Author: TMC Palau

BarcelonaThe Ramón Areces Foundation and the Valencian Institute of Economic Research have calculated the cost of eliminating poverty in Spain, a figure they place at 24 billion euros, but the most interesting aspect is that the study offers data by territory and allows for a comparative analysis of the last 10 years. This provides two snapshots: a static one of which territories have the highest population at risk of poverty or exclusion, and a dynamic one of which have most improved these indicators in a decade. In this regard, Catalonia does not fare particularly badly, as it has 14.3% of…

Palau lies in the western Pacific Ocean and belongs to the Micronesia subregion of Oceania. The island enjoys one of the highest standards of living, yet it still relies heavily on U.S. foreign aid to maintain this status. Despite such aid, 24.9% of the population live in poverty, and disabled people face an even higher risk, just as in many other places. There are many hardships that make life difficult for able-bodied people in Palau, which, while difficult, are manageable, but when extra factors that impact disabled people come into play, the barriers seem near impossible to overcome. With a…

Overview: Global foreign aid has plunged to its lowest level on record, according to new data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, with tens of billions of dollars withdrawn by major donors. As countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Japan and France scale back contributions, experts warn of devastating global consequences—while Australia ranks among the least generous donors. CANBERRA, 13 APRIL 2026 (AAP) — New figures confirm the exodus of tens of billions of dollars in foreign aid last year, led by major powers the United States, United Kingdom, Japan and France. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation…

Claim: In December 2025, the U.S. and Palau signed a $7.5 million agreement that will allow the U.S. to send up to 75 non-criminal deportees to the island nation. Rating: In December 2025, a claim spread online that the island nation of Palau signed a $7.5 million agreement with the U.S. government to accept up to 75 non-criminal deportees. Users shared the claim on multiple social media platforms (archived, archived, archived), and several news media outlets reported it.  The claim is true — amid the focused deportation effort of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, the U.S. and Palau publicly signed…

Following his acclaimed performance last year, the Romanian composer and pianist Andrei Irimia returns to the iconic Petit Palau in Barcelona with an enriched vision of his project Lights & Shadows. Renowned for painting vivid emotional landscapes with his unmistakable sonic signature, Andrei creates music that exists between two worlds, moving effortlessly from the most fragile intimacy to an immersive cinematic scale. Beyond the traditional boundaries of neoclassicism, his work is defined by a sophisticated blend of minimalist piano, melancholic strings, and subtle digital accents. His compositions unfold with meticulous textural layering and a cinematic depth with a noir aesthetic,…

BarcelonaAn exhibition at the Palau Robert on critical thinking, disinformation, and hate speech has drawn a complaint from Plataforma per la Llengua (Platform for the Language) because it “stigmatizes Catalan speakers as alleged aggressors.” In a space designed to resemble a gym changing room, the exhibition placed the phrase “Let them go back to their country!” alongside the phrase “Let them learn Catalan!”, which could be interpreted as equating demanding language learning with racism or exclusion. According to Plataforma per la Llengua, the exhibition presented learning Catalan “with a negative, belligerent, and even hateful tone.” The ICIP (International Catalan Institute…

About the project:  The Ulong Island Restoration Project was made possible by the leadership of the Koror State Government, supported by Island Conservation, the Koror State Department of Conservation and Law Enforcement (DCLE), and the Koror State Rangers. Support for the project was provided by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Oceankind, Bell Laboratories Inc., the Moore Family Charitable Foundation, the Dawson Family Fund, the Wanderlust Fund, the Fields family, and other island advocates around the world. And of course, it would not be possible without the support in the…

Overview: Developing nations are pushing for a stronger collective voice in global debt negotiations as economic fallout from the Middle East conflict deepens. A new Borrowers’ Platform, backed by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, aims to help countries confront rising debt burdens, surging oil prices, and widening inequality in the global financial system. WASHINGTON, 16 APRIL 2026 (UN NEWS CENTRE) —Developing countries are banking on having a stronger voice in debt negotiations, following the launch of a new country-led borrowing initiative on Wednesday on the margins of the annual IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings.  The economic shockwaves of the…

[Photo: MOSESE RAQIO] European Union Ambassador to the Pacific Barbara Plinkert says growing global conflict, economic coercion and geopolitical instability have made partnerships between the European Union, Fiji and the Pacific more important than ever. Speaking during Europe Day celebrations, Plinkert says the world must stand united for peace, stability and international law. She says Pacific nations, including Fiji, have consistently supported Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in international forums, reinforcing global efforts to uphold the principles of the United Nations Charter. Plinkert also highlighted major cooperation achievements between the European Union and the Pacific, including the High Seas Treaty…

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Industries (MPII) reaffirmed that the Palau Open Ship Registry continues to operate normally under the authority of the Government of the Republic of Palau, with all registry services being delivered without interruption through the Bureau of Marine Transportation.Since December 15, 2025, the Bureau of Marine Transportation has ensured the uninterrupted provision of vessel registration, statutory certification, regulatory oversight, and flag-state administration services. The Government emphasized that all functions of the Registry remain fully in place and compliant with Palau’s legal and international obligations.The recent amendments to the Maritime and Admiralty Act will allow the…