Your watching the "Weekend Report" for August 13, 2010 (requires Quicktime 7.4)

Below is the text version of the weekend report with news headlines from around Palau and the Pacific.

NEWS:

NEWS STORIES FOR FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2010

PACIFIC FLIER SUSPENDS FLIGHTS PACIFIC FLIER STRUGGLES, CANCELS ALL FLIGHTS
After four months of operations in Palau, the australia-based airline, pacific flier ,has cancelled all of its flights for undisclosed reasons. The airline has struggled since its inaugural flight to Palau and has been attempting to increase its passenger bookings in recent weeks with low promotional fares Local agents here in palau could not give any reason as to why the airlines has suspended its operations and has cancelled all flights until further notice. There is no information as to what, if any, compensation shall be given to passengers currently holding pacific flier tickets.

FLY GUAM "FLY GUAM"
en-route to Palau Guam's own Freedom Air and Hong Kong's world aviation incorporated have partnered up to form FLY GUAM airlines. According to World Aviation’s CEO Fly Guam will showcase the "Hafa Adai Spirit" by intergrating it into everything from in-flight meals, employee uniforms, to an in-flight magazine. The Guam brand signature will also appear on each of the airline' planes. Fly Guam will begin operations with two boeing 737-300 aircrafts and has plans to begin its services to Palau and major Asian cities by the end of 2010.

COMPACT ROAD FAILING
While Palau is still searching for half a million dollars to fix the collapsed section of the compact road, it appears another crack in the road is appearing near the Jungle Cruise attraction. While not as large as the earlier collapse, it likely will get worse and will require significant funding to repair.

SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET
The President is in need of supplemental budget. President Johnson Toribiong may ask the OEK to approve another supplemental budget for his office. With less than two months left for fiscal year 2010, the Office of the President has used up 98 percent of its appropriated budget of over $922,000 dollars. The President will consult with vice president and finance minister to discuss the options.

COMPACT STATUS
The signing of the supplemental Compact continues to stall despite several high level meetings. The delay of the agreement, which will allegedly give Palau 250million dollars for operation and capital improvement projects, is reportedly being help up due to language in the agreement which Palau claims allows the U.S. to “micro-manage” the funds. A recent story by Al Jazera reported on the compact. <<CLIP>> AJ Compact Story During the Pacific Islands Forum President Toribiong met with Deputy Assistant Secretary for Pacific Affairs Frankie Reed. The current agreement does not expire until 2035 and does not require the U.S. to give additional funding. Further negotiations are expected to take place soon.

PALAU REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO TAIWAN DESPITE JOINT RESOLUTION
While the compact negotiations are ongoing with the U.S., the Palau Senate is searching for new friends. A joint resolution introduced by Senator Hokkons Baules has urged the President to establish ties with mainland China on the basis that they have the world’s second largest economy, and it’s memberships including the UN Security council and World Trade Organization. President Toribiong in response reaffirmed Palau’s commitment to the Republic of China, Taiwan and went on to give examples of other Pacific Island nations who have changed ties with Taiwan in favor of Mainland China only to later reestablish ties with Taiwan. The President stated that while China may seem wealthy it has many impoverished citizens who come before helping a tiny nation like Palau.

NGIWAL LEGISLATION ELECTION
While Koror State prepares to conclude the 7th Micronesian Games, the State of Ngiwal conducted their 14th legislative election. On August 10, registered voters selected their . candidates from the 13 who are running for the legislative seats. Only seven candidates will be elected to occupy the seats in Kelulul a Kiuluul where they’ll serve a two-year term.

GOVERNMENT TO PURCHASE NEW AIRPORT SECURITY EQUIPMENT
In light of the recent grant assistance from the US Department of Interior, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Industries and Commerce will be purchasing new equipment to upgrade security at the Airport. Security equipment such as; x-ray machines, metal detectors, bomb detection kits and surveillance cameras are some of the items the government are currently in the process of purchasing in order to strengthen the security system of Palau International Airport. The grant will also assist the government in meeting International Civil Aeronautics Organization and US standards in Aviation Security requirements mandated by US Law.

AIRPORT SECURITY
Additional security changes at the airport may be happening as well. The President backed a proposal to have security screening handled by the government. Currently security at the airport is performed by a private company, the Belau Airport Security Company, owned by former President Nakamura. The no bid airport security contract was given to Nakamura by Presidential order at the end of former President Remengesau’s term in late 2008. President Toribiong assured Nakamura that he would not suffer economically from the transition. Minister of Infrastructure Ngirangas has earmarked 100,000 for the transition period and has asked Nakamura for his cooperation and assistance during the transition phase.

PIDB TO INCREASE ITS FINANCIAL RESOURCES
During their visit for the Micronesian Presidential Summit, the Board of Governors for the Pacific Islands Development Bank, formerly chaired by Felix Camacho, held a special meeting to review and address the bank’s capacity and financial resources. During the meeting, the board formed a four-member special task force to address that need. In addition, the board announced their new officials. Governor of Yap, Sebastian Anefal is the new Chairman of the Board, Governor of Pohnpei John Elsa is Vice-Chairman and Vice President of Palau Kerai Mariur is Secretary.

FIJI TO CHAIR UN COMMITTEE
In efforts to increase the number of Pacific islander employees and officials at the United Nations, Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations has been appointed to chair an open-ended working group. The working group will mainly focus at increasing the Pacific Island representation in the UN. The project is an initiative of the Pacific Small Island Development States organization made of eleven Pacific Island Missions to the UN, which includes FSM, Fiji, RMI, Palau, Nauru and others.

TAIWAN MEDICAL MISSION TO BE HELD IN PALAU
The Taiwan Medical Mission is holding clinics on traditional Chinese medicine or acupuncture and Nephrology (Kidney) at Belau National Hospital’s Outpatient and Physical Therapy department. For two weeks, three doctors and one assistant from Taiwan Medical Mission will be conducting these clinics by appointments only. The mission aims to reduce the cases of kidney disease in Palau. The clinic will begin on August 20 with services to be provided in Ngeremlengui, Ngarchelong, Melekeok and Airai state on different dates. For more information or to make an appointment, contact 488-2552.

POWER OUTAGE IN ANGAUR STATE
Since the early morning of Sunday August 08, the entire island of Anguar has been without power. It has been reported that the generator blew up causing an outage that blackened the entire state. According to PPUC, worn out internal parts of the Unit #2 are to blame. On Monday morning PPUC mechanics were sent to Angaur to work on the generator but were unable to repair the unit. A temporary unit has been shipped to Anguar to provide power while the main units are repaired. As of Friday power has been restored with the temporary generator.

SHELL DONATES TO PPUC ACCESS ROAD
In other PPUC news, the road from the Meltelatel junction all the way to NEKKEN and the IPSECO Power Plant will receive needed maintenance thanks to SHELL COMPANY. Although the road is a national highway, both State and National governments have lapsed on maintenance since 1999,making the road only useable by 4-wheel drive vehicles. SHELL responded to a letter from Aimeliik State Governor Reklai requesting assistance for this road maintenance project . Shell donated six (6) drums of diesel as well as five (5) pails of hydraulic fluid worth $1,500 to support maintenance efforts.

VANUATU HIT WITH MORE EARTHQUAKES
After 3 earthquakes since the start of July, Vanuatu was hit by another 7.5 earthquake this week with a 6.0 aftershock jolt. A tsunami warning was also issued and authorities urged everyone to head to higher ground. The island nation is in the “Pacific Ring of Fire” which is well known for its volcanic activity. The country was also hit by three major quakes last October.

AROUND THE PACIFIC: ELECTIONS IN 5 PACIFIC ISLAND NATIONS
In the next few months, five Pacific islands nations will be deciding who will be leading them into their future. Solomon Islands The Solomon islands held its election this week with 508 candidates for the 50 seats in their parliament. Although 25 women ran for office, none made it into the parliament. Half the members of the parliament lost their seats. As of press time, the fate of the Former prime minister -- who has been in power since 2007 is unknown ---he is running against 5 other candidates. Tuvalu The Prime Minister is running against his cousin who is his Cabinet minister in an election set for Sept. 16. The election is expected to display intense family rivalry and the revelation of close family secrets as Tuvalu’s politics tends to be fought on a personal basis involving family ties and clans. Tonga After Tonga’s elections on November 25, the Kingdom will have a new Prime Minister. The current Prime Minister is a commoner who has decided not to seek re-election. Cook Islands Pencil in a September date for the Cook Islands elections although no exact date has been set yet. Northern Marianas The Northern Mariana islands electoral commission said that their election in November was in doubt. The Commonwealth has had severe financial problems in recent months, but it said it will find ways to fund the election, estimated to cost US$128,000.

GERMANY DONATES SOLAR WATER HEATER TO TOURISM SCHOOL
On August 9, 2010, the Federal Republic of Germany donated $8,970 to the Palau Tourism and Hospitality School of Excellence for a solar water heater system. German Ambassador Christian Ludwig Weber Lortsch presented the check to President of Belau Tourism Association Mary Frances Vogt at a small ceremony in Palau Community College. The school aims to train and equip students with a range of skills and for Palau’s growing tourism industry. The renovation and construction of the school will be completed by mid-September of this year.

GERMAN FUNDS TRANSLATION PROJECT FOR HISTORIC DOCUMENTS
A new chapter in the relationship between Germany and Palau occurred Tuesday, 10 August 2010. Community and cultural leaders from both nations gathered at the Capitol in Melekeok , for the formal signing of an agreement to provide funding for a two-year “Palau German Ethnography Translation Project.” The agreement was presented by German Ambassador to Palau Christian, Ludwig Weber Lortsch and signed by Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Faustina Rehuher-Marugg following a directive from President Toribiong. The project will directly translate early 1900s German documentation of Palau society, culture, and history as it was observed and written down by Augustin Kramer. The project will be funded by Federal Republic of Germany.

AMERICAN SAMOA CANNERY MAY REOPEN CANNERY
American Samoa’s Chicken of the Sea As part of the Samoa Packing cannery may be reopening after a rumored sale of the its assets at a price of just under $5 million dollars. The people of America Samoa are pinning their hopes on the possibility of new jobs. DUOGONG STATUE REVEALED As part of the campaign to help raise awareness and protect Palaus precious duogongs, a life-size statue will be placed at the national capitol in the ministry of state . Here’s more

OTV GETS THE SCOOP FROM TEAM CNMI’S YVONNE BENNETT
Yvonne Bennett from Team CNMI took the 7th Micronesian Games Athletics division by a storm, breaking three Micronesian records and taking the Gold in all the events in which she competed. OTV spoke with Bennett to learn more about her 7th Micronesian Games experience here in Palau. <<<INTERVIEW>>>

NO SERIOUS INJURIES DURING THE GAMES
As the 7th Micronesian Games came to a close, OTV spoke to the games medical team to check up on the challenges they faced during the 10 days of competition. Take a look… <<<INTERVIEW>>>

TEAM GUAM’S WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL WINS GOLD
Guam’s volleyball team wins the 7th Micronesian Games volleyball tournament against Palau. OTV was able to talk to the girls to uncover the story of their victory… <<<INTERVIEW>>>

TEAM RMI SECURES BRONZE MEDAL
On the last day of the games, basketball team of RMI secured their spot in the medal round receiving a bronze medal for the 7th Micronesian Games. OTV got the inside story from the teams first ever Micronesian Games experience… <<<INTERVIEW>>>

COLLEGE DEGREES THAT DON'T PAY
The word is in on the lowest paying college degrees. Child and family studies ranks the lowest paying starting at $29,500 per year. Other degrees in the low pay range are Elementary Education, Social Work, Athletic Training, Social Work and Education. Jobs that don’t require a degree seem to be paying well however with Southern rapper Birdman spending 2.1 million dollars on a new car, yes a car. The European sports Bugatti Veyron is not only one of the most expensive things you can buy on four wheels, but it's also the fastest street car on the planet. So if you want to better society through education and social work don’t expect to get rich. But if you want to have money to burn then write profound lyrics like ”flirt with hood rats then pop models”. Kinda makes you wonder.

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