KPress Vol. 21 Iss. 10
Jaynes, Bill (2021-05-12). KPress Vol. 21 Iss. 10 (PDF) (Report). Kolonia, Pohnpei: Kaselehlie Press.
- Has attachment: File:HNXFMFKE.pdf
Abstract: KPress Vol. 21 Iss. 10: NEWS: Australia commences construction of the first Guardian-class patrol boat for the Federated States of Micronesia, with FSM Border Surveillance Officers Micheal Pretrick and Dane Johnson observing progress at the Austal shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia, and completing conversion training tied to Australia’s Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Program; 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 enforcement of an Indefeasible Right of Use agreement for undersea fiber-optic cables, alleging political duress, anti-competitive conduct, unconstitutional taking, and challenging the structure of the wholesale telecommunications market; the Bank of Guam “stimulus check” litigation (CA 2021-008) advances as seven plaintiffs file a detailed opposition to the bank’s motion to dismiss, arguing unlawful seizure and delayed crediting of IRS stimulus payments, disputing the bank’s reliance on U.S. law, and asserting due process and fraud claims under FSM jurisdiction; election-related litigation in Chuuk continues as multiple defendants—including Speaker Wesly Simina, Senator Tiwiter Arritos, the FSM Department of Finance, Saki Stores, and Governor Alexander Narruhn—file answers or motions to dismiss allegations that special projects funds were misused to influence elections, with plaintiffs opposing dismissal and the court yet to rule; the International Organization for Migration briefs President David W. Panuelo and Cabinet officials 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 Dennis L. Belcourt as Associate Justice, marking the judiciary’s first remote oath ceremony during COVID-19 border closures; public health coverage documents UNICEF and USAID distribution of hygiene kits to all 183 FSM schools under the WASH in Schools program, alongside COVID-19 readiness survey findings in Pohnpei and Chuuk; FSM Department of Justice’s Anti-Human Trafficking Division conducts a Training-of-Trainers workshop in Chuuk funded by a Canadian grant, expanding task force capacity and upgrading the human trafficking victim shelter; environmental and conservation reporting highlights a OneReef boat donation formalized through an MOU with Sokehs Menen Katengensed to support enforcement of the Palikir Pass Marine Protected Area, and conservation easement dividend payments to Yela Ka forest landowners in Kosrae; OPINION / EDITORIAL: Chinese Ambassador Huang Zheng publishes a signed letter outlining China’s poverty alleviation campaign and its global significance, while Feliciano Perman submits a letter disputing the FSM National Government’s refusal to share corporate tax revenues with Pohnpei, raising constitutional arguments under Article IX.
