Nitijela’s recent passage of “Bill No. 6” ignited a barrage of criticism and complaint from many Marshallese resident outside the Marshall Islands, objections delivered mainly on social media — and generated a rare intervention from the Council of Iroij. The bill, approved 13-12, eliminates postal absentee voting by offshore Marshallese. Last week, Speaker Kenneth Kedi […]
Speaker Kenneth Kedi was joined by Clerk Morean Watak in signing four bills into law earlier this week at Nitijela. The Speaker highlighted the significance of Bill 16 to raise the minimum wage becoming law with the signing. This is the first time since 1999 that minimum wage in the RMI has been increased by […]
ISAAC MARTY The first Indian Navy vessel to visit the Marshall Islands, INS Satpura, was here August 13-15 on a goodwill tour. A welcoming ceremony was held Saturday at the Delap Dock. Minister in Assistance Mattlan Zackhras headed the ceremony and tour of the P-17 Class stealth frigate. “The visit signifies the importance of strengthening […]
President Hilda Heine delivered a detailed action agenda at Monday’s Nitijela opening based on her call to improve government service to the public — as well as encouraging service by people to their country. The President’s talk also included delivery for the first time of a legislative agenda, highlighting 10 amendments or new bills that will […]
Ambassador-designate Gerald Zackios was officially sworn-in Monday as RMI’s ambassador to the United States. The oath of office, administered by Chief Justice Carl Ingram, took place following the recent acceptance of Ambassador-designate’s Agrément by the United States. The nomination of Zackios was approved by the Nitijela during its first Constitutional Regular Session this year. Witnessing […]
HILARY HOSIA Turning down a high school trip to Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia is not something eight teens from Ebeye’s Seventh Day Adventist senior class took well. Or so they thought. Traditionally, SDA seniors travel to the FSM capital city as a right of passage before graduation. However, slight changes in their […]
The Nitijela held a five-day induction seminar last week that Speaker Kenneth Kedi said was “a platform” for Nitijela members to “contribute to the national dialog on key development issues and sustainable development for the Marshall Islands.” The program was co-sponsored by the Pacific Community, United Nations Development Program, UN Women’s Program, UN Human Rights, […]
The new members of the President Hilda Heine’s Cabinet took the oath of office Monday during a swearing-in ceremony administered by District Court Presiding Judge Milton Zackios at the International Conference Center. The ceremony took place following President Heine’s submission of nominations to Speaker Kenneth Kedi for appointment as Ministers of the Cabinet, pursuant to […]
ISAAC MARTY The resumption of Nitijela’s 37th Constitutional Regular Session Monday was cut short due to the introduction of a Vote of No Confidence (VONC) motion presented by opposition senators. Ebon Senator John Silk introduced the motion. The VONC document was pre-filed last week Thursday, which prompted Speaker Kenneth Kedi to recall Nitijela to receive […]
