A major trade deal in Asia drives the continent’s equities higher as fifteen countries in the region sign the world's largest agreement, a move labelled as a 'coup for Beijing'. The deal includes China, South Korea and Japan but not India or the U.S. For the first time, President Trump publicly admits Joe Biden won the election but refuses to concede, while the President-elect prepares to meet vaccine makers as COVID-19 cases across the US top 11 million. Meanwhile, Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson goes into self-isolation after holding a meeting with an MP who later tested positive for COVID-19, as tensions within his inner circle run high. But businesses are regaining confidence in the recovery. The President of Emirates Airlines, Tim Clark tells CNBC he expects the carrier to return to profitability within 18 months, voicing optimism over testing and travel corridors.

And, Space-X launches its Crew Dragon spacecraft into orbit, making Elon Musk's venture the first time a private company launches astronauts into space.

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