Huge gas deposits found off New Caledonia<\/p>\n
NOUMEA, New Caledonia— French researchers have found what they believe to be the world’s largest deposit of natural gas.<\/p>\n
Located 145 miles off the western coast of New Caledonia, the gas deposit covers 32,000 square miles at an ocean depth of approximately 2,000 feet.<\/p>\n
The scientists, aboard a research vessel, currently are testing the ocean floor for additional mineral deposits.<\/p>\n
Marshall Islands to acquire new planes<\/p>\n
MAJURO, Marshall Islands—Government-owned Air Marshall Islands will take delivery of a new 36-seat Dornier aircraft from Germany before the end of the year, with a second acquisition planned for 2000.<\/p>\n
In preparation for the fleet modernization project, the government will pave most of the country’s 23 outer island airstrips.<\/p>\n
Funding for the project is being provided by Taiwan.<\/p>\n
Tonga worried over drop in squash pumpkin prices<\/p>\n
NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga—Both farmers and government officials are concerned about the falling price of squash pumpkin, which is among the kingdom’s larger revenue earners.<\/p>\n
Exporters have informed local growers that they will be paying less for the produce compared to prices announced at the beginning of the growing season.<\/p>\n
There also is concern that with no quota limit, the primary Japanese market will be flooded, forcing a further price decrease.<\/p>\n
Villagers throw AIDS victims into Wahgi River<\/p>\n
KEROWAGI, Papua New Guinea—Three AIDS victims thrown into the Wahgi River in Chimbu province last week are believed to have died. One death has been confirmed.<\/p>\n
A local Catholic church representative said the victims, two men and a woman, were thrown alive into the rapidly running river by relatives following a village meeting that resolved to carry out the killings.<\/p>\n
“We can’t do much because the villagers are not cooperating with us,” a senior police officer said.<\/p>\n
He said several youths allegedly took the three terminally sick people from their homes on stretchers on the pretext of transferring them to another village and dumped them in the river.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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