Author: TMC Palau

[File Photo] Climate change is already impacting food production in Fiji, with saltwater intrusion, shifting rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events reducing agricultural productivity in vulnerable areas. In response, the government and the Pacific Community have signed a $604,920 grant agreement to assess climate-related loss and damage in the agriculture sector, with a focus on rice farming in Macuata Province. Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs funds the project as part of its ongoing support for Pacific Island countries addressing climate-related loss and damage. The agreement marks Fiji’s first sector-specific assessment of loss and damage in agriculture, aimed at strengthening understanding…

As spring travel peaks in 2026, the Palau de la Musica Catalana in Barcelona buzzes with the Sant Pau Festival from May 4-6, featuring elite classical performers like Mikhail Pletnev. US travelers can catch world-class symphonies just days from now, paired with the venue’s stunning Modernista architecture. In early May 2026, as US travelers plan spring getaways amid blooming Mediterranean landscapes, the Palau de la Musica Catalana stands out with the Sant Pau Festival running May 4-6. This elite classical music event draws international stars to Barcelona’s iconic concert hall, offering a perfect blend of performance and architecture for culture…

Brienna Rabakewa. Brienna Rabakewa’s attention has already shifted beyond the Coca-Cola Games, with the upcoming Oceania Athletics Championships firmly in her sights. The national rep is using the next two weeks to fine-tune both her mindset and performance as she prepares to line up against some of the region’s best from the 18th to 23rd. She believes the experience she gained competing at the Australian National Championships will be key heading into that meet. Rabakewa admits that stepping into that level of competition challenged her confidence at first, as she faced athletes she felt were ahead of her.Article continues after advertisement However,…

Overview: The Nauru Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has issued a public warning about a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment scheme operating in Nauru and across the region, urging residents to be vigilant against scams promising unrealistic returns. Authorities say the scheme—linked to DSJ Exchange and BG Wealth Sharing—uses social media platforms to lure victims with “guaranteed” profits before restricting withdrawals and disappearing with funds. YAREN, 24 APRIL 2026 (PACNEWS)—The Nauru Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has issued a public alert warning residents of a fraudulent investment scheme operating in the country and across the region, urging people to stay vigilant against online scams. …

Lluís Domènech i Montaner (1849-1923), the great architect of Modernisme, the Catalan Art Nouveau, continued work on Palau Montaner where, due to disagreements with the owner, it had been left by Josep Domènech i Estapà, the building’s first architect. Despite the creative freedom that Ramon Montaner i Vila, publisher and owner of the building, gave Domènech i Montaner to build his family mansion, the architect decided to continue work on the shell built by his predecessor, introducing ornamental elements and extending the planned eaves to soften the severity of its lines and give it character. Inside, Domènech i Montaner designed…

[Source: Fijian Drua/Facebook] The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will shift their focus to rest and recovery as they head into a well-earned bye week following a demanding stretch of matches. Head coach Glen Jackson says the priority now is giving the players time to recharge after eight tough weeks of competition. He believes the squad deserves the break, encouraging them to enjoy time with family before turning their attention back to the season ahead. “They should enjoy the victory. It’s important now that they rest, spend time with family and get ready. To answer your question, there’s not much to…

PALAU will decide by referendum whether to allow deportees from the United States to settle in the tiny North Pacific state. The Senate blocked a deal agreed between President Surangel Whipps and his US counterpart Donald Trump to resettle 75 deportees in exchange for medical and infrastructure support. The issue will now proceed to a national referendum. Supporters said the legislation changes were necessary to prevent the deal from taking effect without adequate legal and humanitarian protections in place. Radio New Zealand reports that the Palau National Congress (Olbiil Era Kelulau) sat for three days to pass a bill to…

Dialogue Fiji has condemned the recommendation to remove the corporal punishment ban from the Education Bill 2025. The Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights proposed deleting Clause 73, arguing that the protection already exists in the Constitution. Dialogue Fiji Executive Director Nilesh Lal called this reasoning “fundamentally flawed,” noting that constitutional rights must be operationalised through specific legislation to be enforceable. “To argue a protection should be removed simply because it exists in the Constitution reflects a serious misunderstanding of how human rights are implemented.”Article continues after advertisement He warned that deleting the clause creates ambiguity and signals…

Emmanuelle Haïm, founder of the Le Concert d’Astrée ensemble and its conductor since 2000, returns for a third year in a row to BCN Clàssics, this time for a performance of Georg Friedrich Handel’s Messiah. Internationally recognised for her elegant, precise interpretations of the Baroque repertoire, Haïm has taken Le Concert d’Astrée to the world’s most prestigious auditoriums and festivals, consolidating a career that stands as a model of historically informed performance. The Messiah is one of the most important works in the Baroque repertoire and one of the most famous oratorios in the history of music. Its combination of…

Overview: Environmental groups in the Cook Islands are raising alarm over a major deep-sea mining merger involving American Ocean Minerals Corporation and Odyssey Marine Exploration, warning it signals growing foreign control over Pacific ocean resources. Critics describe the deal as an “industrial colonial takeover,” intensifying debate over sovereignty, environmental risks, and the future of seabed mining. RAROTONGA, 24 APRIL 2026 (COOK ISLANDS NEWS) —Cook Islands environmental groups have slammed the recent merger of an American minerals investment company with Odyssey, calling it “an industrial colonial takeover of our ocean”.  American Ocean Minerals Corporation (AOMC) recently announced its merger with Odyssey,…