GIFF JOHNSON Another extremely low-turnout vote for an important election was the highlight of Friday’s election for an upcoming constitutional convention. There were virtually no lines at any polling station in Majuro during the morning Friday. And it did not pick up appreciably in the afternoon. This was a sign of the low-voter interest in […]
The World Bank announced Tuesday this week that it has approved an additional $9 million in financing to help the Marshall Islands respond to sharply higher energy costs that are placing pressure on families, businesses, public services, and the national budget. The assistance provides immediate budget support through an existing Marshall Islands Development Policy Operation. […]
GIFF JOHNSON President Hilda Heine on Tuesday this week signed an executive order declaring a “state of emergency for Ebeye,” enabling a fast track RMI government response to last Saturday’s devastating fire on Ebeye. The fire left over 100 homeless and destroyed two major businesses on the island. As it did in the wake of […]
GIFF JOHNSON As Air Marshall Islands new Cessna SkyCourier goes into regular service soon, it will be limited by one major factor: The lack of paved runways on the outer islands. It will be able to service Kwajalein, of course, and Jaluit and likely Wotje. But until more runways are paved, the plane’s service will […]
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 […]
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 The first of two new American-made aircraft — the Cessna SkyCourier — arrived last Thursday and was officially blessed at the AMI hangar Monday morning. The plane was hailed as a model of cooperation among the Marshall Islands, Taiwan and the United States. “For many, this may look like just an aircraft,” said […]
The second Enra quarterly distribution has reportedly been pushed back to the end of March — both to complete the registration process for several thousand new applicants and to vet them for actual residence in the RMI. As the Enra — or universal basic income program — is only for citizens living in RMI, a […]
President Hilda C. Heine and First Gentleman Thomas Kijiner, Jr. departed with a delegation to Australia this past Saturday. The President and her delegation is making an official visit to Australia, her first since taking office two years ago. She met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Monday this week. During the visit, President Heine […]
The Nitijela was briefed last Friday on the new RMI digital currency, known as USDM1. President Hilda Heine, in her state of the nation address to Nitijela at the January 5 opening of Nitijela, spoke about the USDM1 launch and potential benefits. Jeremy Coffey, a USDM1 representative, led the briefing. The digital currency, which is […]
