PINA

The United States Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk, has terminated a consulting contract with the State Department for the Republic of Palau. In a statement posted on its X account last week, DOGE described the US$1.9 million contract as providing “global advisory and support services for the Republic of Palau.” The agency indicated that this consultancy...

East Sepik Governor Allan Bird has filed and served a Section 18 Supreme Court application challenging the recent amendments to Section 145 (5) of the Papua New Guinea Constitution. The applications question the constitutionality of the amended sections. The amendment in question provides that if a motion of no confidence should fail, a grace period of 18 months should ensue before...

The head of U.S forces for the Indo-Pacific, Admiral Samuel Paparo, said on Wednesday he would be advocating “most strongly” for the continuation of USAID funding to the Pacific Islands region, where U.S influence is being contested by China. Asked at a congressional hearing if the United States was missing opportunities with the Trump administration's assault on the U.S Agency...

Government negotiators at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London this week look set to agree that, from 2028, the owners or operators of ships that fail to meet targets to reduce emissions from their fuel should be penalised financially. Under a compromise proposal put forward by the chair of the talks, shipowners who fail to meet the targets for...

In a bold and direct address to the nation, Alternate Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Nominee Sir Peter Ipatas has issued a call to fellow leaders to act decisively amid what he described as the “deteriorating state of the nation.” Speaking during a press conference held by the Opposition Wednesday, Sir Ipatas laid out his motivations for accepting the nomination...

The captains of the 8 women’s and 8 men’s teams gathered near Henryk Reyman Munical Stadium, on Thursday against the backdrop of one of Krakow’s iconic tram’s which proudly displayed promotion of the tournament. The 16 teams qualified following two days of thrilling action at the second round of the Challenger Series which took place in Cape Town in March...

Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo highlighted the importance of data as his nation held its scheduled reporting session with UN CEDAW experts this morning in Fiji. Tuvalu ratified CEDAW in 1999 and will present its combined 5th and 6th periodic reports during this Pacific session. PM Teo acknowledged the common challenges Pacific nations face, particularly in data analysis for tracking...

The president of Palau has strongly backed an Australian bid to host a UN climate conference on behalf of the Pacific, arguing that it would boost regional solidarity and clean energy investment, and he would be “deeply disappointed” if the attempt were abandoned under the Coalition. Speaking in Sydney, Surangel Whipps Jr stressed he did not want to offer a...

ABG President Ishmael Toroama has thanked the Papua New Guinea Government for acknowledging Bougainville’s right to self-determination and emphasised that the outcome of the referendum must now be implemented in good faith. Speaking during the Second Joint Moderation Meeting in Port Moresby Tuesday President Toroama reaffirmed Bougainville’s firm commitment to independence and called on all parties, including the National Government...

Recent developments should draw attention to the moral costs of Rabuka’s decision to unreservedly embrace both Trump and Israel. By Merewalesi (Mere) Nailatikau In November 2020, Sitiveni Rabuka broke the diplomatic convention of avoiding partisan commentary on other countries’ politics by publicly declaring support for Donald Trump in the U.S elections. Then a member of the opposition with the Social Democratic...