Business airways all over the world cancelled greater than 5,700 flights over the Christmas weekend in response to a flight tracker web site, as a mounting wave of coronavirus infections pushed by the Omicron variant created larger uncertainty and distress for vacation travellers.
On Saturday, Pope Francis prayed for an finish to the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing his Christmas Day tackle to induce vaccines for the poor and well being look after all.
“Grant well being to the infirm and encourage all women and men of excellent will to hunt the perfect methods doable to beat the present well being disaster and its results,” Francis mentioned in his tackle.
Listed here are the most recent updates for Saturday:
Sale and Cardiff Rugby video games referred to as off
The English rugby Premiership match between Newcastle and Sale and the final surviving Boxing Day sport within the United Rugby Championship had been cancelled on Saturday due to COVID-19 positives.
Sale mentioned that following in a single day assessments outcomes “a big quantity” of their squad had been dominated out of the match, Premiership Rugby mentioned in an announcement.
The announcement adopted affirmation that Cardiff’s Boxing Day derby conflict with Scarlets within the United Rugby Championship had been postponed.
Canada’s tennis star Shapovalov assessments constructive
Denis Shapovalov, who’s a part of Canada’s crew for the 2022 ATP Cup, has examined constructive for COVID-19 in Sydney, the 22-year-old mentioned.
Shapovalov performed final week on the World Tennis Championship exhibition occasion in Abu Dhabi, the place he beat 20-times main winner Rafa Nadal within the third-place playoff match.
Nadal, Olympic champion Belinda Bencic and Tunisian Ons Jabeur all examined constructive for the virus after taking part in the match.
Steinmeier thanks German folks for virus motion
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has referred to as on Germans to stay collectively in opposition to the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic.
“In democracy, we don’t all need to agree. However please allow us to bear in mind: we’re one nation. We should nonetheless have the ability to look one another within the eye after the pandemic. And we nonetheless wish to stay collectively after the pandemic,” Steinmeier mentioned in a Christmas message.
Steinmeier additionally expressed understanding for all those that have uncertainties and fears over pandemic restrictions and the vaccination marketing campaign.
He mentioned that freedom of expression in Germany was assured to everybody and that everybody was allowed to talk their thoughts.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier [Michael Sohn/Pool/AFP]
Ravens in a QB quandary as Tyler Huntley enters protocol
The Baltimore Ravens added quarterback Tyler Huntley to the reserve/COVID-19 listing, and he gained’t play Sunday in a key AFC North conflict with the Cincinnati Bengals, NFL Community reported.
Huntley missed Friday’s follow with what was termed a non-COVID sickness, and the Ravens listed him as questionable, however he nonetheless was anticipated to start out instead of the injured Lamar Jackson. A day later, all that modified when Huntley turned the eleventh Ravens participant on the reserve/COVID-19 listing.
Biden commends People’ COVID resilience in Christmas greeting
United States President Joe Biden counseled People for his or her power and resilience within the face of the raging coronavirus pandemic, urging “hope and renewal” in the course of the vacation season.
In his first Christmas tackle as president, Biden praised “the big braveness, character, resilience, and resolve in all of you who heal, consolation, educate, and defend and serve in methods massive and small”.
“You present there may be a lot to realize in appreciation and gratitude for the reward of time and goodwill we share as we glance out for each other,” Biden mentioned in an announcement with First Woman Jill Biden.
President Joe Biden, First Woman Jill Biden and their new canine Commander meet just about with service members all over the world, Saturday, December 25, 2021 [Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo]
Villa supervisor Gerrard to take a seat out two video games after testing constructive
Aston Villa supervisor Steven Gerrard will miss the crew’s subsequent two Premier League matches after testing constructive for COVID-19, the English membership mentioned.
Gerrard, 41, who joined the membership final month, will miss each Sunday’s house sport to Chelsea and Tuesday’s journey to Leeds United whereas isolating.
France studies document 100,000 every day instances
Coronavirus instances in France have hit six figures as well being officers recorded 104,611 instances within the earlier 24 hours, the third consecutive day the numbers have hit document highs.
The most recent official figures come forward of a gathering Monday wherein President Emmanuel Macron and key members of his authorities are set to debate new COVID-19 security measures.
French border police examine the COVID well being passes of travellers on the Thalys arrivals platform at Gare du Nord prepare station in Paris, France [Nathan Laine/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Italy studies third consecutive document of instances
Italy reported a 3rd successive document tally of coronavirus instances, with new infections hitting 54,762 in opposition to 50,599 a day earlier, the well being ministry mentioned.
The variety of coronavirus-related deaths rose to 144 from 141 on Friday.
Italy has registered 136,530 deaths linked to COVID-19 since its outbreak emerged in February final 12 months, the second-highest toll in Europe after the UK and the ninth highest on the planet.
Portugal says Omicron dominant amid rising infections
Omicron has turn into the dominant pressure of coronavirus in Portugal the place greater than 10,000 every day coronavirus instances had been registered, the nationwide well being company mentioned.
Portugal, one of many international locations with the very best COVID-19 vaccination charges worldwide, has begun inoculating kids over 5 years outdated.
“The Omicron variant is already dominant in Portugal, accounting for 61.5 % of instances on December 22,” the Basic Directorate of Well being mentioned.
On Saturday, Portugal recorded 10 deaths and 10,016 instances, barely fewer than Friday when 11 deaths and 12,943 instances had been reported.
Portugal has reported greater than 1.2 million instances up to now [File: Rafael Marchante/Reuters]
Timberwolves D’Angelo Russell enters protocol
Minnesota level guard D’Angelo Russell is the eighth member of the Timberwolves in COVID-19 protocols, ESPN reported.
Russell, 25, joins an inventory that features backcourt associate Anthony Edwards and All-Star centre Karl-Anthony Cities.
The opposite Minnesota gamers within the NBA’s well being and security protocols are Patrick Beverley, Josh Okogie, Taurean Prince, Jarred Vanderbilt and McKinley Wright IV.
Indian PM Modi proclaims booster pictures for healthcare staff subsequent month
India will begin administering COVID-19 booster pictures to healthcare and frontline staff from January 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned.
In an tackle to the nation, he additionally mentioned these aged 15-18 would begin receiving their COVID-19 vaccinations from January 3.
Learn extra here.
My tackle to the nation. https://t.co/dBQKvHXPtv
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 25, 2021
Turkmenistan to register Russian Sputnik Mild vaccine
Turkmenistan turned one of many first nations to approve the usage of Russian COVID-19 vaccines, together with Sputnik V, EpiVacCorona, and Sputnik Mild, in response to the nation’s Ministry of Well being and Medical Business.
The ministry mentioned in an announcement that it registered the Sputnik Mild vaccine and issued a corresponding certificates for its use.
One other Top14 Rugby video games will get postponed
In France, Clermont’s go to to Brive turned the third sport within the post-Christmas spherical of High 14 Rugby matches to be cancelled due to a cluster of coronavirus instances.
The match, scheduled for Sunday, was referred to as off after Clermont reported coronavirus instances of their squad, the French league (LNR) introduced.
“Because of the well being scenario of the squad of Clermont, following new assessments, the match Brive-Clermont, is postponed. The rearranged date will probably be communicated later,” mentioned the LNR in an announcement.
Greater than 5,700 flights scrapped on Christmas weekend
At the very least 5,743 flights have been cancelled worldwide over the lengthy Christmas weekend and hundreds extra had been delayed, a monitoring web site reported.
In keeping with Flightaware.com, greater than 2,500 flights had been scrubbed across the globe on Christmas Day, together with greater than 870 originating from or headed to US airports, with some 4,200 delays as of 14:30 GMT.
On Friday, there have been roughly 2,400 cancellations and 11,000 delays, whereas Sunday cancellations have already topped 800.
Passengers examine the flight board in a terminal on the worldwide airport in Frankfurt [File: Michael Probst/AP Photo]
Two extra members of Korean group BTS check constructive for virus
Two extra members of the Okay-pop group BTS examined constructive for COVID-19 following their return to South Korea from the band’s first pandemic-era concert events within the US, their administration firm Huge Hit Music mentioned.
Rapper RM, 27, and vocalist Jin, 29, had been recognized with COVID-19 a day after Suga, a songwriter and rapper for the seven-member group, examined constructive.
All three had accomplished second doses of a coronavirus vaccine in August, the corporate mentioned.
South Korean Okay-pop band BTS pose for photographers forward of a press convention to introduce their single “Butter” in Seoul, South Korea [File: Lee Jin-man/AP Photo]
Japan’s Fukuoka finds first Omicron case
Japan’s Fukuoka prefecture has confirmed its first an infection with the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, its governor Seitaro Hattori mentioned.
The case was a results of doable neighborhood transmission because the an infection route was unclear, Hattori instructed a information convention.
Pope prays for finish of pandemic in Christmas blessing
Pope Francis prayed for an finish to the coronavirus pandemic, utilizing his Christmas Day tackle to induce healthcare for all, vaccines for the poor and for dialogue to prevail in resolving the world’s conflicts.
“Grant well being to the infirm and encourage all women and men of excellent will to hunt the perfect methods doable to beat the present well being disaster and its results,” he mentioned on Saturday.
“Open hearts to make sure that needed medical care – and vaccines specifically – are offered to these peoples who want them most.”
Learn extra here.
Pope Francis waves after delivering his conventional Christmas Day Urbi et Orbi speech to the town and the world from the primary balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on the Vatican, December 25, 2021 [Yara Nardi/Reuters]
Djokovic ‘gained’t go’ to pre-Australian Open ATP Cup: Native media
Novak Djokovic won’t play within the ATP Cup forward of the Australian Open, the place his participation is unsure because the Serbian tennis star refuses to say if he has been vaccinated in opposition to the coronavirus, his crew have instructed Serbian newspaper Blic.
“It’s 99 % certain that Novak gained’t go to the ATP Cup. He’s coaching right here [in Belgrade] however he has determined to present that match a miss,” an unnamed member of his crew mentioned.
The ATP Cup in Sydney is a crew match that historically kicks off the lads’s season.
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic [File: William West/AFP]
Kenya to start out booster shot drive amid virus fears
Kenya will supply COVID-19 booster pictures to people six months after their preliminary pictures, the well being ministry mentioned in a doc printed a day after the nation logged its highest price of constructive COVID-19 assessments.
Kenya final month mentioned it could demand proof of vaccination to entry public areas and transport from December 21. The transfer met with a mix of bemusement, dismissal and occasional spot enforcement, given the nation’s low vaccination price.
By Friday simply greater than 14 % of Kenyan adults had been absolutely vaccinated.
US hit by additional flight cancellations
In keeping with Flightaware.com, no less than 2,000 flights had been cancelled worldwide on Christmas Day.
On Friday, there have been about 2,400 cancellations and virtually 11,000 delays. The positioning additionally reported greater than 600 cancellations for Sunday.
Pilots, flight attendants and different employees have been calling in sick or having to quarantine after publicity to COVID-19, forcing Lufthansa, Delta, United Airways and plenty of different carriers to cancel flights throughout one of many 12 months’s peak journey durations.
China’s COVID-hit Xian metropolis studies rise in infections
China’s Xian metropolis has reported a rise in every day COVID-19 infections and native firms curtailed exercise because the nation’s newest COVID-19 sizzling spot entered its third day of lockdown.
Xian, a northwest Chinese language metropolis of 13 million, detected 75 domestically transmitted instances with confirmed signs for December 24, its highest every day depend of the 12 months and reversing the day before today’s decline, official knowledge confirmed on Saturday.
Residents are banned from leaving city with out clearance from employers or native authorities, and households can ship just one particular person to buy requirements each two days.
Employees in protecting fits stand at an entrance to a college’s residential space underneath lockdown following the coronavirus illness outbreak in Xian, Shaanxi province, China [File: China Daily via Reuters]
India COVID deaths rise by 387
India’s well being ministry reported on Saturday that every day COVID-19 deaths within the nation have risen by 387, bringing the overall variety of deaths because the begin of the pandemic to no less than 479,520.
COVID instances have additionally risen by 7,189 to no less than 34.8 million.
In Omicron-free New Zealand, Christmas with out restrictions
New Zealanders celebrated Christmas on Saturday within the heat of southern midsummer with few restrictions, in one of many uncommon international locations on the planet largely untouched by the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
Ninety-five % of adults in New Zealand have had no less than one dose of a vaccine, making it one of many world’s most vaccinated populations. The one Omicron instances which were present in New Zealand have been safely contained on the border.
As COVID-19 unfold throughout the globe previously two years, New Zealand used its isolation to its benefit. Border controls saved the worst of the virus at bay, and by Christmas this 12 months, New Zealand had recorded simply 50 deaths in a inhabitants of 5.5 million.
Each day COVID instances in Australia’s New South Wales high 6,000
Australia’s most populous state recorded greater than 6,000 new COVID-19 instances for the primary time Saturday, including a sombre be aware to Christmas celebrations.
Victoria, Australia’s second-most populous state, reported 2,108 new instances and 6 deaths on Saturday.
Well being skilled highlights significance of sporting masks to struggle COVID
📍Simply went to a significant retail retailer—virtually no one sporting masks, and even then—solely flimsy masks underneath their noses. I requested two masks wearers why not put on a KN95–their response… ➡️“I don’t know what that’s” & “I can’t afford that fancy stuff”. We’ve failed someplace horribly.😢 pic.twitter.com/vUh8jaQejt
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) December 24, 2021
US Navy warship sidelined with COVID-19 outbreak
A US Navy warship has paused its deployment to South America due to a coronavirus outbreak, the Navy mentioned Friday.
The USS Milwaukee, a littoral fight ship, is staying in port at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the place it had stopped for a scheduled port go to. It started its deployment from Mayport, Florida, on December 14 and was heading into the US Southern Command area.
The Navy mentioned in an announcement that the ship’s crew is “100% immunized” and that every one of those that examined constructive for COVID-19 have been remoted on the ship away from different crew members. The variety of crew testing constructive was not disclosed. The ship has a crew of slightly greater than 100.
The Navy mentioned that “a portion” of these contaminated are having gentle signs and that the precise variant is just not but recognized. COVID-19 instances have surged throughout the nation as a result of extremely contagious Omicron coronavirus variant.
Antetokounmpo clears NBA’s COVID protocols
The Milwaukee Bucks obtained an early Christmas current within the type of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo clearing the Nationwide Basketball Affiliation’s well being and security protocols on Friday.
Nonetheless, Antetokounmpo’s standing stays up within the air for Milwaukee’s Christmas Day showdown in opposition to the visiting Boston Celtics on Saturday afternoon.
For his or her half, the Celtics formally positioned 5 extra gamers into COVID protocols on Friday, bringing the crew’s whole to 12.
Blinken thanks South Africa in name with counterpart Naledi Pandor
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke through telephone along with his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor about an earlier announcement that the US plans to raise journey restrictions on a number of southern African nations, imposed final month amid fears over the Omicron variant.
“The Secretary once more thanked South Africa’s scientists and authorities for his or her transparency and experience,” State Division Spokesman Ned Worth mentioned in an announcement describing the decision.
“He emphasised the significance of the longstanding partnership between the USA and South Africa to fight the impacts of COVID-19.”
Greater than 4,000 Christmas flights cancelled worldwide
Airways all over the world referred to as off greater than 4,000 flights over the Christmas weekend, as a result of improve in COVID-19 instances from the Omicron variant.
The web site FlightAware confirmed 2,314 flights had been cancelled worldwide on Christmas Eve, a sometimes sturdy day in passenger transit. A couple of quarter of these suspended itineraries had been within the US.
One other 1,404 flights scheduled for Christmas Day had been cancelled globally, the web site mentioned, together with 340 extra that had been scheduled for Sunday, Boxing Day.
