Author: ngewakl

[Source: Reuters] Pop superstar Taylor Swift filed trademark applications for two audio clips and one image of ‌herself in what a trademark attorney said is an attempt to protect her voice and likeness from deepfake videos and audio created by artificial intelligence. The applications were filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Friday and list Swift’s TAS ​Rights Management as being the owner of the audio clips and image. A spokesperson for Swift did ​not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday, nor did lawyers who ⁠were listed on the filings.In one of the audio clips,…

Niuean common roll candidates vying of a seat in the Niue Assembly on the campaign trail at Tuapa Uhomotu village. 24 April 2026 Photo: Facebook / Gustava Esther Pavihi Niue, with an estimated population of under 1700, is part of the Realm of New Zealand. A total of 44 candidates are vying for 20 seats in the Niue Assembly. Expensive groceries, rising fuel prices, and frequent power outages are the primary concerns for voters. Niueans will head to the polls on Saturday (Sunday NZT), with the cost of living looming large. PMN Niue reports that expensive groceries, rising fuel prices,…

When disasters strike, so does displacement. Each year across the Pacific, cyclones, flooding, coastal erosion and storm surges prompt people to leave their homes. Often this movement is temporary, as people seek shelter in evacuation centres or on higher ground, returning home after the immediate danger has passed. But sometimes it becomes prolonged or even permanent. For many Pacific communities, displacement is not an exceptional outcome of disasters; it is a recurring and defining feature of how they are experienced. Although Pacific countries are on the frontline of the climate crisis, they are also at the forefront of solutions. The…

Palau Senate Photo: SPREP Palau’s Supreme Court has denied an application by the Senate for a stay order on the government’s plan to take third country nationals deported from the United States. President Surangel Whipps’ has agreed for Palau to take up to 75 people, with the US to give Palau US$ 7,500,000 in development funds. However, the Senate – the upper house of the Palau National Congress (Olbiil era Kelulau) – and a citizens group went to court arguing the deal is unlawful and not in Palau’s interests, but their motion has been denied. While the Senate earlier tried…

Overview: Palau has seized an Indonesian-flagged fishing vessel carrying more than 40 tons of fish inside its protected waters, marking a major enforcement breakthrough after years of attempted interdictions. First successful apprehension since 2021 highlights renewed crackdown on illegal fishing By: L.N. Reklai Koror, Palau — Authorities have seized an Indonesian-flagged fishing vessel operating illegally within Palau’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), marking the first successful apprehension of its kind in years and highlighting enforcement efforts to curb illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. The purse seine vessel KM Sinar-Arindo 6 was intercepted during Operation Rai Balang 2025, a joint regional surveillance…

[Photo: FILE] The Health Ministry says the Blackrock Medical Centre in Votualevu, Nadi, will be temporarily closed to all civilians until further notice. The Ministry says it received instructions from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) stating that in light of RFMF’s joint illicit drug operations with the Fiji Police Force, the facility will be utilised for the management of security personnel who may be injured during these operations. The Health Ministry says all civilian patients will be redirected to seek medical care at the Nadi Hospital and Nadi Health Centre, which is located in the Sarada Building in…

Photo: 123rf Samoa A new initiative in Samoa aims to strengthen prevention and response to drug abuse among children and adolescents in the country. In a joint statement, the governments of Samoa and Japan, together with UNICEF, said it comes amid growing concern about the harmful impact of illicit drugs on young people’s health, safety, and overall wellbeing. Japan has contributed US$900,000 to the four-year project. It will focus on strengthening awareness amongst children and families on risks associated with drug use, and improving counselling and recovery support. Kiribati New Zealand will provide NZ$20 million to Kiribati over the next…

In Fiji, the Social Pension Scheme pension is having a huge impact on reducing poverty, with analysis suggesting poverty among older persons would be around 40% higher without the scheme. The pension supports more than 58,000 older people and, for many households, this support is essential. A recent community-level survey of 1,365 pension recipients found that 72% are the sole income earners within their households. At the household level, the impacts are tangible. “The pension enables recipients to transition into more private, secure and improved living arrangements, improve sanitation and improve access to more reliable water sources,” said Eseta Nadakuitavuki,…

Palau’s President says his country is safer , not more at risk, because of its close ties with the United States.Speaking with William Terite during his first official visit to New Zealand, Surangel Whipps Jr. said the partnership with Washington is a key part of protecting his nation in an increasingly contested region.“I believe it’s safer,” Whipps said when asked whether alignment with the US makes Palau more vulnerable.Across the Pacific, countries are facing growing pressure as competition between the United States and China intensifies.For small island states like Palau, the challenge is how to protect their sovereignty while maintaining…

Overview: Super Typhoon Sinlaku has left a trail of destruction across Saipan and Guam, knocking out power, flooding communities and damaging homes—while authorities begin assessing the full масш of the impact. Power, water outages and flooding hit Northern Marianas as strongest storm of 2026 moves north Northern Mariana Islands (April 16, 2026)— Super Typhoon Sinlaku tore across the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam this week, overturning vehicles, toppling utility poles and ripping roofs from homes, as authorities reported widespread damage but no confirmed deaths. The powerful storm slammed into Saipan late Tuesday, lashing the island for hours with violent winds…