KPress Vol. 20 Iss. 13

Jaynes, Bill (2020-06-17). KPress Vol. 20 Iss. 13 (PDF) (Report). Kolonia, Pohnpei: Kaselehlie Press.

• Has attachment: File:UUQGBHR9.pdf

Abstract: KPress Vol. 20 Iss. 13: NEWS reports that a Caroline Islands Air flight bound for Yap proceeded without required COVID-19 task-force clearance, port authority notification, or payment of departure fees, leaving 11 College of Micronesia–FSM students and six crew members stranded in Chuuk, prompting investigation by the CIA board chaired by Alik Jackson and the termination of CEO/pilot Alex Tretnoff; the Pohnpei Supreme Court sentences Sihlo Andrew to 31 years imprisonment with additional suspended time following convictions related to the arson of the Pohnpei Attorney General’s Office and Supreme Court buildings, with Associate Justice Mayceleen JD Anson issuing a detailed written judgment outlining charges, evidentiary findings, and consecutive sentencing; Japan, through Ambassador Sobashima Hidenobu, commits approximately USD $3.5 million in grant assistance for Japanese-manufactured medical equipment under an Economic and Social Development Program, with FSM Secretary of Foreign Affairs Kandhi Elieisar linking the aid to pandemic response and health-system capacity; the 21st FSM Congress adopts Congressional Resolution 21-149 extending the national public health emergency to July 31, 2020 and directing the development of a phased repatriation plan for stranded FSM citizens, students, and officials, with President David W. Panuelo coordinating implementation with state governments; municipal-level COVID-19 planning is detailed through the U Corona Volunteers’ proposal for quarantine facilities and food-security measures in the Municipality of U, including site identification, capacity planning, and funding needs; fisheries governance coverage includes Pacifical PNA’s response to the death of Kiribati observer Eritara Aati Kaierua aboard a Taiwanese purse seiner, suspension of the vessel from MSC certification, and calls for strengthened observer safety protections; President Panuelo formally announces “Blue Prosperity Micronesia” as the name of the FSM–Blue Prosperity Coalition partnership, outlining national marine spatial planning and conservation objectives; OPINION / EDITORIAL includes a signed commentary by PRC Ambassador Huang Zheng promoting China’s COVID-19 response, assistance to the FSM, and multilateral cooperation under World Health Organization leadership.