Category Archives: Oceania

These are turbulent times for Nigeria as insecurity, social as well as economic challenges are felt all over the place. At the global level, the Omicron monster is surging; tsunami struck and destroyed parts of Tonga in South Pacific Oceania, a global supply chain problem continues hurting many advanced economies, the Boris Johnson Party-gate makes the headlines in Britain, while a possible invasion of Ukraine by Russia threatens global peace.

But, while these global uncertainties continue to take place, God remains sovereign and unshakable. God is our safest and surest security in times like these. His promises, His Covenant, His word and His blood are our greatest anchor. David found God to be the Rock of his life in turbulent times.

As Psalm 46:1-3 reads: God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah (NKJV).

The Psalmist further reminds us that God is our refuge,

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust. Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence (Psalms 91:1-3 NKJV).

Mount Zion is a symbol of strength and stability. The confidence of those who trust God must remain unshakable and solid. Here, those who trust in the LORD are likened to the rock on which the temple was built.

Psalm 125:1-3 equates our trust in God to the unshakable Mount Zion, Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so, the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever. For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity, (NKJV).

Ancient traditions proclaim the stability of Zion, the mountain of God deeply rooted in the womb of the earth (Psalms 46; 48; 78:6869; 87:5). As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so, the Lord surrounds his people with his protective power forevermore. (Psalm 34:7; Zechariah 2:7-12)

Trusting God in tough times like these simply means:To put our total confidence in Him (Isaiah 31:1-3). To depend on Him for protection and security (Psalm 20:7). To trust in the provisions of His covenant. To trust in His ability to sustain, protect and keep us. To trust in His saving grace and power (Psalm 37:39-40). To trust in His promises (1 Cor.1:20).

To look up to Him (2 Chro.20:12). To confess the promises of His word (Psalm 91:4). To make God your help (Jeremiah 39:16-18; Psalm 121:2). To hope in God (Jere 17:7-8). To secure victory from God (1 Chron. 5:20).

Like Isaiah, those who put their trust in God will confidently declare: For the Lord God will help me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set my face like a flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed.Contact:pastoracukachi@gmail.com

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They that trust in the Lord - Part 1 - Guardian Nigeria

The Fast Retailing Groups revenue and profit both increased in the first quarter of fiscal 2022 with consolidated revenue totalling 627.3 billion yen, up 1.2 percent and operating profit reaching 119.4 billion yen, up 5.6 percent.

The company has attributed this strong performance to large increases in both revenue and profit at Uniqlo operations in South Asia, Southeast Asia & Oceania (Southeast Asia, Australia, and India), North America, and Europe.

Meanwhile, the groups Uniqlo operations in Japan and the Greater China region (Mainland China market, Hong Kong market, and Taiwan market) and our GU business segments reported declines in the first quarter revenue and profit.

First-quarter pre-tax profit rose to 134.2 billion yen, up 25.2 percent and profit attributable to owners of the parent increased to 93.5 billion yen, up 33 percent

Uniqlo Japan reported significant declines in revenue and profit in the first quarter of fiscal 2022, with revenue totaling 226.4 billion yen, down 10.8 percent and operating profit totaling 48.7 billion yen, down 18.8 percent. First-quarter same-store sales declined by 7.7% year-on-year.

This performance, the company added, was being compared to a strong result in the previous year when stay-at-home demand and sales of Airism masks were particularly buoyant. In addition, the large number of persistently warm days from September through to the middle of October stifled sales of fall winter ranges. Sales of outerwear and thermal innerwear did strengthen once the weather turned colder from the middle of October and sales exceeded previous year levels during the Uniqlo anniversary sale in November.

Ecommerce sales declined 0.2 percent with online sales totaling 36.6 billion yen, however, this figure represented an approximate 50 percent increase compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2020, so ecommerce is still trending on a favorable expansion track. Uniqlo Japans gross profit margin improved by 0.5 point.

Uniqlos international segment reported revenue increase to 299.7 billion yen, up 15 percent and operating profit expanding to 59.9 billion yen, up 44.6 percent year-on-year. This was fueled primarily by strong sales and large increases in both revenue and profit at Uniqlo operations in the S/SE Asia & Oceania, North America, and Europe regions. Meanwhile, first-quarter revenue declined marginally and first-quarter profit declined significantly for the Greater China region.

The Hong Kong and Taiwan markets generated significant increases in both revenue and profit and Uniqlo South Korea reported a rise in both revenue and profit. S/SE Asia & Oceania reported higher revenue and profit as the region recovered the level of performance it had enjoyed two years ago prior to Covid-19. Uniqlo USA generated a rise in revenue and moved into the black in the first quarter. Uniqlo Europe also achieved increases in both revenue and profit as falling temperatures and a rising consumer appetite for shopping created a buoyant sales environment.

The GU business segment reported a decline in revenue and a considerable contraction in profit in the first quarter, with revenue falling to 69.8 billion yen, down 8.7 percent and operating profit contracting to 8.9 billion yen, down 34.5 percent. The company added that persistently warm weather stifled sales of fall winter items and delays in production and distribution also delayed the launch of winter ranges. GUs gross profit margin declined by 1.7 points.

The Global Brands segment reported a rise in revenue and a move back into the black in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. The segment generated revenue of 30.7 billion yen, up 9.5 percent and an operating profit of 2.5 billion yen compared to a 0.2 billion yen loss recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2021.

Theory operation generated strong increases in both revenue and profit, thanks primarily to a recovery in performance and a move back into the black for Theory in the United States.

PLST reported a decline in both revenue and profit as that operation struggled to attract customers during the Covid-19-related state of emergency in Japan. The companys France-based Comptoir des Cotonniers operation reported higher revenue and a move back into the black after it was able to avoid temporarily closing any stores due to Covid-19.

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Uniqlo international boosts sales and profit at the Fast Retailing Group - FashionUnited India

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Sponsored by Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises has an exciting range of staycation and no-fly cruises, making your next cruise as easy and stress-free as possible.

If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it is that staycations and holidays close to home are nothing to be sneered at. In fact, these types of holidays are growing more and more popular, and, with cruises, it is no different.

Oceania Cruises meets this demand with a range of beautiful staycation and no-fly cruises all offering a luxurious home-from-home onboard one it is small chic ships. Sounds like a perfect escape if you ask us!

These cruises do more than simply call at a few ports for a short while, Oceania Cruises tailors your cruising experience to focus on the destinations. This means more time in ports, more overnight stays, opportunities to embrace local experiences and the line has a range of tours available for each of these voyages.

Gone are the days of stumbling to the airport at 3am, half asleep and grasping a cup of coffee. Embrace the relaxing nature of embarking on a cruise ship from the UK and discover what a cruise from the UK means with Oceania Cruises

Who knew cruising could be so seamless? Allow yourself to be shocked by the beauty of your home country and learn more about the glorious UK.

Oceania Cruises offers a 10-day British Isles Exploration itinerary sailing August 23, 2023, as a roundtrip from Portsmouth onboard Riviera.

- READ MORE: Discover Oceania Cruises' award-winning food -

Your first port of call just so happens to be one of the liveliest cities in Northern England, Newcastle. Yet there is more to discover past the citys dynamic bar and club scene, Newcastle is a hub of history. You can wander along the River Tyne and admire all the different bridges built over time to transform the face of this city which was built in the 11thcentury.

Fun fact: Newcastle is home to the popular energy drink Lucozade. Invented by William Owen in 1927 the drink was originally formulated as an energy boost for the sick and originally went by the name of Glucozade.

Another standout port is Lerwick in the Shetland Islands. Explore the rugged landscape and moors and get a true taste of the highlands. Embark on Oceanias Shetland Ponies & Scalloway Castle excursion and enjoy a scenic drive through Lerwick as you learn about its history before visiting the ruins of Scalloway castle. Then go on to meet enthusiastic Shetland ponies and explore endless moorlands.

You can also explore the fascinating city of Dundee, located on the northern shore of the Firth of Tay. As the UKs first designation UNESCO City of Design, Dundee features the V&A Dundee, Scotlands first design museum as well as Dundee Contemporary Arts and McManus Galleries - an art lovers paradise.

Oceania Cruises also allows you to explore the fantastic locations of Dundee and Portland for longer thanks to its thoughtfully planned late-night (9pm) departures.

For those of you who still want the ease of embarking on a cruise from a UK port but want to explore further afield, Oceania Cruises offers a range of stunning no-fly cruises.

A standout itinerary is Western Allure departing June 1, 2023, as a roundtrip from Southampton onboard Riviera.

Oceania Cruises takes you through the French countryside to arrive at the cultural city of Paris. Ensure you visit the famed attractions of the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Louvre before embarking on a scenic boat ride through the River Seine.

- READ MORE: Where does Oceania Cruises visit in Europe and North America? -

With a late departure of 9pm in Paris, you can take in the beautiful sights of Paris by night.

Alternatively, if this is not your first time in Paris, you can embark on Oceania Cruises' Historic Rouen excursion on which you can enjoy a drive to the medieval city of Rouen.

On your guided walk, see the iconic cathedral which captured Claude Monets attention and well as the square where Joan of Arc died.

Bordeaux offers a different side to France, with rolling fields filled with vineyards as well as a host of ornate buildings in the city centre.

Join an exclusive excursion Bordeaux and Its Surrounding Vineyards to observe the fairytale-like structures of Palais Rohan and Porte Cailhau before sampling some of the regions delicious wine at a chteau. With an overnight stay in Bordeaux, you can explore this city to its fullest extent.

Over in Spain, wander through the bustling promenade in Bilbao while taking in the sites of the San Nicholas Church and the Cathedral of Santiago.

A must-visit is the Guggenheim Museum, which you can marvel at from both the outside and inside with its remarkable architecture. Oceania Cruises has a late departure in Bilbao of 11pm so you can sample some of the citys lively bars.

Oceania Cruises also departs from Portsmouth, meaning you have all-important options when it comes to which port is most convenient for you to travel to.

Not only are no-fly cruises quicker to start your holiday, but they are also a lot more accessible for those who struggle with mobility, as the awkwardness of flying and airport visits are cut out entirely.

- READ MORE: Experience an elevated dining experience with Oceania Cruises expanded menu -

Oceania Cruises offers longer no-fly voyages to a range of locations, such as its 14-night Baltic Expressions itinerary departing September 3, 2023, as a roundtrip from Portsmouth onboard Marina.

Featuring late-night stays in the charming city of Copenhagen, Denmark and Berlin, Germany, you have ample time to explore both the daytime and night-time atmospheres of these cities.

Copenhagen features the famed statue of the Little Mermaid as well as endless countryside panoramic vistas. Berlin offers oodles of history such as the Berlin Wall and the 18th-century Brandenburg Gate.

A highlight of this itinerary is a visit to St Petersburg, Russia, combined with an overnight stay. Here you can explore the citys many canals and gaze in awe at the stunning Peter and Paul Fortress decorated with onion-domed cathedrals. Countless palaces also await your exploration such as Catherines Palace and Peterhof.

Take a day trip to Moscow by high-speed train to be taken around the city by a knowledgeable tour guide to see famous sites such as St. Basil Cathedral.

If you are tired out from your days adventure (we dont blame you), then ensure you take advantage of Oceania Cruises' onboard wellness centre.

Wander down to Oceania Cruises Aquamar Spa and Vitality Center to indulge yourself in a Vital Bamboo Massage or perhaps opt for a Pro-Collagen Age Defy facial and emerge looking 20 years younger! The treatment menu is extensive - you are sure to find something to suit you.

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Top staycation and no-fly cruises from the UK with Oceania Cruises - World of Cruising

TEHRAN To carry Irans flag by Iran basketball center Samad Nikkhah Bahrami was chosen by fiba.basketball among memorable moments in Asia & Oceania basketball.

Another calendar year gone by with 12 months jammed with exciting action in Asia & Oceania basketball. To look back at what was yet another eventful year, FIBA has listed some of the most impressive moments in 2021.

Being an Olympian is already one of the highest achievements ever for an athlete. But being an Olympian and being your countrys flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony?

The average person can only imagine how that would feel.

This was an honor that was bestowed to four of Asias basketball stars for the Tokyo Olympics this past year.

Rui Hachimura waved the flag of the host nation proudly while Samad Nikkah Bahrami (Iran) and Patty Mills (Australia) also did the honor for their nations as players the mens basketball national teams. Khulan Onolbaatar was also the flag bearer for Mongolia as a member of the womens 3x3 basketball team.

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To carry Iran's flag by Nikkhah Bahrami in Tokyo among top moments from 2021 - Tehran Times

In case you missed it, check out part one of our 2021 overview, Ericsson Year in Review 2021: January to June

July: 5G markets warm up in the Americas

5G momentum continued into the second half of the year with a spree of landmark 5G deals and records.

In the US, a multi-year 5G extension agreement with key partner Verizon grabbed headlines and delivered a major boost to the US digital market through a deal that would see Verizon enhance and expand its 5G offering to US consumers and enterprises.

5G deals with Virgin Media O2 in the UK, and later, Faroese Telecom in the Faroe Islands, ensured that 5G deployment also remained strong in Europe.

Ericsson delivered two 5G firsts in July. The first, in partnership with Telia Sweden, saw the companies trial a new inactive state feature, enabling up to three times faster access to network resources and reduced battery consumption for smartphone users. For the second, Ericsson partnered with MediaTek to set double the uplink speed record on mmWave using carrier aggregation.

In Latin America, while many 5G spectrum auctions were delayed owing to the pandemic, Ericsson pressed ahead in laying the groundwork by announcing major 5G initiatives with TIGO in Bolivia, Paraguay and Honduras, and agricultural equipment manufacturer John Deere in Brazil.

August: 5G accelerates in East Asia and Oceania

Ericsson racked up the 5G milestones again in August, this time with a flurry of activity across East Asia and Oceania markets.

The month kicked off with the announcement of a 5G first in Australia: the combined operation of 5G mid band and mmWave of a single device to network connection. The demonstration, which utilized New Radio Dual Connectivity (NR-DC) technology, formed part of Ericssons ongoing commitment to the Australian market, together with partners Optus and MediaTek.

In Taiwan, Ericsson supported Asia Pacific Telecom to launch the islands first 5G non-standalone multi-operator core network. This was followed by the delivery of another Ericsson-powered 5G network in the region, this time in Jakarta with Indosat Ooredoo.

In Saudi Arabia, Ericsson and stc took another significant step closer to Saudi Vision 2030 with a major deal to deploy Ericsson 5G Core and switch on 5G standalone across the kingdom. stc was among the first service providers in the world to launch 5G, with commercial services available since June 2019. According the June 2021 edition of theEricsson Mobility Report, 5G subscriptions are forecasted to reach 62 million in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region by 2026.

Meanwhile, urban 5G deployments received a boost with the commercial release of three new zero-footprint Ericsson street solutions, enabling fast plug-and-play deployments that that seamlessly blend in with streetlights, buildings and other urban hardscapes.

September: Imagine Possible goes live

September marked a new era for Ericsson with the announcement of the company's renewed purpose, Imagine Possible. The new purpose was also paired with a renewed company vision of a world where limitless connectivity improves lives, redefines business and pioneers a sustainable future.

5G momentum remained strong in September with new deals announced with DNB in Malaysia and Bhutan Telecom in the Kingdom of Bhutan. While, 5G standalone gained more ground in Europe and Australia owing to new Ericsson 5G Core agreements with A1 Telekom Austria Group and TPG Telecom respectively.

In Singapore, Ericsson and Singtel switched on one of the worlds first 5G standalone(SA)networks. On the back of the historic milestone, the partners also signed a memorandum of understanding with several global industry partners with the ambition to develop advanced 5G enterprise solutions in Singapore.

Energy-saving radios were making news in Europe, as Ericsson and Vodafone UK completed the first deployment of Ericssons new energy-efficient antenna-integrated 5G radio. The breakthrough trial which offered a taste of future sustainable networks saw Vodafones daily network energy consumption decrease by an average of 43 percent in direct comparison to previous generations, and as much as 55 percent at off-peak times.

October: Sustainability in the headlines

Ericsson began October by celebrating a historic anniversary with long-term partner Telia. In October 1981, Ericsson supported Telia in switching on the first-generation (1G) mobile network. Since laying that foundation, a staggering 5.2 billion people worldwide now rely on the breakthroughs achieved in that Ericsson and Telia innovation.

Just a few weeks after the anniversary, the partners added another page to their joint innovation story by trialing new safety features on a 5G-connected electric self-driving bus. The project, which moved one step closer to full operations with the trial, featured other partners including Urban ICT Arena, Intel, Keolis, and T-Engineering.

5G-based innovation such as this would be fundamental to decarbonizing industries and achieving global climate targets those were the incisive findings of two key reports published in October. The first, an MIT Technology Review Insights report, found that 5G will be key to generating enterprise efficiency gains and new sustainable operational processes.

The second, an Ericsson-commissioned industry analysis, found evidence that an accelerated roll-out of 5G connectivity across Europe and the UK will have an immediate and catalyzing impact in reducing CO2e emissions.

October also saw Ericsson mark a significant sustainability milestone, with the mapping of one million schools worldwide, as part of its Giga initiative together with UNICEF and ITU to connect every school to the Internet. There was also a 5G breakthrough India, with the successful completion of Indias first rural 5G trial together with Airtel.

Ericsson closed out the month with a major portfolio addition of a new Critical IoT software product, Time-Critical Communication.

November: Ericsson announce intention to acquire Vonage

November saw the announcement of a major acquisition intention as Ericsson announced plans to acquire global provider of cloud-based communications, Vonage. The acquisition, which underlines Ericssons strategy to expand its presence in wireless enterprise and broaden its global offerings, would spearhead the creation of a global network and communication platform for open innovation. Commenting on the significance of the deal, Ericsson President and CEO Brje Ekholm, said: Vonage gives us a platform to help our customers monetize the investments in the network, benefittingdevelopers and businesses.

Ericsson celebrated ten years of the Ericsson Mobility Report in November. The new report featured a look back at key mobile trends over the past decade, uncovering a 300-fold rise in mobile data traffic since Ericsson signature report was first published.

In the same month, Ericsson also released two more insights-packed reports: a new 5G Pacesetters report from Ericsson ConsumerLab which revealed how frontrunning service providers are three times more likely to retain customers and almost twice as likely to grow average revenue per user (ARPU) and mobile services revenues; and the latest instalment in the Ericsson IndustryLab Future of Enterprise series, predicting widespread transformation of manufacturing and production enterprises by 2030.

As soccer fans worldwide began to return to stadia en-masse, the focus turned to major events in 2022 with Ericsson announcing a network management partnership with Ooredoo Qatar. The agreement would see Ericsson support state-of-the-art network optimization and event management in eight connected stadiums across six cities, in addition to enabling unforgettable 5G experiences in Qatars airports, fan zones and major tourist attractions.

Ericsson also racked up more 5G milestones in November, with the announcement of a new deal to deliver 5G standalone together with SK Telecom in Korea. Meanwhile, in France, Ericsson announced plans to launch the countrys largest industrial 5G network together ArcelorMittal France and Orange Business Services.

December: Ericsson turns the page on a landmark 5G year

Innovation and sustainability topped the headlines in December as Ericsson looked to close the year on a high.In Australia, Ericsson teamed up again with Telstra and Qualcomm to set another 5G speed record. During a live demo in Queensland, the partners set an uplink speed record of close to 1Gbps, the highest recorded on a commercial network, using 5G dual connectivity and carrier aggregation.

In the US, Ericsson shifted autonomous vehicle development into the next gear with the announcement of Ericsson Routes, a new live test environment in San Francisco developed for autonomous and connected vehicle companies.

Ericsson President and CEO Brje Ekholm, who attended the 2021 Global Forum for Children and Youth in December, announced that Ericsson has pledged to support one million children and young people with access to digital learning and skills by 2025, through Ericssons Connect to Learn program.

December also saw the announcement of the winners of the annual Ericsson Innovation Awards, this year picked up by Team BlisCare, ofRashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, India, with theirinnovative solution to enable equal educational opportunities for visually impaired people all over the world.

As a landmark year for 5G and innovation drew to a close, Ericsson took an imaginative look ahead to the world of 2030 with the release of its annual Ten Hot Consumer Trends report. The report, which gauges consumer predictions of future technology trends, found that many consumers expect to soon enjoy global experiences, interactions and social connections in a networked physical setting that is close to home.

Ericssons technology leadership was showcased to the word in December as part of Sweden Day at the Word Expo. Malaysias Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) 5G network also became the latest to join Ericssons leading list of live commercial 5G neworks.

Selected July to December Ericsson news links

Ericsson and Verizon ink landmark multi-year $8.3 Billion 5G deal

Virgin Media O2 selects Ericsson 5G Core to power Standalone network

Faroese Telecom selects Ericsson for 5G

Industry-first 5G feature enables lower latency and increased battery life

Ericsson and MediaTek set uplink speed record on mmWave using carrier aggregation

Ericsson and Millicom - TIGO drive digital inclusion in Latin America

Ericsson and John Deere partner to boost 5G innovation in agribusiness

Optus, MediaTek and Ericsson technology innovation boosts 5G coverage area

Ericsson supports Asia Pacific Telecom to launch Taiwans first 5G Non-Standalone Multi-Operator Core Network

Indosat Ooredoo launches Ericsson-powered 5G in Jakarta

stc and Ericsson forge ahead with 5G Standalone for consumers and enterprises

Ericsson Mobility Report, November 2021 edition

New Ericsson street solutions equip busy urban locations with low-visibility, high-performance 5G radios

Ericssons new purpose and vision imagines the possibilities of limitless connectivity

Ericsson to support Malaysias digital transformation through nationwide 5G deployment

Kingdom of Bhutan in Eastern Himalayas to get Ericsson 5G with Bhutan Telecom

A1 Telekom Austria Group selects Ericsson 5G Core in Croatia and Bulgaria

TPG Telecom and Ericsson announce 5G Core partnership for standalone 5G networks

Singtel enters 5G standalone era powered by Ericsson

Ericsson and Vodafone halve network energy consumption in breakthrough 5G trial

Ericsson and Singtel power up Singapores 5G enterprise ecosystem with global industry partners

Ericsson and Telia celebrate 40 years of modern connectivity

Ericsson and partners test new safety features on 5G self-driving bus

MIT report outlines the decarbonization impact of connectivity for industries

5G connectivity is fundamental to Europe achieving climate targets, new analysis reveals

The ability of 5G to connect rural India showcased by Airtel and Ericsson

Ericsson launches Time-Critical Communication for real-time 5G experiences

Ericsson to acquire Vonage for USD 6.2 billion to spearhead the creation of a global network and communication platform for open innovation

Ericsson Mobility Report: Mobile data traffic increased almost 300-fold over 10 years

Ericsson ConsumerLab: Pace setting 5G CSPs twice as likely to grow revenue

Ericsson IndustryLab report predicts manufacturing transformation by 2030

Ericsson and Ooredoo partner to ensure football fans have unforgettable 5G experiences at 2022 sports event in Qatar

Ericsson partners on 5G Core with SK Telecom to facilitate new mobile services

ArcelorMittal partners with Orange Business Services and Ericsson to launch the largest industrial 5G network in France: 5G Steel

Ericsson, Telstra and Qualcomm set uplink speed record of close to 1Gbps using 5G dual connectivity and carrier aggregation

Autonomous vehicles gain better access to reliable connectivity with Ericsson Routes in San Francisco, California

Ericsson pledges to support one million children and young people by 2025 with access to digital learning and skills

Indias Team BlisCare wins Ericsson Innovation Awards 2021

Ericsson ConsumerLab: Ten Hot Consumer Trends 2030 the hybrid mall

Ericsson - and Sweden in focus at World Expo

Digital Nasional Berhad commences 5G services on Ericsson built network in Malaysia

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Ericson Year in Review 2021 - Jul-Dec - Ericsson

India has a weird relationship with cryptocurrencies. The government was twice set to introduce a crypto bill seeking to ban all private cryptocurrencies this year before backing out. Meanwhile, demand for these digital assets has exploded across the country amid the pandemic, and especially in 2021.

Indias crypto market grew 641% from July 2020 to June 2021, helping turn a region spanning central and southern Asia and Oceania into one of the worlds fastest-growing cryptocurrency markets, according to a Chainalysis report from October.

The crypto bill, take 1: In January, a Lok Sabha bulletin said the government would introduce a bill in the budget session of Parliament that would ban all private cryptocurrencies and set up a framework to create an official digital currency to be issued by the Reserve Bank of India. But in the end, the bill is not tabled.

Dont ban, regulate: In March, cryptocurrency players represented by industry body Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) appealed to the government not to ban cryptocurrencies, proposing instead to develop mechanisms to regulate the ecosystem. The body reasoned that cryptocurrency has been generating jobs across a variety of functions such as legal, compliance, technology, marketing, business development, finance, both in India and abroad.

"ETtech is a sharply-focused lens that brings alive India's tech businesses & dynamic world of startups"

Kunal Bahl, Co-Founder & CEO, Snapdeal

"I read ETtech for in-depth stories on technology companies"

Ritesh Agarwal, Founder & CEO, Oyo

"I read ETtech to understand trends & the larger India technology space, everyday"

Deepinder Goyal, Co-founder & CEO, Zomato

Dogecoin mania: In May, Dogecoin mania reached Indian cryptocurrency exchanges. They witnessed record-breaking trading volumes of Dogecoin and a massive surge in traffic. Binance-owned WazirX's Doge/INR trading slowed its entire system.

Crypto adoption: In August, India was ranked second in terms of crypto adoption amid a bull run in cryptocurrency assets globally, a report by blockchain data platform Chainalysis showed. India was second only to Vietnam in the study, which ranked countries according to the total cryptocurrency received, the amount of cryptocurrency moved in transactions under $10,000, and P2P trade volume, all weighted for purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita.

Indias first crypto unicorn: Also in August, India got its first crypto unicorn after CoinDCX raised $90 million in a Series C round, led by Facebook cofounder Eduardo Saverin's B Capital.

A second soon follows: In October, CoinSwitch Kuber, a cryptocurrency platform for retail traders, became a unicorn after it raised $260 million, the largest funding round by any crypto company in India. The fundraising was co-led by Silicon Valley-based venture fund Andreessen Horowitz and Coinbase Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Nasdaq-listed Coinbase Inc.

World Cup ad blitz: Indian cryptocurrency exchanges collectively spent more than Rs 50 crore during the ICC T20 World Cup in October and November. Data showed that cryptocurrency exchange CoinDCX advertised seven times per match on every channel during the tournament, spending a total of Rs 40 crore on sponsorship on Star Sports. Rival CoinSwitch Kuber focused on Star's video streaming service Disney+Hotstar during the World Cup.

Stakeholders meet RBI for the first time: In November, the Reserve Bank of India met crypto players meet for the first time to discuss grey areas. The meeting called by the RBI was attended by senior central bank officials, three exchanges, a crypto broker and the industry body Indiatech.org, which had prepared a white paper on cryptocurrencies.

Crypto bill, take 2: In November, the government once again appeared likely to introduce a bill on cryptocurrencies during the winter session of Parliament beginning November 29, amid concerns over such currencies being allegedly used for luring investors with misleading claims and for funding terror activities.

Crypto bill skips Winter session: But the bill was delayed again as the government was reportedly considering changes to the proposed framework. The issues being debated included the need for wider consultation and seeking comments from the public, and whether the central bank digital currency (CBDC) to be introduced by the RBI should be a part of this bill or dealt with under the RBI Act.

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2021 Year in Review | Defining moments in Indias crypto saga this year - Economic Times

A study examining the impact of red and processed meat trade on diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) suggests a number of countries are particularly vulnerable.

Among them are nations in the Caribbean and Oceania, as well as in northern and eastern Europe.

The researchers, from Michigan State University, University of California, and the International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis in Austria, are calling on exporters and importers to urgently undertake cross-sectoral actions to reduce health impacts association with meat trade.

The influence of meat trade, in terms of environmental sustainability and diet-related NCDs including colorectal cancer, diabetes milletus, and coronary heart disease has previously been researched.

In a 2020 study published in Scientific Reports, Dr Min Gon Chung from Michigan State University and UCLA concluded that the dynamics of global meat trade networks increase interdependencies between sending countries and receiving countries, placing stress on both human and natural systems across the world.

For example, meat production for export can result in land use change and biodiversity loss, Dr Chung wrote.

Likewise, diets high in meat acquired through trade are positively associated with rates of diet-related, non-communicable diseases worldwide.

In this latest study, published in BMJ Global Health, the researchers took their research a step further, asking: What is the impact of red and processed meat trade on diet-related NCDs? And which countries are particularly vulnerable to diet-related NCDs due to red and processed meat trade?

The researchers selected 14 red meat and six processed meat items including cow, sheep, goat, horse, rabbit and game meat products, as well as a variety of sausage, bacon and ham products and investigated bilateral meat trade flows across 154 countries between the years 1993 and 2018.

The team then integrated health data and information on red and process meat trade to quantify the country-specific burden of diet-related NCDs attributable to the meat trade.

Findings revealed that not only has global increases in red and processed meat trade contributed to the abrupt increase of diet-related NCDs, but that this burden had large geographical variations amongst countries.

In Europe, Lithuania, Latvia, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Czechias age-standardized death and DALY (disability-adjusted life years) rates rapidly increased due to red and processed meat trade, the researchers noted.

Since the world has begun to pursue sustainable diets for both human health and environmental sustainability, various guidelines consistently recommend a diet with fewer animal-based foods and more plant-based ones, Dr Chung told FoodNavigator.

However, this study showed global increases in red and processed meat trade contributed to the abrupt increase of diet-related NCDs, particularly across northern and eastern European countries and island countries in the Caribbean and Oceania.

Although many dietary guidelines have been suggested for both human health and environmental sustainability across the globe, the lead researcher noted that few international initiatives and national guidelines for sustainable diets explicitly address the spillover impacts of meat trade across countries.

Thus, Dr Chung continued, introducing sectoral policies ranging from health to production and trade towards less dependence on red and processed meat imports is urgently needed to reduce diet-related NCD incidence and mortality in these vulnerable countries.

For instance, since regional trade agreements of the World Trade Organization (WTO) accelerate red and processed meat flows among countries, the WTO should strengthen collaborations with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) (e.g. the Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement) for the health agenda of trade agreement.

In addition to international trade policies, the researcher suggested national and regional policies should address health issues from diet-related NCDs via red and processed meat trade.

The EU, which accounts for a half of global meat trade, is preparing to charge carbon border taxes on imported goods based on the greenhouse gas emissions released during the process of their production.

The carbon border taxes on meat products would be applied for future meat trade policies to achieve sustainable diets toward less red and processed meat consumption.

Dr Chung noted a limitation in the study, in that many countries import and process red meat items for export. Therefore the studys findings may overestimate diet-related NCD risks via trade in major re-exporting countries, such as the Netherlands and Singapore.

Re-exports in these two countries accounted for over 50% of their merchandise exports. In these re-exporting countries, meat processing companies processed exported red meat and imported them to other countries.

Source: BMJ Global HealthGlobal red and processed meat trade and non-communicable diseasesPublished online 15 November 2021DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006394Authors: Min Gon Chung, Yingjie Li, and Jianguo Liu.

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Red and processed meat trade linked to diet-related NCDs in Europe - FoodNavigator.com

Griffith Universitys Business School (GBS) has been recognised with two awards at the global QS-Wharton Reimagine Education Awards.

Bronze Awards were received by the Griffith MBA program in the Management Education category and by the Business School for its revamped Bachelor of Business degree, in the Oceania category of the Regional awards.

MBA Director Associate Professor Stephanie Schleimer described the QS Wharton awards as the Oscars of Education awards, so to receive Bronze for their submission Tri Hita Karana: An MBA that Leads through Values was humbling.

Trinita Karana is a Belen, Asian philosophy denoting three pathways to wellbeing through a harmony of people with people, the environment and a spiritual, Associate Professor Schleimer said.

The Griffith MBA is the one of the worlds leading value based MBA program that builds on these principles through three core values embedded in the 17, UN SDGs and reshaped the hearts and minds of 1000s of business leaders around the world.

We attract students from all demographic profiles including gender, age, nationality, and socio- economic status who really want to drive change.

Weve increased the number of women studying an MBA with us to 59%.

With nearly 700 active students and more than 1600 graduates, we are reaching almost 100 different industry sectors. In less than seven years, we have almost tripled our student intake.

The new Bachelor of Business degree was recognised following a five-year project to redesign the first year, 22 majors and final capstone course.

Students are now given greater flexibility to complete a foundation year before exploring or committing to a wide variety of majors.

This is a wonderful achievement and demonstrates that the work we have done is of value to current and new students, Professor David Grant, Pro Vice Chancellor of GBS, said.

The curriculum redesign for first year subjects produced an engaging, interdisciplinary suite of subjects with incredible online content such as animated videos, industry expert videos, interactive tools and more.

This was underpinned by peer supported learning events, live workshops, online consultations and a weekly Business Social Hour where people could meet to discuss real life issues, study tips, and matters that the whole of the cohort would be interested in.

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Business School nabs Bronze in education awards - Griffith News

The webinar was opened by Mr. Dadun Kohar S.E., M.M., Director of Airworthiness and Aircraft Operation of the Indonesian Ministry of Transport and Mr. Hans de Brabander, Head of the Embassys Economic Department. Both highlighted the opportunities for collaboration in building a more sustainable aviation sector, going hand-in-hand with the COVID-19 recovery.

Mr. Mark van Doorne, Senior Airport Consultant of the Netherlands Airport Consultants (NACO), opened the discussion by elaborating on the overall framework of sustainability in the aviation industry with reaching the net-zero target in mind. He highlighted the combination of aviation business activities with net-zero approaches: mitigating and compensating carbon emissions, reducing energy and water use, transitioning to a circular economy, as well as preparing for inevitable occasions (e.g., weather conditions).

Moderated by Mr. De Brabander, the first-panel Sustainability in Dutch and Indonesian Airports, showcased global best practices in implementing sustainability actions. Mr. Ruud Ummels, Managing Director of TO70 Aviation, shared current and future technologies applied in the aviation industry to support decarbonization and energy reduction. In line with this, Mr. Kjell Kloosterziel, Director of Schiphol International, explained the efforts of Royal Schiphol Group to run the worlds most sustainable airport by being zero-emission and zero-waste in 2030. Active at ten airports (plus two strategic partnerships) worldwide, Schiphol brings together global knowledge and expertise in their sustainability efforts and innovation. To complete the overview, Mr. Ari Satria Saputra S.E., M.M., Head of PR & Networking of the Center for Strategic and Aviation Studies Indonesia, elaborated on sustainability actions applied in Indonesian airports. He also emphasized a best practice of collaboration betweenAirport Collaborative Decision MakingandAir Traffic Flow Managementin improving efficiency in airports and flights.

The second-panel Sustainability in Air Travel, began with a presentation from the Deputy Director of Aircraft Certification of the Indonesian Ministry of Transport, Mr. Agustinus Budi Hartono, S.T., M.M. He explained the Indonesian national policy, implementing environmental protection activities in the countrys aviation industry. These activities are, among others, aircraft fleet renewal, operational efficiency, alternative fuels, and air traffic management. Indonesia and the Netherlands could explore collaboration in knowledge exchange and capacity building. In line with the Dutch Governments goal in leading the journey towards sustainable aviation in 2050, Mr. Roland Coppens, General Manager of AirFrance-KLM Southeast Asia & Oceania, shared examples of the efforts currently made by the airline, including waste management and sustainable aviation fuel development. To complete the overview, Mr. Bayu Sutanto, Secretary-General of Indonesia National Air Carriers Association (INACA), emphasized the importance of collaboration in the entire supply chain to address technology and operational challenges in achieving low to zero-emission flights. The discussion was moderated by Dutch Agriculture Counsellor, Mr. Joost van Uum.

Presentation materials can be accessed through bitly/NLIDWebinar0912. Interested Dutch and Indonesian parties may contact the Economic Department of the Dutch Embassy in Indonesia (JAK-EA@minbuza.nl) to explore collaboration opportunities.

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New Shared Perspectives in Order to Make More Sustainable Aviation Industry - The Netherlands and You

The $94 Trillion World Economy in One Chart

View the expanded version of this infographic.

Just four countriesthe U.S., China, Japan, and Germanymake up over half of the worlds economic output by gross domestic product (GDP) in nominal terms. In fact, the GDP of the U.S. alone is greater than the combined GDP of 170 countries.

How do the different economies of the world compare? In this visualization we look at GDP by country in 2021, using data and estimates from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

GDP serves as a broad indicator for a countrys economic output. It measures the total market value of final goods and services produced in a country in a specific timeframe, such as a quarter or year. In addition, GDP also takes into consideration the output of services provided by the government, such as money spent on defense, healthcare, or education.

Generally speaking, when GDP is increasing in a country, it is a sign of greater economic activity that benefits workers and businesses (while the reverse is true for a decline).

Who are the biggest contributors to the global economy? Here is the ranking of the 50 largest countries by GDP in 2021:

*2020 GDP (latest available) used where IMF estimates for 2021 were unavailable.

At $22.9 trillion, the U.S. GDP accounts for roughly 25% of the global economy, a share that has actually changed significantly over the last 60 years. The finance, insurance, and real estate ($4.7 trillion) industries add the most to the countrys economy, followed by professional and business services ($2.7 trillion) and government ($2.6 trillion).

Chinas economy is second in nominal terms, hovering at near $17 trillion in GDP. It remains the largest manufacturer worldwide based on output with extensive production of steel, electronics, and robotics, among others.

The largest economy in Europe is Germany, which exports roughly 20% of the worlds motor vehicles. In 2019, overall trade equaled nearly 90% of the countrys GDP.

On the other end of the spectrum are the worlds smallest economies by GDP, primarily developing and island nations.

With a GDP of $70 million, Tuvalu is the smallest economy in the world. Situated between Hawaii and Australia, the largest industry of this volcanic archipelago relies on territorial fishing rights.

In addition, the country earns significant revenue from its .tv web domain. Between 2011 and 2019, it earned $5 million annually from companiesincluding Amazon-owned Twitch to license the Twitch.tv domain nameequivalent to roughly 7% of the countrys GDP.

*2019 GDP (latest available) used where IMF estimates for 2021 were unavailable.

Like Tuvalu, many of the worlds smallest economies are in Oceania, including Nauru, Palau, and Kiribati. Additionally, several countries above rely on the tourism industry for over one-third of their employment.

With 123% projected GDP growth, Libyas economy is estimated to have the sharpest rise.

Oil is propelling its growth, with 1.2 million barrels being pumped in the country daily. Along with this, exports and a depressed currency are among the primary factors behind its recovery.

2021 Real GDP Growth (Annual % Change)

Irelands economy, with a projected 13% real GDP growth, is being supported by the largest multinational corporations in the world. Facebook, TikTok, Google, Apple, and Pfizer all have their European headquarters in the country, which has a 12.5% corporate tax rateor about half the global average. But these rates are set to change soon, as Ireland joined the OECD 15% minimum corporate tax rate agreement which was finalized in October 2021.

Macaos economy bounced back after COVID-19 restrictions began to lift, but more storm clouds are on the horizon for the Chinese district. The CCPs anti-corruption campaign and recent arrests could signal a more strained relationship between Mainland China and the worlds largest gambling hub.

The global GDP figure of $94 trillion may seem massive to us today, but such a total might seem much more modest in the future.

In 1970, the world economy was only about $3 trillion in GDPor 30 times smaller than it is today. Over the next thirty years, the global economy is expected to more or less double again. By 2050, global GDP could total close to $180 trillion.

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Visualizing the $94 Trillion World Economy in One Chart - Visual Capitalist