness.

JOHN YANG: Why do you think it# went up so much?

I mean, obviously,## you say it's a -- it's a housing problem, ANN OLIVA: Well, we've been tracking data# over the last year.

And while we were## deeply disappointed in this increase in 2023,# I can't say that we were surprised.

And that's# because we have seen sort of a perfect storm of# issues coming up over the last couple of years.

So for example, rents are skyrocketing# all over the country.

And people's wages## aren't keeping up with the amount# of rent that they have to pay.

So## they're paying more and more# of their income towards rent.

We saw the end of the COVID era protections,# the funding that was avail and individuals across the country and the end# of the eviction moratorium.

At the same time,## we are seeing this rise in unsheltered# in unsheltered homelessness.

So we have## a number of things that we need to# address structurally in this country.

JOHN YANG: Are there disparities in# terms of who is likely to be homeless?

ANN OLIVA: Yeah, thank you for asking# that question.

It is an important one.## There are disparities, historically marginalized## people are disproportionately impacted# by homelessness and housing Wh at I mean by that is people of# color, people with disabilities,## LGBTQ people are all disproportionately# impacted by homelessness and housing## instability, so they're more likely to# be homeless than others in our country.

JOHN YANG: You mentioned the COVID# era programs that were helping.

The## (inaudible) homeless was increasing from# 2016 until 2020.

And then it didn't rise## between 2020 and 2022.

Because of those# programs, is there a lesson in that?

ANN OLIVA: There's absolutely a lesson# in the COVID era protections.

First,## they were funded at a scale that's much# closer to the problem.

So for example,## HUD's homeless programs are funded at a# little bit more than $3 billion per year.

And the COVID Emergency rental# assistance program was funded at## $50 billion per year.

So you can see# the scale was much greater.

They were## also quite a bit more flexible than our# regular-- our regularly funded programs.

So as those pandemic era protection protections# and resources started to dwindle, again,## it is not surprising that we are# seeing an increase in homelessness## and at this same time that we're# seeing those skyrocketing rents.

JOHN YANG: President Biden campaigned on ending## homelessness.

Is he doing enough?

Or ANN OLIVA: Well, thank you for asking that.# I don't think that anybody's doing enough at## the federal, state or local level, when we see a# 12 percent increase over the I think it should be a call to action for# all of us who are concerned about people who## are living unsheltered across this country, and# people and families who are living in shelters.

So there's definitely more that we can do in# terms of resources that are made available## for this problem, and really funding affordable# housing at the scale that it needs to be funded.

JOHN YANG: Because you're trying# to expand affordable housing,## there's this need to involve# the private sector as well.

ANN OLIVA: So the best way to expand housing that# is affordable to that's usually somewhere between# zero and 30 percent of the area## median income is really to ensure that# the government is subsidizing rents,## and providing subsidies to folks who can do the# development that's needed.

Affordable housing is## really hard to do in the private sector.

Given how# expensive it can be in some markets, especially.

JOHN YANG: Ann Oliva, CEO of the National# Alliance to End Homelessness, thank you very much.

ANN OLIVA: Thank you so much for having me.

JOHN YANG: For more of our reporting the number of those without shelter continues# to go up, visit our website pbs.org/ While aid for Ukraine has become entangled# in a partisan fight on Capitol Hill,## it can be easy to lose sight of what's at stake# in the war and the human toll it's taking.

In## a new documentary Glory to the Heroes, French# writer and filmmaker Bernard-Henri Levy turns## the focus back on those he calls the heroes,# not just the fighters on the front lines,## but also the civilians whose decision to remain# in Ukraine is in itself an act of defiance.

From the flooded streets of Kherosn after# Russia destroyed a dam under its control,## to the Eastern Front were battles raised# in Bakhmut from Kharkiv in the north and## Odesa in the South.

Viewers experience Ukraine# summer counter offensive through Levy's lens.

Ali Rogin recently sat down with# Bernard-Henri Levy to discuss the film.

ALI ROGIN: Bernard-Henri Levy, thank# you so much.

Welcome back.

You say at## the beginning of this film, that your# goal is to make sure that Ukraine does## not become a forgotten war.

Do you# think it's at risk of becoming one?

BERNARD-HENRI LEVY, Filmmaker, "Glory to# The Heroes": There was a risk and what is## happening these days on Capitol Hill increase the risk.

There is a fatigue about# Ukraine.

And this worries me so much I did## this film.

I went on frontline, I went in# the trenches in order to try to prevent## this becoming a forgotten war, which# is the worst for people to be victim## or forgotten -- of a forgotten war.

It# is the worst Destiny possible on Earth.

ALI ROGIN: Ever since this full# scale invasion of Ukraine began## there have been many conflicts all over# the world.

But none the attention of the world quite like# the war between Israel and Hamas.

I## don't mean to diminish the importance of# that conflict by asking this question.

But are you concerned that the# war in the Middle East is taking## attention away from what's happening in Ukraine?

BERNARD-HENRI LEVY: It's an illness of our# time, a pl able to focus our attention on two things at# the same time.

We have to understand the war## of Hamas against Israel.

The war of Putin# of Russia against Ukraine are two parts## of the same picture.

For many regards.# The actors are linked on the two sides.

Hamas and Putin are linked we know that.

We know# that Moscow is the only big capital in the world## where Hamas was received with red carpet before# the October 7 forum and after the October 7 forum.

ALI ROGIN: You visited Ukraine this was your 11th# trip there since the beginning of this war.

One of## the things that struck me the most was when you# were embedded with soldiers on the frontlines.## One soldier says, if we had more ammunition, we# could finish the job.

Do you agree with that?

BERNARD-HENRI LEVY: I'm more than agree.

I saw# it.

I saw how they have 20 shelves for the week,## and they don't know when a# new delivery will come.

And## they haven't done yet.

How many would# they use?

One?

Two?

Three?

Not more.

So the scarcity, the non-delivery,# though your lack of promises,## or the betraying of promises of the West, this# is a reality of which I am a personnel witness.

ALI ROGIN: Another reality that you# capture is the incredible resilience,## the passion of the Ukrainian# people, the civilians, the fighters,## what did you take away about those# moments with the Ukrainian people?

BERNARD-HENRI LEVY: My family is entitled# Glory to the Heroes I mean it.

These## guys who come with the violin, with their# music instruments with who try to rehands,## upgrade the morale of the troop of soldiers who# lost their brothers, a few hours before.

The old## lady who is growing some cucumbers and some# tomato, on the Makkadam (ph) of her Street,## the house is destroyed.

There is just# the pavement of the street.

And there,## she puts some (inaudible) and she grows from# cucumber.

She's a hero too, and she will not move.

ALI ROGIN: Another really striking set of moments# in the film is when you talk to Russian captives,## prisoners of war, who have been# captured, they are incredibly## demoralized.

And then you contrast that# with the spirit of Ukrainian figh men who have lost limbs, and who can't# wait to get back on the front lines.

BERNARD-HENRI LEVY: As you will say, I had your# chance and a privilege to film both.

And I see the## difference.

The Russians were really poor guys.# They were taken out of jail.

They were brought on## frontline, nobody told us that they will fight.# They were sold lie slave for 25,000 rubles each## by the official officers of the official army# to a private companies like Wagner, you know.

So when you compare that the high morale# of the Ukrainians, and the low or no moral,## not morale at all, of the Russians, there is# a logic since the antiquity you cannot win a## war when you don't know why you do it.

And you# cannot lose it when you have such a high morale.

Now, the question of the weapon without# F-16, without French Caesar cannons,## of course, the war will last, so it has# to end quickly with the capitulation of## the Russian army, which is logical if# we deliver what is needed for that.

ALI ROGIN: And to that end, what is your message# to lawmakers as they debate funding for this war.

BERNARD-HENRI LEVY: I'm here since a# few days.

I hear that the borders are## a big topic here at the Congress# and so on border, border, border.

ALI ROGIN: Right.

Funding# is connected to our border.

BERNARD-HENRI LEVY: I want border.

Okay.# I would like to to speak of Johnson to Senator# Graham that the border of America,## the border of Europe today is in Ukraine.# Those who defend the border of these brave## Ukrainian fighters whom I depict in dust in# my movie and others, the border is there.

If we let Putin win the war, or even lose it# half, it would be a terrible signal given to## all those who hate the liberal values, the# democratic way of life, the sense of freedom,## which are cherished, still in a big part of# Europe and North America.

It will be horrible,## terrible signal given to all the enemies# of that in our countries and around.

ALI ROGIN: The new documentary is Glory to the# Heroes.

Bernard-Henri Levy, thank you so much.

BERNARD-HENRI LEVY: Thank you, Ali.

Thank you.

JOHN YANG: Right now Christmas music seems to be## everywhere on the radio in stores and in waitin essentiall but if history is any guide, it will# essentiall though its lifespan is the four weeks# between Thanksgiving and Christmas,## Christmas music is a big# part of the music industry.

Nate Sloan is an assistant professor of# Musicology at the Universi California's Thornton School of Music.

He's also# the co-host of a podcast called Na te, what is it about Christmas music that# makes it so popular that makes people love it so?

NATE SLOAN, University of Southern California,# Thornton School of Music: I think the main thing## is that it sounds different from the music is nostalgic.

It's from a different era.

It# uses acoustic instruments.

You hear voices like## Bing Crosby and Brenda Lee.

It stands out from# business as usual in the American music industry.

JOHN YANG: I mean, you mentioned# Bing Crosby and Brenda Lee, I mean,## that brings up another point is that so much# of like the 40s or 50s.

The top five records# on the Billboard Hot 100.

This past week,## are all Christmas songs.

Three of them are# performed by artists who are no longer living.

Why is that?

Is it that new music isn't# being written, it just doesn't measure up?

NATE SLOAN: The oldness of this music is part of# its appeal.

Because Christmas, the holidays.

This## is a time when you crave familiarity and comfort.# And so the fact that these artists are the same## ones that you've been hearing your entire life# is exactly why they've retained such popularity.

JOHN YANG: And it seems like every artist# feels the need or has to do a Christmas## album.

I mean, when I look back, there was a# heavy metal album with Alice Cooper.

There a hip hop album was Snoop Dogg.

And of course# a few years ago, there was a Bob Dylan album.

Why do the artists feel the need# to do this?

Or why do they do it?

NATE SLOAN: Well, as you said, John, it's very# difficult to join this hi tmakers.

But if you're able to do so, this can# be a very lucrative proposition.

Because it means## that year after year, people will be listening# to downloading streaming, playing on radio,## your music.

And if you are able to join that club,# that's a really great place to be as an artist.

JOHN YANG: Well, we can't talk about# year after year without talking about## Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is Y This is a song that was written almost# three decades ago.

And it's number one## on the Billboard Top 100.

What's it# -- what explains it staying power?

NATE SLOAN: Well, I think there's a few# things with Mariah Carey song.

I think## one thing is you have to credit her as# a songwriter.

And as a performer.

Her## vocals are incredible.

She's able to reach these# stratospheric notes that few other singers can.

Also, the song was used in a really popular# film Love Actually that was released in 2003.## So people watch that film, and that reinforces# the popularity of the song.

And I think third,## the song has so many hallmarks of classic# Christmas music in terms of its instrumentation,## in terms of its harmonies.

So it# really fits comfortably alongside## Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby and# all these other Christmas greats.

JOHN YANG: You're a musicologist and I think# we've talked about a lot of little bits an pieces here.

But pull it all together.# What makes a great Christmas song?

NATE SLOAN: Okay, I think you need a few essential# elements.

One is there should be some sleigh b in there.

It also helps if you have a nice string# orchestra, some lush orchestral accompaniment,## and then you want to have more complex harmonies# than you usually hear on the popular music charts.## The kind of harmonies that people like Irving# Berlin wrote in his song White Christmas.

That really sends you back to this# era of the Great American Songbook,## when many of these Christmas# classics were written.

JOHN YANG: That's the classics.

Are there any new## songs or newer Christmas songs# NATE SLOAN: Well, I've been noting that# Kelly Clarkson's 2013 hit Undern Tree is currently at number# 11 on the Billboard charts.

So after a decade of growing popularity,## I think Kelly Clarkson is poised to join# this this pantheon of Christmas hitmaker JOHN YANG: Nate what's your# favorite Christmas song?

NATE SLOAN: I'm partial to Nat King Cole's The# Christ To me this song is all about deceptive simplicity.# It's so easy to sing.

It rolls off the tongue.

Once you start to play it on piano, and# I'm a piano, so I love to play during the## holidays.

You notice Oh, there's# some really clever harmonies and## rhythms here.

And I think that keeps us# coming back to that song year after year.

JOHN YANG: Nate Sloan of the University of# Southern California.

Thank you very much.

NATE SLOAN: Thanks for having me.

JOHN YANG: And that is PBS News Weekend for# this Christmas Eve.

I'm John Yang.

For all of my## colleagues, thanks for joining us and we all hope# you have a Merry Christmas and a joyous Kwanzaa.