US Government

U.S 10-year stability plan for PNG

The 10-Year Strategic Plan outlines a targeted approach to integrating US diplomatic, development, and security efforts in PNG toward three overarching shared objectives:

USAID supports PNG Fisheries sector

The USAID funded OurFish OurFuture National Inception Workshop for PNG, was held yesterday in Port Moresby officiated by U.S Charge d’Affaires for PNG, Joseph Zadrozny.

He said the implementation approach for the program is unique and that it will use a community-centered approach to ensure maximum impact with the people and communities being the core focus of the program.

Tesla investigated over 'phantom braking' problem

The so-called "phantom braking" problem is being looked at by US regulator the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

It received 354 complaints in the past nine months and its investigation will cover approximately 416,000 Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles from 2021-22.

Drivers say the issue occurs using the Autopilot driver assistance system.

The feature gives the vehicle control over some elements of braking and steering when driving, although it is not a substitute for a human driver.

Lance Armstrong settles with US Government over lawsuit suing for lost sponsorship during Tour de France doping

Armstrong was stripped of his record seven Tour de France victories after admitting he used performance-enhancing drugs throughout much of his career.

The deal came as the two sides prepared for a trial that was scheduled to start May 7 in Washington. Armstrong's former US Postal Service teammate Floyd Landis filed the original lawsuit in 2010 and is eligible for up to 25 per cent of the settlement.

Over K300,000 relief from US govt

The United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) is providing $100,000 (K320,000) for this.

United States Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Catherine Ebert-Gray, expressed great sadness for victims and families of those who perished during the 7.5 magnitude earthquake, and requested assistance from the U.S. government, resulting in the $100,000 aid package.

US tightens aviation screening to avoid laptop ban

The move will affect the approximately 2000 commercial flights arriving daily in the United States from 280 airports in 105 countries.

Officials are requiring enhanced screening of personal electronic devices and passengers, and increased explosive screening.

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said airlines that failed to satisfy new security requirements could still face future in-cabin electronics restrictions.

Officials said the measures were to prevent an expansion of the in-cabin ban on laptops and other large electronic devices affecting eight countries.

US government 'hacked global bank system'

The tools are said to have been created by the US National Security Agency (NSA), and accompanying documents appear to indicate a possible breach of the Swift global banking system.

Such a hack could have enabled the US to covertly monitor financial transactions, researchers said.

The files were released by Shadow Brokers, a hacking group that has previously leaked malware.

If genuine, it represents perhaps the most significant exposure of NSA files since the Edward Snowden leaks in 2013.

Twitter is suing the US government after it demanded it reveal the identity of an anti-Trump account.

The @ALT_USCIS profile was an anonymous profile account criticising President Trump’s immigration policy.

The account claimed it was being run by federal employees at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Twitter has requested a court block the Trump administration’s request, calling it a matter of free speech.

The challenge was filed in San Francisco, where the micro-blogging service is based.

US government offers aid to threatened Jewish centres

Secretary John Kelly called upon his agency to "heighten our outreach and support", to Jewish institutions following the spate of attacks.

Jewish cemeteries have been desecrated in Philadelphia and St Louis.

President Donald Trump has condemned these attacks and the murder of an Indian in Kansas as "hate crimes".

Mr Kelly said his office had spoken on Wednesday to the Jewish Community Center (JCC) Association of North America, which represents more than 150 campuses.

Donald Trump denies transition disarray after sackings

Mr Trump tweeted that the process of selecting his new cabinet and other positions was "very organised".

US media say two senior members of the transition team working on national security have been forced out.

Mr Trump, a property tycoon and Republican outsider, won an unexpected victory against Hillary Clinton.

He has already replaced New Jersey Governor Chris Christie with Vice-President-elect Mike Pence as head of the transition team.