Pacific Region News

PNG’s ex-PM faces fraud charges

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea — Former prime minister and current opposition leader Bill Skate has appeared in court on insurance fraud charges.

Police allege Skate conspired with criminals in 1990 to have his vehicle stolen and burned, in order to make an insurance claim worth $10,000.

Skate faces up to 20 years in jail if found guilty. A hearing in the case will take place early next month.

New search for Amelia Earhart

MAJURO, Marshall Islands — A new high-tech expedition has left for the central Pacific to continue efforts to find an answer to the 1937 disappearance of aviator Amelia Earhart.

Her plane vanished mysteriously mid-way across the Pacific, on the last leg of her round-the-world flight.

Trip organizer Guy Zajonc, who is based in Spokane, Washington, said previous searches have concentrated on land, but this one will use deep sea sonar equipment, capable of identifying objects at depths up over 30,000 feet.

Remains of U.S. sailor found

TARAWA, Kiribati — Workmen on a road upgrading project have recovered a well-preserved human skeleton believed to be that of an American serviceman.

The skeleton was recovered together with an identification necklace, a water container and boots. The name Gilmore, L.P., the date June 26, 1943 and the capitalized letters USN are engraved on the necklace.

The remains were found on Tarawa’s Betio islet, the scene of one of the fiercest battles in the Pacific between American and Japanese forces during World War II.

The Betio Town Council has taken custody of the remains.

Fiji promises consultation on proposed casino plan

SUVA, Fiji Islands — Justice Minister Anand Singh has promised extensive consultation over a proposal to establish casinos and permit hotel gambling machines.

A $100,000 budget has been approved to research the matter.

Singh said interest in legal gambling is coming primarily from tourist hotel operators and the Fiji Rugby Union.

The union believes, he added, that “if they are allowed to go into casinos, they would get the necessary funds they require to develop rugby in Fiji.”

Palau’s jellyfish diminishing

KOROR, Palau — New studies show unique Palau jellyfish are diminishing rapidly.

The jellyfish, which have lost their sting, live in lakes in Palau, often in vast numbers. They are a major tourist and diver attraction.

The director of the Koror State Rangers, Adalbert Eledui, said studies show that temperature, salinity and oxygen changes in the lakes are causing the animals’ disappearance. Efforts to reverse the trend are under way.