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Strong quake hits PNG’s Britain region
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Posted on Nov 19 1999
RABAUL, Papua New Guinea—A strong earthquake measuring 6.8 on the open-ended Richter scale has rocked the New Britain region.
There were no immediate reports of casualties.
The epicenter of the earthquake was placed 252 miles west-southwest of the city of Rabaul.
Solomons charges public servants
HONIARA, Solomon Islands—The Solomon Islands High Court is schedule to hear allegations that four former senior public servants, including a former government budget director and his deputy, stole millions of dollars in 1995.
The Central Magistrates Court in Honiara carried out an inquiry into the allegations and sent the four to the High Court. No date has yet been set for the hearing.
Key Cabinet members ousted
MAJURO, Marshall Islands—Two senior cabinet members, Finance Minister Tony deBrum and Foreign Minister Phillip Muller, lost their parliamentary seats in Monday’s general election.
Both ministers, who have served as legislators for 16 years, were the subjects of an anti-corruption campaign by the opposition United Democratic Party.
Muller currently is the Marshalls chief negotiator in talks with the U.S. on extending long-term economic aid and military security provisions of the two nation’s Compact of Free Association.
Vote counting is continuing on neighbor islands, with analysts saying the government majority in Parliament may now go to the opposition.
