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Population susceptible to type-4 strain

PAPEETE, Tahiti (Tahitipresse, July 2, 2009) – Health officials announced in Papeete that 1,760 dengue fever cases have been reported in French Polynesia over the last months.

All these cases have been confirmed by Tahitian laboratories since the beginning of the epidemic last February.

The type-4 dengue fever is now the only kind of dengue fever prevailing in French Polynesia.

Out of these 1,760 cases, only 29 were to sent to a hospital for a medical treatment.

The type-4 dengue fever mostly affects young persons. About 50% of the cases are persons aged between 10 and 19.

Health officials also stressed the fact that the dengue fever now affects the five archipelagoes of French Polynesia.

The type-4 dengue fever has not reached French Polynesia since the early 80's. This explains why so many inhabitants are susceptible to catching this dengue strain.

A dengue epidemic caused the death of...

Plans to tap federal ‘economic stimulus’ money

By Moneth Deposa

SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, July 3, 2009) - The Northern Marianas College intends to use the bulk of its US$3.9 million share of the stimulus funds from the federal government to hire people for 18 positions that have been deemed critical to its accreditation.

NMC, in a document submitted to the U.S. Department of Education, said that positions that could not be filled because of budgetary constraints will be hired through the stimulus money.

The college wants to fill 18 positions in fiscal years 2010 and 2011, costing a total of US$815,512 in salaries and benefits for each fiscal year, or US$1.6 million in two years. NMC is entitled to use the stimulus money across a three-year period from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2011.

These posts include assistant director for the School of Education, natural resources management program coordinator/instructor, English instructor,...

Allegedly forged name on government check

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Times, July 2, 2009) -Officers with the Royal Solomon Island Police National Investigations Unit (NIU) have charged a 54 year old former politician from Isabel with fraud.

It is alleged the man, a former Provincial member [of parliament] for the Kolotubi Ward in Isabel Province, got hold of a cheque that was made out to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Provincial Government, and changed the payment details to gain personal advantage.

The 54 year old man was believed to have forged and cashed the SIG ANZ cheque on the 20 February 2008.

Following investigations of the incident, Police arrested the man on the 24th of June 2009 and charged him with one count of forgery contrary to section 336 (1) (a) and false pretence contrary to section 308 (a) of the Pena Code.

Forgery holds a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and five years imprisonment for false pretence....

FIJI’S RECORD FUEL BILL TOPS $1.2 BILLON Represents 18 percent of country’s GDP

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, July 5, 2009) – Fiji recorded its highest fuel bill in history last year, according to latest data from the Fiji Islands Bureau of Statistics.

Provisional estimates showed that Fiji imported $1.25 billion worth of mineral products, under which are categorized fuel products like industrial diesel oil, motor oil and aviation turbine fuel.

That reflects the cost of powering Fiji’s economy and translates to around 18 percent of Gross Domestic Product, taking into account the government’s GDP estimate of $6.9 billion last year.

FBIOS figures also reveal that costs of fuel imports only passed the $1 billion mark twice – once in 2006, with a bill of $1.04 billion and last year, with $1.25 billion.

Last year’s $1.25 billion was 34.7 percent of the total import bill and 85 percent of total export earnings.

This scenario has been a subject of concern...