Deep-Sea Mining: Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. renewed his call for a moratorium and precautionary pause on deep-sea mining at the International Seabed Authority meeting in Jamaica, urging “protection first” and invoking Palau’s traditional bul practice. Sports: Team Palau kicked off the 2026 Oceania Volleyball Championships in Guam with early momentum—women opened with two wins and the men notched their first victory, setting up key matches against host Guam. Health & Education Ties: Taiwan’s youth health professionals completed a 14-day public health mission in Palau, delivering free screenings and strengthening bilateral cooperation. School Meals: Palau launched its first School Chef Cooking Competition with Taiwan and Japan partners, training school chefs to use locally grown produce and share winning recipes nationwide. Local Food & Gardens: 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. Aquaculture Milestone: PCC-CRE hatchery reported rabbitfish brood-stock spawning naturally for the first time, a boost for local breeding capacity and fingerling supply. Health Ministry Support: Palau appointed Taiwanese scholar Chen Kai-siang as a special adviser to the health and human services minister to help coordinate medical resources and public health policy. Regional Security Watch: A report says U.S. Pacific Command is considering moving a $2 billion infrastructure investment after negotiation issues in Yap, highlighting how big-power competition keeps shaping island life.