Author: TMC Palau

The Palau façade The Palau’s intricate façade features a wealth of allegorical figures, sculptures and architectural elements characteristic of Catalan modernism. On the first floor, a balcony runs along the façade, supported by fourteen paired columns decorated with mosaic, each with a unique design. On the second floor are busts of musicians by Eusebi Arnau: from left to right, Palestrina, Bach and Beethoven; beyond the sculptural group on the corner stands the bust of Wagner, now located on Carrer d’Amadeu Vives. The façade is crowned by a large mosaic pediment by Lluís Bru. At the corner, the sculptural group La cançó…

Deadline: 06-Oct-2026 The Chevening Scholarship for Palau invites applications from exceptional citizens of Palau who want to pursue a fully funded one-year master’s degree in the United Kingdom. The scholarship is designed to develop future leaders who can create positive change in Palau and contribute to addressing global challenges. Scholars gain access to UK higher education, professional networks, and skills that can support their communities and contribute to shared priorities between the UK and Palau. About the Chevening Scholarship Chevening is the UK Government’s flagship international scholarship programme, supporting outstanding individuals who demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to creating…

The president of the Autonomous Bougaville Government (ABG) has condemned the arson attack on a foreign mining company’s equipment at the Panguna mine site.President Ishmael Toroama said he strongly condemned the actions of those who assaulted personnel and destroyed equipment at the Lloyds Metals camp.He said his government and the people of the autonomous Papua New Guinea region will not be intimidated by people seeking to undermine efforts to redevelop the Panguna Mine.Toroama said while the majority of Bougainvilleans look forward to this development, certain elements have chosen to undermine it.”The actions of these individuals are selfish and serve only…

Seven-time defending champions Fiji scored three tries in the first 23 minutes on their way to beating Canada 45-19 in the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) semifinal in Tokyo on Saturday.In the process, they also secured their final spot, lining up a grand showdown with hosts Japan, who beat United States 63-14 in the second semifinal on Saturday night.Loose forward Kitione Salawa scored in the first 20 seconds to open the scoring, before halfback Frank Lomani and flyhalf Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula added a try each before halftime, giving Fiji a 26-17 lead at the break.Fiji looked set to dominate the clash at…

A “horrendously high” number of babies in Fiji are dying due to HIV related complications, says a health researcher, as the prevalence of the disease grows there.The New Zealand government website SafeTravel says people travelling to Fiji should avoid activities that could increase their risk of infection.In March this year, it was estimated 9000 Fijians were living with HIV and officials said high risk drug use was adding to the rapid rise.SafeTravel warns Kiwi travellers amid Fiji HIV outbreakVictoria University senior health researcher Sharon Mclennan told Checkpoint the situation in Fiji was “pretty bad” and had been driven partly by…

The family of a Christchurch woman who was murdered by a patient who absconded from a psychiatric hospital has asked why it took their mother’s death for changes to be made at Hillmorton.Laisa Waka Tunidau was stabbed to death by Zakariye Mohamed Hussein outside her Sockburn home in June 2022.Hussein was jailed for life with a 13-year non-parole period in November that year and had previously been jailed for more than six years for kidnapping, stabbing and intimidating multiple people across Christchurch in March 2012.At the time of Waka Tunidau’s death, Hussein was allowed to leave Hillmorton Hospital on unescorted…

The Vanuatu ferry disaster has exposed a critical gap in how weather warnings are turned into action across the Pacific, according to the country’s top meteorologist.MV Matui, Vanuatu’s inter-island ferry sank in rough seas off the coast of Vanuatu over the weekend, leaving one person confirmed dead and more than 30 people missing.Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD) director Levu Antfalo said his office could forecast dangerous conditions and warn the public, but it had no authority to stop vessels from putting to sea.His comments come as meteorological leaders from across the Pacific meet in Tonga for the 8th Pacific…

Papua New Guinea’s Police Commissioner David Manning is seeking the assistance of the public to locate four men suspected of stealing gold.The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary has released pictures of four men alleged to have stolen gold bullion, cash and firearms.Manning identified Allan Wai, Steven Siskii, Lawrence Sausau and Hans Nane as persons of interest.In the early hours of 2 September, 10 armed assailants held private security crews at gunpoint and proceeded to steal the items in Port Moresby.Manning has called for public assistance in locating the suspects who made off with 25 gold bars worth at least several…

An Australian pilot who helped locate survivors after a ferry disaster in Vanuatu says “it is a miracle anyone survived”. After the ferry MV Matui sank in rough seas on Friday morning, more than 30 people remain missing.The ferry departed from Santo at 6am on Friday for Ambae, approximately 96 kilometres away. However, it capsized in large waves. According to Luganville MP Matai Seremaiah, the vessel sank at about 9:30am.Tragically, confusion around the vessel’s status and misinformation meant that it was over 30 hours before help arrived. Reports suggest 15 people survived the sinking.Although the current confirmed death toll stands…

PNG is home to many rural and remote schools. Jiwaka is situated in the central highlands and is itself a relatively remote province. Jimi is the most remote of Jiwaka’s three districts. It is home to the Jimi Valley and is characterised by its mountains, rivers and valleys and by its heavy annual rainfall. Jimi Secondary School is one of eight and until recently the only boarding secondary school located in the Jimi district of Jiwaka Province. Classified by the Education Department as a level-9 school, it has the capacity to house 600 students, though the actual enrolment is around…