GIFF JOHNSON As the dust settles on the Micronesian Games, and athletes revel in their medals or hope for better performances next time, there is one overriding sense from this 10-island competition: Island athletes, coaches and officials were happy to get back into this sub-regional competition after a Covid-extended six-year break since the last Games […]
GIFF JOHNSON The Micronesian Games kicked off in Majuro Saturday June 15 with a gala celebration that featured sports delegations from the 10 islands in the sub-region parading in uniform with flags and banners along a newly opened track field, a rarely performed traditional stick dance of the Marshall Islands, a Marshall Islands flag dance, and […]
Wesley Simina of Chuuk State is the new president of the Federated States of Micronesia. He was elected by the FSM Congress at its first meeting last week following the national election in March. Joining him in the executive branch is Vice President Aren Palik of Kosrae, who continues on from a term started two […]
HILARY HOSIA The countdown for the Micronesian Games officially kicked off Tuesday following the Micronesian Games Council’s (MGC)’s visit to Nitijela. The MGC officials were introduced and recognized during the Nitijela session prior to the showcasing of the countdown platform that was blessed by United Church of Christ Pastor Tim Mea. The platform, which displays […]
“It feels so good to be connected again.” This was the sentiment at Majuro airport on Sunday evening as the first regular flight from Brisbane arrived following opening of the borders last month. Passengers landed with big smiles as they were greeted with warm Marshallese hospitality. In partnership with Nauru Airlines, the Australian government is […]
GIFF JOHNSON With the border opening looming, there is more talk in the community about the arrival of Covid in RMI. There are more questions than answers: Are we ready, will there be lockdowns, will schools be closed? Neighboring FSM opened its borders officially Monday this week — but Covid slipped into Pohnpei and Kosrae […]
GIFF JOHNSON Nearly three years after the first in-person preliminary discussions were held between the US and the Marshall Islands for a third funding agreement in the Compact, negotiations resumed again this week with a two-day meeting at Kwajalein. The negotiations stalled after these first discussions were held in Pohnpei between President Trump’s Secretary of […]
KAREN EARNSHAW The first group of people to be repatriated to the Federated States of Micronesia since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic arrived in Pohnpei from Guam on May 13 and 14.Forty-two FSM citizens were on board the two humanitarian flights conducted by the US Coast Guard and funded by the US government. The […]
GIFF JOHNSON Pohnpei strengthened its ban on incoming travelers Saturday in the face of the escalating spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus in the region. Pohnpei Governor Reed Oliver issued an amended emergency order March 21 the same day as Pohnpei health authorities announced the second “person under investigation” (PUI) for Covid-19. The island, which hosts […]
Despite the ban on travel to outer islands being ended, the dengue problem continues to hit Majuro hard. The number of cases are piling up, with over 20 new suspected and confirmed cases seen at Majuro hospital on several days over the past week. The RMI is nearing 2,000 dengue cases. Ebeye has not reported […]
