Deep-Sea Mining Watch: Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. renewed his call for a moratorium and precautionary pause at the International Seabed Authority in Jamaica, urging leaders to protect the deep ocean first and invoking Palau’s traditional bul conservation. Health & Education Links: Palau appointed Taiwanese scholar Chen Kai-siang as a special adviser to the health and human services minister, aiming to boost medical resources, public health policy, and training through ongoing Taiwan-Palau cooperation. School Food Upgrade: Taiwan Technical Mission, Palau Community Action Agency, and JICA launched Palau’s first “School Chef Cooking Competition,” training school chefs to use locally grown produce and share winning recipes nationwide. Aquaculture Milestone: PCC-CRE hatchery reported rabbitfish brood-stock spawned naturally for the first time, with Taiwan Technical Mission support—helping strengthen local breeding and fingerling supply. Community Wellness Gardening: The Palau Conservation Society’s “Grow Local for a Healthy Palau” workshop series drew 50+ participants, with the latest session focusing on compost, soil, and portion-size nutrition. Sports Spotlight: Team Palau started strong at the 2026 Oceania Volleyball Championships in Guam, with both women’s and men’s teams earning early wins ahead of matches vs host Guam. Youth Health Mission: A 16-member Taiwanese youth delegation completed a 14-day public health mission in Palau, delivering free screenings and building longer-term health promotion plans.