Author: TMC Palau

ValenciaBasket saw their winning streak snapped with an 89-86 loss away at Barça.Despite falling behind by thirteen points in the third quarter, they stayed inthe game until the very end—a contest decided in the closing moments where theyeven had a shot to force overtime. Xavi Albert’s men overcame the scoringstruggles caused by the blaugrana defense in the second and third quarters andfound an offensive spark in the final period to cut the deficit to two, butthey were unable to complete the comeback.Quotes Xavi Albert“Itwas a very hard-fought, physical game with momentum swings, where small detailsdetermined the scoring runs. We started…

The NRL says it has been “blindsided” by New Zealand Rugby’s urgent bid to stop Papua New Guinea’s incoming NRL franchise from using the Chiefs name, while NZR claims it has been left “shadow-boxing” in unsuccessful attempts to engage with rugby league officials over the trademark dispute.The opening salvos in the escalating legal battle were heard before Justice Karen Grau in the High Court in Wellington on Monday, as the NZR seeks an interim injunction to prevent the use of “PNG Chiefs”, “Chiefs” or similar names in New Zealand.The NRL has accused New Zealand Rugby of waiting up to 10…

The Albanese Government welcomes the visit to Australia this week of the President of the Republic of Palau, H.E. Surangel S. Whipps Jr., as our countries deepen cooperation on security, development and shared Pacific priorities. Australia and Palau have a close and enduring partnership, grounded in our shared commitment to a peaceful, secure and prosperous Pacific. Australia congratulates President Whipps as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, including his work to strengthen regional unity and advance Pacific priorities on the international stage. During his visit, the President will officially open Palau’s Embassy in Australia, marking an important milestone in the…

Dozens of people who were stranded on the vessel MV Awka have been rescued, local authorities confirmed on Monday.The Solomon Islands ferry was travelling between the remote islands of Tikopia and Vanikoro when its engine failed on Friday.”We are relieved that all 73 passengers and crew members have been safely transferred to MV Helper 1 and brought ashore at Vanikoro,” Temotu premier Stanley Tehi said.”Our priority throughout this operation has been the safety of everyone on board.”He said that following the mechanical problem encountered by MV Akwa while travelling between Tikopia and Vanikoro, a coordinated search and rescue operation was…

Samoa’s opposition leader says he is not convinced that the prime minister, La’aulialemalietoa (La’auli) Leuatea Schmidt is not privately sympathetic to nazi ideals.However, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, Samoa’s longtime prime minister and the current opposition leader, has told RNZ Pacific that it raises serious doubts over the prime minister’s position.Tuilaepa has also called on the ruling FAST Party MPs to condemn their leader, La’auli, over his actions at the time he was the deputy speaker of Samoa’s parliament.Tuilaepa said that as prime minister in 2007, he did not know of the incident, but if he did he would have La’auli sacked…

Papua New Guinea, the largest Pacific Island country, celebrated 50 years of national independence on 16 September 2025. There is much to celebrate. PNG’s peaceful transition to independence and its democratic record are real achievements: governments have changed through elections and parliamentary processes rather than military coups, and hundreds of distinct communities, languages and cultures have been held together within a single constitutional state. An anniversary is also a time for honest reflection. PNG continues to face political instability and weak accountability, law and order problems, gaps in health and education, gender inequality and violence against women. Fifty years should…

The oil price spike triggered by the ongoing Middle East crisis has proven to be the most disruptive economic shock facing the Pacific and the world since the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent Devpolicy posts have examined the gap between Pacific renewable energy targets and actual delivery, and how, for children in particular, rising fuel prices are translating directly into missed school days, fewer meals and delayed clinic visits. The crisis was also front and centre when Pacific officials gathered in Port Moresby for the Community of Practice for Social Protection in the Pacific, where delegates from 12 countries said how their…

PATROL PARTNERS: The ‘Chiayi’ and the ‘Penghu’ departed for a two-day joint patrol of Palau’s exclusive economic zone, the CGA’s second diplomatic visit to the country By Hung Chen-hung, Wu Jen-chieh and William Hetherington / Staff reporters, with staff writer The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) set a record for its southernmost deployment of a coast guard vessel as the vessels Chiayi and the Penghu reached Palau’s Pulo Anna Island on Saturday in a cooperative exercise between the two countries.The island, about 217 nautical miles (401km) southwest of Koror in the Palauan state of Sonsorol and 1,220 nautical miles from Taiwan’s…

Montjuïc Park (Parc de Montjuïc) in Barcelona is hosting Swab Barcelona 2026 from 8 to 11 October at Palau Victòria Eugènia. The independent contemporary art fair brings together galleries, artists and visitors on the mountain during the final day of its 2026 programme.The event gives the park a current cultural focus beyond its museums, gardens and historic sites. It also places a major art fair within a landscape that combines exhibition venues, sports facilities and public green space.Swab Barcelona runs at Palau Victòria Eugènia until 11 OctoberSwab Barcelona 2026 is the independent art fair listed by Barcelona City Council for…

Barça head into the international break in style with a commanding 8-0 victory over Magna Xota at the Palau Blaugrana. Javi Rodríguez’s side took control from the outset and never looked back, producing an impressive attacking display. Touré opened the scoring after just two minutes with a superb strike, before Adolfo continued his excellent form by scoring twice in the first half. Roger Garcia added a spectacular fourth goal on the stroke of half-time to crown a dominant opening period. The hosts maintained their intensity after the break. Adolfo completed his hat-trick with another fine finish, while Joel Miñano and…