Commonwealth Update

Devastating hurricanes batter Grenada and other Caribbean islands. John Howard wins a fourth term and becomes the most powerful prime minister in Australia for 24 years. President Biya wins another seven years in Cameroon but Commonwealth observers give election the thumbs down. In Namibia a new president is elected to succeed veteran independence leader Sam Nujoma. Next door in Botswana President Mogae wins a second and final term. India and Pakistan edge towards better relations, but President Musharraf hesitates to shed his army uniform. A British court sitting in Pitcairn (pop. 47) sentences the mayor and five other men for rape and indecent assault committed decades ago. Unrest and strike threats hit the Nigerian oil delta. Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai wins the Nobel Peace Prize.