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Marshalls college reports ‘good momentum’ in scores

By Giff Johnson

SAIPAN, CNMI (Marianas Variety, June 10, 2013) – College of Marshall Islands placement test results for high school seniors are showing steady improvement, said President Carl Hacker.

The school year just ending may set a record for the percentage of students testing into credit and development levels two and three.

"On our placement test, we have seen some steady positive progress over the last several years, particularly in math," Hacker said Thursday. "So some good momentum here. It certainly does appear that something positive is happening."

Historically, only a handful of the over 600 prospective students who take the college placement test achieve scores high enough to qualify for credit level courses. The largest group goes into development level one, the lowest academic level requiring significant remedial work before they qualify for credit-level studies.

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Offset for Compact expenditures yet to be identified

By Aurea Gerundio-Dizon

KOROR, Palau (Island Times, June 21, 2013) – The Palau delegation that recently went to Washington D.C. and met with numerous senators, representatives and members of the Executive Branch was given assurance of continued annual funding aid from the US Government while funding source for the Compact Review agreement is still being identified.

President Remengesau disclosed in a press conference Wednesday that Congress is still working on identifying revenue source for the Compact.

Although there was assurance of continued financial support annually, the president said this situation does not allow for future budget planning and is not a stable source of revenue. He said that this was very well understood and supported by the Congress.

With the Compact stalled since 2010, Palau has continued to receive funds from the US through a continued resolution that appropriates...

Japan contributes $8.9 million to improving systems

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, Samoa (Talamua, June 20, 2013) – Samoa’s Meteorology Division is now armed with better equipment to gather information about the weather thanks to Japan.

Funded under Japan’s Grand Aid Programme (JGAP) weather forecasting and warning systems were opened yesterday in a brief ceremony at Met headquarters at Mulinu’u.

"Improving the weather forecasting system and meteorological warning facilities is something we have always dreamed to happen," said head of Meteorology, Moefa’auo Ausetalia Titimaea.

Improving these facilities started in March 2010 when Japan and Samoa signed an agreement on a WST$21 million [US$8.9 million] upgrade project.

"This program includes the establishment of nine automatic weather observation stations for the collection of surface observation data and six data communication repeaters spread across the Samoan islands of Upolu, Savaii and Manono...

Project allegedly endorsed without consulting community

By Harrison Selmen

PORT VILA, Vanuatu (Vanuatu Daily Post, June 20, 2013) – The Fisheries Department in Luganville has revealed that the proposed fish processing plant in Luganville received endorsement by the Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority (VIPA).

Daily Post has a copy of the approval document by VIPA.

The sudden knowledge of such a project in the town vicinity of Luganville caught many residents by surprise as there was no consultation with the community in the area for the fish processing plant.

This resulted in the call for residents to sign a petition that says not to the establishment of the fish processing plant.

Already nearly 100 people have signed the petition.

Daily Post witnessed an agent for the company who was in Luganville to advertise positions the company would offer.

The people who signed the "say no to the establishment of the fish processing...