Carnival says most itineraries unchanged even as Omicron cases rise

Carnival says most itineraries unchanged even as Omicron cases rise

https://youtu.be/Gy_LsL_H6tg (Reuters) – Carnival Corp said on Tuesday a majority of its ships’ itineraries were unchanged, despite a surge in Omicron coronavirus cases that has threatened to stall a recovery in the cruise industry. The world’s largest cruise operator, however, said a few destination ports were reviewing their protocols and processes due to the fast-spreading …

Italy adds record 78,313 new virus cases…..UK: COVID-19 infections at daily high of 129,471…..US adds 512,553 COVID cases amid backlog…Finland bans unvaccinated travelers

Italy adds record 78,313 new virus cases…..UK: COVID-19 infections at daily high of 129,471…..US adds 512,553 COVID cases amid backlog…Finland bans unvaccinated travelers

Italy set another record in daily COVID-19 cases, as the number of people who tested positive jumped by 78,313 during the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry’s data showed on Tuesday. Within the same timeframe, the country’s health authorities have detected 202 fatalities attributed to the virus, the data revealed. Italy’s COVID death toll, which …

Wall St rises for fifth day, S&P 500 hits record high

Wall St rises for fifth day, S&P 500 hits record high

(Reuters) – The S&P 500 hovered around record highs on Tuesday as conviction in the U.S. economy helped investors shrug off concerns over Omicron-driven travel disruptions and store closures, and extended Wall Street’s four-day rally amid thin trading volumes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday shortened the recommended isolation time for …

U.S. CDC investigating nearly 70 cruise ships hit by COVID-19 cases

U.S. CDC investigating nearly 70 cruise ships hit by COVID-19 cases

As omicron continues to spread across the country, COVID-19 cases are continuing to emerge on cruise ships. Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International and MSC Cruises are among the cruise lines currently dealing with clusters of cases on board resulting in a myriad of scenarios including protocols kicking in to mitigate spread, itinerary changes and …

Venezuela pulled its oil production out of a tailspin

Dec 27 (Reuters) – Venezuela this year almost doubled its oil production from last year’s decades-low as its state-owned company struck deals that let it pump and process more extra heavy crude into exportable grades. The surprising reversal began as state-run Petroleos de Venezuela, known as PDVSA, won help from small drilling firms by rolling …

S&P 500 hits all-time high on retail sales cheer; travel stocks slide

S&P 500 hits all-time high on retail sales cheer; travel stocks slide

* GoDaddy rises on report of Starboard investment * Travel stocks drop on Omicron-related flight groundings * Indexes up: Dow 0.33%, S&P 0.52%, Nasdaq 0.54% Dec 27 (Reuters) – The S&P 500 hit a record high on Monday, as a strong retail sales report underscored the strength of the economy and overshadowed worries from Omicron-driven …

Satellite images show Russia still building up forces near Ukraine

Satellite images show Russia still building up forces near Ukraine

A satellite image shows Russian armored units training in Pogonovo Training Area near Voronezh, Russia, November 26, 2021. Picture taken November 26, 2021. Satellite Image ?2021 Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERS Dec 24 (Reuters) – New satellite images captured by a private U.S. company show that Russia has continued to build up its forces in annexed …

For third day, COVID-19 crimps Americans’ holiday travels

For third day, COVID-19 crimps Americans’ holiday travels

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK, Dec 26 (Reuters) – U.S. airlines canceled more than 1,300 flights on Sunday as COVID-19 thinned out the number of available crews, while several cruise ships had to cancel stops after outbreaks on board, upending the plans of thousands of Christmas travelers. Commercial airlines had canceled 1,318 flights within, into or out of …

NY dept of health warns of rise in child covid hospitalizations

NY dept of health warns of rise in child covid hospitalizations

The New York State Department of Health warned of an increase in children hospitalized with COVID-19, in a notice sent to doctors on Christmas Eve. “NYSDOH is closely monitoring an upward trend in pediatric hospitalizations associated with COVID-19,” the notice read. The jump in hospitalizations of children — who usually face very mild COVID-19 cases …