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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

About 10,000 personnel are taking part in Valiant Shield 2026 across Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and surrounding waters. Photo: X/US Navy

Defence

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

Analysts say the near-simultaneous exercises reflect a shift in US strategy that enables allies to play a greater role in regional security.

26 Jun 2026 - 5:44PM

Japan

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

30 Apr 2026 - 10:04AMvideocam

Extreme weather

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

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

A satellite image provided by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows super typhoon Sinlakua in the Pacific Ocean on Monday. Photo: NOAA via AP

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

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

Explainer | 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

Julian Assange’s charter flight on the tarmac at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok. Photo: AFP

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

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

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

A B-1B Lancer jet prepares to land at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. Photo: US Air Force

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

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

149

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

A fighter jet lands on the runway at Tinian International Airport in 2021. Photo: US air force/AFP

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

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

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

Analysts say the near-simultaneous exercises reflect a shift in US strategy that enables allies to play a greater role in regional security.

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

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

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.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Explainer | 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.

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

My Take | De-dollarisation is the new decolonisation