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By Giff Johnson

MAJURO, Marshall Islands (Marianas Variety, Jan. 4) – The Marshall Islands parliament interrupted its official opening ceremony Monday for a moment of silence for the tens of thousands of people who died from tsunamis that hit coastlines in South and Southeast Asia on December 26.

President Kessai Note also announced Monday a week of national mourning in the Marshall Islands for the countries that suffered from the impact of the tsunamis caused by the world’s biggest earthquake in 40 years.

Flags were lowered to half-mast around the Marshall Islands following the president’s declaration, and will remain lowered through the weekend.

In impromptu remarks prior to delivering a prepared speech at the ceremonial opening session of the parliament Monday, Note commented that the number of people who died had reached 140,000 and was continuing to rise on a daily basis.

The death toll is already more than twice the population of the...

Editorials

Pacific Daily News

HAGATNA, Guam (Jan. 3) - Most things in nature that are beautiful are also the most dangerous and Guam’s surrounding waters are no exception.

Every day, residents and visitors venture out into the clear blue waters of Guam. Some swim, snorkel or dive. Others go boating, parasailing or fishing. Still others paddle or zip across the bays on personal motorized watercraft or wind craft. That’s why it’s so critical that we learn to always respect the power of the water and remain aware of the dangers that it holds.

Just a day into the New Year, Guam already has its first drowning. And it comes on the heels of a year in which our community saw 20 people drown, not including four people lost in the ocean who have yet to be accounted for.

Even the most placid and frequently used of Guam's beaches aren't completely free of danger; there have been drownings at popular swimming areas such as Ypao Beach Park. But some areas of...

By Jude O. Marfil

SAIPAN, CNMI (Marianas Variety, Jan. 5) –The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has approved China Southern Airlines’ application to service the Shanghai-Saipan and Guangzhou-Saipan routes.

However, China Southern asked the DOT to defer the processing of its application to fly to Tinian until the airport on that island meets the standards set by the Department of Homeland Security.

In a December 20, 2004 letter to DOT, China Southern said it wanted first to wait until a security assessment at Tinian airport is completed.

"China Southern wanted to wait until Tinian airport is federalized before they renew their application," said Commonwealth Ports Authority executive director Carlos H. Salas.

"Federalizing" Tinian airport means that the facilities, particularly the security system is approved by the Transportation Security Administration.

This means Tinian airport must be equipped with X-ray machines and manned by TSA...

By Bernadette H. Carreon

KOROR (Palau Horizon, Jan. 5) — Palau President Remengesau has retained all members of his cabinet and appointed Vice-President Camsek Elias Chin as Minister of Justice.

This was announced by Remengesau during his installation ceremony on Jan. 1, stating that the ministers during his first term were key players to his winning his second term.

Earlier, Remengesau announced that he would nominate Dr. Victor Yano as health minister, which was left vacant by former Vice President Sandra Pierantozzi.

Another ministry left vacant by the justice ministry who was previously occupied by Michael Rosenthal. Last week Rosenthal stepped down from the ministry to work in China.

Remengesau said that based on his previous discussion with Chin, the vice president agreed to occupy the Justice Ministry which he used to occupy during the administration of former President Kuniwo Nakamura.

He said Chin has the experience in handling the...