Here's what is happening in news from around the Pacific today, Thursday 17 December.
Photo: AFP
CNMI gets Covid vaccine
The Northern Marianas recieved its first shipment of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine this morning.
Health authorities transported the vaccine from the Saipan International Airport to the local hospital early this morning.
The Federal Drug Administration-authorised vaccine began shipping out to US states and territories early this week.
The first shipment of vaccines will be administered to medical staff and first responders.
The vaccine will be distributed through a three-phased approach.
Phase 1 will be administered to an estimated 1,600 people working in healthcare or a part of vulnerable populations.
Phase 2 will expand to essential workers and the general population.
Phase 3 will be a continuation of the general population and possible vaccinations for children.
CNMI looks to Japan travel bubble
The government of the Northern Marianas hopes to have flights from Japan resume as it looks to revive its hard-hit tourism industry.
A travel bubble with South Korea is due to start next month, and governor Ralph Torres says he's reaching out to the Japanese low-cost carrier, Skymark Airlines.
Japan and South Korea are the territory's largest tourism markets.
PNG records 31 new cases of Covid-19
Papua New Guinea has recorded 31 new cases of Covid-19, bringing the country's total to 760.
The cases were reported in four different provinces: twenty in West New Britain, eight in East New Britain, two in New Ireland, and one in Western Highlands.
The office of PNG's Pandemic Response Controller says five of the eight positive cases reported in East New Britain travelled from neighbouring West New Britain.
West New Britain has reported a spate of infections in recent weeks, making it the province with the third highest number of cases: 123.
Of the 31 new positive cases, 18 showed no signs of the virus at the time of testing whilst the remaining 13 were experiencing fever, headache, muscle ache, shortness of breath, cough, chills and abdominal pains.
Sixteen provinces including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville have reported cases.
The National Capital District has the most cases, with 361, while Western Province has 204.
Vanuatu Justice Minister detailed by police then released
Vanuatu's justice Minister, Esmon Saimon, was briefly detained by traffic police over the weekend.
The Vanuatu Daily Post reported police sources confirmed the minister and former Speaker of Parliament was detained for allegedly breaching the Traffic Act but later released.
The police source said the minister was detained as part of Operation Sweep 40 and that no warrant was required for his arrest as the potential offending was traffic related.
Section 16 of the Traffic Control Act, CAP 29 provides a provision for police to arrest and detain any driver who is caught driving under the influence of alcohol.
The minister has not be charged with any offence.
