KPress Vol. 19 Iss. 11
Jaynes, Bill (2019-05-13). KPress Vol. 19 Iss. 11 (PDF) (Report). Kolonia, Pohnpei: Kaselehlie Press.
- Has attachment: File:MDI8NSTD.pdf
Abstract: KPress Vol. 19 Iss. 11: NEWS: The 21st FSM Congress convenes on the 40th anniversary of the Federated States of Micronesia, with Senators sworn in by FSM Supreme Court Associate Justice Beauleen Carl-Worswick, Senator Wesley Simina elected Speaker, Florencio Singkoro-Harper returning as Floor Leader, Esmond Moses as Vice Speaker, Yosiwo George confirmed as Vice President, and David Panuelo confirmed as the 9th President of the FSM, prompting special elections to fill vacant at-large seats in Pohnpei and Kosrae; the Pohnpei Supreme Court, with Associate Justice Mayceleen Anson presiding, sets trial dates and bail conditions in multiple sexual exploitation cases involving minors, imposing cash bail, surety bonds, travel restrictions, vehicle forfeiture, and no-contact orders on defendants including James Hadley, Jim George, Mayson Victor, Mariana Silwer, Renster Manuel, Johnny Randuhng, and Savero Wantero; former FSM Chief Justice Benjamin Rodriguez is sentenced on multiple counts of misconduct in public office, cheating, and failure to distribute public funds, receiving concurrent prison sentences with probation and fines while additional criminal and civil matters remain pending; FSM President Peter Christian meets with Forum Fisheries Agency Director-General Manumatavai Tupou-Roosen ahead of the Forum Fisheries Committee meeting in Pohnpei, reaffirming FSM commitments to fisheries transparency initiatives, labor protections, and expanded maritime surveillance capacity; the National Fisheries Corporation donates $500,000 to the FSM National Government Trust Fund, with CEO Peter Sitan citing NFC’s recovery from debt to profitability; the Chuuk State fiber-optic cable is formally inaugurated by President Christian, Governor Johnson Elimo, and FSMTC officials, marking a major expansion of broadband capacity supported by FSMT Cable Corp, FSMTC, NEC, and World Bank financing; Pohnpei State completes a used-oil recovery facility funded through SPREP and the Global Environment Facility to address hazardous waste stockpiles; the FSM National Department of Education advances implementation of the FedSIS student information system across states; Pohnpei hosts its first Robo Day robotics competition through the Habele Robo League; Yap expands World War II heritage tourism through preserved aircraft crash sites and tour partnerships; OPINION / EDITORIAL: In a signed column, PRC Ambassador Huang Zheng advocates for deeper FSM–China engagement under the Belt and Road Initiative, highlighting recent diplomatic forums, infrastructure projects, and the elevation of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
