John Haglelgam

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John Haglelgam

TFB Micronesia had the opportunity to ask former FSM President, John Haglelgam, some questions. He answered questions about his experiences working for a nascent Micronesian government, his thoughts on Dual Citizenship, and the future of the FSM. (Editors note: We had intended for this to come out before the elections/vote and apologize for not getting this published sooner.)

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All Mike Tournament Returns

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All Mike Tournament Returns

The Micronesian Community of Oahu invites the public to the All Mike Men’s Basketball Tournament’s return this President’s Day weekend.

The tournament will take place over two days: February 15, at Klum Gym from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.; then on Monday, February 17, at the Palama Settlement Gym from 9a.m. to 5 p.m. Fans of previous tournaments should be excited to see 12 teams with some new and familiar players as they showcase their talent and sportsmanship...

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Hezel Responds to Petition

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Hezel Responds to Petition

Recently, a petition has been circulating asking for signatures from the public in support of keeping Rev. Francis X. Hezel, SJ in Micronesia. The petition, written by Vidalino Raatior, asks the leaders of the Jesuits in Micronsia, the New York Province, and the world to allow Hezel to remain in the region.

As of this writing, the petition has.......

 

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RMI School Supply Drive Month

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The Marshallese Education Day Committe and Marshall Islands Consulate - Honolulu are sponsoring a school supply drive ending on September 13, 2013.

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They are seeking new or gently used donations of the following:

  • Notebooks
  • Lines/copy/construction paper
  • Reading/coloring books
  • Index cards
  • Pencils/colored pencils
  • Pencil sharepeners
  • Erasers
  • Pencil Cases
  • Colored Markers
  • Crayons
  • Rulers
  • Glue/glue stick
  • Tape
  • Scissors
  • Arts/Craft Supplies
  • Sanitizing wipes
  • Hand sanitizers
  • Water bottles
  • Backpacks
  • First aid kits
  • ETC

The drop off site is located at the Marshall Islands Consulate, 1888 Lusitana St. #301, Honolulu, HI 96813.

Contact Tamera Heine for more information at:

tameraheine@gmail.com

808-545-7767

YAP/ETG: Speaker Henry Falan and Yap Governor Sebastian Anefal

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Read a summary of this issue in the form of a debate: "Is the Yap/China Memorandum of Understanding a Good Thing?"

View a petition started by concerned citizens of Yap: "Yap ETG Petition".

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The following letter is from the governor of Yap, Sebastian Anefal, to the Speaker of the House, Henry Falan. The letter is in regards to the ETG investment agreement. The response to this letter is included.

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FSM Congress Adopts Human Trafficking Act

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The Seventeenth FSM congress passed the Human Trafficking Act during its third Regular Session on March 5, 2012

Speaker Issac V. Figir of Yap introduced Congressional Bill 17-78 during the First Special Session of the 17th congress, early last August. As reported in a previous TFB article, the FSM was listed as a “source country” for recent incidents of trafficking of

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Limits to FAS entry pushed

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Limits to FAS entry pushed

* US Senate wants cut in FAS costs

MAJURO – U.S. President Barack Obama was directed last week to convene within 45 days a National Security Council interagency group to reduce what the U.S. Senate says is the escalating cost of in-migration by people from the Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

Click here to go to full article...

Kiribati ponders floating island to fight sea rise - By NICK PERRY, Associated Press

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AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — The president of the Pacific island nation of Kiribati is so worried about climate change wiping out his country that he's considering ideas as strange as building a floating island.

President Anote Tong raised the notion Wednesday on the opening day of a meeting of Pacific leaders in Auckland. Climate change has become a central theme of this year's Pacific Islands Forum thanks to the presence here of United Nations Secretary-General leader Ban Ki-moon, who has vowed to put the issue at the forefront of the U.N. agenda.

Ban visited the Solomon Islands and Kiribati before coming to New Zealand and said it only strengthened his view that "something is seriously wrong with our current model of economic development."

Tong said he'd seen models for a $2 billion floating island, which he likened to a giant offshore oil platform. He said while it sounded "like something from science fiction," every idea had to be considered given the dire situation facing Kiribati, a low-lying archipelago with a population of 103,000.

Other ideas to combat rising ocean levels include building a series of seawalls at a cost of nearly $1 billion, Tong said, and relocating some residents to other Pacific nations. But he said he couldn't imagine a day that Kiribati was abandoned.

"Would Kiribati disappear?" he said. "Never. Never."

Tong said some people have already lost their homes to rising sea levels. He said he's yet to see much in the way of financial aid from Europe despite ambitious pledges.

But in an interview with the Associated Press, European Commissioner for climate action Connie Hedegaard, who was attending the conference, said Europe has granted more than 7 billion euros for specific environmental projects around the world over the three years ending 2012.

"Climate change is not just a theoretical future. It is actually happening," Hedegaard said. "It is destabilizing areas of the world."

Hedegaard said she's dismayed governments around the world haven't reached broad agreement on reducing carbon emissions. However, she said, she is heartened that many companies and municipalities are stepping in where governments are not — as much to save money on resources as for concern over the environment.

"I see a lot of good things happening out on the ground now," she said.

Hedegaard praised Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's push to introduce a tax on carbon emissions. That plan will go to a vote next week.

Gillard, who has been facing political pressure at home and who has been criticized for her carbon-tax plans, told reporters Wednesday that she was sure the tax plan would pass because it has enough support among lawmakers.

The Pacific leaders leave for a retreat Thursday on Waiheke Island before the conference ends. Many leaders are staying on for the Rugby World Cup which begins here Friday.

NEW U.S. IMMIGRATION INITIATIVE ALARMS MICRONESIA

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excerpt:

(By: Giff Johnson; Pacific Islands Report)

"MAJURO, Marshall Islands (Marianas Variety, July 25, 2011) – United States calls for limiting the number of Micronesians and Marshall Islanders eligible to enter America under a visa-free treaty provision will be a top item on the agenda at the July 28 Micronesian Presidents Summit in Pohnpei."

Follow link to read the article: http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2011/July/07-25-01.htm

NEW U.S. IMMIGRATION INITIATIVE ALARMS MICRONESIA

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excerpt:

(By: Giff Johnson)

"MAJURO, Marshall Islands (Marianas Variety, July 25, 2011) – United States calls for limiting the number of Micronesians and Marshall Islanders eligible to enter America under a visa-free treaty provision will be a top item on the agenda at the July 28 Micronesian Presidents Summit in Pohnpei."

Follow link to read the article: http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2011/July/07-25-01.htm

COFA States Ask for Your Support

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cofa.jpg

Micronesians living in Hawaii and their supporters are asking for signatures to request Governor Abercrombie

to stop the States appeal in Korab v. Keller to restore Basic Health Hawaii. Please sign and read the petition, as well as share it with other. Your support is much appreciated!

Click here to see the website, or search:  https://sites.google.com/site/healthypacific/