Regional
Palau Could Become the First in the World to be Vaccinated
A cluster of islands in the Pacific Ocean that's one of the few places on Earth entirely free from COVID-19 could become one of the first countries vaccinated against the disease.
China Blocks WHO Team Sent to Study Covid's Origins
China has blocked the arrival of a team from the World Health Organization investigating the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, claiming that their visas had not yet been approved even as some members of the group were on their way.
COVID-19 Had Little Impact on PNA's Tuna Purse Seine-fishery Output
The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) purse-seine fishery and supply chain largely avoided COVID-related disruptions and had a positive 2020, according to a report given during a government meeting of the eight nations that make up the sub-grouping on 11 December.
New Virus Strain’s Transmissibility to Cause More Deaths: Study
The mutated coronavirus strain that’s been spreading in the U.K. appears to be more contagious and will likely lead to higher levels of hospitalizations and deaths next year, a new study showed.
Fijians Told to Seek Shelter as Super Cyclone Closes In
Fijians living in the path of an approaching super cyclone were told to hunker down at home or flee to emergency shelters immediately on Wednesday, as authorities warned the storm has the potential to uproot buildings and cause mass destruction.