Friday, January 9, 2009
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E-mail: |
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Phone: |
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Fax:
(692) 625-3136 |
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Mail:
PO Box 14 Majuro, MH 96960 Marshall Islands |
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In Person:
On the ocean road behind Formosa in Uliga, Majuro |
| AG charges Masulit with Samson killing Jason Masulit was charged just before the New Year with first-degree murder for allegedly killing Lania Samson on Christmas day in Small Island. Chief Justice Carl Ingram denied bail to Masulit at a hearing last week, saying he was a threat to the community. He set a preliminary hearing for this Friday. Outer island crops an issue after high waves RMI Disaster office representatives hope to get out to more outer islands to check damage from December high waves that hit many islands, including Majuro and Ebeye.Total damage so far identified amounts to about $1.5 million, most of that being from the College of the Marshall Islands, said Chief Secretary Casten Nemra. “Food crops are a big concern,” he said. He added: “This week, we’ll shift focus to the northern islands, providing support of basic food and assessing the extent of the damage.” Nitijela launches its 2009 opening ceremony The ‘armij mokta’ (people first) belief has been behind every decision made and every action taken by the current government, President Litokwa Tomeing said Monday.Addressing Nitijela at Monday morning’s opening ceremony for the 30th Constitutional regular session, President Tomeing emphasized his administration’s people first approach to governing. “It’s not just a slogan,” he said. “Everything we do is based on my administration’s belief in ‘people first.’ DOE appoints new medical operator A new US-based company has taken over management of the medical program for Rongelap and Utrik. As a result of a competitive bid process, incumbent program manager PHRI of Hawaii lost the Department of Energy-funded contract for the medical program to Christus Spohn Health Systems Foundation. Christus operates more than 40 hospitals in eight southern and southwestern US states. It has, in turn, sub-contracted day-to-day management of the RMI operation to Comprehensive Health Services Inc., a Florida-based company. |
Marshall Islands plans to vaccinate thousands of young women against cervical cancer are currently on hold awaiting arrival of more vaccine from the United States.
The US Centers for Disease Control early last year approved providing the new HPV vaccines to the RMI at an estimated cost of $4.5 million, but then was hit with funding constraints causing plans to grind to a halt.
Health Secretary Justina Langidrik told the Journal last week that the Ministry of Health did issue a few vaccines last year, but halted the program when supplies ran out. “We’re still waiting for the vaccines to arrive,” she said.
Langidrik said the Ministry hopes to continue the nationwide vaccine program aimed at young girls in the 10-26 age group. “We still want to go forward with the original plan,” she said.
The HPV vaccine prevents the types of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes most cases of cervical cancer and genital warts. The vaccine is given in three shots over six months. Cervical cancer is one of the leading cancer problems in the RMI.
The fund, which stood at $93.1 million on January 1, 2008 had lost more than $20 million, dropping to $72.1 million as of November 30, according to the RMI government’s Office of Compact Implementation that provided the updated figure. This is close to a 25 percent loss of assets from the so-called “A Account.”. Saipan-based regional epidemiologist Dr. Jean-Paul Chaine confirmed that financial issues forced CDC to delay implementation of the planned vaccine program throughout the three US-affiliated islands in the north Pacific. The plan was to have it launched in RMI and the FSM during 2008, with Palau to follow.“The problem was — is — cost,” Chaine told the Journal. It costs more than $300 for the three doses of the vaccine for one person. “However CDC has made a firm commitment to provide the three countries with vaccines as if they were eligible for Vaccine for Children (VFC) funding in the US states. The VFC funds are mandated by Congress for kids without health insurance.”Chaine explained the HPV campaign in the Marshall Islands “was delayed because of our (CDC) failure to provide vaccine on time. Since the VFC age eligibility is 18 years and under, the original target of up to age 26 in the RMI campaign might have to be modified.”
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The fund, which stood at $93.1 million on January 1, 2008 had lost more than $20 million, dropping to $72.1 million as of November 30, according to the RMI government’s Office of Compact Implementation that provided the updated figure. This is close to a 25 percent loss of assets from the so-called “A Account.”. The United States and international
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The fund, which stood at $93.1 million on Jan. 1, 2008 had lost more than $20 million, dropping to $72.1 million...
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Tuesday morning’s out-bound Japan Airlines (JAL) charter flight may be the last scheduled flight for now but it’s not the last flight forever, assures Marshall Islands Tours’ owner Satoshi Yoshii in an effort to extinguish local fears that this is the end of the JAL charters. In fact, Yoshii says the recent back-to-back charter operation was the last hurdle for the RMI to overcome to prove itself to JAL that RMI is a capable destination ready to cater to and accommodate large tour groups. “We’ve demonstrated RMI’s capabilities and we met all of JAL’s demands,” said Yoshii, who adds that JAL is very happy about this and that tourists who came in on the charters also enjoyed the visit.
P2 As of January 2, there will be new restrictions on Kwajalein for Micronesian citizens. Micronesians residing on Ebeye
Why do the children
P4 Mobil Oil has announced that until the arrival of the Mobil tanker due on the 26th, there will be only limited sales of gasoline on the island. There will be no gas sold to private individuals, but seven businesses will continue to be able to buy gas: Kitco, Mieco, Robert Reimers, Bilimon, Maulik and the two transport companies. Government agencies can also purchase gas.
Journal 1/12/1968
P1 Three US Senators arrived in Majuro yesterday to continue their inspection of the Marshall Islands District. Making up the delegation are Senators Quinten Burdick of North Dakota, Frank Moss of Utah and Lee Metcalf of Montana. The group was met at the airport with an honor guard, leis from the Girl Scouts and Fr. Hacker’s Band.
P3 Question of the week: Where did all those tomatoes come from that the congressmen ate for luncheon???
Why do so few 8th grade students pass the entrance test to enter high school? Because of the care-free attitude of the teachers at RES.
Did you know that 85 percent of students from Assumption School passed the entrance test for the high school? That’s a fact! A large pat on the back for Father Hacker, Sister Rose and the entire staff at Assumption.
Why do my children return home early saying “no teacher daddy.” Teacher probably gone fishing, has a kemem or just doesn’t give a damn. The high school has filed petitions for buses. Has RES? Hell no.
So conclude with a simple question: what’s wrong with RES? If we parents are interested in our children’s future, we parents will have to do something about it. Remember it is our school. If you as a parent are interested in a better RES contact Mrs. Wina Keith. She’ll get the ball rolling for a better-qualified, improved, first class, or just a plain damned good school for learning. —M. Gabby Keith
Ad Majuro Travel and Booking Agency — hotel reservations, car rental, lagoon cruises, specially arranged nighttime bus tours, boat charters available anywhere in the Marshalls or Micronesia. Contact Victor Milne, Manager or Ben Barry, General Manager, telephone 336.
P29 Resources and Development Minister Brenson Wase told the Journal top level government officials have just as much right to obtain loans from the development bank as anyone else in the country. “I don’t see any problems with it,” he said, responding to recent criticism from the Ralik Ratak Democratic Party. “The loan program should not discriminate against anybody, no matter who they are,” he said. But RRDP President John Silk strong disagrees. “It is a very clear conflict of interest for government officials to apply for loans from the development Bank,” Silk said. When top government officials receive loans it appears to the public they are using their influence for personal gain, he said.
P3 A dramatic rise in violent crime, and the increasing use of guns, is “a frightening trend, Chief Justice Neil Rutledge said.
P17 (Around Town) The Army dispatched helicopters daily during the Christmas period to take food and supplies to Ujae, which was wasted by the November tropical storm. Christmas day, a main item in the food delivery was turnips. And broccoli. According to the residents, it was a sight to see — the Ujae folks holding up these vegetables that they’d never seen before. It seems there’s one American on the island, a Peace