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Magazine survey highlights Shangri-La’s experience

SUVA, Fiji (Fiji Times, June 7, 2009) – Shangri-La's Fijian Resort and Spa has topped a survey by Holiday with Kids magazine as the best resort for families in 2009 in the South Pacific.

Resort general manager Daniele Vastolo said they were proud of the achievement as it was close on heels with its win in January of the trip advisor award that also recognised the resort for being the best for families. "We continuously look at new ways to enhance the guest experience at our resort and in particular our youngest guests," he said.

"We want them to have as much fun as possible and to feel at home the moment they step on the island so we now have a special designated area for them in the lobby where they can register for our Little Chiefs Club.

"In our efforts to continuously enhance our services, the resort is installing new equipment at our award winning Little Chiefs Club playground as well as a sail...

Nine members formed new political party

By Alan Ah Mu

APIA, Samoa (Samoa Observer, June 7, 2009) – An interim injunction is being sought against the ruling by the Speaker to annul the seats of nine Members of Parliament, court documents have confirmed.

Filed last Friday, the application seeks a declaratory order by the court stopping the decision by the Speaker from being carried out.

Last week, Speaker Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiataua called for by-elections in the constituencies that the nine MPs in question represent.

Although the application is seeking the Supreme Court’s agreement to deal with the matter in chambers, it is not known if this would be granted.

The court may decline and allow the matter to be heard in open court with both parties making submissions.

Whatever the ruling, however, it is expected to be announced early this week.

Tolofuaivalelei is involved in this legal action in his capacity as the Speaker of...

Says PNG Liquefied Natural Gas project timed well

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, June 5, 2009) – Oil and gas giant ExxonMobil Corporation says that global demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) will continue to grow, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

In dismissing claims that LNG demand is expected to fall in the near term, ExxonMobil — which is leading a joint venture to develop the PNG LNG Project — reiterated that annual LNG demand would grow by 4 per cent to 400 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) by 2030.

"Our assessment indicates that there continues to be strong growth in demand for LNG particularly in the Asia-Pacific region," a Port

Moresby-based spokesman for the global giant told the Post-Courier yesterday.

"The PNG LNG project is well placed to capture a share of this market," said Miles Shaw, public affairs manager for Esso Highlands, the ExxonMobil subsidiary and project operator.

Mr. Shaw added that the...

Pleads no contest to disturbing peace, apologizes

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (June 6, 2009) – House Vice Speaker Laolagi F.S. Vaeao was yesterday sentenced to six months probation by the District Court after he entered a no contest plea in connection with an incident that occurred last month in Nu’uuli.

Laolagi, who represents Manu’a District #2, was charged with one count of public peace disturbance for a May 15 road incident in which a woman allegedly swore at him because she almost got hit by a vehicle driven by the defendant, who didn’t stop when the victim and another person were crossing the street.

The charge was filed Monday and Laolagi appeared yesterday before District Court Judge John L. Ward II for his first appearance. Laolagi entered a plea of no contest.

Defense attorney Sharron Rancourt and government prosecutor Sean Morrison recommended that the defendant be placed on probation because this is first offense and he is a well known, good...