The roof support structure has been going up on the Nitijela building since last week. The prefabricated roof, which arrived from the US by ship earlier this month, will be installed by the PII construction crews as soon as the roof support beams are all in place. Construction is under immense time constraints with Pacific […]
Two months after President Hilda Heine joined with the presidents of Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia to urge the US government to exempt freely associated state citizens from a new US directive limiting issuance of commercial drivers licenses, the US government last last week issued the exemption. This outcome was the result of […]
GIFF JOHNSON The May distribution of Enra funds will happen next week, according to the Marshall Islands Social Security Administration, which handles the quarterly payments. The bigger news is that next week’s payment will be larger than the March distribution due to President Hilda Heine’s advocacy to increase money going out to citizens during a […]
Journal 5/13/1983 P1 Sanjuan attacks RepMar loansPedro Sanjuan, assistant secretary of Interior for territorial and international affairs, had harsh words Monday this week for financial management in the US and Trust Territory. “With few notable exceptions, the financial picture in the territories is bleak,” he said.”The Marshalls and Palau have proven they are not prepared […]
GIFF JOHNSON Media freedom in the Pacific Islands was celebrated in Majuro May 9 with the showcasing of over a dozen short films entered in the “My Pacific Story” competition and the awarding of prize money to the winners. Sponsored by the Marshall Islands-based non-profit, Pacific Media Institute, films entered in the contest were a […]
GIFF JOHNSON There are policies and procedures in place that in theory offer victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and sexual harassment an opportunity to address these problems. But the actual implementation is often where we find women left confused, angry and unhappy at the responses received, delays in action by authorities, or simply the […]
Two and a half months ago, the cost of diesel was about $6.70 a gallon at the Mobil-supplied fuel stations in Majuro. This week, it jumped again to a new record of $10.75 per gallon. That’s a four dollar difference per gallon — on its way to nearly doubling —that the Ministry of Education has […]
National and local leaders gathered last week for the first RMI National Security and Substance/Drug Summit, aimed at strengthening coordination to address the growing threat of illicit drugs and broader national security challenges. Hosted by the Office of National Security (ONS), the summit brought together mayors from across the outer atolls, members of the Council […]
Journal 5/6/1983 P1 Washington talks held to try to reach an agreement for settlement of nuclear claimsActive negotiations are underway in Washington, DC to reach an agreement to settle the nuclear claims against the US by Marshallese citizens, Attorney General Carl Ingram reported May 5 in a phone conversation. Ingram said he remains “cautiously optimistic” […]
Once again, the Marshall Islands is the highest ranked country in the Pacific for media freedom and democracy, according to the annual Freedom in the World Ranking by Freedom House. The RMI received a score of 93 out of 100, which was tied only by Tuvalu. The two other freely associated states, Palau and the […]
