Friday, December 25, 2020 - a podcast by TRT World

*) UK, EU strike a Brexit trade deal

British and EU negotiators have agreed on a new free trade deal after marathon talks in Brussels.

The deal will come into force on January 1st, and averts the potential chaos of tariffs and quotas.

Last-minute negotiations between British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen included haggling over fishing quotas.

*) UK finds second Covid-19 variants linked to South Africa

A new, potentially more transmittable, variant of the virus that causes Covid-19 has been found in Britain in cases linked to South Africa.

Britain said that two people infected with the new variant are contacts of cases who travelled from South Africa.

Scientists in South Africa believe the variant is more infectious and could hit younger people.

Meanwhile, Italy’s national carrier Alitalia has resumed flights from London after shutting the route down for several days.

*) Trump throws pandemic relief into doubt

Now to the US, where disputes between lawmakers over the 900-billion-dollar coronavirus relief package are threatening to shut down the government.

Congress approved the package on Monday but President Trump refused to sign it, demanding higher stimulus cheques for Americans.

Trump’s demand for $2,000 cheques for most Americans was swiftly rejected by House Republicans, throwing a massive virus relief and government funding bill into chaos.

*) Pakistani court orders release of man charged in Daniel Pearl killing

A Pakistani court has ordered that the man charged in the 2002 murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl be freed.

The order from Sindh High Court overturned a Supreme Court decision in September that Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh should remain in custody.

Sheikh was sentenced to death and three others were sentenced to life in prison for their role in the murder of the Wall Street Journal reporter.

And finally…

*) Coronavirus dampens Christmas joy in Bethlehem and elsewhere

Christmas has arrived but the coronavirus has put a damper on festivities.

Celebrations in Europe are scaled back this year as virus infections surge across the continent with a new variant that may be more contagious.

Subdued scenes were repeated across the world as festive family gatherings and packed prayers were pared back or cancelled.

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