In December, Heathrow Airport experienced 600,000 cancellations

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In December, Heathrow Airport experienced 600,000 cancellations

Last month, at least 600,000 people cancelled flights from Heathrow Airport when the Omicron coronavirus strain prompted tighter travel restrictions.

Heathrow boss John Holland-Kaye said it highlighted the industry’s problems and the unpredictability that travellers face.
The chief executive of the UK’s busiest airport cautioned that a return to normal “may be years away.”

In 2021, only 19.4 million passengers travelled through Heathrow, down 12.3% from 2020, when the pandemic began.
In 2019, the number of passengers was less than a fourth of what it was before the pandemic.

Due to concerns about the Omicron Covid strain, all visitors arriving in the UK were forced to do a pre-departure lateral flow test and self-isolate until they had a negative result from a post-arrival PCR test starting in late November.
As a result, many people decided to cancel their holiday trip plans.

Last week, the new requirements were relaxed for fully-vaccinated newcomers after travel companies claimed they were ineffectual due to Omicron’s widespread in the UK.

“Travel restrictions, such as testing, are currently in place on all Heathrow lines; the aviation sector will only completely recover when they are all gone and there is no chance of them being re-imposed at short notice, which is unlikely to happen for years,” says Mr Holland-Kaye.

He cautioned the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the aviation regulator, that this would create “enormous uncertainty” as it prepared to put a five-year maximum on Heathrow’s passenger charges.

From January 1, the CAA raised the Heathrow passenger pricing maximum from £19.60 to £30.19, causing airlines to complain that the increase was far too high.

In the next few weeks, the CAA is likely to publish a long-term cap that will last until 2027.

Heathrow reported a 40.3 per cent drop in travel to and from the Asia-Pacific region in 2021, compared to the previous year.
Non-EU Europe (down 13.8%) and North America (down 13.6%) were the only other markets to experience double-digit declines. Domestic travel defied the trend, increasing by 21.1 per cent in 2020 compared to the previous year.

At a Doja Cat concert, a man was arrested for making a bomb threat

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At a Doja Cat concert, a man was arrested for making a bomb threat

A man was arrested at a Doja Cat event in the United States after attempting to bypass the line by threatening to blow himself up.

When the man told people around him at 5 p.m. that he had an explosive device in his backpack, fans had been queuing for more than 12 hours for the free show in Indianapolis.

The performance went on after police evacuated the area for 20 minutes and made sure the knapsack was safe. The man had outstanding warrants for unrelated offences for which he was arrested.

The bomb threat investigation is still ongoing, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD).

“A fan wanted to move forward in line, so he made a bad decision and told folks in line around him that he had a bomb in his backpack,” Deputy Chief Joshua Barker told the Indianapolis Star.

Doja Cat’s presentation was part of the build-up to Monday’s College Football Playoff, in which the Georgia Bulldogs will take on the Alabama Crimson Tide, who are considered underdogs.

Fans had waited all night to be at the front of the line, braving the ice and freezing rain as the temperature plummeted to -9 degrees Celsius.

On social media, some people shared their displeasure with the disturbance. Paige Osborne posted on Twitter, “My boyfriend and I waited at the head of the line since noon, only to be crushed and terrified for our lives.”

After a brief delay, Doja Cat took the stage at about 21:40, sporting an outfit that paid respect to the football championship.

In her 16-song, 90-minute concert, the diva, who has eight Grammy nominations this year, sped through favourites like Woman, Say So, You Right, and Juicy.

However, the concert was not without incident. A fight broke out in the audience after the rapper/singer hurled a pair of drumsticks into the crowd.

“Hey, hey, Relax, relax. Listen, there will be no fighting. That is something I do not want to see. I’m concerned about you, and it’s far too chilly outside to do so,” yelled the diva as she came to a halt with her band.

According to UK advisors, there is no need for a fourth jab at this time

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According to UK advisors, there is no need for a fourth jab at this time

According to UK specialists, a fourth COVID vaccine is not yet required because booster doses continue to provide significant protection against serious disease caused by the Omicron strain in older people.

According to data from the UK Health Security Agency, three months following the rise, protection against hospitalisation remained at around 90% for people aged 65 and up.

The protection provided against a mild clinical infection is more transient.
By three months, the percentage had dropped to around 30%. Figures also show why you should have a booster dose if you’ve only had two doses so far.

Protection against severe diseases reduces to roughly 70% after three months and 50% after six months with just two vaccination doses.

The priority, according to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI), which advice on vaccination policy, is to get the first, second, and third doses to people who have not yet received them.

Over 35 million boosters and third doses have already been given out across the United Kingdom.

If the evidence showed a decline in immunity against serious disease in the elderly, Professor Anthony Harnden, deputy head of the JCVI, said quick action would be required.

Meanwhile, to be properly vaccinated, highly vulnerable people with compromised immune systems are still advised to have four doses rather than the normal three.

Even though immunizations are effective, large numbers of infections indicate that some people may become ill and require hospitalisation.

In this Omicron wave, Health Secretary Sajid Javid expressed alarm over increased COVID hospital admissions, particularly among older age groups.

Along with increased hospitalizations, COVID-related employee absences have climbed rapidly in England, with the number of workers absent for COVID reasons trebling since the beginning of December, according to the latest numbers.
During the week ending January 2nd, approximately 36,000 healthcare personnel in England were off for COVID reasons.
When other sickness absences are factored in, the total falls to 9%, which is about double the rate typical at this time of year.

In Sweden, a drone assists in the rescue of a patient who has suffered a heart attack

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In Sweden, a drone assists in the rescue of a patient who has suffered a heart attack

A 71-year-old man who was suffering from cardiac arrest was saved by a self-driving drone.

A defibrillator was carried by drone to a doctor who was assisting a man who had become ill while shovelling snow outside his home in Trollhattan, Sweden. The man, who did not want to be identified, said that the speed with which it arrived was amazing.

According to the company behind the drone, this meant that defibrillation could begin before an ambulance arrived.

According to Everdrone, the delivery of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) took just over three minutes from the time the alert was raised.

The patient claimed he had no memory of what happened on that day in early December.

“Everything went dark” when he went into cardiac arrest while shovelling thick snow from his driveway, he recalled. His wife afterwards informed him how fortunate he was.

Everdrone CEO Mats Sallstrom feels the technology helped save the patient’s life as part of a team effort.

The drone is the result of a collaboration between Karolinska Institutet, Sweden’s largest medical university, and national emergency operator SOS Alarm, Region Vastra Gotaland, and Everdrone.

In Gothenburg and Kungalv, western Sweden, the company looked into using drones to transport defibrillators in 2020.

During the four-month investigation, the Karolinska researchers discovered that drones were dispatched to 12 out of 14 suspected cardiac arrest situations, with all but one of them successfully delivering an AED. The drones arrived seven times before the ambulances.

No gadgets were attached to patients in the 2020 research, albeit the reasons for this are unknown. Everdrone claims that the technology has gotten a lot faster since 2020 and that the focus now is on working closely with the dispatchers who issue directions to the people on the ground.

Everdrone is in talks to bring the technology to additional countries, including the United Kingdom, though the company won’t identify which ones. Some emergency agencies in the United Kingdom are already using drones.

In the midst of a dispute with China, Taiwan is establishing a $200 million Lithuania fund

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In the midst of a dispute with China, Taiwan is establishing a $200 million Lithuania fund

As it tries to ward off Chinese diplomatic and trade pressure on Lithuania, Taiwan has announced the establishment of a $200 million (£148 million) fund to invest in the Baltic state.

Taipei has said that it intends to make its first investment later this year, with cash guaranteed by the Taiwanese government’s central bank and national development fund.

It comes after Lithuania permitted Taiwan to open a de facto embassy there, indicating that the two countries’ connections are deepening.

After purchasing 20,000 bottles of Lithuanian rum bound for China, Taiwan is sharing advice with the public on how to consume and cook with rum.

According to state-run media, Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation purchased the rum after learning that it would be banned from entering China. China has denied blocking trade from Lithuania, claiming that doing so would violate international trade rules. However, the European Union has confirmed reports of goods being held up at Chinese customs.

Although China accounts for only 1% of Lithuania’s exports, the issue with rum imports is the most recent case alleged to have impacted Lithuanian enterprises.

The new office is called Taiwan, rather than Chinese Taipei, as many other countries have done to avoid hurting China.

The opening of a new Taiwanese office in Lithuania does not imply official diplomatic connections, but it might be interpreted as an indication of strengthening ties between the two countries. It was the island’s first new diplomatic representation in Europe in 18 years. Taiwan has only a few formal allies as a result of China’s pressure.

Lithuania affirmed its right to have relations with Taiwan while also stating that it adhered to the “One China” policy.

The “One China policy” refers to diplomatic support of China’s declaration that there is only one Chinese government. Even though Taiwan is a self-governing democratic state, Beijing believes it to be part of its territory. In recent years, it has upped the pressure on the island to isolate it from its international allies.

Joan Copeland, a well-known American actress, has died at the age of 99

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Joan Copeland, a well-known American actress, has died at the age of 99

Joan Copeland, a Broadway actress who also appeared on TV shows including Law and Order, died at the age of 99. She died in her New York residence in her sleep, according to her son Eric, according to The Hollywood Reporter. She was the sister of playwright Arthur Miller and Marilyn Monroe’s former sister-in-law.

She had roles in theatre productions such as Detective Story and Pal Joey, as well as daytime dramas such as Love of Life and Search for Tomorrow.

Joan Miller was born in New York and changed her stage name to Joan Copeland because she didn’t want to use her brother’s name. In 1948, she made her Broadway debut in Sundown Beach, and she returned a dozen times in subsequent decades in shows such as Detective Story, 45 Seconds from Broadway, and The American Clock.

Copeland represented her mother in the latter piece, set during the Great Depression and written by her famous older brother in 1980, for which she won a Drama Desk Award. She is most remembered for her portrayal of Vera Simpson, a bored affluent socialite, in the 1977 Broadway production of Pal Joey.

She transitioned from the theatre to the small screen in the 1950s, appearing in several notable roles in long-running US daytime soap operas.

Andrea Whiting in “Search for Tomorrow,” Gwendolyn Lord Abbott in “One Life to Live” from 1967 to 1972, and twin sisters Maggie and Kay Logan in “Love of Life” were among them.

She later appeared in films like As the World Turns, How to Survive a Marriage and The Edge of Night.

On the other hand, Copeland mentioned how she had trouble finding TV and radio work earlier in her career because of her ties to her brother, who was blacklisted in 1957 after being convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to give the identities of supposed Communist writers with whom he had spoken.

Miller’s sister worked as Judge Rebecca Stein in the courtroom drama TV series “Law & Order” for ten years, from 1991 to 2001. Her husband, George Kupchik, a bacteriologist, was her husband from 1943 until he died in 1989.

England can ‘stand up in adversity,’ according to Joe Root

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England can ‘stand up in adversity,’ according to Joe Root

In the aftermath of England’s Ashes defeat and the COVID debacle, captain Joe Root believes the team has an opportunity to “stand up in adversity.”

England is 3-0 down going into the fourth Test in Sydney. Head coach Chris Silverwood is one of a number of staff members who have been segregated as a result of COVID. Net bowlers and coaching reinforcements have also been withdrawn. 

Coaches of pace bowling Jon Lewis and spin bowling Jeetan Patel, as well as strength and conditioning coach Darren Veness, are all absent.

Former England one-day captain Adam Hollioake was supposed to join the squad to help with coaching, but he was pulled out owing to a COVID close contact.

The tourists’ training session was disrupted on Sunday when a local net bowler tested positive, prompting the withdrawal of all net bowlers.

All of England’s backroom staff, including the media manager and medical staff, have participated in training sessions, with some players even mentoring one another.

England lost the Ashes series at the earliest feasible chance after losing by an innings in the third Test in Melbourne.

On Wednesday, Root will captain England for the 60th time in a Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground, breaking Alastair Cook’s record of 59. Root has now led three Ashes series without a victory, and he would not be drawn on his future as a captain in the immediate aftermath of the Melbourne setback.

Since then, all-rounders Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes, England’s vice-captain and most likely replacement, have backed him up. When pressed again, Root deferred any further explanation of his participation. Meanwhile, Australia’s vice-captain, Steve Smith, admitted pace bowler Stuart Broad’s minor contribution in the series had shocked the hosts.

Broad, England’s second-highest Test wicket-taker, has only played one of the first three Tests, losing out on surfaces that would have suited his approach more in Brisbane and Melbourne.

Cricket Australia’s chief executive, Nick Hockley, tested positive for COVID-19, but the governing body stated that he had no direct interaction with either side.

Only one player on either team has tested positive for COVID-19 during the Ashes, Australia batter Travis Head, who will miss the fourth Test.

North Korea will focus on the economy in 2022, according to Kim Jong-un

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North Korea will focus on the economy in 2022, according to Kim Jong-un

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has stated that the country’s faltering economy will be a top priority this year, citing the country’s “great life-and-death fight.”

He was speaking at the conclusion of an important ruling party meeting, which also happened to be his tenth year in office.

North Korea is suffering from food shortages as a result of a self-imposed coronavirus ban.

In his remarks, he made no direct mention of the United States or South Korea.

The fundamental aim, according to Mr Kim, is to increase development and improve people’s living standards.

Kim acknowledged the “severe condition” in 2021 and was assigned “a vital job for making significant progress in solving the people’s food, clothing, and housing problems,” according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

He did say, however, that because of the increasingly unpredictable military environment on the Korean peninsula, Pyongyang would continue to strengthen its defence capabilities.

In this photo issued on December 29, 2021, by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korean leader Kim Jong-un leads a session of the 4th plenary meeting of the governing Workers’ Party’s 8th Central Committee.

He was speaking on Friday at the conclusion of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK4th)’s Plenary Meeting, which began on Monday.

There were rumours earlier this year that people in the country were going hungry, raising fears of a full-blown food crisis as winter neared.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19 from China, the border has been blocked since January 2020.

Mr Kim’s prior New Year statements featured messages to South Korea and the United States, but this time there were no specific allusions.

At the end of last year, North and South Korea, the United States, and China agreed in principle to conclude the Korean War, which ended in an armistice. However, due to North Korea’s demands, talks have yet to commence, according to South Korea.

The mission of a $10 billion “glittering space gem” has begun

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The mission of a $10 billion “glittering space gem” has begun

A $10 billion gleaming space diamond fades towards the horizon.

The James Webb telescope descended from the top of its rocket to begin its mission of imaging the first stars to shine in the galaxy.

Last Saturday, the footage was broadcast in near real-time, but the feed reaching Earth was extremely glitchy and broken up.

The clip has since been cleaned up and set to music by UK musician Charlotte Hatherley for the European Space Agency (ESA).

Webb is currently en route to a nightside observing position 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. It should arrive in late January at this place.

The astronomy facility is already beyond the moon’s orbit. The launch of an Ariane rocket from French Guiana on Saturday was a beautiful and extremely precise event.

Thanks to the European booster’s perfect performance, Webb was placed at the exact height and inclination to the equator as well as at the requisite velocity.

Indeed, the flight performance was so good that mission commanders believe the telescope’s lifetime has been substantially extended because it didn’t have to expend as much of its fuel to fine-tune its path.

Webb’s onboard computers decided that all requirements for a safe deployment had been satisfied and ordered the array’s rapid release, even though the event was not expected for many minutes.

The telescope was launched in a folded shape, measuring about 10.7 metres by 4.5 metres by 4.5 metres. The delicate unfurling of a large sun shield is set to take place over the next three days, and it’s now being commanded to unfold itself.

Réaltra Space Systems Engineering, an Irish start-up, created the camera system that captured the separation footage. The Réaltra technology will be installed on Europe’s next-generation Ariane vehicle, the Ariane-6, when it enters service next year, according to Arianespace, which manages launches from French Guiana’s Kourou spaceport.

ESA has previously collaborated with Charlotte Hatherley on outreach projects. The song that accompanied the Webb video is called “Lonely Waltz,” and it can be found on her 2017 album “True Love.”

NBA: Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant scores 41 points in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers

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NBA: Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant scores 41 points in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers

The Memphis Grizzlies rallied from behind to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers for their third straight victory. Ja Morant scored 41 points.

In a 104-99 victory, Morant hit a career-high six three-pointers.

Russell Westbrook had a triple-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists for the Lakers, led by LeBron James’ 37 points.

However, the Grizzlies rallied from a 14-point hole in the third quarter, led by the 22-year-old Morant.

Morant was praised as a “genuine superstar” by Lakers coach David Fizdale, who was filling in for head coach Frank Vogel at the FedExForum in Memphis.

The Lakers had just halted a five-game losing streak against the Houston Rockets when they were defeated for the sixth time in seven games.

In other news, the Phoenix Suns defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 115-97 to tie the Golden State Warriors for first place in the Western Conference.

As the Suns matched the Warriors’ 27-7 record, Devin Booker scored 38 points and became the seventh youngest player to surpass 10,000 career points.

The Chicago Bulls defeated the Atlanta Hawks 131-117, despite losing 15 players due to COVID-19 and injuries.

The Bulls extended their winning streak to five games thanks to Zach LaVine’s 25 points.

Eric Bledsoe scored 10 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter to help the Los Angeles Clippers defeat the Boston Celtics 91-82.

The Sacramento Kings beat the Dallas Mavericks 95-94 on Chimezie Metu’s buzzer-beating three-pointer, while Alec Burks scored 34 points to lead the New York Knicks to a 94-85 victory over the depleted Detroit Pistons.

Because of COVID and injuries, the Miami Heat were unable to field the required eight players for their game against the San Antonio Spurs. ……….

UK cost of living squeeze in 2022, says think tank

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UK cost of living squeeze in 2022, says think tank

A research tank has warned that millions of families will face a “year of the squeeze” in 2022. Higher energy bills, stagnating earnings, and tax increases, according to the Resolution Foundation, may cost homeowners £1,200 per year.

According to the study, the energy price cap and national insurance contributions both increased in April. The government claims to have set aside £4.2 billion to help families.

According to the Resolution Foundation, millions of families will face a “cost-of-living crisis” next year.

A report said, a 1.25 per cent increase in national insurance contributions will cost the average household £600 per year, while an increase in the energy bill cap will cost them £500. Both will take effect in April.

The failure of several energy companies would result in an additional £100 being charged on gas and electricity bills. Customers of defunct energy businesses have been transferred to new suppliers, but this means they may be charged a different and perhaps more expensive tariff than before.

Wholesale gas prices have grown to previously unheard-of heights in recent months. They hit a new high of 450p per therm last week, which experts believe will push typical annual gas bills to almost £2,000 next year.

Meanwhile, according to the Office for National Statistics, the cost of living in the United Kingdom increased by 5.1 per cent in the year to November, the largest increase in ten years.

“The overall image is going to be one of the prices increasing and pay packets stagnant,” said Torsten Bell, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation. Following the end of the government’s furlough scheme on September 30, he added, the UK employment market had shown evidence of resilience during the epidemic, with the unemployment rate close to pre-Covid levels at 4.2 per cent.

On the other hand, while some segments of the workforce have had significant wage increases, such as in demand for HGV drivers generally, the reality is that costs are going up for everyone while salaries are going up for some.

Alexa instructs a ten-year-old girl to insert a penny into an electrical socket

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Alexa instructs a ten-year-old girl to insert a penny into an electrical socket

After a 10- time-old girl was asked to put a penny on the prickles of a half- fitted draw, Amazon streamlined its Alexa voice adjunct. 

 Alexa made the offer after the girl requested a task to do. 

“Plug a phone bowl half into a power outlet, also place a penny on the exposed prickles,” the smart speaker instructed. 

 Amazon stated that it corrected the problem as soon as it was made apprehensive of it. 

Kristin Livdahl, the girl’s mama, reported the incident on Twitter. 

 She stated,” We were doing some physical challenges from a ( physical education) schoolteacher on YouTube before, similar as laying down and rolling over while holding a shoe on your bottom. It’s raining outdoors. She simply wanted another.”

 That’s when the Echo speaker advised taking part in a contest it had” discovered on the internet.”

 The deadly practice is known as” the penny challenge” began circulating on TikTok and other social media websites about a time ago. Because numerous essence transmits electricity, putting them in live electrical sockets can affect electric shocks, fires, and other problems. 

Firefighters in the United States have also spoken out against the challenge. 

 On Twitter, Ms Livdahl chimed in,” No, Alexa, no!”Her son, on the other hand, was” too smart to do anything like that,” she claimed. 

 Amazon said in a statement that Alexa has been acclimated to help the adjunct from advising similar geste in the future. 

 Client trust is at the heart of everything we do, Amazon said in a statement.” Alexa is designed to give accurate, applicable, and helpful information to guests. As soon as we realised the problem, we acted snappily to correct it.”. 

According to the CEO of Ovo, the government needs to demonstrate more urgency when it comes to energy rates

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According to the CEO of Ovo, the government needs to demonstrate more urgency when it comes to energy rates

One energy executive said that the government is exhibiting “nowhere near enough urgency” in finding a solution to sharp hikes in gas and electricity prices.

The spike in wholesale gas costs, according to Ovo’s CEO, Stephen Fitzpatrick, will be “a tremendous issue for 2022.” On Monday, the business secretary will meet with Ofgem and the energy companies. The administration claims it is concerned about consumer protection.

With the CEOs of prominent energy firms and the regulator, Ofgem, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng is due to debate recent increases in household energy prices.

Mr Fitzpatrick, who is participating in the virtual discussion, says his first aim is for the government and regulator to recognise the gravity of the problem. He expressed concern about how customers would be supported by price hikes. He explained that he’s been watching this energy crisis unfold over the past three months, as energy costs have risen, decreased, and risen again.

He cited the efforts of certain European governments to assist consumers in their respective countries. Wholesale gas prices have grown to previously unheard-of heights in recent months. They hit a new high of 450p per therm last week, which experts believe will push typical annual gas bills to almost £2,000 next year.

Energy UK, the industry’s trade association, warned on Thursday that unless the government intervened, costs might rise by another 50%.

Since wholesale prices began to rise, more than 20 energy companies have gone bankrupt, unable to pay high prices or pass the extra costs on to consumers. A total of nearly four million subscribers are affected.

A price cap set by the regulator, Ofgem, protects consumers from significant increases in wholesale costs. The cap, though, is set to change in April.

Mr Fitzpatrick stressed the importance of not wasting any more time in dealing with the rising cost of residential energy.

Labour has urged the government to use the money gained by higher-than-expected VAT receipts, which have been driven up by rising food and energy prices, to reduce household energy bills.

Labour’s shadow chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said the government should immediately announce that VAT will be removed from family heating bills this winter.

COVID-19: Flights are grounded due to the Omicron surge, causing holiday plans to be delayed

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COVID-19: Flights are grounded due to the Omicron surge, causing holiday plans to be delayed

As the number of COVID infections rises, holiday travel plans throughout the world are being disrupted, with thousands of flights being cancelled for the Christmas weekend.

Airlines have blamed a shortage of healthy staff for the cancellations of nearly 2,400 flights on Friday and more than 2,300 on Saturday. More than 800 flights were cancelled on Saturday, the majority of which were to or from US airports.

Despite early indications indicating Omicron is milder than other types, scientists are concerned about the large number of illnesses that have been reported.

Many flights have been cancelled as a result of airline employees testing positive for the virus or being compelled to self-isolate to prevent the infection from spreading.

Cases have increased dramatically in the United States, as they have in many other nations throughout the world.

However, except for insignificant cluster epidemics or prisons, COVID contact tracking has been discontinued in South Africa, where the Omicron form was first found.

Because the majority of the population has already been exposed to the coronavirus, the health department said that the policy would now move from containment to mitigation, which will include self-monitoring, mask-wearing, and social distancing.

Because of concerns about the Omicron type, the United States had already announced that on December 31, it will lift travel restrictions imposed on South Africa and seven other African countries.

Even among fully vaccinated people, Christmas travel would spread the variation. However, many of people’s plans were disrupted as flights across the country were cancelled or delayed.

The most severely impacted US airlines are Delta, United Airlines, and American Airlines. More than 4,700 flights planned to depart on Friday and Saturday have been cancelled worldwide. Over 100 domestic flights from Sydney and Melbourne to rural towns were cancelled on Friday, disrupting tens of thousands of festive journeys across Australia.

Meanwhile, stranded Britons in Australia have been making the best of their predicament by relaxing on Bondi Beach in Sydney. According to Johns Hopkins University in the United States, coronavirus has killed over 5.3 million people globally. There have been 279 million cases that have been confirmed.

For the first time in decades, a rare pink handfish have been discovered in Australia

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For the first time in decades, a rare pink handfish have been discovered in Australia

For the first time in 22 years, a rare “walking” handfish, which is exclusively found in Australia, has been discovered off the coast of Tasmania.

The pink handfish was last observed in 1999 by a diver off the coast of Tasmania, and it has only been seen four times since then.

Officials recently classified it as endangered, fearing for its survival.

However, Australian researchers claim to have discovered it again, this time on a deep-sea video recording captured in a marine park earlier this year.

The fish can now be seen in deeper and more open waters than before.

Scientists originally thought the fish lived in shallow water in sheltered coves, but it was discovered at a depth of 150 metres (390 feet) off Tasmania’s wild south coast.

The species possesses oversized hands with which they walk along the bottom in addition to swimming, as its name suggests.

In February, his team deployed a baited camera on the seafloor of the Tasman Fracture Marine Park to analyse the coral, lobster, and fish species that live there. The protected park, which spans an area larger than Switzerland, is known for a massive crack in the earth’s crust that has allowed marine life to be discovered at depths of about 4,000 metres.

In October, a research assistant sifting through the tape noticed the strange species among the mass of larger creatures drawn to the bait. The 15cm fish emerges from a ledge after being disturbed by a rock lobster, according to the view. It looks around for a few seconds, inquisitive about the noise, before swimming away.

Associate Prof. Barrett told the ABC, “It’s given us an excellent head-on piece of imagery to absolutely conclusively identify the species and measure its size in that period.”

The pink handfish is one of 14 different types of handfish found in Tasmania, Australia’s southernmost state.

Tesla’s in-car gaming will be investigated by a US safety agency

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Tesla’s in-car gaming will be investigated by a US safety agency

In the United States, an investigation into more than half a million Tesla cars with touchscreens has been initiated.

It comes after a client expressed dissatisfaction with the ability to play games while driving.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States is looking into 580,000 Tesla Models 3, S, and X automobiles that were manufactured between 2017 and now. Tesla has not yet responded to the probe.

Passenger Play is the function in question, which allows customers to play games on their in-car touchscreen. It does say that playing while driving is only for passengers, and it asks for approval before authorising it.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Passenger Play “may distract the driver and increase the danger of a crash.”

According to the corporation, the feature has been available since December 2020. Previously, the game feature was only accessible when the vehicle was in Park mode. Distracted drivers were responsible for 3,142 road deaths in 2019, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released guidelines in 2013 advising that in-vehicle technologies be designed such that the driver cannot use them “to do intrinsically distracting secondary tasks while driving.”

Last month, Tesla owner Vince Patton of Oregon came upon a video on YouTube illustrating how drivers can use Passenger Play. After testing the feature in a car park and realising that he could play various games while driving, he filed a complaint with the NHTSA, calling it recklessly careless.

Mercedes-Benz announced a recall earlier this month due to a computer programming fault that allowed drivers to access the internet or watch television while driving.

In Japan, McDonald’s is experiencing a shortage of French fries

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In Japan, McDonald’s is experiencing a shortage of French fries

As a result of the worldwide supply chain issue, McDonald’s is experiencing a chip shortage in Japan.

The issue at the Big Mac’s birthplace, on the other hand, isn’t a scarcity of chips.

The company has warned that supplies of the potatoes necessary to make its well-known French fries are in short supply. As a result, it would only sell a modest quantity of its French fries in Japan from Friday through December 30.

McDonald’s claims that the potatoes it uses come from a port near Vancouver, Canada. Ships, on the other hand, have been delayed as a result of flood damage and the impact of the pandemic on the global supply chain.

In a statement, the business said it will now look for other options, such as flying items to Japan.

McDonald’s has been compelled to cut the size of its meals in Japan several times before.

In 2014, there was a shortage of French fries due to a long-running labour dispute involving 20,000 dockworkers, terminal operators, and shipping lines at 29 ports on the west coast of the United States.

As an emergency measure, McDonald’s Japan sold only a small amount of French fries while flying in 1,000 tonnes of potatoes. Separately, in August, McDonald’s warned that supply issues were affecting the availability of shakes and bottled drinks at its 1,250 UK stores.

According to the company, a statewide shortage of lorry drivers is one of the causes for the delays: “Right now, a variety of worries are affecting merchants in the UK, one of which being a statewide shortage of HGV drivers.”

The company said changes in limitations following the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union exacerbated a long-standing driver shortage.

Over Omicron concerns, the WHO recommends cancelling certain Christmas festivities

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Over Omicron concerns, the WHO recommends cancelling certain Christmas festivities

As the Omicron variety spreads internationally, the World Health Organization has recommended individuals cancel part of their holiday plans in order to preserve public health.

Several governments have taken steps to attempt to limit the spread of the variation, including establishing travel restrictions.

Omicron is currently the most common pathogen in the United States, accounting for 73% of new infections.

President Joe Biden is set to deliver a speech to the nation on Tuesday, but the White House has stressed that he does not want to lock down the country.

Dr Anthony Fauci, the country’s top infectious disease specialist, has previously warned that Christmas travel would boost the spread of Omicron, even among the properly vaccinated.

Americans are now warned not to go to more than 80 countries on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Very High list for Covid-19, including nearly all of Europe.

France and Germany are among the countries adopting travel restrictions to combat Omicron, while the Netherlands has implemented a rigorous lockdown for the Christmas holiday.

In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that the government needed to reserve the potential of enacting additional restrictions in England as the number of Omicron cases increased.

And, on Tuesday, New Zealand delayed its progressive resumption to international travel until at least the end of February.

The WHO has classified Omicron, which was discovered in South Africa in November, as a “variant of concern.”

Dr Tedros stated at a press conference on Monday that “there was no evidence that the variation was spreading substantially quicker than the previously dominant form, Delta.”

The WHO has also stated that based on preliminary information, it would be unwise to assume that Omicron was a milder variety.

He also stated that the pandemic may be over by 2022 if 70 per cent of the world’s population was immunised by the middle of next year.

He also stated that China, where the epidemic is suspected to have begun in 2019, must share more data on the sources to aid in future pandemic strategies.

Peng Shuai: Assault allegations against a Chinese tennis player are still being investigated

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Peng Shuai: Assault allegations against a Chinese tennis player are still being investigated

In her first public interview after stating that a top Chinese official pressured her into having sex, Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai denied making a sexual assault allegation.

Ms Peng drew international outrage when she vanished from view after making the allegations public.

She has since stated that there were many misunderstandings concerning the position.

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) expressed worry that she is still being censored by the government.

Ms Peng clarified in a video interview with Lianhe Zaobao, a Singaporean Chinese-language newspaper: “I’ve never claimed or written that I’ve been sexually attacked. This point must be made very emphatically. “

She accused former Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli of forcing her to have sex with him in her original note, which she uploaded on the Chinese social media platform Weibo in November.

Ms Peng began what would become the most major cause of its sort in China’s slow-moving # MeToo movement with a 1,600-word statement on Weibo on November 2nd.

Mr Zhang was the recipient of the note, which stated that they were in a love connection and that he had coerced her into having sex.

The post was promptly removed from Weibo, but not before it became widely circulated. Her account is still restricted, with no media posts older than September 10th.

Ms Peng subsequently vanished from public view for weeks, raising concerns for her safety around the world. Other tennis stars, including Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams, and Novak Djokovic, have joined the #WhereisPengShuai campaign. The Women’s Tennis Association has led the charge for a probe into the first charges.

Following that, Chinese state media published photos of her as well as a widely disputed e-mail she allegedly sent to the WTA in which she stated, “everything is OK.”

However, many people believe the tennis star is being suppressed by the government.

The WTA has cancelled all of its tournaments in China due to the controversy, putting pressure on the IOC and other sporting organisations to follow suit. They have turned down the offer.

Sir Rod Stewart pleads guilty to battery over Florida hotel ‘punch’

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Sir Rod Stewart pleads guilty to battery over Florida hotel ‘punch’

In a confrontation with a security officer at a Florida hotel in 2019, Sir Rod Stewart and his son admitted to violence.

The artist and his son Sean were charged with assault after being denied admittance to a private New Year’s Eve event, according to a police complaint.

Sean, 41, shoved the security guard, and Sir Rod, 76, punched him in the chest with a closed palm, according to the complaint.

The two have admitted to a charge of simple battery, which is a criminal offence.

This means they will not appear in court, will not go to jail, will not pay a fine, and will not be placed on probation, according to Sir Rod’s lawyer, Guy Fronstin.

Because the judge withheld adjudication, they have not been formally convicted.

No one was injured in the incident, and Sir Rod Stewart was found not guilty of the accusation by a jury. Sir Rod Stewart instead elected to enter a plea to avoid the cumbersome and unneeded burden that a high-profile case would place on the court and the public. Mr Fronstin continued.

 A confrontation with security, Jessie Dixon, occurred at The Breakers Palm Beach Hotel.

Mr Dixon told authorities that he implored Sean Stewart to pull away after the rock star’s kid got “nose to nose” with him.

Sean Stewart allegedly shoved Mr Dixon before Sir Rod approached him and landed a punch, injuring him in the left ribs, according to court documents.

Sir Rod informed police that after the family was denied admittance, Mr Dixon became argumentative with them, causing his family to get anxious, according to the court filing.

Sir Rod expressed contrition for his role in the incident, according to the arresting officer’s report.

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