A Radio New Zealand podcast that took a deep dive into the 1985 resettlement of the nuclear test-affected Rongelap Islanders by the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior this week won its second major award in less than two weeks. The Last Voyage of the Rainbow Warrior, a co-production between Radio New Zealand and the Australian Broadcasting […]
GIFF JOHNSON As the first Extraordinary Needs Distribution payment for 11 atolls and islands looms next month, Nitijela is considering legislation that would make all 24 local government jurisdictions eligible for END payments. Bill No. 56 is titled the “Ejjelok Ad Act 2025” and aims to expand the definition of the END program under the […]
The Majuro-based tuna supply company Pacific Island Tuna presented $100,000 to the Arno community late last month to support implementation of Arno Atoll’s Management Plan to strengthen local coastal conservation. A check handover ceremony was held at the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority conference room bringing together national and local leaders. These included Minister Tony […]
Republic of China (Taiwan) Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Hank Liu presented a check for $2 million to Foreign Minister Kalani Kaneko at Minister’s office on September 4. The $2 million is for the Climate Change Transitional Fund to support efforts of the RMI to tackle climate change. The transitional fund is supported by from the Taiwan […]
A major upgrade to four points of entry into the Marshall Islands has been accomplished, strengthening preparedness against infectious diseases. The initiative supported by the government of Japan and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) partnered with multiple RMI agencies to provide substantial improvements at four main entry points: Amata Kabua International Airport, Ebeye Seaport, […]
GIFF JOHNSON There is a striking development in regards to the fire that destroyed the Nitijela. In the Executive Order declaring a state of disaster issued by Acting President Kalani Kaneko on August 28, two days after the fire, among a list of action directives to government ministries and agencies was the directive to Marshall […]
GIFF JOHNSON Canvasback Missions combined eye and dental team provided services to several hundred Ebeye residents during a six-day visit last month. Canvasback’s visit was the first it has made to Ebeye since 2019, prior to Covid and border closures preventing their teams from entering for about three years. Demonstrating high demand and need for […]
GIFF JOHNSON After two years of discussion, arguments and debates, two major funding streams under the Compact of Free Association have been approved for distribution later this year. The US-RMI Trust Fund Committee has endorsed releasing $27.7 million for the Individual Support Distribution (otherwise known as the Enra program) and $19.9 million for the Extraordinary […]
GIFF JOHNSON The day after last week Tuesday’s fire consumed Nitijela, parliament staff were already setting up the ICC conference hall as a temporary Nitijela meeting space. Monday this week, the Appropriations Committee, with Chairman Jack Ading at the helm, completed the final series of FY2026 budget hearings from the ICC meeting location. Nitijela staff […]
GIFF JOHNSON Tuesday morning, while the fire still burned at Nitijela, the RMI Cabinet held an emergency meeting at the MIMRA headquarters conference room to discuss its response. By mid-afternoon, President Hilda Heine had issued a short statement posted to the President’s Office Facebook page describing the situation and the government’s next steps. President Heine […]
