Author: TMC Palau

[Source: Reuters] Sudan’s RSF forces carried out mass killings, abductions ‌of women and girls, mass gang rapes and forced starvation in a city they besieged and captured last year, as part of an intentional policy amounting to genocide, a U.N. probe said on Wednesday. The Rapid Support Forces, ​which are battling the Sudanese army in a civil war, committed the crimes in al-Fashir ​in north Darfur, which they captured last year after a long siege, the U.N. ⁠Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan found. Survivors described to the mission being raped in rooms where bodies of ​recently killed civilians, including their own…

[Source: Reuters] The U.S. military said on Wednesday that it was ‌launching fresh strikes on Iran aimed at keeping the critical Strait of Hormuz open to traffic, hours after President Donald Trump declared that an interim agreement to end the war with Iran was “over.” In a flare-up that sent ​oil prices up about 7%, Iran said on Wednesday it had struck U.S. military sites ​in Bahrain and Kuwait, triggering U.S. retaliatory strikes. The escalation had been triggered by ⁠Iran’s attacks on Tuesday on three cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz. “At the direction of ​the Commander in Chief,…

“Biology does not pause for a cyclone warning.”That was one of the key messages from this year’s Let’s Talk Periods! Festival in Fiji, where around 200 people gathered to discuss a growing concern across the Pacific – ensuring menstrual health is recognised as an essential part of disaster preparedness.While Pacific Island countries contribute the least to an ongoing climate crisis, they continue to bear some of its most severe consequences, with severe cyclones, floods and rising sea levels becoming an increasingly common reality across the region.Homes can be destroyed, communities cut off, water and infrastructure becoming unsanitary, with people forced…

[Photo: FIJI RUGBY/ FACEBOOK] FIJI Water Flying Fijians captain Tevita Ikanivere believes Fiji will deliver a much-improved performance following last week’s defeat to Wales in the Nations Championship. Despite the disappointing result, Ikanivere remains confident the side can bounce back and better execute the style of rugby Fiji is renowned for. The skipper acknowledged that while the team was eager to play its natural attacking game against Wales, patience would be key moving forward. “We’ll be better, I know that for sure. We wanted to play the brand of rugby that we’re known for, but it’s all about being patient.”Article…

A decade ago, the Government of Tuvalu, with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), released the country’s first National Labour Migration Policy (NLMP). Its long-term vision was not large-scale migration, but to provide Tuvaluan citizens with increased opportunities for safe, managed temporary work and residence overseas. The small central Pacific archipelagic state — with an estimated population of 9,420 in 2026 — is at the forefront of the climate change crisis. The country, which has a long history of labour migration, notably in phosphate mining (Nauru and Ocean Island) and seafaring in the decades before and after British Independence…

[Photo: FILE] The Tourism Ministry is calling on farmers to diversify their crop offerings to help reduce Fiji’s reliance on imports. Minister Viliame Gavoka noted that Fiji spends about $200 million on imports, with a 2017 report confirming that $100 million worth of crops annually are brought in to meet local demand. Gavoka says Fiji needs to minimise importation by encouraging farmers to grow a wider variety of crops locally. “As you know, tourism is doing very well, but we’re buying a lot of vegetables from overseas.”Article continues after advertisement However, businessman George Shiu Raj says while diversifying crops may…

PACIFIC Islands Forum (PIF) Troika leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional governance and Pacific unity as they prepare for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau later this year. The leaders convened to hold strategic discussions on the future governance of the Pacific regional system and to identify key regional priorities in preparation for the annual leaders’ summit, scheduled in Palau from August 31 to September 4. The Forum Troika comprises the Forum Chair, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale, Tonga Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua, and Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. The meeting formed part of…

[Photo: NSW BLUES/ FACEBOOK] The New South Wales team have etched their names into State of Origin history, defeating Queensland Maroons 30-12 at Lang Park to claim the 2026 series and become just the fourth Blues side to win an Origin decider in Brisbane. The Blues stormed to an 18-4 halftime lead before producing a composed second-half performance to silence a near-capacity Maroons crowd and seal a memorable victory. Halfback Nathan Cleary starred with two tries, a crucial one-on-one strip that led to another score, and a perfect five-from-five kicking display. Cleary also paid tribute to coach Laurie Daley, who…

Barcelona953,049 people visited the Palau de la Música in 2025, 93,000 more than in 2024. The 678 scheduled concerts had 555,750 spectators; the modernist building received 358,519 visitors, and 38,780 people attended different own and private acts and events. Joaquim Uriach (Barcelona, 1966), president of the Orfeó Català Association and the Orfeó Català Foundation – Palau de la Música Catalana, speaks about these record figures and the institution’s present. Read it all Is it easier to manage the Palau de la Música when these figures are reached? — This data doesn’t come out of nowhere. There is a very good…

Overview: The United States is placing increased strategic importance on the Cook Islands’ seabed minerals, with newly appointed U.S. Ambassador Jared Novelly describing critical minerals as one of Washington’s top priorities in the Pacific. Speaking in Wellington, Novelly also cautioned Pacific nations about China’s growing influence in the region while highlighting opportunities for U.S. investment and economic partnerships. WELLINGTON, 06 JULY2026 (REUTERS)— The new U.S Ambassador to New Zealand and several Pacific Island nations said ​on Friday that securing Cook Islands seabed minerals was a top priority, and that China’s push for influence in the Pacific carried ‌risks for small…