Global economic conditions have improved steadily over the past year, thanks to the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. Most nations, particularly the richest ones, are on track to regain all the ground they lost during the height of the pandemic. But that progress has not been a straight line. Power shortages and supply chain bottlenecks have led to a surge in prices of several goods and services.

Christian Lawrence is a senior cross-asset strategist at Rabobank in New York. He tells us how the global economy regained its footing over the past 12 months, and what prospects are like for 2022.

#WorldRecovery #GlobalEconomy #2022Outlook

- Japan's industrial output jumps record 7.2% in November

- Didi reportedly blocks employees from selling shares

- Riot Games to pay $100M in gender discrimination case

#JapanIndustry #DidiLockUp #RiotGames

- Kaga Electronics to build new factory in Turkiye

- Cathay suffers pilot exodus due to quarantine rules

- New Spider-Man movie tops $1B at global box office

#KagaElectronics #CathayPacific #SpiderMan

It wouldn't be Christmas without cheesy pop songs. And one singer who's become synonymous with the holiday is Mariah Carey. She might not want a lot for Christmas, but her song of the season has definitely helped make some of her dreams come true.

#TheQueenofChristmas #MariahCarey #AllIWantForChristmasIsYou

Moving on to Spain, where the government has held the world's richest lottery, which contributes billions of dollars to charity every year. The pre-Christmas raffle has taken place without interruption since the early 19th century. And this year, just like in 2020, it offers a welcome respite for a nation that's seeing COVID-19 cases rise to record levels.

#ElGordo #SpanishLottery #ChristmasLottery

In New York City, nothing says it's Christmas quite like fir trees for sale on the streets. This year though prices are high, and supply is limited. Kyoko Gasha visits a local vendor to find out if people are buying.

#NewYork #ChristmasTrees #FirTreePrices

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without its traditional markets - at least in Germany. By now, the famous stalls selling German treats have been exported to spots all over the world. But so has the Coronavirus, which has dampened the festive mood for both sellers and visitors. Sibel Karkus reports from Berlin.

#Germany #ChristmasMarket #2GRules

While millions of people around the world will be unwrapping physical presents this Christmas, many will be receiving theirs digitally. Non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, took the world by storm this year and are one of the hottest gift choices this festive season. Backed by Ethereum blockchain technology these digital assets are being used to trade art, music and an ever growing array of digital content. And as Mobin Nasir reports, analysts expect this market to continue mushrooming.

Jessica Walker is a content creator at cryptocurrency tracking site CoinMarketCap in Dubai. She told us why N-F-Ts have become popular among both artists and a new generation of collectors.

#NFTGifts #NonFungibleToken #DigitalArtworks

It's Christmas time so shoppers around the world are picking up gifts for family and friends. Retail sales in major economies like the U-S and the U-K have risen less than forecast in the leadup to the holidays. Goods have also gotten more expensive due to supply chain bottlenecks. That leaves children, and some adults no doubt, anxiously wondering what they'll find under the tree on Christmas Day. So, which toys are trending on Santa's list? Natalie Powell was lucky enough to find out.

Mark Cohen is the director of retail studies and an adjunct professor at the Columbia Business School. He told us how consumers spent their money over the past year, and the challenges businesses faced as economies emerged from lockdowns.

#RetailSector #OnlineShopping #RetailRecovery

- Japan's inflation rise for third straight month in November

- Thai-Austrian group buys Selfridges department store chain

- Crocs to buy casual footwear brand Heydude for $2.5B

#JapanInflation #Selfridges #Heydude