Author: TMC Palau

The Pacific nation of Palau is banning a large number of sunscreens due to fears they are harmful to coral reefs, joining a growing list of places which limit their use. “Plastic waste, chemical pollution, resource over-consumption and climate change all continue to threaten the health of our pristine paradise,” Palau President Tommy Remengesau said in a statement on the signing into law of the Responsible Tourism Education Act of 2018. “The steps taken in this legislation will help ensure both visitors and locals alike are more aware of the role they play in conservation.” Under the new law, “reef-toxic…

[World Rugby Sevens/Facebook] Speedster, Vuiviawa Naduvalo, has a chance to become the third Fiji Airways Men’s 7s rep to win the SVNS Player of the Year award this year. The last national rep to win it was Jerry Tuwai in 2019 while Samisoni Viriviri did it in 2014. Naduvalo has been in top form for Fiji 7s in the 2025/2026 series. He will be contesting the top award with Australia’s Henry Hutchison and Tristan Leyds of South AfricaArticle continues after advertisement Fiji born Kele Lasaqa of New Zealand is one of three Rookie of the Year award nominees. The winner…

This update covers developments relating to the freedoms of association, peaceful assembly and expression in Palau from 8th March 2025 to 29th May 2026.GENERALFourth Universal Periodic ReviewPalau underwent its fourth Universal Periodic Review in May 2026. On 23rd February 2026, Palau submitted their national report to the United Nations Human Rights Council. The review of Palau’s human rights record was held on 7th May 2026. Many States recommended that Palau ratify core international human rights instruments such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Elimination…

[file/photo] Retaining Fiji’s top athletics talent after secondary school remains one of the biggest challenges facing the sport, according to Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Aliki Bia. Bia acknowledged that many promising athletes often move to other sports, particularly rugby, after finishing school, as they pursue greater opportunities and support. He says the challenge is evident every year, especially in athletics and other smaller sports where rugby continues to attract significant interest from both male and female athletes. The Assistant Minister says the Ministry of Youth and Sports is working closely with the Fiji Sports Commission and national sporting…

The Fijian Drua are seen after losing the Super Rugby Pacific Round 16 match between the Queensland Reds and the Fijian Drua at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Friday, 29 May 2026. (AAP Image/Darren England / Photosport) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY Photo: AAP Image/Darren England / Photosport Five months of weekly Super Rugby Pacific competition and commitment came to an end for the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika in Australia over the weekend. The Drua took on the Reds in Brisbane and lost 45-24, but not after having put their hosts under a lot of pressure. Moana Pasifika did one…

Fiji’s government tabled the National Referendum Bill 2025 on 4 December 2025 — the final sitting day of parliament for the year. The bill establishes the legal rules for conducting a constitutional referendum. It has since been referred to the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights for review. On the surface, the bill fills a genuine gap: Fiji has never held a constitutional referendum, and no legal framework existed to govern one. The government’s stated intention is to ensure any future referendum is conducted with integrity and impartiality. But the bill’s specific provisions have drawn sharp criticism from…

The Palau del Marquès d’Alfarràs, which until now has been welcoming visitors to the Parc del Laberint d’Horta with its doors closed, is ‘now open to the public following’ renovation works spanning more than two years that have served to restore a space that had ‘ deteriorated over the years. The Barcelona Municipal Institute of Parks and Gardens has gone to great lengths to renovate the entire structure and restore original features that tell us something of what this spectacular building was like during various eras of splendour. Also, the entire façade has been restored to the way it looked…

[Photo: FILE] The Fiji Teachers Union is proposing a 40% increase in transport assistance to ensure operators in the rural and maritime areas can continue providing their services. The scheme’s original stage fares – set between $0.70 and $1.50 have failed to keep pace with rising transport costs. FTU General Secretary Muniappa Goundar says that transport vouchers for rural services have remained largely unchanged since 2014, despite steep increases in fuel prices and operating expenses. Rising fuel costs are putting pressure on the rural transport service providers.Article continues after advertisement “So, you know, FTE demand increased by 35% to 40%,…

Valencia routed Barça at the Palau Blaugrana and sent a strong message ahead of the playoffs Valencia Basket concluded the league part of the season in Spain with one of the most convincing performances of the entire final stretch of the regular season. In the game played on 31 May 2026 at the Palau Blaugrana in Barcelona, the team coached by Pedro Martínez defeated Barça 102:77 and, with a 25-point victory, confirmed second place ahead of the Liga Endesa playoffs. According to ACB’s official announcement, that result is also Valencia’s biggest win at the Palau Blaugrana in Spanish championship games.…

Hurricanes winger Fehi Fineanganofo. [Photo: GETTY IMAGES] New Zealand Rugby has denied reports it is trying to prevent Hurricanes winger Fehi Fineanganofo from joining Newcastle Red Bulls next season. Fineanganofo, who has scored 16 tries this Super Rugby season to equal the competition’s single-season record, signed with the English club in January. Reports in New Zealand claimed rugby officials were working to keep the 23-year-old at home and eligible for the All Blacks, leaving Newcastle frustrated. However, NZ Rugby Chief Executive Steve Lancaster says the union does not buy players out of contracts, and any decision rests solely with Fineanganofo.Article…