GIFF JOHNSONThree new Covid cases among the 27 Marshallese in managed quarantine at Kwajalein were confirmed by testing November 15.President David Kabua, following a Cabinet meeting with a briefing on the development by National Disaster Committee (NDC) officials, took to V7AB Tuesday late afternoon to announce the news. To reassure the public, the President said […]
GIFF JOHNSON A completed suicide and several follow on attempted suicides this month on Ebeye underline ongoing mental health issues and needs in communities in the Marshall Islands. The visit last week to Ebeye by Majuro-based mental health program staff working for the Ministry of Health and local NGOs generated wide community engagement on the […]
A big turnout of people, replete with creative handicraft-style hats and snazzy outfits, highlighted last week’s Third Annual Breast Cancer Pink Tea Party held at RRE’s Tide Table. Over 100 people packed into the restaurant for the breast cancer awareness program that included music, dancing, speeches, door prizes, a photo booth and high spirits. WUTMI […]
GIFF JOHNSONThe five Micronesian leaders have drawn a line in the sand over their support of the nomination of Marshall Islands Ambassador Gerald Zackios to head the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. Palau and the FSM have taken the lead, saying if the Forum does not support the Micronesia area nominee, they will consider pulling out […]
GIFF JOHNSON An emergency medical situation the first week of September involving a patient from Mili Atoll with dengue fever has increased concern at the Ministry of Health and Human Services about a possible resurgence of the illness on the outer islands — in line with an uptick of cases in Majuro in recent weeks. […]
GIFF JOHNSON A live-streamed concert from the Marshall Islands Saturday featured top bands in the Marshall Islands and Solomon Islands star Rosie Delmah joining to uplift spirits of Marshall Islanders devastated by coronavirus in the United States. At Friday’s Nitijela (parliament) session, Foreign Minister Casten Nemra delivered a somber report on the impact of Covid-19 […]
GIFF JOHNSON Cocaine packages on the beach. An incursion by a foreign yacht related to possible drug activity. A bloody trail leading into the island. This information — or something close to this — rolled into Majuro law enforcement authorities from Tobal, Aur on August 12. MIPD quickly put together its Sea Patrol crew, pulled […]
GIFF JOHNSON Thinking outside the box is second nature to Six9Too Productions head honcho Daniel Kramer. Concern about coronavirus forced cancellation of Kramer’s much-anticipated spring break and summer concerts. But there are always opportunities and Kramer is gearing for a big, live-streamed concert aimed primarily at Marshallese living in the United States. Kramer sees it […]
GIFF JOHNSON The polio epidemic in the Marshall Islands 57 years ago offers a cautionary note in today’s coronavirus world. A total of 194 Marshallese and two Americans experienced some level of paralysis and 11 Marshallese died on 10 of 22 populated atolls. The polio epidemic here happened eight years after a vaccine for the […]
GIFF JOHNSON Leaders of nuclear test-affected atolls described their first meeting as a group with US Ambassador Roxanne Cabral late last week as “productive and positive.” Coupled with a meeting the nuclear atolls had with President David Kabua earlier last week, they feel there is momentum building for dignified solution to the US nuclear weapons […]
