The Indian Ocean tsunami caused US$675 million in damage to

The Indian Ocean tsunami caused US$675 million in damage to
Indonesia's environment by battering coral reefs and mangroves
and washing away farm land, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
said on Friday. The figure was the first full estimate of
economic losses to the environment for any country hit by the
Dec. 26 tsunami, UNEP spokesman Nick Nuttall said. A wider UNEP
report will be issued next month at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi.
"Beyond the horrific loss of human life, the earthquake and
resulting tsunami ... had enormous impacts on Indonesia's coastal
environment, causing damage and loss to natural habitats and
important ecosystem functions," the UNEP said in a statement. --
Reuters

Minister quits
Romanian govt

Romania's new coalition government lost its first member on
Friday after less than one month in office, when Control Minister
Sorin Vicol quit in protest after some powers were removed from
his ministry. Vicol, 34, said he saw no role for himself. His
resignation was not seen as affecting the centrist coalition,
which took power in December after pledging to tackle corruption
and prepare Romania to join the European Union (EU) in 2007. "My
responsibilities were considerably diminished because of the
transfer of two institutions," Vicol, a member of the small
Humanist (PUR) party said. The control ministry oversees
government agencies whose job is to ensure that companies and
institutions in Romania comply with financial and other
regulations. -- Reuters