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To promote energy conservation, longer afternoons

APIA, Samoa (Samoa Observer, November 28, 2008) – Daylight savings is to begin in Samoa on the first Sunday of October next year in a bid to address the worldwide crises in fuel and food prices.

Cabinet has approved the report by the Committee appointed to assess possible benefits to instituting Daylight Saving Time for Samoa.

Daylight Saving Time is a convention of advancing clocks so that afternoons have more daylight and mornings have less. Typically, clocks are adjusted forward one hour near the start of spring for the southern hemisphere and are adjusted backward in autumn.

According to the Committee’s report, daylight saving time in Samoa will have significant benefits to the country, like: promoting energy conservation; increasing opportunities for leisure; enhances public health and safety; and economic growth.

Cabinet has approved: Daylight saving time in Samoa to start on the first Sunday...

10-year-tax holiday is aims to encourage alternate energy

SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, Nov. 29, 2008) – The 10-year tax holiday for the bio-fuel industry is certain to lure investors, says Fiji Trade and Investment Board CEO Annie Rogers.

Rogers has recommended that other measures be adopted by Government to make Fiji competitive and attractive.

Tax holidays are one of the competitive advantages for countries that have excelled in the bio-fuel industry like Malaysia, Philippines and USA.

"These countries have already ventured towards the trend of adopting ‘green’ or ‘eco-friendly’ practices in achieving their economic goals," said Rogers. "Fiji could consider also sound government bio-fuel related policies, coupled with adequate regulation and tailor-made incentives."

Rogers said the bio-fuel industry was being identified by Government as having the potential for exponential growth over the next few years in terms of employment creation, foreign exchange...

Letter urge President Bush to abandon the designation

By Agnes Donato

SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, November 28, 2008) –Micronesian leaders have asked President George W. Bush to reject a proposal to designate the three northernmost islands of the Commonwealth as a marine monument.

The officials, in a letter signed at the recently concluded 10th Micronesian Chief Executives' Summit in Pohnpei, expressed their support for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) government, which opposes the implementation of a national marine monument in the islands of Maug, Asuncion and Uracas through the Antiquities Act.

"While the merits of the specific designation are debatable, the process is unacceptable to all of our people," states the letter, signed by Federated States of Micronesia President Emanuel Mori, Guam Gov. Felix Camacho, Palau President Tommy E. Remengasau, Marshall Islands President Litokwa Tomeing, Yap Gov. Sebastian Anefal, Pohnpei...

Money intended for freight charges for projects

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, November 28, 2008) – Solomon Islands Prime Minister Derek Sikua has clarified why Members of Parliament have been paid SB$150,000 [US$21,500] each.

He says MPs will use the money to meet freight charges of goods they will buy with livelihood funds for projects in their constituencies.

Prime Minister Sikua says the money is also a refund to some MPs who had paid the freight charges themselves.

Dr Sikua was responding to a report in the Island Sun newspaper which had claimed among other things that the payout was his attempt to keep the CNURA grouping together.

The report added that some of them are planning to visit Mainland China before Christmas.

He says there is nothing sinister about the payout, but a positive response from the Government to the MPs’ request for reimbursement and to pay for freight charges of goods being obtained for projects in their...