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WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Dec. 28) - Six weeks after a controversy-plagued national election in the Marshall Islands, the chief electoral officer has ordered recounts in two seats which had been decided by four or fewer votes.

As well, United States-based voters have appealed to the Marshall’s High Court to allow their votes, which, if counted, could change the results in several of the close races.

Many of the postal votes were rejected because they missed deadlines, while other overseas voters did not receive their voting papers in time.

The government’s chief electoral officer, Carl Alik, has announced that recounts for Maloelap and Likiep Atolls will be held next Thursday.

The ruling United Democratic Party lost its 20-seat majority in the 33-seat parliament, but the opposition Aelon Kein Ad party also did not win an outright majority.

Both parties have been negotiating with independent candidates to form a new...

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, Dec. 29) - Fiji’s Citizen’s Constitutional Forum has called on the people of Fiji to support the President Ratu Josefa Iloilo as he celebrates his 87th birthday today.

"Today is the 87th birthday of Ratu Iloilo. Currently Fiji is stuck in a bad situation whereby an appointment of a vice president cannot be made, because the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) has been suspended," CCF chief executive officer, Rev Akuila Yabaki said. "The President is in an unenviable position where he cannot delegate duties to a deputy or consult one, because there is no one in that position. As such, we should provide him with support, rather than with criticism, as he continues to do his job."

Ratu Josefa recently returned from a medical check-up in Australia amongst criticism by many who feel his health may be affecting his ability to carry out his duties as the country's President.

Yabaki meanwhile adds the CFF is hopeful that the GCC will be able to...

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (SIBC, Dec. 29) - Former Ministers and political appointees have until early January to return the government vehicles they are using.

Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Infrastructure and Development, Peter Hau'ia confirms the date, saying according to Parliamentary Entitlements Regulations the 14 day grace period for their use of the vehicles will lapse on the third of January 2008.

Mr Hau'ia explains the Ministry understands the vehicles are needed for re-allocation to new ministers of the Sikua-led government.

Earlier this month, the Minister for Infrastructure, Stanley Sofu had told SIBC News that the government cannot afford to buy new vehicles as funds have already been exhausted and funds under the government's contingency warrant has gone over its ceiling.Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary says the Ministry is still expecting the 23 vehicles bought this year to be returned for checking and servicing before re-allocation....

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (RNZI, Dec. 30) - Fiji airlines saw an increase in the number of passengers they carried in the third quarter of this year.

In its latest statistical news, the Bureau of Statistics said local airlines carried almost 170 thousand passengers on international flights in the quarter.

The bureau said that was an increase of 21.3 per cent in the number of passengers carried in the third quarter of 2007.

The Fiji Times quotes the local Hotels Association president, Dixon Seeto, as saying the increase in the third quarter of 2007 was probably because of visitors, friends and relatives taking advantage of the reduced air tickets .