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Am. Samoa Food Stamp Program Unaffected By Federal Cuts

Submitted by admin on Wed, 11/06/2013 - 00:00

Once ARRA money was used up, prior funding levels restored

By B. Chen

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (The Samoa News, Nov. 4, 2013) – The nearly 4,600 locals who are receiving monthly benefits under the American Samoa Nutrition Assistance Program (ASNAP) — commonly known as the food stamp program — are not affected by recent cuts imposed on food stamp benefits for those in the US.

ASNAP, which is under the Department of Human and Social Services (DHSS), will continue to issue monthly benefit checks to its clients, said DHSS Director Taeaoafua Dr. Meki Solomona last week in response to Samoa News inquiries.

In the US, benefits decreased starting last Friday, Nov. 1 for more than 47 million Americans who receive food stamps. This comes at a time when Congress is negotiating further cuts to the program.

The cuts, according to the AP, are a result of "a temporary benefit from the 2009 economic stimulus that boosts food stamp dollars" no longer being...

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Wed
06
Nov
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Vanuatu Political Parties Hold Reconciliation Ceremony

Submitted by admin on Wed, 11/06/2013 - 00:00

Vanua’aku, National United ‘pledge’ reunification

By Jonas Cullwick

PORT VILA, Vanuatu (Vanuatu Daily Post, Nov. 5, 2013) – Leaders of the Vanua’aku Pati (VP) and the National United Party (NUP) performed a reconciliation ceremony Sunday afternoon at Freswota in Port Vila, Vanuatu, where both sides pledged to one day see the reunification of the two parties.

In front of hundreds of supporters of both parties, the President of VP, Edward Natapei, apologized to the President of NUP, Ham Lini, and the party’s leadership for past wrongs against them and the party. Natapei, who is also Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, particularly mentioned the occasion when he was prime minister during which he terminated Lini who was then in his government while Lini and his delegation were on an overseas trip.

"I am very sorry because you were overseas at that time, and for the difficulty the termination posed for you and your delegation (overseas) as...

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Wed
06
Nov
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Air Kiribati Investigated Over Child Safety Concerns

Submitted by admin on Wed, 11/06/2013 - 00:00

Man reportedly told to seat with son to make room for others

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Nov. 5, 2013) – Kiribati authorities are investigating an incident involving an adult passenger on an Air Kiribati plane who says he was forced to share his seat with his five- year-old son.

The Kiribati Independent reports the father was told by an agent on Abaiang to hold his child so others could fit in the aircraft.

The parent complained that he had to hold his child tight because he had no seatbelt.

But he says there were other parents on the same flight holding their children.

Air Kiribati officials say they are unaware of the incident and will investigate.

They say a five-year-old must have his or her own seat.

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Wed
06
Nov
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Lolo Details Am. Samoa Infrastructure Issues To OIA

Submitted by admin on Wed, 11/06/2013 - 00:00

New transport vessel, dredging, road problems in letter

By Joyetter Feagaimaalii-Luamanu

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (The Samoa News, Nov. 4, 2013) – A new vessel that'll be used to travel between Tutuila and the Manu'a Island group was one of the issues noted by American Samoa Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga in a letter he sent last week to Eileen Sobeck, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Office of Insular Affairs.

According to Lolo, the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the construction of the new envisioned 140-footer (LCU configuration) with the capacity to transport passengers, containers, vehicles, diesel, mogas, and heavy equipment is reflected in the capital improvement project (CIP) funding priorities for fiscal years 2013 and 2014.

The RFP for the vessel, which will travel at speeds faster than the MV Sili, will be issued the first week of November.

Lolo said that for the first time, the vessel will be designed to meet local needs instead of...

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Wed
06
Nov
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Timor-Leste Prisoners Escape During Sunday Mass

Submitted by admin on Wed, 11/06/2013 - 00:00

Incident blamed on lack of adequate personnel, equipment

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (Pacific Scoop, Nov. 5, 2013) – Policemen in Timor-Leste have recaptured at least 13 of the 24 inmates who escaped from Becora prison in the capital Dili at the weekend, the Jakarta Globe reports.

Two dozen inmates escaped from the prison on Sunday by beating up wardens and fleeing through the main gate as they returned to their cells after mass, an official told Agence France-Presse.

The escapees, including two militants who fought against the nation’s independence from Indonesia, had been among more than 350 prisoners at morning worship at a hall in the prison.

East Timor is as majority Catholic nation.

Other inmates who fled were serving time for crimes including murder, rape and theft.

"Twenty-four inmates escaped. They beat up two wardens and ran out through the main entrance," said Joao Domingos, chief of the Becora prison.

Police had recaptured 13...

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Wed
06
Nov
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Fiji PM: Customary Land Profits To Be Shared Fairly

Submitted by admin on Wed, 11/06/2013 - 00:00

Equal benefits from leases for all mataqali members: Bainimarama

By Reginald Chandar

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, Nov. 5, 2013) – Individual members of landowning units will receive an equal and fair share of all income generated from iTaukei land, says Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.

Bainimarama who is also the chairman of the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) today made this comment while opening the Strategic Panning workshop 2014 – 2016 at the Warwick Resort and Spa in Sigatoka today.

He said owners of customary land and customary fishing grounds are entitled to receive a fair share of the royalty with respect to any minerals extracted from their customary land and fishing ground.

"All Mataqali members must have equal access and benefit to the proceeds from the Mataqali land leases.

"Protection for landowners through protection of ownership and now a requirement to have fair and equitable rent paid to land owners compliments the...

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Wed
06
Nov
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Asian Group Could Invest $3 Billion In CNMI: Dempan

Submitted by admin on Wed, 11/06/2013 - 00:00

House leader, governor met with investors last week

By Haidee V. Eugenio

SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, Nov. 6, 2013) – A few days after returning from Hong Kong with Gov. Eloy S. Inos, House floor leader Ralph Demapan (Cov-Saipan) said yesterday that an investor group is eyeing close to $3 billion in total investments in the CNMI inclusive of hotels, villas, and a private medical center.

Demapan and Inos left for Hong Kong last week to meet with the investor groups.

"It was a fact-finding trip," Demapan told Saipan Tribune yesterday. "They were talking about potential investments in the CNMI of close to $3 billion over a certain period of time and based on my observation, they are serious in investing in the CNMI."

But as of yesterday, the administration has yet to issue details about the governor’s trip to Hong Kong.

Demapan said a total of between "1,000 and 2,000 hotel rooms" are expected to be built on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

"...

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Wed
06
Nov
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Late Papers Delay Solomon Islands National Exams

Submitted by admin on Wed, 11/06/2013 - 00:00

Students disappointed, exams rescheduled for next week

By Jeremy Inifiri

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, Nov. 5, 2013) – Hundreds of form five and six students in the Solomon Islands were disappointingly turned back home from their respective schools, following the postponement of their national examinations which were scheduled to take place yesterday.

According to the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD), the cancellation of examinations yesterday was due to the delay in arrival of examination papers from Fiji.

The ministry stated that due to the delay, all national examinations have now been rescheduled to take place on Monday, November 12.

This rescheduling also includes grade six and form 3 (three) examinations which were previously scheduled to start today.

The news however did not go down well...

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Wed
06
Nov
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Full CNMI House Called To Review Land Lease Terms

Submitted by admin on Wed, 11/06/2013 - 00:00

Change would increase lease from 40 to 99 years for public land

By Haidee V. Eugenio

SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, Nov. 6, 2013) – A panel that reviewed a proposed constitutional amendment to increase the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands’ maximum 40-year lease term on public lands to 99 years now says that the issue remains "controversial" and "highly divisive," and therefore recommends that the full House membership decide on it.

This comes at a time when at least three hotels have less than 10 years left on their public land leases: global brand Hyatt Regency Saipan in Garapan, Marianas Resort & Spa in Marpi, and Fiesta Resort & Spa, also in Garapan.

The House Natural Resources Committee’s report and recommendation could be adopted in this afternoon’s House session.

"I think the initiative has enough votes to pass in the House, given that the 40-year lease is limiting the investments in the CNMI. I, for one, would vote ‘yes’...

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Wed
06
Nov
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Palau Prepares As Tropical Storm Haiyan Approaches

Submitted by admin on Wed, 11/06/2013 - 00:00

Essential services remain open, schools closed through Friday

By Aurea Gerundio-Dizon

KOROR, Palau (Island Times, Nov. 5, 2013) – In preparation for the approach of Typhoon Haiyan in Palau, President Remengesau yesterday issued a memorandum declaring all government offices will be closed today and tomorrow and schools will be closed today through Friday.

Only the offices that provide essential services (i.e, Police, Fire, Hospital, National Emergency Management Office, etc.) will continue to operate.

The closure of all government offices and schools was upon recommendation of the National Emergency Committee, chaired by Vice President Antonio Bells.

Meanwhile, Public Infrastructure, Industries and Commerce Min. Charles Obichang made it clear that there is no decision yet on the closure of airport today as they are still awaiting approval by the Federal Aviation Administration as of this writing.

Following the president’s memorandum,...

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