Earlie Carter Bing, who works at the Office of the President, represented the Republic of the Marshall Islands at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu. He graduated May 8 from the APCSS. Executive Course: Advanced Security Cooperation and  received his certificate from Dean of Academics, College of Security Studies, Ambassador (Ret.) Lauren Kahea Moriarty.

Marshallese students, parents, teachers and service providers in Honolulu are invited to attend the 6th annual Marshallese Education Day this Saturday, May 11, at the New Hope Leeward Church in Waipahu. The yearly event, which began in 2008, recognizes Marshallese honor students, encourages parents to become more involved in education, and challenges students to aim for college.

Marshall Islanders Abacca Anjain-Maddison and Tina Stege showcased the community-based work of the Rita Reimaanlok committee at the Milstein Science Symposium in New York City.  Held at the American Museum of Natural History April 9 - 11, the conference brought together local resource managers, scientists, policy makers and other leading conservation practitioners to present and analyze real-world case studies of social and ecological resilience on islands.  

Severe drought conditions in the northern islands/atolls of the Republic of the Marshall Islands has prompted the Government to issue a State of Emergency. After relevant action plans were formalized, President Christopher J. Loeak signed the declaration on April 19, 2013, for the immediate mobilization of people and resources to mitigate the impact of drought in the affected islands/atolls.

A major collaborative effort has resulted in twelve new Marshallese-English children’s books. These twelve books, created through The Unbound Bookmaker Project, were written and illustrated by 211 students of the Marshall Islands. Each of the children involved in the project are receiving a copy of the book they worked on. The books have also been made available to the general public at only the cost to print and distribute them.

The Historic Preservation Office (RMI HPO) is currently soliciting proposals for the development of a Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) State Historic Preservation Plan.

Request for Proposal, from Historic Preservation Office, RMI Ministry of Internal Affairs, follows:

WUTMI (Women United Together Marshall Islands) released the following job announcement for the iBRAVE project to end violence against women/domestic violence. Deadline for submissions is April 26, 2013.

JOB TITLE:   Legislative and Policy Coordinator
PROJECT:  Initiative for a Better Response to Address Violence Everywhere (iBRAVE)

For twenty years the College of the Marshall Islands has proudly carried out its mission as the national college of the Republic.  There have been changes over the decades since the College of Micronesia established an extension campus on Majuro and then transfer of the Nursing School from Saipan to Majuro.  CMI has moved from small business offices to the old Majuro Hospital finally into new and modern facilities and with more resources than anyone could have imagined twenty years ago when CMI was formally established.  In addition there are important programs and activities taking place at Arrak and soon the launching of Distance Education Centers on Ebeye, Jaluit and Wotje.

The World Bank launched its first Country Partnership Strategy with  the Government of the Marshall Islands, beginning its support to strengthen the Pacific Island nation’s economy and reduce poverty. The Bank’s Board of Directors discussed the strategy today and approved its first project, a $3 million plan to help reform the telecommunications sector and boost access to mobile phones and internet for the country's 53,000 people.

Martha L. Campbell former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, will speak at North West Arkansas Community College and The Jones Center on Tuesday, March 26. Campbell's presentation, titled "The U.S. and the Marshall Islands: Understanding a Complex Relationship," is scheduled for 2 p.m March 26 in room 10S of the College's Student Center in Bentonville and at 6 p.m. March 26 at The Jones Center in Springdale.

RMI President Christopher J. Loeak left Majuro today for his first state visit to Republic of China (Taiwan) since he assumed the Marshall Islands’ Presidency in January of last year.  The President, First  Lady Lieom Anono Loeak, and delegation are visiting Taiwan March 26-30 at invitation of ROC President Ma Ying-jeou. They are accompanied by ROC (Taiwan) Ambassador to the RMI, Ambassador George T.K. Li.

People of the Republic of the Marshall Islands now have a clear picture of child protection issues thanks to the first child protection study for their country and the Northern Pacific.

Titled “Ajiri in Ibunini: Value and Protect Our Precious Children” the report brings together insights from children, teachers, health workers, youth, religious leaders, police and legal workers, and was launched today.

Microwave Films of the Marshall Islands announced Tuesday the screening date for its latest film at the 29th annual ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL in Los Angeles.

The Sound of Crickets at Night (Ainikien Jidjid ilo Boñ), the fourth Marshallese feature film directed and produced by the Majuro team of Jack Niedenthal and Suzanne Chutaro, will be showcased on Wednesday, May 8, 7 p.m., at the CVG theaters in L.A. (Koreatown).

Marshall Islands and United States officials yesterday in Majuro signed a protocol supporting the Republic's maritime security.

RMI Foreign Minister Phillip Muller and US Ambassador Thomas Armbruster signed the agreement which serves to expand the types of law enforcement vessels and cooperation in surveillance and interdiction activities.

The United States Embassy Majuro and the U.S. Veterans Administration on Guam would like to inform all U.S. military veterans that Veterans Benefits Representative Mr. Gregorio Borja is scheduled to visit Majuro on March 26 and 27. 

The purpose of his visit is to conduct outreach efforts and to educate U.S. military veterans, family members and local government agencies on VA Benefits in order to assist veterans and family members to apply for applicable VA Benefits.

First Lady Lieom Anono Loeak and Mejerik Club Officers met March 13 at the Republic of the Marshall Islands’ (RMI) Attorney General's office to formalize the historic Club's new Charter and Bylaws as a non-profit corporation.

The Mejerik Club was first formed by former First Lady, Mrs. Emlain Kabua, the wife of RMI’s founding President Amata Kabua.

The superintendent of Shuang Ho Hospital of ROC (Taiwan) Department of Health arrived in Majuro Tuesday to sign the MOU for the establishment of a referral system between the Taipei hospital and the Republic of the Marshall Islands’ Ministry of Health. 

Dr. Chih-hsiung Wu, accompanied by Ambassador George T.K. Li,  had an audience with RMI President Christopher Loeak and met with Acting Minister of Health Wilbur Heine to sign the agreement.

The United States Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is donating two reverse osmosis machines to enhance drought response capability of the Government of the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI).

The machines, which are part of an ongoing assistance by the U.S. Government to provide support to mitigate severe drought conditions suffered by the people of RMI, will be able to produce 500 gallons of potable water per day.

To mark International Women’s Day, a ceremonial program was organized by The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the International Women’s Day coordinating committee at Delap Park on Saturday, March 9, 2013. First Lady Lieom Anono Loeak delivered the keynote address, expressing felicitation to women for their dedicated services towards society and for preserving and encouraging cultural heritage and custom.

Executive Director Bernardita L. Catalla of the Asian and Pacific Affairs Office from the Republic of Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs paid a courtesy call on President Christopher J. Loeak during an official mission to the Republic of the Marshall Islands,  March 6-9, 2013.

Republic of the Marshall Islands President Christopher J. Loeak yesterday signed a Proclamation that declares March 8 of every year as Women’s Day in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, in recognition of the many achievements and contributions made by Marshallese women to the country’s nation building and other aspects of the Republic’s continued growth.

On March 6, 2013, The Republic of the Marshall Islands’ Nitijela passed the Maritime Amendment Act (No. 1), 2013 – a legislative initiative of key significance to the international marine finance community. The first-of-its-kind legislation permits a “financing charter” to be treated as a preferred mortgage in favor of the registered owner of a Marshall Islands vessel, which allows a charter party to make precautionary security filings to protect and perfect its interest in a chartered vessel.

Melisa Laelan, a Marshall Islander residing in Springdale, Arkansas, will be the first person in the country to be sworn in as a certified Marshallese interpreter. Northwest Arkansas has the largest concentration of Marshall Islanders in the continental United States. Supreme Court Chief Justice Jim Hannah will administer the oath to Laelan and two other newly-certififed state court interpreters Thursday, February 28, at 9:45 a.m.

According to the Supreme Court release, family and guests will join the interpreters and the full court for the swearing-in ceremony following oral arguments. The ceremony will be streamed live on the Court's website.

On Friday, March 1, by Executive Order of  President Christopher J. Loeak, the flag of the Republic of the Marshall Islands will be flown at half-mast to coincide with the 2013 Nuclear  Memorial  and Survivors Remembrance Day. The RMI President’s Nuclear Remembrance Day Message follows:

I renew to you greetings of Yokwe on behalf of the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands on this, the 59th Anniversary of the Bravo Shot, a day that has and will continue to remain in infamy in the hearts and minds of every Marshallese now and in the future.