6. january on al-jazeera. my . glad tidings of great joy because this is a deal. the u.k. prime minister hails the last ditch breakfast agreement on trade with the e.u. as britain's responds with mixed feelings. my. mum about how to market it and this is al jazeera live from doha and also coming up south korea records a record daily kinds of coronavirus cases as it struggles to contain a 2nd wave of the outbreak the us i'm dorsetshire bari in a village in south

a wrong with these women who didn't have any income before the can demick and are supporting their entire families by making masks was the air and subdued christmas celebrations across the world as nations battle the biggest health crisis in recent times. my. you ask after years of uncertainty the european union and the u.k. have agreed a trade deal that will define their relationship for decades to come in a christmas address to the nation british prime minister boris johnson called the brics agreement a tightening of great joy e.u. leaders are calling it a fair and balanced arrangements free movements will and soon they'll be 0 tire of trades or more skates or a challenge as for this means the u.k. . he has voted to leave the european union the who finally breaks it is

4 and a half years after the referendum almost at the end of the 11 month transition period . the u.k. and the e.u. argued negotiated compromised and cajoled but they've done what many feared they couldn't and agreed to their future trading relationship. it's a moment of reflection for the european commission president at the end of a successful negotiations journey i normally feel joy. but today i only feel quite satisfaction and frankly speaking relief for the u.k.'s prime minister it's a political success that caps a year which gave him very few of them. there will be no palisade of terrorists on january the 1st and they'll be no non-tariff barriers to trade and

instead there will be a giant free trade zone of which we will once be a member and at the same time be able to do our own free trade deals one area of disputes that seem compromises fishing rights outside the e.u. britain has control of its exclusive economic zone but it's had to budge on how much access as have there's also been movement on state aid to allay e.u. fears european companies could suffer from unfair competition and now both have an imperative to work together to make this deal look good and run as smoothly as possible and that will many my short term disruption the government's independent spending watchdog says not reaching a deal would have nots 2 percent off u.k. growth in 2021 alone partly because of temporary disruptions to cross border trade but even with this deal u.k. businesses still have plenty to worry about only a small number of transport companies have had access to britain's new border crossing software expected to be rolled out just

a week before the transition period ends there are concerns about britain's current jobs crisis deepening if firms relocate to the e.u. and there are still unanswered questions about how to avoid physical border checks between northern ireland part of the u.k. and ireland in the member for now both sides will be happy to have something to show for the torturous negotiations boris johnson insists the relationship is still closed this country will remain culturally emotionally historically strategically geologically. attached to europe but in the year of covert the u.k. has finally done what the 2016 referendum result demanded its distance itself from europe rory talents down to 0. what with the trade deal finally reached and britain decoupling from the e.u. rules break suits remains a divisive subject in the u.k.

as people across the country spends christmas under you coronavirus restrictions for many it's given a sense of joy and relief others though expressed a mix of fear and frustration as a 4 and a half year wait comes to an end but it feels really good to live in an independent country again out of it out for sure hopefully didn't give too much from fishing rights but there's got to be a compromise somewhere it should be a nice christmas present for the country just get it all finished in time i don't mean don't make now i think a very nice christmas present for the country in the long term in the long run you know i think it's got to go on for too long now i don't think it's going to be good i don't think it's a good idea in the 1st place a student who is a good idea but that's where we are and. we're just to see i hate breaks and i think it's completely retrograde step one of the i can remember life before we joined europe and i remember things getting better. in every way.

well the sec of course and the cats the agreements principly it secures a 0 tariff and 0 quarter market for good snow about avoids the possibility of soaring prices on both sides which could have forced businesses to fault on the key issue of fishing in u.k. waters able it's will keep access for 5 and a half years but the size of their catch will shrink the british fishing industry says it's disappointed that there isn't more of a break from the e.u. for europe the key demands was protecting what's known as the level playing field or common rules to stop one side gaining a competitive advantage over the other though it says there will be built in safeguards and incentives to stick to those fair rules there are also deals covering transport data sharing and health plus agreements on law enforcement for example smoothing the process of extradition britain said however no longer avoids mobile phone roaming charges and there will be

a lot more paperwork involved if they want to travel with their pets well leon lease serves as an aids to britain's former brics secretary he says the trade deal is historic despite its its limitations. what we've got here is possibly the 1st trade deal in history where we started with free trade and we've moved to an end point where there are more barriers in their words to begin with so it isn't going to be a perfect feel quite clearly that would have been compromised on both sides but i think that whether you know boris johnson's and i thought whether your look on the way and i think you were pretty chuffed you've been able to deliver a big deal in record time on a very complex deals oversea those key areas like fishing where there may have been some compromises those key areas about level playing field as well but on the whole we need to see the legal text before we can decide whether the losers and winners will be the predictions were. without

a deal we are looking at potentially losing 6 percent of g.d.p. with a deal of this nature we're looking at only losing 4 percent of g.d.p. so you know we all still looking at a potential loss a loss in our area and in particular looking at the fishing industry which is if a contentious point that's worth around or point one percent of the u.k. is overall economy so there was never really going to be any doubt the fishing was going to be the thing that broke this deal but i think it's one of those contributions that allows us to avoid a cliff edge breck's it avoid that it's all to leave brecht say after to actually feel the mist over the coming years to build a close close range of between the u.k. and the european union and of course the opportunity for the u.k. now is to go out and get those trade deals with the likes of the usa and other nations where we haven't been able to trade with before and if that happens that potentially things could be looking good. and more than half a 1000000 coronavirus cases are being recorded every day around the world so korea

suffered its worst surge yet with a record rise in daily infections there the countries put in places toughest ever restrictions this week with popular tourist venues cools and celera lee next month the u.s. continues records around $200000.00 cases every day starting monday everyone there traveling from the u.k. what must have tested negative for the virus that's after a new strain was discovered in britain that's just one of a number of new variants believed to be more infectious others have a marriage in south africa and nigeria and they're being blamed for the steady increase of cases which continues around the world but the worst affected country by far remains the united states there which has recorded almost 330000 coronavirus deaths and despite the surge in cases vaccines are providing hope across the world 3 countries in latin america have now begun

mass rule ites in mexico an intensive care nurse received the 1st approved dose from mexico city here's john homan. the 1st latin americans to be vaccinated against kobe the nurses and doctors in mexico few would argue with their place at the front of the line. stuff that died here than in any other country in the world with a massive were i'm going to feel much safer now at work the truth is that we're really exposed to all types of body fluids so having the vaccine is really going to help so far as only received $3000.00 doses the line to get them snaked around the block should arrive each week we can't come soon enough the mexican government is pretty triumphant about the arrival of the vaccine but it's not here in time to save the country from its current problems in the capital the hospital. almost full time now there's very few ventilators available for the population of one of the

biggest cities in the world mexico city's no red alert with essential businesses closed a group of nurses in the vaccination queue told us how things were in their hospital . that had the word out recompute leaflet and patients in serious conditions and ventilators but in. the mean we just murdered them in it and a lot of deaths to about 7 a day at the moment and a lot of people coming in from the moment we start our morning shift. they dozens of their colleagues were nervous about any possible side effects from the vaccine but they said the benefits power outweigh the concerns of a don't know what was in the cave that sometimes we have to ask light and we want to be with our family i want to hug my grandmother and even more christmas with. latin america a bios epicenter needed some light at the end of the tunnel that all this looks like it but past segments of the population won't be vaccinated for months yet at

least it's a start john home and how does it or mexico city. well iran is among the worst affected countries in the middle east by the coronavirus pandemic more than a 1000000 cases have been recorded there with over 54000 deaths doctors say international sanctions are preventing essential medical aid reaching those in need so such a bari reports from tehran. a makeshift factory making masks in south help a village in south to her on a group of dentists made unemployed by the pandemic decided to use their own money and buy these machines they got a permit from the health ministry and the local council provided the space free of charge. they now employ 20 women from this area who make about 120 dollars each month. for manaus new can as a single mother it's

a job that would not have existed without the pandemic or u.s. led international sanctions haven't got a fairly good job of this stuff i'm very satisfied with my work even if corona ends i'd like to continue my job the work environment is friendly and i like to work with this charity group these women now produce 10000 masks daily working 6 days a week their soul to medical facilities and hospitals across the city in the heart of the modern would we have experienced in every crisis when ordinary people assist the government would be result sooner faster and in a better way either in a war than earthquakes floods and now when corona said these guys citee is an afghan national and a single mother of 5 this job is her only source of income more than most and. on the way i think working here for 8 months and i'm very satisfied with my work my husband lives with his other wife and afghanistan and i support

a family of 6 the doctors and the women here all say their work will continue even after the pandemic is over the main message from officials here during the pandemic has been one of self-reliance since iran can no longer rely on the international community to meet its medical needs and this small factories is one example of how necessity has morsi the message ingenuity to meet demands and for women. it's been a life saving source of income. the president says iran is in an economic war since the united states withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2013 and imposed a series of crippling sanctions on the country's oil and banking sector. during the early days of the pandemic iranian officials try to buy protective equipment including masks from other countries but due to international sanctions on iran's banking sector paying for them has been difficult while iran has had the highest

number of fatalities in the middle east during the pandemic this factory is one of the few positive things to emerge during hard times and for these women it's been a lifeline that could continue for years dorset al-jazeera to one still to come on al-jazeera with a little concerned boat on a safety of course but it's christmas and who doesn't want a good cheer festivities mixed with fear in bone us rebels advance in the run up to elections we'll have the latest on the grounds in the central african republic. staring into the future we'll tell you how the chinese manufacturers are dominating the markets for ford or cars.

however wintry scene is unfolding slowly across the european plane to give a traditional christmas day look this is what it will look like temperatures are dropping down low single figures will be plenty of snow particularly on the alps and then it squashes down against what is still going to be rain in the balkans that is take it case in point vienna that a 5 degrees in the cold wind on friday but it will change to a sunny skies think but look at the temperatures minus 5 minus 2 overnight legs it'll be frosty on the ground the reason snow to look at in the mountains snow proper will start to fall i think on saturday throughout the balkans as a slow moving bottom end of this frontal it's been pushing dance for europe and of course being fed by moisture from below that's a potential lot of snow however made to likely in sarajevo still snowing on sunday until the afternoon then the sollie wind chimes to start to rise so sudden europe won't necessarily join in however the course changing further north look at this

huge circulation for sunday center just east of scotland as stormy weather that comes in initially on saturday spread down to knowlton's by western france was rain on it something of like. the. stories of abuse in aged care homes in the west to shock the world but there's you know it's noticeable when i want to speak for those sending elderly loved ones to thailand to leave out there on how does the oh. you want to help save the world. reason to your own. the all

the way. this is al jazeera quick right of the headlines for you this hour sitters are meeting to discuss the new trade deal with the u.k. they're expected to endorse it ahead of ratification of the 2 sides of finally agrees a 0 tariff deal after months of tense negotiations south korea has recorded its biggest daily increase in corona virus infections since the start of the pandemic it reported more than 1200 new cases says it will die at its toughest ever restrictions. and mexico has started its coronavirus vaccination campaign and intensive care nurse received the 1st dose argentina is to rule out a russian made back scene from monday thousands of pfizer biotech doses have

arrived at hospitals in cheetah. and millions of americans will have to wait until after christmas for financial help due to a deadlock over a $900000000000.00 covert $900.00 stimulus package president donald trump surprised both democrats and republicans by sending the bill back to congress for amendments this week he said $600.00 direct payments to people were too small and called for $2000.00 democrats who support the increase but republicans are blocking it. security council has approved temporary deployments of more troops to central african republic ahead of elections on sunday most opposition presidential candidates have stopped campaigning because so security concerns they want the polls bespoke ones but the government's house rejects at that conference only reports from the capital bangui. the mood in this market in benghazi is just right for christmas kristi's central african stake their celebrations seriously and

traders are making a killing it's also an election season they go to the polls on sunday and their main mori is security on sunday vote on a safety of course but it's christmas and who doesn't want a good cheer. but everyone is in a festive mood though many residents want to get their voices hard some through religious processions praying for peace. others like this women condemn the newly formed peaches for change a coalition of several armed groups that has threatened to march to the city and is already causing havoc in the countryside and in 1006 to 6 our country has gone through coups rebellions mutinies and each time it sets us back the 2013 conflict protests a lot of sorrow women have been raped many people have died and others displaced.

they are hoping that the 12000 u.n. peacekeepers in the country alongside government troops and other international forces will keep the pages for change a that saying they just want a peaceful election this is a country that had been in conflict for so long and the humanitarian needs are huge the population needs some form of aid and hundreds of thousands of central african the refugees in neighboring county. ca are has survived 5 years of need constant instability since gay. in independence from france in 1960. the latest conflict started about 70 years ago when the then president francois was overthrown by a mostly muslim group called reprisals by the mainly christian antibalas only made things worse a peace deal signed between 40 rebel groups and the government in 2019 brought about some calm but now violence is again on the rise. we have the

poorest people now hiding in rural areas who they are scared and wish as a father a man of the change ask those who have picked up weapons to have p 2 on us. all the presidential candidates are promising peace many central african say they're tired of broken promises but here are the markets they tell us they want to take the weight of their country's politics off this shoulders for just a little while to have a merry christmas catherine. china's fast growing electric vehicle markets is the largest in the world after a slump earlier this year the sale of electric cars nationwide is gaining speeds but while foreign brands dominate the luxury markets chinese carmakers are right selling them with more affordable models catrina you reports from the auto in china . for one shelling owning

a car one seemed impossible she couldn't afford one but the release of this mini electric model changed that it cost around $5000.01 5th the price of the average car here the 25 year old graduate says she didn't hesitate to buy one. the cost is really low and the whole country is being encouraged to protect the environment by going electric so i decided to buy it unlike most electric vehicles this car can be plugged into a normal 220 volt outlet. it's made by local comic a ruling that has overtaken tesla as the top selling electric vehicle in china. the brand is a joint venture with general motors to target younger consumers and less affluent drivers. a huge untapped market in china we are redefining the concept of new energy cars they're no longer just expensive and. in the southern

city of your electric vehicles are common sight china's leaders say cities like this are leading the way beijing wants electric vehicles to make up 20 percent of all cars in china by 202550 percent by $23530000.00 of these many electric cars are produced every month now the manufacturer is focusing on chinese consumers but. in the markets of other developing countries in southeast asia most of the world's electric vehicles are made in china preferential government policies have helped stoke demand here but the overseas market holds huge potential for chinese comic is. very possible that chinese electric cars will become mainstream in the global market we have very strong supply chain and the cost is very low chinese electric cars. option for consumers as we entered electric era the high end luxury market however remains dominated by western brands

audi and b.m.w. have expanded their new energy efficient offerings while tesla is ramping up production capacity it aims to produce more than half a 1000000 cars in shanghai next year thousands of which will be exported to europe for now cheaper electric vehicles a leading the way in china. knows how many electric car isn't for everyone but with a short daily commute she says it's more than enough. al-jazeera. china. that's a places associated with religious celebrations at christmas time are bethlehem in the occupied west bank and the vatican this year both held loci services will begin with needed abraham in bethlehem with more on this year's midnight mass at the church of the nativity. it didn't look a lot like christmas this year in bethlehem celebrations were restricted to the

beer minimum was covered $1000.00 cases search. only if you were shippers were allowed to attend the midnight mass in the church of the nativity the pandemic with with its burden of suffering and. asks us to imagine a different more. made up of new sorted out a team and 4100 feet. where persists seeing the sort of place by leaving. a few because. for every one. president and many foreign diplomats didn't join the christmas service. the day started with a low key reception of the latin patriarch of jerusalem a procession to welcome him back thousands this year he gave his blessings from a distance. yanni. you can feel the town's sadness this is not how

christmas looks it's also the 1st time that we didn't attend the christmas tree lighting ceremony. bells stein's 1st cases of covered $1000.00 which reported in bethlehem in march tourism dried up in a country that heavy depends on it. the tourism ministry says the losses this year are estimated at one and a half $1000000000.00. and up a chill many makes a living out of tourism here in just community based tour guides and says 2019 was a very good season now he expects his business to pick up in october of next year we had maybe a year in advance that was the 1st time maybe we had the sons the birth of jesus you know. so it was a mess and we would expect an amazing year and things have changed. and we are. all christmas related festivities were called.

instead treated corded christmas carols were broadcast online the palestinian authority says it tried to limit gatherings as much as possible to combat the spread of the coronavirus this year there are fewer christmas lights and decorations than usual but some here tell us that the message of christmas is all about hope and they're praying that next year will be. the. west bank. or the vatican pope francis let alone create a christmas eve mass for the u.n. reports. there are no crowds in this socially distance christmas eve mass led by pope francis a celebration in st peter's basilica usually brings in more than 10000 faithful but with cold at night seen about 100 people stood in the pews of a smaller rear section of the church a reflection of christmas amid a pandemic would scale back or cancel celebrations across europe and the world.

he got close to the start of the night you come get. a challenge the pope said must be met with strength if possible that in fact the king was that the vatican's mass was moved up to our 2nd plywood italy's 10 pm curfew once the epicenter of the pandemic italy is once again struggling with covert 19 that reported more than 500 coronavirus related deaths on thursday and another 550 the day before overall italy has recorded more than 2000000 cases. of it. it's strange it feels like a war scenario where something bad is about to happen but at the same time there's a sense of hope that's what we all need right now. this was st peter's square last year with people lined up to receive the pope's passing but now the world is

different pope francis will not be making his usual public appearances in st peter's square throughout the holiday season but it's really strange to be here and to see that here's the really nobody run from the metropolitan and it was empty. was. the vatican is taking measures to protect the 84 year old pope especially after more than a dozen infections were reported among the vatican swiss guards a mass unlike any other in recent history marked by a pandemic with millions of faithful hoping next year will be different. llopis of a young al jazeera. this is al jazeera and these are the headlines passengers are meeting to discuss.