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By Bernadette H. Carreon

KOROR (Palau Horizon, Jan. 3) - The number of gastroenteritis cases has reached a record high of 443 as of December 27, according to the Ministry of Health.

The number of cases included five tourists; it is not clear however whether they were ill upon their arrival or contracted the disease on the island.

The ministry said that the major concern now is more than just a health issue and that it can potentially become an economic issue if it is not contained.

The ministry further added that while they continue to monitor the number of cases that present themselves at the hospital and the dispensaries, these cases represent only about 10 percent of the actual number of persons that may be potentially infected.

Even with the low of reported cases, the illness has affected the entire island. The Belau National Hospital has in fact taken measures to cordon off the pediatric section of the medical ward for patients, both young...

By Liberty Dones

SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, Jan. 3) - For the first time, a direct chartered flight from Russia landed on Saipan yesterday, bringing in 130 tourists, many of whom are families and couples.

"We are very, very excited about this Russia charter flight. I hope this is the beginning of more charter flights. Russia is one of the five key markets that we identified in our five-year plan," said MVA chair Jerry Tan yesterday.

Originating from Khabarovsk in the Russian Far East, the Russian tourists arrived yesterday on Saipan at past 1pm via Dal Avia airline.

Marianas Visitors Authority marketing director Wayne Pangelinan, who led the welcoming delegation at the airport, said that most of the visitors are staying on Saipan for 14 days.

"There's so much potential in this market. When they travel, they stay longer [than other groups]," said Pangelinan.

Kwang Joong Kim, Asiana Airlines general manager on Saipan, joined in welcoming...

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (SIBC, Jan. 3) - The Director of the Solomon Islands National Museum, Mr. Lawrence Foanaota, says that for the first time, ancient pieces of pottery have recently been found in the Sepi area of Bugotu in Isabel Province.

He says the pieces of pottery were found during a preliminary fieldwork relating to archaeology, anthropology and history.

[PIR editor’s note: The island of Santa Isabel is located north of Guadalcanal and west of Malaita in the Solomon Islands.]

Foanaota says the trip was part of a planned three-year program on Isabel to try to establish the historical links Isabel may have with neighboring islands of Choiseul, Western, Guadalcanal and Malaita.

"My two colleagues, Dr. David Rowe from James Cook University and Field Archaeologist from the National Museum and Mr. Lawrence Kiko, went out to do surveys, in caves," Foanaota said. "On the...

By Mar-Vic Cagurangan

SAIPAN, CNMI (Mariana Variety, Jan 3) - Guam may have missed its chance to achieve commonwealth status, but local leaders thought it fitting to pay tribute and remember the late President Gerald Ford for supporting self-rule for Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Governor Felix P. Camacho and Lieutenant Governor Mike Cruz this morning will host a memorial service at Saint John’s Episcopal Church in Upper Tumon in honor of the 38th United States president, who died last week at the age of 93.

His remains were laid to rest Wednesday at the Gerald Ford Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The 28th Legislature last week capped its session by adopting Resolution 208 commending Ford "for his historic, but long-secret decision to negotiate commonwealth status with Guam leaders."

Ford served in Congress for 25 years before being appointed vice president by then President Richard Nixon in 1973. Nixon resigned in...