Hundreds of South Korean business owners shaved their heads outside the parliament in Seoul to protest the government's virus restrictions.
Small business owners expressed their anger over government's decision to extend Covid-19 restrictions and demanded compensation from the government over their losses during the restrictions.
The current coronavirus restrictions mandate restaurants and cafes to close at 9 p.m.
299 business owners shaved their heads to express their anger on Tuesday.
In South Korea, head shaving has been a form of protest and is a long-standing tradition that is used to show one's commitment to a cause.

S Korean business owners shave their heads to protest Covid-19 restrictions

Hundreds of South Korean business owners shaved their heads outside the parliament in Seoul to protest the government's virus restrictions

S Korea: business owners shave their heads to protest virus curbs
Almost 300 small business owners shave heads in protest
S Korea: head shaving a long-standing tradition&nbsp;to protest

In South Korea, head shaving has been a form of protest and is a long-standing tradition that is used to show one's commitment to a cause.

Hundreds of South Korean business owners shaved their heads outside the&nbsp;parliament in&nbsp;Seoul&nbsp;to protest the government's virus restrictions.
Small business owners expressed their anger over government's decision to extend Covid-19 restrictions and demanded compensation from the government over their losses during the restrictions.
The current coronavirus restrictions mandate restaurants and cafes to close at 9 p.m.
Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/afghanistan-hanging-by-a-thread-un-chief-asks-nations-to-authorise-aid-1643259911655" target="_blank">Afghanistan 'hanging by a thread': UN chief asks nations to authorise aid</a>
299 business owners shaved their heads to express their anger on Tuesday.
In South Korea, head shaving has been a form of protest and is a long-standing tradition that is used to show one's commitment to a cause.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council on Wednesday Afghanistan is "hanging by a thread."  
The UN chief called for countries to authorize all transactions needed to carry out humanitarian activities in the country.
He also pushed for a suspension of any rules or conditions constricting "lifesaving" aid operations as millions in the country suffer extreme hunger.
"Time is of the essence. Without action, lives will be lost, and despair and extremism will grow. A collapse of the Afghan economy could lead to a massive exodus of people fleeing the country," Guterres said.
Some $9.5 billion in Afghan central bank reserves remain blocked abroad and international aid has dried up since the Taliban seized power in August.
Donors seek to use the money as leverage over the Taliban on issues including human rights.
The United Nations earlier this month appealed for $4.4 billion in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan in 2022.
On Wednesday, it said it needed a further $3.6 billion for health and education, basic infrastructure, promotion of livelihoods and social cohesion, specifically the needs of women and girls.
 

Afghanistan 'hanging by a thread': UN chief asks nations to authorise aid

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council on Wednesday Afghanistan is "hanging by a thread."&nbsp;&nbsp;
The UN chief called for countries to authorize all transactions needed to carry out humanitarian activities in the country.
He also pushed for a suspension of any rules or conditions constricting "lifesaving" aid operations as millions in the country suffer extreme hunger.
"Time is of the essence. Without action, lives will be lost, and despair and extremism will grow. A collapse of the Afghan economy could lead to a massive exodus of people fleeing the country," Guterres said.
Some $9.5 billion in Afghan central bank reserves remain blocked abroad and international aid has dried up since the Taliban seized power in August.
Donors seek to use the money as leverage over the Taliban on issues including human rights.
The United Nations earlier this month appealed for $4.4 billion in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan in 2022.
On Wednesday, it said it needed a further $3.6 billion for health and education, basic infrastructure, promotion of livelihoods and social cohesion, specifically the needs of women and girls.
&nbsp;

Some $9.5 billion in Afghan central bank reserves remain blocked abroad and international aid has dried up since the Taliban seized power in August.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council on Wednesday Afghanistan is "hanging by a thread."&nbsp;&nbsp;
The UN chief called for countries to authorize all transactions needed to carry out humanitarian activities in the country.
He also pushed for a suspension of any rules or conditions constricting "lifesaving" aid operations as millions in the country suffer extreme hunger.
"Time is of the essence. Without action, lives will be lost, and despair and extremism will grow. A collapse of the Afghan economy could lead to a massive exodus of people fleeing the country," Guterres said.
Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/war-in-yemen-the-poorest-arab-nation-who-are-houthis-and-why-is-saudi-coalition-fighting-them-1643028266812" target="_blank">War in Yemen, the poorest Arab nation: who are Houthis and why is Saudi coalition fighting them</a>
Some $9.5 billion in Afghan central bank reserves remain blocked abroad and international aid has dried up since the Taliban seized power in August.
Donors seek to use the money as leverage over the Taliban on issues including human rights.
The United Nations earlier this month appealed for $4.4 billion in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan in 2022.
On Wednesday, it said it needed a further $3.6 billion for health and education, basic infrastructure, promotion of livelihoods and social cohesion, specifically the needs of women and girls.
&nbsp;

Alarming news emerged from Florida in the United States of America.
A boat capsized off the coast with almost 40 people onboard. The incident came to light after a survivor was found clinging to the hull of the boat by a commercial mariner. The survivor informed authorities that the boat was carrying 39 other people.
ALSO WATCH | Indian family's death in Canada: Arrested US man released without paying bond
Subsequently, search and rescue operations were launched. The US authorities are suspecting that the vessel was being used in a human smuggling operation.
This case comes just days after an Indian family died at the US-Canada border due to extreme cold. They were also suspected to be victims of a human smuggling racket.
The survivor had boarded the boat from the Bahamas' Bimini islands on the night of January 22. The boat capsized after hitting rough weather around 70 km east of Fort Pierce inlet, off Florida's Atlantic coast. Captain Jo-Ann F. Burdian of the US Coast Guard said that the situation was 'dire'. "The longer they remain in the water without food, without water, exposed to the marine environment, the sun, the sea conditions. It is every moment that passes it becomes much more dire and unlikely that anyone could survive in those conditions," she said.

USA: Boat with 40 people sinks off Florida coast; after Indian family's death at border, another human smuggling op gone awry?

The US authorities are suspecting that the vessel was being used in a human smuggling operation.

USA: Boat with 40 people sinks off Florida coast, search ops on

NOTE - PLEASE CHECK SOCIAL MEDIA ETC FOR MORE VISUALS
&nbsp;
 ((SHORT BYTE SPLIT WITH VISUALS. PUT TRANSLATION)) https://bit.ly/3G3pS6d
(1:13 - 1:31) It is dire. The longer they remain in the water without food, without water, exposed to the marine environment, the sun, the sea conditions. It is every moment that passes it becomes much more dire and unlikely that anyone could survive in those conditions.
&nbsp;
 ((VISUALS)) https://bit.ly/3fXvGDB
&nbsp;
Alarming news emerged from Florida in the United States of America. A boat capsized off the coast with almost 40 people onboard. The incident came to light after a survivor was found clinging to the hull of the boat by a commercial mariner. The survivor informed authorities that the boat was carrying 39 other people. Subsequently, search and rescue operations were launched. The US authorities are suspecting that the vessel was being used in a human smuggling operation. This case comes just days after an Indian family died at the US-Canada border due to extreme cold. They were also suspected to be victims of a human smuggling racket. The survivor had boarded the boat from the Bahamas' Bimini islands on the night of January 22. The boat capsized after hitting rough weather around 70 km east of Fort Pierce inlet, off Florida's Atlantic coast.
&nbsp;
BYTE CAPT JO-ANN F. BURDIAN, U.S. COAST GUARD https://bit.ly/3G3pS6d
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-weight: 400; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: #000000; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">The US authorities are suspecting that the vessel was being used in a human smuggling operation.</div>

Alarming news emerged from Florida in the United States of America.
A boat capsized off the coast with almost 40 people onboard.&nbsp;The incident came to light after a survivor was found clinging to the hull of the boat by a commercial mariner.&nbsp;The survivor informed authorities that the boat was carrying 39 other people.
ALSO WATCH | <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/indian-family-s-death-in-canada-arrested-us-man-released-without-paying-bond-1643109444346" target="_blank">Indian family's death in Canada: Arrested US man released without paying bond</a>
Subsequently, search and rescue operations were launched.&nbsp;The US authorities are suspecting that the vessel was being used in a human smuggling operation.
 This case comes just days after an Indian family died at the US-Canada border due to extreme cold. They were also suspected to be victims of a human smuggling racket.
 The survivor had boarded the boat from the Bahamas' Bimini islands on the night of January 22.&nbsp;The boat capsized after hitting rough weather around 70 km east of Fort Pierce inlet, off Florida's Atlantic coast. Captain Jo-Ann F. Burdian of the US Coast Guard said that the situation was 'dire'. "The longer they remain in the water without food, without water, exposed to the marine environment, the sun, the sea conditions. It is every moment that passes it becomes much more dire and unlikely that anyone could survive in those conditions," she said.

The head of the World Health Organisation has warned that it is dangerous to assume that Omicron is the last of the Covid-19 variants or that we are in the endgame of the pandemic. 
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO's director-general said that conditions remain ideal for more coronavirus variants to emerge but also added a positive note by saying that  the acute phase of the pandemic could still end this year — if some key targets are met.
He said Covid can cease to be global health emergency by this year if WHO's target to vaccinate 70 per cent of the population of each country by the middle of this year is achieved.
The WHO chief added that the focus must be on people who are at the highest risk of Covid-19, and improving testing and sequencing rates to track the virus and its emerging variants more closely.

WHO warns against thinking of Omicron as end of Covid-19

The head of the World Health Organisation has warned that it is dangerous to assume that Omicron is the last of the Covid-19 variants or that we are in the endgame of the pandemic. 

Dangerous to think we are in the endgame of Covid&nbsp;pandemic: WHO WHO: conditions remain ideal for emergence of more variants 'Need to vaccinate 70% population of each country by mid 2022'
WHO: focus must be on people with highest risk of Covid-19

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO's director-general said&nbsp;that conditions remain ideal for more coronavirus variants to emerge

The head of the World Health Organisation has warned that it is dangerous to assume that Omicron is the last of the Covid-19 variants or that we are in the endgame of the pandemic.&nbsp;
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO's director-general said&nbsp;that conditions remain ideal for more coronavirus variants to emerge but also added a positive note by saying that&nbsp;&nbsp;the acute phase of the pandemic could still end this year &mdash; if some key targets are met.
Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/coronavirus/india-driving-covid-19-numbers-in-south-east-asia-who-1643022694312" target="_blank">India driving Covid-19 numbers in South-East Asia: WHO</a>
He said Covid&nbsp;can cease to be&nbsp;global health emergency by this year if&nbsp;WHO's target to vaccinate 70 per cent of the population of each country by the middle of this year is achieved.
The WHO chief added that the&nbsp;focus must be on people who are at the highest risk of Covid-19, and improving testing and sequencing rates to track the virus and its emerging variants more closely.

Yemen, the poorest country among Arab nations, is once again in the spotlight after drone strikes in Emirates capital Abu Dhabi where followed by Saudi Arabia-led coalition carrying out strikes on the militant Houthi group.
Yemen's war began in September 2014, when the Houthis, who are Shias, seized Sanaa and began a march south to try to seize the entire country. Saudi Arabia, along with the UAE, both of whom are Sunni majority, and other countries, entered the war alongside Yemen's internationally recognised government in March 2015.
Situated along the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, Yemen had been split in the Cold War between a Marxist south and a northern republic. The two nations became a unified Yemen in 1990, fought a civil war in 1994 and later came under the rule of Ali Abdullah Saleh. During the Arab Spring protests, Saleh began losing his grip on power and ultimately agreed to let his vice president, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, take over. However, Hadi's government struggled and Saleh, seeing a second chance to regain power, had his forces side with the same Houthis as they swept into the capital in 2014.
Iran, which is a Shia majority, seeing the opportunity to aid a war of attrition against its regional rival, Saudi Arabia, backed the Houthis. Arab countries, the West and United Nations experts say Iran has armed the Houthis with everything from assault rifles to ballistic missiles.
Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab allies fear the Houthis could grow as powerful as Lebanon's Shia Hezbollah militant group. The Houthis have already launched drone and missile attacks deep into the kingdom before, and on occasions struck oil wells.
All the while, Yemen's issues such as endemic poverty, lack of water and other resources have worsened. The war merely compounded the misery, and the country of 29 million people is now on the brink of famine.
The war has killed some 233,000 people, including 131,000 from indirect causes such as lack of food, health services and infrastructure, according to the United Nations.
The aid group, Save the Children, estimates that 85,000 children under the age of five have died from starvation or disease since the war began.

War in Yemen, the poorest Arab nation: who are Houthis and why is Saudi coalition fighting them

Yemen in spotlight after Saudi retaliation post Abu&nbsp;Dhabi&nbsp;drone strikes
Houthis, a&nbsp;Shia group of Yemen, in conflict with Saudi &amp;&nbsp;UAE&nbsp;since 2015
Iran, a Shia&nbsp;majority, backing Houthis&nbsp;against its rival Saudi Arabia
Saudi, Arab anticipate Houthis' rise similar to Lebanon's Hezbollah
Yemen: a checkered past since Cold War;&nbsp;internal conflicts
Yemen facing extreme poverty, on the brink of famine
Over 2.3 lakh&nbsp;people killed since 2014 in Yemen: UN
85,000 children under 5 have died since war: aid group

The war has killed some 233,000 people, including 131,000 from indirect causes such as lack of food, health services and infrastructure, according to the United Nations.

Yemen, the poorest country among Arab nations, is once again in the spotlight after drone strikes in Emirates capital Abu Dhabi were followed by Saudi Arabia-led coalition carrying out strikes on the militant Houthi group.
Yemen's war began in September 2014, when the Houthis, who are Shias, seized Sanaa and began a march south to try to seize the entire country. Saudi Arabia, along with the UAE, both of whom are Sunni majority, and other countries, entered the war alongside Yemen's internationally recognised government in March 2015.
Situated along the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, Yemen had been split in the Cold War between a Marxist south and a northern republic. The two nations became a unified Yemen in 1990, fought a civil war in 1994 and later came under the rule of Ali Abdullah Saleh. During the Arab Spring protests, Saleh began losing his grip on power and ultimately agreed to let his vice president, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, take over. However, Hadi's government struggled and Saleh, seeing a second chance to regain power, had his forces side with the same Houthis as they swept into the capital in 2014.
Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/yemen-s-houthis-vs-saudi-coalition-two-ballistic-missiles-targeting-abu-dhabi-intercepted-1643001620255" target="_blank">Yemen's Houthis Vs Saudi coalition: two ballistic missiles targeting Abu Dhabi intercepted</a>
Iran, which is a Shia majority, seeing the opportunity to aid a war of attrition against its regional rival, Saudi Arabia, backed the Houthis. Arab countries, the West and United Nations experts say Iran has armed the Houthis with everything from assault rifles to ballistic missiles.
Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab allies fear the Houthis could grow as powerful as Lebanon's Shia Hezbollah militant group. The Houthis have already launched drone and missile attacks deep into the kingdom before, and on occasions struck oil wells.
All the while, Yemen's issues such as endemic poverty, lack of water and other resources have worsened. The war merely compounded the misery, and the country of 29 million people is now on the brink of famine.
The war has killed some 233,000 people, including 131,000 from indirect causes such as lack of food, health services and infrastructure, according to the United Nations.
The aid group, Save the Children, estimates that 85,000 children under the age of five have died from starvation or disease since the war began.

Canada PM reacts to Indian family freezing to death near border with US
 

Canada PM Justin Trudeau reacts to Indian family freezing to death near border with US in apparent bid to illegally cross

Justin Trudeau called the deaths 'mind-blowing' and 'tragic'. He called the family of four a victim of human traffickers.

Canada PM reacts to Indian family freezing to death near border with US

Following the tragic case of an Indian family freezing to death near the US-Canada border, Canadian Prime Minister reacted to the news. Justin Trudeau called the deaths 'mind-blowing' and 'tragic'. He called the family of 4 a victim of human traffickers. Trudeau slammed smugglers who take advantage of 'people's desire to build a better life'. He said that Canada and America are working closely together to stop human trafficking. Trudeau also urged people to not cross the border illegally. A day earlier, the Manitoba Royal Canadian Mounted Police had said that four bodies - including two adults, a teenager, and an infant - were found near the border with the US. The family died due to exposure to extreme cold. They are believed to have been a part of a group trying to illicitly cross the border into America. Other members of the group were apprehended by US authorities after crossing over. 47-year-old Steve Shand of Florida was also arrested in connection with the case. The Indian government had directed diplomats in the US and Canada to work with local authorities with regard to the tragedy.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff;">Justin Trudeau called the deaths 'mind-blowing' and 'tragic'. He called the family of four a victim of human traffickers.</div>

Following the tragic case of an Indian family freezing to death near the US-Canada border, Canadian Prime Minister reacted to the news.
Justin Trudeau called the deaths 'mind-blowing' and 'tragic'. He called the family of 4 a victim of human traffickers.&nbsp;Trudeau slammed smugglers who take advantage of 'people's desire to build a better life'.&nbsp;He said that Canada and America are working closely together to stop human trafficking. Trudeau also urged people to not cross the border illegally.
ALSO WATCH | <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/indian-family-with-baby-freezes-to-death-near-us-canada-border-1642820091540" target="_blank">Indian family with baby freezes to death near US-Canada border</a>
 A day earlier, the Manitoba Royal Canadian Mounted Police had said that four bodies - including two adults, a teenager, and an infant - were found near the border with the US.&nbsp;The family died due to exposure to extreme cold.&nbsp;They are believed to have been a part of a group trying to illicitly cross the border into America.
 Other members of the group were apprehended by US authorities after crossing over.&nbsp;47-year-old Steve Shand of Florida was also arrested in connection with the case.
 The Indian government had directed diplomats in the US and Canada to work with local authorities with regard to the tragedy.

The central Asian nation of Kazakhstan has been witnessing protests since the beginning of this year that turned extremely violent, killing scores of people and many more being injured.
The protests which seemed peaceful initially were triggered by doubling of fuel prices last week in western Kazakhstan but quickly swept the whole country like a wildfire.
The clashes have set off a political crisis in the country with its president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, describing the events unfurled in the past week as a coup attempt, calling the protestors 'terrorists' and even giving shoot at sight orders to the security forces.
Over 160 people have died with nearly 6,000 people being detained with another 2,000 being injured during several days of violence.
The events have brought into action a regional alliance of several former Soviet states, Collective Treaty Security Organization (CSTO), led by Russia.
The protests have left the country’s most populous city, Almaty, in disarray. Thousands of people had been swept up in an 'anti-terrorist' operation. Internet across the country was shut down along with government buildings set ablaze.
In the latest development, people were seen fleeing the violence-ridden country and crossing the Russian-Kazakh border on Sunday.
While taking stock of the situation through a virtual meeting on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the unrest in Kazakhstan 'an attack on the country' and 'an act of aggression' masterminded from abroad.

Timeline of Kazakhstan turmoil and its implications

The central Asian nation of Kazakhstan has been witnessing protests since the beginning of this year that turned extremely violent

Political crisis in Kazakhstan amid ongoing protests&nbsp;
Protests over hike in fuel prices turned violent
Kazakh president Tokayev called&nbsp;protestors&nbsp;as 'terrorists'
Tokayev&nbsp;ordered shoot at sight for those protesting
Regional allies brought into action by recent events
People being swept up in 'anti-terrorist' operation
Almaty, most populous city, in disarray; internet&nbsp;shut
Putin: an&nbsp;act of aggression masterminded from abroad
People seen crossing Russia-Kazakh border
&nbsp;

Over 160 people have died with nearly 6,000 people being detained with another 2,000 being injured during several days of violence

The central Asian nation of Kazakhstan has been witnessing protests that turned extremely violent, leaving over a hundred people dead and many injured, since the beginning of this year.
The protests sparked by the doubling of fuel price in&nbsp;western Kazakhstan&nbsp;were peaceful initially but quickly turned violent and swept the whole country like a wildfire.
Over 160 people have died with nearly 6,000 people being detained with another 2,000 being injured during several days of violence.
The clashes have set off a political crisis in the country with president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, describing the events as a coup attempt, calling the protestors 'terrorists' and even giving shoot at sight orders to the government forces. The events have brought into action a regional alliance of several former Soviet states, Collective&nbsp; Security Treaty Organization, led by Russia.
The protests have left the country&rsquo;s most populous city, Almaty, in disarray. Thousands of people had been swept up in what the government is calling an 'anti-terrorist' operation. Internet across the country was shut down along with government buildings set ablaze.
In the latest development, people were seen fleeing the violence-ridden country and crossing the Russian-Kazakh border on Sunday.
While taking stock of the situation through a virtual meeting on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the unrest in Kazakhstan 'an attack on the country' and 'an act of aggression' masterminded from abroad.&nbsp;Russia has sent some 2,500 personnel, the Russian RIA news agency has reported.
Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/kazakhstan-turmoil-president-calls-protesters-terrorists-orders-shoot-at-sight-1641552931847" target="_blank">Kazakhstan turmoil: President calls protesters 'terrorists', orders shoot at sight</a>
The EU&nbsp;in veiled comments warned Russia against military intervention in Kazakhstan, the US has said it&nbsp;is closely monitoring the Russian troops in the central Asian country, and it will also be watching for any actions that may lay the predicate for the seizure of Kazakh institutions.

With the Omicron variant apparently causing a fresh surge in infections, India has joined the long list of countries providing an extra vaccine shot to vulnerable groups.
 

Does vaccine booster protect against Omicron hospitalisation? Your doubts cleared amid Covid spike

A UK study found that three vaccine doses provide up to 88% protection against hospitalisation due to Omicron infection.

&nbsp;
((SHORT OPENING BYTES))
BYTE NARENDRA MODI, PRIME MINISTER, INDIA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5wktdB1hkA
(0:33 - 0:46) In many countries, Covid cases are rising due to new variant Omicron. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSDT4oaoeOw
​(1:23 - 1:31, 2:07 - 2:10)
Healthcare and frontline workers will get vaccine's precaution dose. Those aged above 60 years with comorbidities (also eligible).
&nbsp;
 ((VACCINATION VISUALS))
 VO: Booster shot of the Covid vaccine - to get or not to get?
&nbsp;
 ((CROWD VISUALS))
 VO:&nbsp;With the Omicron variant apparently causing a fresh surge in infections, India has joined the long list of countries providing an extra vaccine shot to vulnerable groups.
&nbsp;
 ((LOCKDOWN VISUALS))
 VO:&nbsp;As strict restrictions make a comeback, here's everything you need to know about booster shots which may help prevent a 2021-like disastrous Covid wave.
&nbsp;
 ((BIG PLATE WITH VACCINATION IMAGE AND TEXT -&nbsp;BOOSTER SHOTS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW))
&nbsp;
 ((VACCINATION VISUALS))
 VO:&nbsp;First of all, there has been some confusion regarding the difference between additional vaccine doses, and booster shots.
&nbsp;
 ((SPLIT WINDOW GFX)) HEADER - WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
 SUBHEADER - BOOSTER SHOT Given after protection from original vaccine shots begins to wane over time
 SUBHEADER - ADDITIONAL DOSE Given to immunocompromised patients to aid response to original vaccine shots
&nbsp;
 VO ON GFX:&nbsp;Booster doses are given after protection induced by the original shots begins to wane over time.&nbsp;However, additional vaccines are only given to people who have a compromised immune system, and therefore need help to improve their response to the original shots. These include cancer and HIV patients, among others.
&nbsp;
 ((VACCINATION VISUALS))
 VO: India is calling its booster shots a 'precautionary dose'. Reports have quoted experts as saying that these are boosters, rather than additional doses of vaccines.
&nbsp;
 ((BIG PLATE WITH VACCINATION IMAGE AND TEXT -&nbsp;DO BOOSTERS HELP AGAINST OMICRON?))
 VO: So, do boosters really help in improving immunity against Covid, especially the Omicron variant?
&nbsp;
 ((GFX)) HEADER - BOOSTERS, HOSPITALS, AND OMICRON
 3 VACCINE DOSES = 88% PROTECTION FROM HOSPITALISATION 2 VACCINE DOSES (TILL 6 MONTHS) = 72% PROTECTION FROM HOSPITALISATION 2 VACCINE DOSES (AFTER 6 MONTHS) = 52% PROTECTION FROM HOSPITALISATION
 *UK STUDY
&nbsp;
 VO ON GFX: Early studies in the UK have shown that a third dose of the vaccine can provide up to 88% protection against hospitalisation from infection by Omicron. Those with only two shots have up to 72% protection. Researchers said that vaccine efficacy against hospitalisation drops to 52% against Omicron around 6 months after taking the second shot.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
((ENGLAND HOSPITAL VISUALS))
 VO: A report said that over four-fifths of Omicron patients in England's hospitals had not had booster shots.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
 ((GFX)) HEADER - USA'S OMICRON BATTLE
 HOSPITALISATION 8 TIMES HIGHER FOR UNVACCINATED ADULTS HOSPITALISATION 10 TIMES HIGHER FOR MINORS AGED 12 TO 17
 *CNN REPORT NOV CUMULATIVE HOSPITALISATION RATE
&nbsp;
 VO ON GFX: In the US, hospitalisation has hit a 4-month high, with over 1 lakh people admitted. In America, cumulative hospitalisation rates through November are around 8 times higher for unvaccinated adults, and 10 times higher for unvaccinated children aged 12 to 17, as per a news report.
&nbsp;
 BYTEJOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb3M0e8cPos
(1:04 - 1:11, 1:35 - 1:48) JAN 5, 2022 Get vaccinated, get boosters. There's plenty of booster shots. Wear a mask while you're in public.&nbsp;We have booster shots for the whole nation. You can still get Covid, but it's highly unlikely that you'll become seriously ill.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
 ((BIG PLATE WITH VACCINATION IMAGE AND TEXT -&nbsp;WHICH COUNTRIES ARE GIVING BOOSTERS?))
 As per the World Health Organisation, over 120 countries have started implementing booster or additional vaccine programmes.
&nbsp;
 ((WORLD MAP GFX - ARROW ON COUNTRY MATCHING WITH VO, WITH TEXT AT BOTTOM OF SCREEN)) HEADER - GLOBAL BOOSTER SITUATION
 USA FULLY VACCINATED ADULTS ELIGIBLE; 16-17 YR OLDS CAN GET PFIZER BOOSTER
 CANADA PANEL RECOMMENDED EXTRA DOSE TO IMMUNOCOMPROMISED INDIVIDUALS
 EUROPE C.D.C. RECOMMENDED BOOSTERS FOR ALL ADULTS, PRIORITY FOR THOSE AGED 40+
 ENGLAND BOOSTERS FOR ALL ADULTS, 3 MONTHS AFTER SECOND SHOT
 SOUTH AFRICA J&amp;J BOOSTERS AVAILABLE SINCE DEC 24, 2021
 EGYPT
 KENYA
 MOROCCO
 NIGERIA
 TUNISIA
 ZAMBIA
 BANGLADESH BOOSTERS FOR FRONTLINE WORKERS
 INDONESIA
 MALAYSIA
 SINGAPORE
 PHILIPPINES
 ISRAEL 4TH DOSE FOR IMMUNOCOMPROMISED, ELDERLY IN CARE FACILITIES
 INDIA HEALTHCARE, FRONTLINE WORKERS; THOSE AGED 60+ WITH COMORBIDITIES ELIGIBLE
&nbsp;
 *AS PER REUTERS REPORT NOT COMPREHENSIVE LIST
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
 VO ON GFX: In the US, apart from fully vaccinated adults, even 16 and 17 year olds can get boosters, albeit only Pfizer-BioNTech.&nbsp;Canada's immunisation advisory committee has recommended mRNA vaccine boosters to those with moderately or severely compromised immune systems, as per a Reuters report.&nbsp;The European CDC has recommended vaccine boosters for all adults, with priority for those aged above 40.&nbsp;England is offering boosters to all adults, 3 months after the second shot.
 In South Africa, where Omicron was first detected, boosters of Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine have been available since Dec 24, as per Reuters.&nbsp;Other African nations like Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Zambia also have booster programmes, as per reports.
 Closer home, Bangladesh is offering boosters to frontline workers. Other Asian countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, among others have booster schemes. Significantly, Israel is now offering a fourth dose to the immunocompromised and elderly.
 India's booster scheme is limited to a few groups.
&nbsp;
 BYTENARENDRA MODI, PRIME MINISTER, INDIA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSDT4oaoeOw (0:49 - 1:32, 1:43 - 2:24)DEC 25, 2021 Corona warriors, healthcare and frontline workers, are playing a big role in keeping the country safe. They spend a lot of time serving Covid patients. As a precautionary measure, the government has decided that healthcare and frontline workers will get vaccine's precaution dose. The elderly and those with comorbidities should take greater precaution. Keeping this in mind, those aged above 60 years and with comorbidities will have an option of taking vaccine's precaution dose as per doctor's advice.
 BYTE Dr V.K. PAUL, MEMBER, NITI AAYOG https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgBLVNGSyxk &nbsp; (30:15 - 30:48) JAN 5 ,2022
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
 ((VACCINATION VISUALS))
 However, even as more and more countries roll out booster programmes, voices of criticism have been rising, led by the World Health Organisation.
&nbsp;
 BYTE
Dr TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS, DIRECTOR GENERAL, WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg_0ZBqfIKc ​(0:19 - 0:44, 1:04 - 1:13)
DEC 22, 2021
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

<div>A UK study found that three vaccine doses provide up to 88% protection against hospitalisation due to Omicron infection.</div>

India has joined a long list of nations administering Covid-19 vaccine's booster doses. In an address to the nation in December 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi specified that the 'precautionary' third dose of the vaccines would be reserved for healthcare and frontline workers. Those aged above 60 years with comorbidities are also eligible for a booster shot based on their doctor's advice. Coinciding with a surge in cases believed to be due to the Omicron variant, many doubts have emerged among the general populace. Here are answers to frequently asked questions on booster shots.
 BOOSTER Vs ADDITIONAL DOSES
 Booster doses are distinct from additional doses of vaccines. The former&nbsp;are given after protection induced by the original shots begins to wane over time.&nbsp;However, additional vaccines are only given to people who have a compromised immune system, and therefore need help to improve their response to the original shots. These include cancer and HIV patients, among others.&nbsp;India is calling its booster shots a 'precautionary dose'. Reports have quoted experts as saying that these are boosters, rather than additional doses of vaccines.
ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/coronavirus/india-crosses-145-crore-covid-19-vaccinations-milestone-1640959041689" target="_blank">India crosses 145 crore Covid-19 vaccinations milestone</a> 
BOOSTER EFFICACY
 The biggest question in people's minds is whether a booster shot provides protection against hospitalisation, especially if an individual is infected with the Omicron variant.&nbsp;Early studies in the UK have shown that a third dose of the vaccine can provide up to 88% protection against hospitalisation from infection by Omicron. Those with only two shots have up to 72% protection. Researchers said that vaccine efficacy against hospitalisation drops to 52% against Omicron around 6 months after taking the second shot.&nbsp;A report said that over four-fifths of Omicron patients in England's hospitals had not had booster shots.
 COUNTRIES GIVING BOOSTERS
 As per the World Health Organisation, over 120 countries have started implementing booster or additional vaccine programmes.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the US, apart from fully vaccinated adults, even 16 and 17 year olds can get boosters, albeit only Pfizer-BioNTech.&nbsp;Canada's immunisation advisory committee has recommended mRNA vaccine boosters to those with moderately or severely compromised immune systems, as per a Reuters report.&nbsp;The European CDC has recommended vaccine boosters for all adults, with priority for those aged above 40.&nbsp;England is offering boosters to all adults, 3 months after the second shot.
In South Africa, where Omicron was first detected, boosters of Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine have been available since Dec 24, as per Reuters.&nbsp;Other African nations like Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Zambia also have booster programmes, as per reports.
 Closer home, Bangladesh is offering boosters to frontline workers. Other Asian countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, among others have booster schemes. Significantly, Israel is now offering a fourth dose to the immunocompromised and elderly.
 THE CRITICISM
 However, even as more and more countries roll out booster programmes, voices of criticism have been rising, led by the World Health Organisation. The international health policy body's chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed concern about 'blanket booster programmes' worsening vaccine inequity across the world. He pointed out that while well-to-do countries are administering extra doses, poorer countries are yet to reach a significant milestone in primary vaccination. He said that blanket booster schemes would end up prolonging the pandemic, rather than ending it.

The chimney of the former Longannet Power Station in Fife was demolished by a controlled explosion on Thursday.
The 600ft chimney was the largest free-standing structure in Scotland and was considered a regional landmark.
Scottish Power lit up the structure and projected the slogan, "Make Coal History" on Wednesday evening ahead of its demolition.
Other structures at the site had already been previously demolished.
Longannet, which was once the largest coal-fired power station in Europe, began generating electricity in 1970 and produced Scotland's last coal-fired energy until it's closure in 2016.

Watch: 600-feet Scottish power station chimney reduced to dust

The  600ft chimney of the former Longannet Power Station in Fife was demolished by a controlled explosion.

The 600ft chimney of the former Longannet Power Station in Fife was demolished by a controlled explosion.

The chimney of the former Longannet Power Station in Fife was demolished by a controlled explosion on Thursday.
The 600ft chimney was the largest free-standing structure in Scotland and was considered a regional landmark.
Scottish Power lit up the structure and projected the slogan, "Make Coal History" on Wednesday evening ahead of its demolition.
<a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/cop26-why-it-s-so-hard-for-india-to-quit-coal-1635779140011" target="_blank">Read also:&nbsp;COP26: Why it's so hard for India to quit coal</a>
Other structures at the site had already been previously demolished.
Longannet, which was once the largest coal-fired power station in Europe, began generating electricity in 1970 and produced Scotland's last coal-fired energy until it's closure in 2016.

The medical journal’s sixth annual report, named The Lancet Countdown, tracks 44 indicators of health impacts that are directly linked to climate change.

Climate change can spread viral diseases due to a lack of preparedness

Climate change is creating ideal conditions for microbial disease transmission, and unfortunately, the world’s healthcare systems aren’t ready for it.

Climate change can cause more pandemics, warns new Lancet report

A Lancet study has revealed that climate change is creating ideal conditions for microbial disease transmission, and unfortunately, the world&rsquo;s healthcare systems aren&rsquo;t ready for it.

As the world is recovering from the plunging aftermath of the&nbsp;COVID-19 pandemic, a new study has now revealed that climate change is creating ideal conditions for microbial disease transmission, and unfortunately, the world&rsquo;s healthcare systems aren&rsquo;t ready for it.
The Lancet, a weekly peer-reviewed general medical journal, has highlighted that illnesses such as malaria, dengue and cholera will become a severe threat unless leaders commit to more ambitious climate plans. The medical journal&rsquo;s&nbsp;sixth annual report, named&nbsp;The Lancet Countdown,&nbsp;tracks 44 indicators of health impacts that are directly linked to climate change and highlight worsening social inequalities.
Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/climate-change-crisis-it-s-only-going-to-get-hotter-1630739162564">Climate Change Crisis: It's only going to get hotter!</a>
Drawing on research from 38 academic institutions and United Nations agencies, the study found that the potential for viral outbreaks is increasing most rapidly in developed countries. The danger of malaria infections is rising in cooler areas, while coasts around northern Europe and the U.S. are becoming more prone to bacteria which produce gastroenteritis and sepsis.
On the other hand,&nbsp;almost 600 million people are living less than 5 meters above sea level, which puts them at risk of increased flooding and intense storms. The study adds that due to this, many could be forced to permanently leave their homes. The study also warned against a fossil fuel-driven economic&nbsp;recovery that funds oil, gas and coal production.
Maria Romanello, lead author and research director of the report, said that these are grim warnings that for every day that we delay our response to climate change, the situation gets more critical. She also emphasised that &ldquo;no one is safe from the effects of climate change.&rdquo;
Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/lifestyle-news/health/save-the-planet-save-humanity-tackling-the-climate-change-crisis-1634474790021">Save the Planet; Save humanity: Tackling the climate change crisis</a>

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Australia has stripped a Melbourne man of his citizenship because he fought for the Islamic State group. Australian govt officials said Neil Prakash was in the service of a terrorist organisation and was a very dangerous individual. He is the 12th person to be stripped of Australian citizenship because of militant links, based on a 2007 law. Neil Prakash was a recruiter for the Islamic State in Australia and is currently being held in Turkey.

Chinese scientists have issued a warning about a new type of coronavirus called ‘NeoCov’, which is said to have a high death and transmission rate.
Russian news agency Sputnik reported that scientists from China’s Wuhan, where the Covid-19 virus was first discovered in 2019, have warned of ‘NeoCov’ in South Africa.
Associated with the MERS-CoV virus, the report however states that the ‘NeoCov’ virus is not new and it was discovered in outbreaks in Middle Eastern countries in 2012 and 2015 and is similar to the the SARS-CoV-2, which causes coronavirus in humans.
First found in a bat population in South Africa, the virus has only been known to spread among these animals. According to researchers from Wuhan University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Biophysics, only one mutation is required for the virus to infiltrate human cells.
The research findings stated that the novel coronavirus poses a risk because it binds to the ACE2 receptor differently than the coronavirus pathogen. As a result, neither antibodies nor protein molecules produced by people with respiratory diseases or who have been immunised can protect against NeoCoV.
The Sputnik reported that following a briefing on NeoCoV, experts from the Russian State Virology and Biotechnology Research Center issued a statement on Thursday. The statement noted that the potential risks outlined by Wuhan scientists needed to be studied and probed further.

Wuhan scientists warn of deadlier coronavirus strain NeoCov: all we know so far

Chinese scientists warn about a new coronavirus, NeoCoV
Sputnik: NeoCov&nbsp;not new, first discovered in 2012 and 2015
NeoCov&nbsp;is associated with MERS-CoV&nbsp;and similar to SARS-CoV-2
NeoCoV&nbsp;was first detected in bats in South Africa
&nbsp;

Russian news agency Sputnik reported that scientists from China&rsquo;s Wuhan, where the Covid-19 virus was first discovered in 2019, have warned of &lsquo;NeoCov&rsquo; in South Africa.

Chinese scientists have issued a warning about a new type of coronavirus called &lsquo;NeoCov&rsquo;, which is said to have a high death and transmission rate.
Russian news agency Sputnik reported that scientists from China&rsquo;s Wuhan, where the Covid-19 virus was first discovered in 2019, have warned of &lsquo;NeoCov&rsquo; in South Africa.
Associated with the MERS-CoV virus, the report however states that the &lsquo;NeoCov&rsquo; virus is not new and it was discovered in outbreaks in Middle Eastern countries in 2012 and 2015 and is similar to the SARS-CoV-2, which causes coronavirus in humans.
First found in a bat population in South Africa, the virus has only been known to spread among these animals. According to researchers from Wuhan University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences&rsquo; Institute of Biophysics, only one mutation is required for the virus to infiltrate human cells.
The research findings stated that the novel coronavirus poses a risk because it binds to the ACE2 receptor differently than the coronavirus pathogen. As a result, neither antibodies nor protein molecules produced by people with respiratory diseases or who have been immunised can protect against NeoCoV.
The Sputnik reported that following a briefing on NeoCoV, experts from the Russian State Virology and Biotechnology Research Center issued a statement on Thursday. The statement noted that the potential risks outlined by Wuhan scientists needed to be studied and probed further.

When the coronavirus began spreading around the world, the remote Pacific archipelago of Kiribati closed its borders, ensuring the disease didn't reach its shores for nearly two full years.
Kiribati finally began reopening this month, allowing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to charter a plane to bring home 54 of the island nation's citizens. Many of those aboard were missionaries who had left Kiribati before the border closure to spread the faith abroad for what is commonly known as the Mormon church.
Officials tested each returning passenger three times in nearby Fiji, required that they be vaccinated, and put them in quarantine with additional testing when they arrived home.
It wasn't enough.
More than half the passengers tested positive for the virus, which has now slipped out into the community and prompted the government to declare a state of disaster. An initial 36 positive cases from the flight had ballooned to 181 cases by Friday.
Kiribati and several other small Pacific nations were among the last places on the planet to have avoided any virus outbreaks, thanks to their remote locations and strict border controls. But their defences appear no match against the highly contagious omicron variant.
“Generally speaking, it's inevitable. It will get to every corner of the world,” said Helen Petousis-Harris, a vaccine expert at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. “It's a matter of buying enough time to prepare and getting as many people vaccinated as possible.” Only 33% of Kiribati's 113,000 people are fully vaccinated, while 59% have had at least one dose, according to the online scientific publication Our World in Data. And like many other Pacific nations, Kiribati offers only basic health services.
Dr. Api Talemaitoga, who chairs a network of Indigenous Pacific Island doctors in New Zealand, said Kiribati had only a couple of intensive care beds in the entire nation, and in the past relied on sending its sickest patients to Fiji or New Zealand for treatment.
He said that given the limitations of Kiribati's health system, his first reaction when he heard about the outbreak was, “Oh, my lord.” Kiribati has now opened multiple quarantine sites, declared a curfew and imposed lockdowns. President Taneti Maamau said on social media that the government is using all its resources to manage the situation, and urged people to get vaccinated.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, based in the U.S. state of Utah, has a strong presence in many Pacific nations, including Kiribati, where its 20,000 members make it the third-largest Christian denomination. The church has about 53,000 missionaries serving full time around the world, working to convert people.
The pandemic has presented challenges for their missionary work, which is considered a rite of passage for men as young as 18 and women as young as 19.
As the pandemic ebbed and flowed, the church responded. It recalled about 26,000 missionaries who were serving overseas in June 2020, reassigning them to proselytize online from home before sending some back out into the field five months later.
When COVID-19 vaccines became widely available in many countries in April 2021, church officials encouraged all missionaries to get inoculated and required it of those serving outside their home countries.
Church spokesperson Sam Penrod said the returning missionaries remained in quarantine, were cooperating with local health authorities and would be released from their service upon completion of their quarantine.
“With Kiribati's borders being closed since the onset of the pandemic, many of these individuals have continued as missionaries well beyond their 18 to 24 months of anticipated service, with some serving as long as 44 months,” he said.
Before this month's outbreak, Kiribati had reported just two virus cases: crew members on an incoming cargo ship that ultimately wasn't permitted to dock.
But the Kiribati charter flight wasn't the first time missionaries returning home to a Pacific island nation tested positive for COVID-19.
In October, a missionary returning to Tonga from service in Africa was reported as the country's first — and so far only — positive case after flying home via New Zealand. Like those returning to Kiribati, he also was vaccinated and quarantined.
Tonga is desperately trying to prevent any outbreaks as it recovers from a devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami earlier this month. The nation of 105,000 has been receiving aid from around the world but has requested that crews from incoming military ships and planes drop their supplies and leave without having any contact with those on the ground.
“They've got enough on their hands without compounding it with the spread of COVID,” said Petousis-Harris, the vaccine expert. “Anything they can do to keep it out is going to be important. COVID would be just compounding that disaster.” In the long term, however, it is going to be impossible to stop the virus from entering Tonga or any other community, Petousis-Harris said.
Nearby Samoa, with a population of 205,000, is also trying to prevent its first outbreak. It imposed a lockdown through until Friday evening after 15 passengers on an incoming flight from Australia last week tested positive.
By Thursday, that number had grown to 27, including five front-line nurses who had treated the passengers. Officials said all those infected had been isolated and there was no community outbreak so far.
While the incursion of the virus into the Pacific has prompted lockdowns and other restrictions, there were signs that not all traditional aspects of island life would be lost for long.
“Government has decided to allow fishing,” Kiribati declared on Thursday, while listing certain restrictions on times and places. “Only four people will be allowed to be on a boat or part of a group fishing near shore.” (AP)

Covid-19 hits one of the last uninfected places on the planet: all you need to know

When the coronavirus began spreading around the world, the remote Pacific archipelago of Kiribati closed its borders, ensuring the disease didn't reach its shores for nearly two full years.
Kiribati finally began reopening this month, allowing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to charter a plane to bring home 54 of the island nation's citizens. Many of those aboard were missionaries who had left Kiribati before the border closure to spread the faith abroad for what is commonly known as the Mormon church.
Officials tested each returning passenger three times in nearby Fiji, required that they be vaccinated, and put them in quarantine with additional testing when they arrived home.
It wasn't enough.
More than half the passengers tested positive for the virus, which has now slipped out into the community and prompted the government to declare a state of disaster. An initial 36 positive cases from the flight had ballooned to 181 cases by Friday.
Kiribati and several other small Pacific nations were among the last places on the planet to have avoided any virus outbreaks, thanks to their remote locations and strict border controls. But their defences appear no match against the highly contagious omicron variant.

Officials tested each returning passenger three times in nearby Fiji, required that they be vaccinated, and put them in quarantine with additional testing when they arrived home.

When the coronavirus began spreading around the world, the remote Pacific archipelago of Kiribati closed its borders, ensuring the disease didn't reach its shores for nearly two full years.
Kiribati finally began reopening this month, allowing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to charter a plane to bring home 54 of the island nation's citizens. Many of those aboard were missionaries who had left Kiribati before the border closure to spread the faith abroad for what is commonly known as the Mormon church.
Officials tested each returning passenger three times in nearby Fiji, required that they be vaccinated, and put them in quarantine with additional testing when they arrived home.
It wasn't enough.
More than half the passengers tested positive for the virus, which has now slipped out into the community and prompted the government to declare a state of disaster. An initial 36 positive cases from the flight had ballooned to 181 cases by Friday.
Kiribati and several other small Pacific nations were among the last places on the planet to have avoided any virus outbreaks, thanks to their remote locations and strict border controls. But their defences appear no match against the highly contagious omicron variant.
&ldquo;Generally speaking, it's inevitable. It will get to every corner of the world,&rdquo; said Helen Petousis-Harris, a vaccine expert at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. &ldquo;It's a matter of buying enough time to prepare and getting as many people vaccinated as possible.&rdquo; Only 33% of Kiribati's 113,000 people are fully vaccinated, while 59% have had at least one dose, according to the online scientific publication Our World in Data. And like many other Pacific nations, Kiribati offers only basic health services.
Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/neocov-covid-variant-have-chinese-scientists-just-found-the-deadliest-of-all-strains-1643361860373" target="_blank">NeoCov Covid variant: Have Chinese scientists just found the deadliest of all strains?</a>
Dr. Api Talemaitoga, who chairs a network of Indigenous Pacific Island doctors in New Zealand, said Kiribati had only a couple of intensive care beds in the entire nation, and in the past relied on sending its sickest patients to Fiji or New Zealand for treatment.
He said that given the limitations of Kiribati's health system, his first reaction when he heard about the outbreak was, &ldquo;Oh, my lord.&rdquo; Kiribati has now opened multiple quarantine sites, declared a curfew and imposed lockdowns. President Taneti Maamau said on social media that the government is using all its resources to manage the situation, and urged people to get vaccinated.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, based in the U.S. state of Utah, has a strong presence in many Pacific nations, including Kiribati, where its 20,000 members make it the third-largest Christian denomination. The church has about 53,000 missionaries serving full time around the world, working to convert people.
The pandemic has presented challenges for their missionary work, which is considered a rite of passage for men as young as 18 and women as young as 19.
As the pandemic ebbed and flowed, the church responded. It recalled about 26,000 missionaries who were serving overseas in June 2020, reassigning them to proselytize online from home before sending some back out into the field five months later.
When COVID-19 vaccines became widely available in many countries in April 2021, church officials encouraged all missionaries to get inoculated and required it of those serving outside their home countries.
Church spokesperson Sam Penrod said the returning missionaries remained in quarantine, were cooperating with local health authorities and would be released from their service upon completion of their quarantine.
&ldquo;With Kiribati's borders being closed since the onset of the pandemic, many of these individuals have continued as missionaries well beyond their 18 to 24 months of anticipated service, with some serving as long as 44 months,&rdquo; he said.
Before this month's outbreak, Kiribati had reported just two virus cases: crew members on an incoming cargo ship that ultimately wasn't permitted to dock.
But the Kiribati charter flight wasn't the first time missionaries returning home to a Pacific island nation tested positive for COVID-19.
In October, a missionary returning to Tonga from service in Africa was reported as the country's first &mdash; and so far only &mdash; positive case after flying home via New Zealand. Like those returning to Kiribati, he also was vaccinated and quarantined.
Tonga is desperately trying to prevent any outbreaks as it recovers from a devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami earlier this month. The nation of 105,000 has been receiving aid from around the world but has requested that crews from incoming military ships and planes drop their supplies and leave without having any contact with those on the ground.
&ldquo;They've got enough on their hands without compounding it with the spread of COVID,&rdquo; said Petousis-Harris, the vaccine expert. &ldquo;Anything they can do to keep it out is going to be important. COVID would be just compounding that disaster.&rdquo; In the long term, however, it is going to be impossible to stop the virus from entering Tonga or any other community, Petousis-Harris said.
Nearby Samoa, with a population of 205,000, is also trying to prevent its first outbreak. It imposed a lockdown through until Friday evening after 15 passengers on an incoming flight from Australia last week tested positive.
By Thursday, that number had grown to 27, including five front-line nurses who had treated the passengers. Officials said all those infected had been isolated and there was no community outbreak so far.
While the incursion of the virus into the Pacific has prompted lockdowns and other restrictions, there were signs that not all traditional aspects of island life would be lost for long.
&ldquo;Government has decided to allow fishing,&rdquo; Kiribati declared on Thursday, while listing certain restrictions on times and places. &ldquo;Only four people will be allowed to be on a boat or part of a group fishing near shore.&rdquo; (AP)

Even as the world is grappling with the Omicron variant of Coronavirus, there may be new, even more dangerous strain on the prowl.
Scientists in China have warned about a new strain of coronavirus, NeoCov, related to the Middle East respiratory syndrome MERS-coronavirus.
According to the researchers, NeoCoV carries with it the potentially combined high mortality rate of MERS-CoV and the high transmission rate of the current coronavirus. MERS-CoV has a mortality rate of 33%, making it very deadly.
The researchers have further warned that the current Covid-19 vaccinations are inadequate to protect humans from any eventuality of the infections caused by these viruses.
The research paper published in the bioRxiv website, has not yet been peer-reviewed and has been released in preprint.
The NeoCoV virus has been previously linked with outbreaks in the Middle East 2012 and 2015.
It is quite similar to Covid-19 causing coronavirus in many ways. NeoCoV was found in a population of bats in South Africa and has spread exclusively among these animals.

NeoCov Covid variant: Have Chinese scientists just found the deadliest of all strains?

NeoCov Covid variant: Have Chinese scientists just found the deadliest of all strains? Here's what we know so far

Chinese scientists&nbsp;want against the most dangerous Covid&nbsp;variant
Researchers:&nbsp;NeoCov strain&nbsp;related to MERS-coronavirus
High mortality rate of MERS-CoV &amp; transmission of current coronavirus
Researchers says current Covid-19 vaccinations may be inadequate

Scientists in China have warned about a new strain of coronavirus, NeoCov, related to the Middle East respiratory syndrome MERS-coronavirus

Even as the world is grappling with the Omicron variant of Coronavirus, there may be new, even more dangerous strain on the prowl.
Scientists in China have warned about a new strain of coronavirus, NeoCov, related to the Middle East respiratory syndrome MERS-coronavirus.
According to the researchers, NeoCoV carries with it the potentially combined high mortality rate of MERS-CoV and the high transmission rate of the current coronavirus. MERS-CoV has a mortality rate of 33%, making it very deadly.
The researchers have further warned that the current Covid-19 vaccinations are inadequate to protect humans from any eventuality of the infections caused by these viruses.
The research paper published in the bioRxiv website, has not yet been peer-reviewed and has been released in preprint.
The NeoCoV virus has been previously linked with outbreaks in the Middle East 2012 and 2015.
Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/covid-19-hits-one-of-the-last-uninfected-places-on-the-planet-all-you-need-to-know-1643369611753">Covid-19 hits one of the last uninfected places on the planet: all you need to know</a>
It is quite similar to Covid-19 causing coronavirus in many ways. NeoCoV was found in a population of bats in South Africa and has spread exclusively among these animals.

Officials in Canada have confirmed the identities of four Indian nationals whose bodies were found frozen in Manitoba near the Canada-U. S. border last week.
Authorities say the four who died were Jagdish Baldevbhai Patel, a 39-year-old man, Vaishaliben Jagdishkumar Patel, a 37-year-old woman, Vihangi Jagdishkumar Patel, an 11-year-old girl, and Dharmik Jagdishkumar Patel, a three-year-old boy.
Investigators believe the family of four was attempting to cross over the border by foot on Jan. 19 during severe winter weather and died from exposure.
A special team, led by a senior consular officer from the Consulate General of India, is in Manitoba to help with investigations on the Canadian side and to offer services for the victims.
Manitoba Royal Canadian Mounted Police found the four bodies near Emerson, Manitoba, after U.S. border patrol agents advised them they had picked up a group of Indian nationals on the U.S. side.
One of the individuals was found with a backpack full of items for an infant. He told investigators he was carrying the backpack for a group that got separated from his.
Investigators have said they believe the deaths are linked to a human smuggling scheme.
Canadian authorities are seeking help with their investigation from any Canadians who interacted with the family after they arrived in Toronto and journeyed to Manitoba.
Steve Shand of Deltona, Florida, faces counts of transporting or attempting to transport illegal aliens. He was released on bail Monday.
He has not been charged in the deaths.
  
When Shand was arrested, he was driving a 15-passenger van with two of the Indian nationals inside.
One of the five migrants who walked across the border told authorities they expected to be picked up by someone in the U.S.
He said they had been walking for more than 11 hours. Two of the five were hospitalized for injuries from exposure to the cold.
Federal authorities in the U.S. suspect that the case is linked to a larger smuggling operation along the Canadian border.

Indian family who died trying to cross into US identified

The four Indians whose bodies were found frozen in Manitoba near the Canada-U.S. border last week have been identified. ((PUT A FULL FRAME GFX&nbsp;HERE- MAKE ON CANVA&nbsp;OR INVIDEO--&nbsp;
KEEP THE PHOTO OF 4 IN THE BACKDROP
HEADER- 4 Indians who froze to death
39-year-old Baldevbhai Patel 39-year-old&nbsp;Vaishaliben&nbsp;Patel 11-year-old Vihangi Patel 3-year-old&nbsp;Dharmik Patel&nbsp;))
Canadian authorities say the four who died were Jagdish Baldevbhai Patel, a 39-year-old man, Vaishaliben Jagdishkumar Patel, a 37-year-old woman, Vihangi Jagdishkumar Patel, an 11-year-old girl, and Dharmik Jagdishkumar Patel, a three-year-old boy. Investigators believe the family of four was attempting to cross over the border by foot on Jan. 19 during severe winter weather and died from exposure.
A special team, led by a senior consular officer from the Consulate General of India, is in Manitoba to help with investigations on the Canadian side and to offer services for the victims.
Police found the four bodies near Emerson after U.S. border patrol agents advised them they had picked up a group of Indian nationals on the U.S. side.
One of the individuals was found with a backpack full of items for an infant. He told investigators he was carrying the backpack for a group that got separated from his.
Investigators have said they believe the deaths are linked to a human smuggling scheme.
Canadian authorities are seeking help with their investigation from any Canadians who interacted with the family after they arrived in Toronto and journeyed to Manitoba.
A American national Steve Shand faces counts of transporting or attempting to transport illegal aliens. He was released on bail Monday. He has not been charged in the deaths.
When Shand was arrested, he was driving a 15-passenger van with two of the Indian nationals inside.
&nbsp;

One of the five migrants who walked across the border told authorities they expected to be picked up by someone in the U.S.

Officials in Canada have confirmed the identities of four Indian nationals whose bodies were found frozen in Manitoba near the Canada-U. S. border last week.
Authorities say the four who died were Jagdish Baldevbhai Patel, a 39-year-old man, Vaishaliben Jagdishkumar Patel, a 37-year-old woman, Vihangi Jagdishkumar Patel, an 11-year-old girl, and Dharmik Jagdishkumar Patel, a three-year-old boy.
Investigators believe the family of four was attempting to cross over the border by foot on Jan. 19 during severe winter weather and died from exposure.
A special team, led by a senior consular officer from the Consulate General of India, is in Manitoba to help with investigations on the Canadian side and to offer services for the victims.
Manitoba Royal Canadian Mounted Police found the four bodies near Emerson, Manitoba, after U.S. border patrol agents advised them they had picked up a group of Indian nationals on the U.S. side.
One of the individuals was found with a backpack full of items for an infant. He told investigators he was carrying the backpack for a group that got separated from his.
Investigators have said they believe the deaths are linked to a human smuggling scheme.
Canadian authorities are seeking help with their investigation from any Canadians who interacted with the family after they arrived in Toronto and journeyed to Manitoba.
Steve Shand of Deltona, Florida, faces counts of transporting or attempting to transport illegal aliens. He was released on bail Monday.
He has not been charged in the deaths.
Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/indian-family-s-death-in-canada-arrested-us-man-released-without-paying-bond-1643109444346" target="_blank">Indian family's death in Canada: Arrested US man released without paying bond</a>
When Shand was arrested, he was driving a 15-passenger van with two of the Indian nationals inside.
One of the five migrants who walked across the border told authorities they expected to be picked up by someone in the U.S.
He said they had been walking for more than 11 hours. Two of the five were hospitalized for injuries from exposure to the cold.
Federal authorities in the U.S. suspect that the case is linked to a larger smuggling operation along the Canadian border.

Russia selling S-400 missile defense system to India "shines a spotlight on the destabilising role" that Moscow is playing in the region and potentially beyond as well, the United States has said.
The US continues to have its concerns over India purchasing the multi-billion missile defense system from Russia. India has asserted that its decisions are based on its national interest to protect its national security.
“Well in many ways, this doesn't change the concerns that we have with the S-400 system. I think it shines a spotlight on the destabilising role that Russia is playing not only in the region but potentially beyond as well,” State Department Spokesperson Ned Price told reporters on Thursday at his daily news conference.
“When it comes to CAATSA sanctions, you've heard me say before, we haven't made a determination with regard to this transaction, but it's something we continue to discuss with the government of India given the risk of sanctions for this particular transaction under CAATSA,” he said.
Price was responding to a question on implications of the Russian S-400 system to India on its bilateral ties with New Delhi given the unprecedented tension it is having with Moscow on what it calls an imminent Ukrainian invasion.
Despite strong objections from the US and threat of sanctions from the Biden Administration, India has refused to make any changes in its decision and is going ahead with the purchase of the missile defense system.
“Whether it is India, whether it is any other country, we continue to urge all countries to avoid major new transactions for Russian weapon systems,” Price said.
The Biden Administration, so far, has not taken any decision on CAATSA sanctions. “I don't have a timeline to offer, but these are issues that we continue to discuss with our partners in India,” Price said.

S-400 to India shows destabilising role that Russia is playing: US

The US continues to have its concerns over India purchasing the multi-billion missile defense system from Russia. The Joe Biden&nbsp;administration has said that&nbsp;Russia selling S-400 missile defense system to India "shines a spotlight on the destabilising role" that Moscow is playing in the region and potentially beyond as well.
State Department Spokesperson Ned Price told reporters on Thursday at his daily news conference.
&ldquo;When it comes to CAATSA sanctions, you've heard me say before, we haven't made a determination with regard to this transaction, but it's something we continue to discuss with the government of India given the risk of sanctions for this particular transaction under CAATSA-- SOT
Price was responding to a question on implications of the Russian S-400 system to India on its bilateral ties with New Delhi given the unprecedented tension it is having with Moscow on what it calls an imminent Ukrainian invasion.
Despite strong objections from the US and threat of sanctions from the Biden Administration, India has refused to make any changes in its decision and is going ahead with the purchase of the missile defense system.
&nbsp;

Price was responding to a question on implications of the Russian S-400 system to India on its bilateral ties with New Delhi

Russia selling S-400 missile defense system to India "shines a spotlight on the destabilising role" that Moscow is playing in the region and potentially beyond as well, the United States has said.
The US continues to have its concerns over India purchasing the multi-billion missile defense system from Russia. India has asserted that its decisions are based on its national interest to protect its national security.
&ldquo;Well in many ways, this doesn't change the concerns that we have with the S-400 system. I think it shines a spotlight on the destabilising role that Russia is playing not only in the region but potentially beyond as well,&rdquo; State Department Spokesperson Ned Price told reporters on Thursday at his daily news conference.
Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/very-heavy-price-biden-s-latest-warning-to-putin-over-ukraine-1642737235936" target="_blank">'Very heavy price': Biden's latest warning to Putin over Ukraine</a>
&ldquo;When it comes to CAATSA sanctions, you've heard me say before, we haven't made a determination with regard to this transaction, but it's something we continue to discuss with the government of India given the risk of sanctions for this particular transaction under CAATSA,&rdquo; he said.
Price was responding to a question on implications of the Russian S-400 system to India on its bilateral ties with New Delhi given the unprecedented tension it is having with Moscow on what it calls an imminent Ukrainian invasion.
Despite strong objections from the US and threat of sanctions from the Biden Administration, India has refused to make any changes in its decision and is going ahead with the purchase of the missile defense system.
&ldquo;Whether it is India, whether it is any other country, we continue to urge all countries to avoid major new transactions for Russian weapon systems,&rdquo; Price said.
The Biden Administration, so far, has not taken any decision on CAATSA sanctions. &ldquo;I don't have a timeline to offer, but these are issues that we continue to discuss with our partners in India,&rdquo; Price said.

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