HONG KONG: The pound extended gains against the dollar yesterday as traders cheered the authorization of another vaccine and final ratification of the Brexit trade deal, while Asian markets were mixed as a painful year drew to a close. While the world economy has been devastated by the coronavirus and lockdowns it has caused, markets have enjoyed a broadly healthy year thanks to governments and central banks stumping up mind-boggling amounts of money to prevent a depression.

LONDON: Brexit became a reality yesterday as Britain left Europe’s customs union and single market, ending nearly half-a-century of often turbulent ties with its closest neighbors. 

KUWAIT: PROCAPITA Management Consulting launched its special annual report on the latest HR practices for 2020, which was distinctively developed. 

KUWAIT: The CEO of Incheon Korea Airport Services (T4 operator), Kwang Soo Lee, stated to “Kuwait Times” that he is happy to re-open the airport and operate commercial flights again on Saturday January 2nd, 2021 at 4 am after ceasing flights for 12 days, optimistic about the joy of departure and arrival passengers.

CUXHAVEN, Germany: The German port of Cuxhaven has felt every twist and turn of the Brexit saga, from the shock of the referendum result to the interminable negotiations. 

BRUSSELS: The European Union and China yesterday approved “in principle” a major investment pact that Brussels hopes will open up lucrative opportunities, despite concerns about Beijing’s rights record. 

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s health ministry announced yesterday that it reported 205 new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours, raising the total to 150,298, while one death recorded over the same period raised the death toll to 933. 

KUWAIT: COVID-19 has become a part of the equation of our lives, but not the entire equation. In fact, it is merely a signpost that unexpected events happen, but also such crises prove the human’s ability to adapt and the corporates’ capability to sustain. 

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: Cambodian premier Hun Sen announced yesterday that the kingdom had extracted its first drop of crude oil from its waters, a long-awaited milestone for one of Southeast Asia’s poorest nations.