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