KPress Vol. 19 Iss. 23

Jaynes, Bill (2019-10-28). KPress Vol. 19 Iss. 23 (PDF) (Report). Kolonia, Pohnpei: Kaselehlie Press.

• Has attachment: File:IJJ4UQ5L.pdf

Abstract: KPress Vol. 19 Iss. 23: NEWS: FSM Telecommunications Corporation files a $13.6 million counterclaim against the FSM Telecommunications Cable Corporation/Open Access Entity in FSM Supreme Court Civil Action 2021-010, disputing the Indefeasible Right of Use agreement, alleging political duress, unconstitutional taking, and anti-competitive conduct, and submitting expert affidavits by John Neilsen Hubbard and Paul Gerard McCann challenging the wholesale-only telecom model; seven plaintiffs in Civil Action 2021-008 file detailed opposition to the Bank of Guam’s motion to dismiss in the “stimulus check” dispute, arguing the bank unlawfully seized deposited IRS payments without court order and rejecting claims that the United States is an indispensable party; multiple defendants, including Speaker Wesley Simina, Senator Tiwiter Arritos, the FSM Department of Finance, Saki Stores, and Chuuk Governor Alexander Narruhn, file answers and motions in Chuuk election-misconduct litigation alleging misuse of special projects funds to influence elections, with plaintiffs opposing dismissal and asserting civil rights violations; Australia’s Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Program advances with construction of the first Guardian-class patrol boat for FSM at Austal in Western Australia, with FSM Border Surveillance Officers Micheal Pretrick and Dane Johnson completing conversion training and delivery scheduled for 2022; President David W. Panuelo receives a briefing from the International Organization for Migration on the USAID-funded IMPACT project focused on food security, water security, and evacuation shelters in eight FSM communities; the FSM Supreme Court conducts a virtual investiture swearing in Associate Justice Dennis L. Belcourt, nominated by President Panuelo and confirmed by Congress; national COVID-19 response reporting details the pre-quarantine and repatriation process for 42 stranded FSM citizens via Guam and U.S. military transport; UNICEF, with USAID support, distributes 2,500 hygiene kits to schools nationwide under the FSM WASH-in-Schools program; the FSM Department of Justice Anti-Human Trafficking Division conducts a Canada-funded training-of-trainers workshop in Chuuk involving national and state task force members; community conservation coverage documents an MOU between OneReef, the Conservation Society of Pohnpei, and Sokehs Menen Katengensed to support enforcement of the Palikir Pass Marine Protected Area; Kosrae landowners receive conservation easement dividend payments for protection of the Yela Ka forest; OPINION / EDITORIAL: Chinese Ambassador Huang Zheng contributes a signed commentary outlining China’s poverty-alleviation model and its global significance; Pohnpei Senator Feliciano M. Perman publishes a letter disputing the National Government’s refusal to share corporate tax revenues with Pohnpei, citing FSM constitutional revenue-sharing provisions and criticizing prior executive legal opinions.