VA Health Access: A new U.S. Government Accountability Office report says VA care for Palau veterans is moving toward a limited expansion—potentially local care reimbursement, telehealth, medicine delivery, and travel benefits—after earlier plans stalled, with major gaps driven by no VA facilities in the Freely Associated States and costly trips to Guam or Hawaii. Palau Budget Watch: Palau lawmakers approved another last-minute continuing budget authority to keep government running through Dec. 31, renewing concerns about a recurring “hustle” near deadlines instead of a full budget. Tobacco & Health: A new Lancet Global Health study estimates chewing tobacco caused about 251,000 deaths worldwide in 2023, with South Asia carrying most of the burden; it also reports Palau’s age-standardized prevalence at 24.4%. Local Care Support: Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital sent a 13-member team to support the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau and treated 200+ local patients, donating medicines and supplies. Regional Health Security: WHO and partners unveiled a Western Pacific Pandemic Fund project for 12 countries, aiming to strengthen surveillance, labs, and outbreak response. Community & Wellness: The Palau Judiciary named winners of its first annual Independence Day essay contest, highlighting youth values and community responsibility.