12:04
The Omicron coronavirus variant vigorously continued its viral march throughout the US on Christmas Day, throwing many winter vacation celebrations into turmoil.
Airways canceled over 2,000 flights on Friday, with greater than 600 inside, into or out of the US, stranding passengers after short-staffed carriers have been hit by pilot and flight attendants reporting infections. A whole bunch extra cancellations have been anticipated for Saturday.
The worldwide tally of cancelled flights exceeded 5,400 journeys over the weekend.
FlightAware, a flight-tracking web site, famous 888 flights coming into, leaving or contained in the US have been canceled on Saturday, up from 690 on Friday.
Christian church buildings have been disrupted, with many canceling in-person congregations, whereas others deliberate out of doors providers or a hybrid of on-line and in-person worship, together with necessities to put on masks and present proof of Covid-19 vaccinations.
11:32
Simply over a 12 months in the past, Anna-Jane Casey was pressured to desert the Covid-shuttered West Finish to ship lots of of parcels in a second-hand van. She was overjoyed to search out herself again on stage this Christmas in certainly one of theatreland’s most star-studded and critically acclaimed exhibits: Cabaret.
However productions are on the mercy of Omicron, with the extremely transmissible Covid variant ripping holes in casts and backstage employees every day, so Casey’s triumphant return to the West Finish has been placed on maintain.
“Cabaret needed to come off [last week] as a result of there are about 4 to 5 solid members sick,” she stated from her residence in Kent. “It’s hit so many various departments: the dressers within the wardrobe division … our automation and sound and lighting. We’ve acquired plenty of instances throughout the board – and we’re a brand new manufacturing so the understudies aren’t able to step in but.”
Cabaret – which stars Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley in a revival of the Sixties musical in regards to the Nazi-menaced nightlife of the Weimar republic – shouldn’t be the one theatrical casualty of the wave of infections sweeping the capital. Final week greater than 70 performances of 31 exhibits have been axed, together with Moulin Rouge, Mamma Mia! and Matilda.
“Up till about 4 days in the past, 2021 was rocking alongside simply superb. However we appear to be again the place we have been final 12 months,” stated Casey, who has appeared in exhibits together with Chicago and Billy Elliot. “Producers are shedding cash hand over fist. Our producers are being unbelievably beneficiant and paying us whereas we’re not working however I don’t understand how lengthy that may final.”
10:50
The Queen appeared again on a 12 months marked by private, in addition to nationwide, grief in her Christmas Day message – the primary because the lack of her husband – but strived to strike a extra hopeful tone for the 12 months to return.
As a second 12 months marked by the Covid-19 pandemic drew in direction of its finish, the 95-year-old monarch stated she might perceive the emotions of all those that have misplaced family members, having been bereaved herself in April. Nonetheless, she appeared ahead changing into the primary British monarch to have fun a platinum jubilee – 70 years on the throne – in 2022.
“Though it’s a time of nice happiness and good cheer for a lot of, Christmas might be arduous for individuals who have misplaced family members. This 12 months, particularly, I perceive why,” the Queen stated in her annual televised deal with.
10:42
Two extra members of the Okay-pop boy band BTS have examined optimistic after the group returned to South Korea from performances in the USA.
Rapper RM and singer Jin joined their bandmate Suga, who tested positive on Friday.
The concert events in Los Angeles have been their first in-person performances within the nation because the begin of the pandemic, which pressured them to name off their greatest ever world tour final 12 months.
All three members of the group, which has spearheaded a worldwide craze for Okay-pop, had been double-vaccinated.
07:35
Hundreds of individuals throughout England will obtain a Christmas Day booster jab because the vaccination effort continues within the face of file case charges.
Queues have been noticed at pharmacies as folks wait for his or her “jingle jabs” with appointments obtainable in places in London, Manchester, Swindon and Eastbourne. Vaccination clinics in Scotland, Wales and Northern Eire are closed at present.
NHS England has thanked employees who’re working or volunteering on Christmas Day. In a tweet, it stated: “From vaccinators to volunteers, porters to paramedics, midwives to psychological well being practitioners, and all different important employees – thanks to everybody who’s working over the festive interval!”
In the meantime, the federal government says it will likely be sending tens of millions of textual content messages on Boxing Day urging folks to “get boosted now”.
The message will say: “Each grownup wants a Covid-19 booster vaccine to guard in opposition to Omicron. Get your Covid-19 vaccine or booster.”
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