Author: TMC Palau

Palau de la Musica Catalana is a concert hall in Barcelona where music, architecture and applied art occupy the same richly decorated interior. Designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner and built between 1905 and 1908, it combines a steel structure with stained glass, mosaics, ceramics, sculpture and ironwork.Palau de la Musica Catalana: a concert hall under glassThe building occupies a compact site in Barcelona’s Ciutat Vella district, close to the historic streets of Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera. Its exterior uses brick, stone, glazed ceramic and sculptural decoration, while the interior opens around the Sala de Concerts.A stained-glass…

The head of Vanuatu’s Citizenship Office says Andrew Tate remains a citizen of Vanuatu, for now.On Monday, ABC Pacific first reported that Tate’s passport, which he purchased under the Citizenship-By-Investment (CBI) scheme in 2022, had been revoked.The report was followed up by RNZ Pacific on Wednesday.However, the Vanuatu Citizenship Office and Commission chairman Charlie Maniel said on Thursday that the office “has not made a decision to revoke the grant of citizenship” concerning Tate.”There is currently insufficient evidence to support such action based on the Citizenship Office’s records and the recent due diligence information received,” Maniel said in a statement.The…

Cressi Palau SAF Snorkel Set combines the Onda mask, Supernova Dry snorkel, Palau Short Adjustable Fins, and a reusable zip-up bag. The US listing gives the complete set a weight of 46.0 ounces.What The Set IncludesThe Onda mask uses a single tempered-glass lens and a transparent hypoallergenic silicone skirt. Quick-release buckles and an average internal volume are listed for the mask.The Supernova Dry snorkel has a splash guard, a sealing valve, a water collector, and a purge valve. The design is intended for surface snorkeling and lets collected water exit through the lower valve.Short Adjustable Fin DesignThe Palau SAF fins…

David Adeang, president of Naoero (formerly Nauru), used a United Nations gathering of world leaders to announce his country’s voluntary withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) and criticise the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for delays on agreeing on rules for deep sea mining.Adeang was the first Pacific Islands Forum leader to address the 81st session of the UN General Assembly New York.His message focused on formally introducing Naoero’s name restoration, sovereignty and a demand for smaller island nations to be treated as equals.He described the International Criminal Court as one of the multilateral institutions that was “of increasing irrelevance”…

The Pacific is calling for climate action now as a powerful El Niño threatens to add pressure on food and water supplies and increase cyclone risks across parts of the region.Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Pacific Islands Forum Chair and Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr said Pacific countries needed greater access to climate finance to prepare for worsening climate shocks.“Those who contributed the least to this climate crisis, yet confront the worst threats of rising sea levels, must not be burdened with debt simply to purchase a life jacket for their survival,” Whipps told the…

Reports filtering out from West Papua say six civilians were shot by Indonesian security forces last week in Yahukimo Regency.Human Rights Monitor reports that military and police personnel opened fire at a group of Indigenous Papuan civilians near Samboga Village last Friday while returning from a gold-panning site.Six young men aged between 19 and 28 were shot, including two who were critically injured, although it took several days before they were evacuated to hospital.This comes as Indonesian security forces have been running a joint operation to pursue guerilla fighters with the West Papua Liberation Army, or TPNPB, in this mountainous…

Pacific voters in NZ urged to look beyond political promisesAn Auckland law academic is urging Pasifika voters to look beyond election promises and consider what parties have actually delivered for their communities.The comments come as political parties such as New Zealand First and Labour have laid out their immigration promises, specifically targeting Pacific migrants, ahead of the 7 November polls.Dr Suliana Mone told Pacific Waves that voters should look at the track record of political parties and whether previous commitments to Pacific people have resulted in meaningful outcomes.She said that, the way coalition governments are formed under the Mixed Member…

Papua New Guinea’s health challenges are too large, too urgent and too complex to be carried by government alone. Of course, the public sector must remain at the centre of the health system. It has an essential role in setting policy, establishing and enforcing standards, assuring quality and value for money, financing essential services, and ensuring that rural and vulnerable communities are not left behind. But that does not mean government must do everything itself; that is neither practical nor affordable. Around the world, effective health systems draw on the strengths of many partners, including the private sector. At their…

Controversial manosphere influencer Andrew Tate has lost his Vanuatu citizenship.He faces extradition the United Kingdom to face charges of rape, assault and sex trafficking, which Vanuatu government consultant Glen Craig told RNZ Pacific was likely the reason why he lost his citizenship.”In my view, the citizenship should never have been granted in the first place,” Craig, who helped to design the current CBI scheme, said.”But to be fair to the government of the day, no charges had been laid at the time. The weakness was in the system, not in any one decision.”The screening process did not properly test an…

Papua New Guinea’s police have rescued 39 Indonesian victims of an alleged international human trafficking operation in Port Moresby.In a statement, the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) said four Chinese nationals have been detained as police prepare a range of serious charges.It said police executed search warrants at a downtown Port Moresby residence on Tuesday morning, based on intelligence developed by the RPNGC Transnational Crime Directorate, where they located five women and 34 men confined inside a three-bedroom property.According to police, the 39 individuals were allegedly approached through social media with false offers of employment, and subsequently held against…