TOPIC

/ location

Northern Mariana Islands

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Northern Mariana Islands. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Saipan

Head of State

President of the US Joe Biden

Head of Government

Governor Arnold Palacios

A Chinese national died hours after being taken into US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

Another Chinese national dies in US immigration custody, raising profiling fears

Wei Lianyong, 51, reportedly died in Northern Mariana Islands on August 23, after he was found unresponsive at a local detention facility.

4 Sep 2026 - 2:04PMvideocam

US-China relations

Trump turns to China in renewed US birthright citizenship push

27 Jul 2026 - 5:01PMvideocam

Defence

US and allies flex military muscle on China’s doorstep with multi-front drills

26 Jun 2026 - 5:44PM

Japan

Why Japan’s travellers are rushing abroad for ‘golden week’ despite falling yen

The operator of Narita airport anticipates that 1.59 million travellers will pass through the airport over the two-week holiday season.

30 Apr 2026 - 10:04AMvideocam

People depart Japan from Haneda airport in Tokyo on April 18. Photo: Kyodo

Extreme weather

Searchers find body of 1 of 6 missing crew members after typhoon overturns ship

The crew of the Mariana notified the US Coast Guard on April 15 that the vessel lost its starboard engine during Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

22 Apr 2026 - 6:48PM

Pacific nations

Super Typhoon Sinlakua bears down on group of remote US islands in Pacific Ocean

Trump has approved emergency help for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, where Sinlakua is expected to make landfall on Tuesday.

14 Apr 2026 - 2:23AMvideocam

Mainland China

A Hong Kong industrialist’s winning football strategy to transform lives

Playbook to growing a sustainable charity involves viewing it as a start-up, says Luen Thai CEO Raymond Tan.

21 Oct 2025 - 7:30AM

Raymond Tan has transformed his lifelong passion for football into a force for good in five markets: Hong Kong, mainland China, Cambodia, the Philippines and the Northern Mariana Islands. Photo: Edmond So

Australia

Passionate welcome for WikiLeaks’ Assange as he lands in Australia, a free man

Assange landed to an ecstatic welcome in Australia on Wednesday after pleading guilty to violating US espionage law in a deal that sets him free from a 14-year legal battle.

26 Jun 2024 - 9:28PMvideocam

WikiLeaks

Why is Julian Assange flying to the remote Pacific island of Saipan?

Better known for its sandy beaches and Second World War wrecks, the tropical Pacific island of Saipan will soon host the final act of Julian Assange’s 14-year legal odyssey.

25 Jun 2024 - 5:02PM

WikiLeaks

Timeline of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s legal battles

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has reached a deal to plead guilty to one count of violating the US espionage law. Here is a timeline of his legal troubles.

25 Jun 2024 - 3:24PM

Julian Assange in 2017 at Ecuador’s embassy in London, where sought refuge. File photo: AFP

WikiLeaks

‘Julian Assange is free’: WikiLeaks founder leaves UK in deal with US

The WikiLeaks founder is due to plead guilty this week to violating US espionage law, in a deal that will end his imprisonment in Britain and allow him to return home to Australia.

25 Jun 2024 - 6:26PMvideocam

Julian Assange boarding a private jet on Monday. Photo: @wikileaks via X

United States

US Pacific bases, jets ‘most vulnerable’ to Chinese missiles, lawmakers warn

In a letter to the navy and air force chiefs, 13 Congress members said ‘China can attack all US bases in the region’, demanding the Pentagon boost passive defences.

11 May 2024 - 2:00PMvideocam

US-China relations

A US governor in the Pacific plans ‘lonely’ pivot away from China

Long tied to Beijing for tourism and gambling income, Northern Mariana Islands needs more aid from Washington, says governor.

28 Mar 2024 - 10:41AMvideocam

US presidential election 2024

Biden, Trump clinch nominations, kicking off US presidential rematch

The United States set for its first presidential rematch in 70 years, with Joe Biden taking on predecessor Donald Trump.

13 Mar 2024 - 2:40PMvideocam

Donald Trump and US President Joe Biden are heading for a rematch. Photo: AFP

South China Sea

US, wary of China’s ambitions, still won’t join UN agreement on ocean rights

Senate resolution to ratify UN Convention on the Law of the Sea appears doubtful amid American culture wars despite enjoying some bipartisan support.

4 Jan 2024 - 11:30PMvideocam

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United States

To counter China, US revamps airbase that launched nuclear bombings of Japan

Beijing’s growing influence in the Pacific is spurring the recovery of a slew of abandoned runways at Tinian island airfield.

30 Dec 2023 - 12:01PMvideocam

Currencies

My Take | De-dollarisation is the new decolonisation

Everyone, whether America’s vassals or enemies, needs to move away from the dollar when their greenback-denominated assets can be taken from them on Washington’s say-so.

5 Sep 2023 - 10:10AM

Fame and celebrity

Meet Bona, Twenty-Five Twenty-One star and Blackpink’s Jisoo’s close friend

As Twenty-Five Twenty-One’s finale achieved the show’s highest ratings, WJSN’s Bona gained plenty of attention for her great acting and stunning looks – here are five things to know about the star

8 Apr 2022 - 10:00AMvideocam

Kim Ji-yeon, better known by her stage name Bona. Photo: @bn_95819/Instagram

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong’s under-23 await the call for East Asian Football Championship

Hong Kong’s Under-23 squad will be looking to join Japan, South Korea and China at this year’s tournament with no qualification required.

6 Apr 2022 - 4:33PM

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Northern Mariana Islands

Another Chinese national dies in US immigration custody, raising profiling fears

Wei Lianyong, 51, reportedly died in Northern Mariana Islands on August 23, after he was found unresponsive at a local detention facility.

Trump turns to China in renewed US birthright citizenship push

US and allies flex military muscle on China’s doorstep with multi-front drills

Why Japan’s travellers are rushing abroad for ‘golden week’ despite falling yen

The operator of Narita airport anticipates that 1.59 million travellers will pass through the airport over the two-week holiday season.

Searchers find body of 1 of 6 missing crew members after typhoon overturns ship

The crew of the Mariana notified the US Coast Guard on April 15 that the vessel lost its starboard engine during Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

Super Typhoon Sinlakua bears down on group of remote US islands in Pacific Ocean

Trump has approved emergency help for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, where Sinlakua is expected to make landfall on Tuesday.

A Hong Kong industrialist’s winning football strategy to transform lives

Playbook to growing a sustainable charity involves viewing it as a start-up, says Luen Thai CEO Raymond Tan.

Passionate welcome for WikiLeaks’ Assange as he lands in Australia, a free man

Assange landed to an ecstatic welcome in Australia on Wednesday after pleading guilty to violating US espionage law in a deal that sets him free from a 14-year legal battle.

Why is Julian Assange flying to the remote Pacific island of Saipan?

Better known for its sandy beaches and Second World War wrecks, the tropical Pacific island of Saipan will soon host the final act of Julian Assange’s 14-year legal odyssey.

Timeline of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s legal battles

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has reached a deal to plead guilty to one count of violating the US espionage law. Here is a timeline of his legal troubles.

‘Julian Assange is free’: WikiLeaks founder leaves UK in deal with US

The WikiLeaks founder is due to plead guilty this week to violating US espionage law, in a deal that will end his imprisonment in Britain and allow him to return home to Australia.

US Pacific bases, jets ‘most vulnerable’ to Chinese missiles, lawmakers warn

In a letter to the navy and air force chiefs, 13 Congress members said ‘China can attack all US bases in the region’, demanding the Pentagon boost passive defences.

A US governor in the Pacific plans ‘lonely’ pivot away from China

Long tied to Beijing for tourism and gambling income, Northern Mariana Islands needs more aid from Washington, says governor.

Biden, Trump clinch nominations, kicking off US presidential rematch

The United States set for its first presidential rematch in 70 years, with Joe Biden taking on predecessor Donald Trump.

US, wary of China’s ambitions, still won’t join UN agreement on ocean rights

Senate resolution to ratify UN Convention on the Law of the Sea appears doubtful amid American culture wars despite enjoying some bipartisan support.

To counter China, US revamps airbase that launched nuclear bombings of Japan

Beijing’s growing influence in the Pacific is spurring the recovery of a slew of abandoned runways at Tinian island airfield.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}My Take | De-dollarisation is the new decolonisation

Everyone, whether America’s vassals or enemies, needs to move away from the dollar when their greenback-denominated assets can be taken from them on Washington’s say-so.

Meet Bona, Twenty-Five Twenty-One star and Blackpink’s Jisoo’s close friend

As Twenty-Five Twenty-One’s finale achieved the show’s highest ratings, WJSN’s Bona gained plenty of attention for her great acting and stunning looks – here are five things to know about the star

Hong Kong’s under-23 await the call for East Asian Football Championship

Hong Kong’s Under-23 squad will be looking to join Japan, South Korea and China at this year’s tournament with no qualification required.

My Take | De-dollarisation is the new decolonisation