Marshall Islands hold nat’l elections<\/p>\n
MAJURO, Marshall Islands—Voter turnout for national elections Monday was heavy, with analysts predicting close races for 33 Nitijela (parliament) seats.<\/p>\n
Some 28,000 voters cast their ballots after the most aggressive campaign in 20 years. Final elections results are not expected to be announced until next week.<\/p>\n
Marshall Islands Journal reporter Giff Johnson said President Imata Kabui “will certainly get back in as a Senator” from Kwajalein, but it is not certain that he will have the votes in parliament to be re-elected president.<\/p>\n
New Zealand’s aid to Fiji defended<\/p>\n
SUVA, Fiji Islands—New Zealand’s ambassador to Fiji, Tia Barrett, says his country’s assistance to Fiji hasn’t changed from that provided under the previous government.<\/p>\n
Barrett was replying to a statement over the weekend by opposition whip Konisi Kabaki that New Zealand aid supported projects objected to by indigenous Fijians.<\/p>\n
Barrett said during recently annual talks with Fiji government officials agreement was reached on a range of development assistance program that would benefit all Fijians.<\/p>\n
Cook Islands’ PM expected to quit<\/p>\n
RAROTONGA, Cook Islands—Opposition leader Dr. Terepai Maoate has told journalists that Prime Minister Dr. Joe Williams will resign just before Parliament resumes on Wednesday — but Williams’ office says no way.<\/p>\n
Maoate believes the Prime Minister will hold out until the last minute on Wednesday, and then resign to save face before from being voted out of office in Parliament by a new majority political coalition.<\/p>\n
But government spokesperson Elma Maua said, “The PM has always categorically stated that he will not resign.”<\/p>\n
Cause of Wahgi bridge collapsed detected<\/p>\n
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea-\u001fInvestigators have reported that the collapse of a new footbridge that dumped up to a hundred people into the Wahgi River, killing two, resulted from someone removing nuts and bolts used in the bridge’s construction.<\/p>\n
Engineers who examined the collapsed bridge said there were no structural deformities.<\/p>\n
Police officers found the missing nuts and bolts in a nearby village.<\/p>\n
Strike cripples airport operations<\/p>\n
NOUMEA, New Caledonia —A roving strike at Tontouta International Airport, which began last week, continues to cause flight disruptions at Tontouta International Airport outside the capital.<\/p>\n
Members of the STKE (Syndicat des Travailleurs Kanak Exploit\u00e9s) union are taking turns slowing down various catering and baggage services, causing most flights to be delayed several hours.<\/p>\n
Union members object to continued employment of a supervisor whom they want dismissed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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