PARIS: Global demand for oil is expected to remain “robust” in 2022 and overcome short-term disruption caused by the Omicron coronavirus variant, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said on Tuesday. But the Saudi-led group of top oil producers warned future virus strains and pandemic-related travel restrictions could threaten the global economic recovery. The … Read more
HELSINKI, Jan 12, 2022 (AFP) – Finnish national airline Finnair will cancel 20 percent of flights in February after a spike in Covid-related staff absences, the company said on Wednesday. “The Omicron coronavirus variant and flu season has led to a significant increase of sick leave among staff at Finnair and its partners,” the company said … Read more
KUWAIT CITY, Jan 3, 2022 (AFP) – Kuwait has urged its citizens to leave several European countries including Britain, France and Germany because of a surge in cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant. In a series of statements overnight Sunday, the oil-rich Gulf state also warned Kuwaitis, often big spenders abroad, to avoid travelling to the … Read more
BERLIN, Dec 28, 2021 (AFP) – The WHO warned Tuesday that the Omicron coronavirus variant could lead to overwhelmed healthcare systems even though early studies suggest it leads to milder disease, as China and Germany brought back tough restrictions to stamp out new infection surges. China put hundreds of thousands more people under lockdown, while infections hit … Read more
LONDON: British inflation has rocketed to its highest level for more than 10 years on broad-based price gains, data showed on Wednesday, sparking fears that wages will fail to keep pace on the eve of a Bank of England interest rate decision. The annual inflation rate surged to 5.1 per cent in November after 4.2 per … Read more
PARIS: The Omicron coronavirus variant will slow the recovery in the global demand for oil but the market will be “more comfortable” in 2022, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Tuesday. The oil market “appears to stand on a better footing than it has for some time,” the IEA wrote in its latest monthly … Read more
LONDON: The Bank of England policymaker Michael Saunders, who voted for an interest rate hike last month, said on Friday he wanted more information about the impact of the new Omicron coronavirus variant before deciding how to vote this month, Reuters reported. Saunders said Omicron might slow Britain’s economy but it could also add to inflation pressures … Read more
LONDON: British airline EasyJet warned on Tuesday that it was “too soon” to assess the impact of the Omicron coronavirus variant on the aviation sector, after logging narrowing annual losses as skies reopened. The emergence last week of Omicron, a new concerning Covid variant first detected in southern Africa, has prompted some nations including Britain … Read more
TOKYO, Japan on Tuesday confirmed its first case of the Omicron coronavirus variant, a day after authorities announced new Covid border restrictions. “Regarding the traveller arriving from Namibia, it was confirmed to be a case of Omicron after analysis at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases,” government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters. “This is the … Read more
