Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

S Korean military plane entering defense zone 'regrettable': Japan
Japan's top government spokesman said Friday it is "regrettable" that the Self-Defense Forces were forced to scramble fighter jets after a South Korean military airplane entered the Japanese air defense identification zone without notice earlier...

This Is who we are: Commemorating 75 years of self-governance with pride and purpose
On Aug. 1 of this year, Guam marks a profound milestone - 75 years since the passage of the Organic Act of 1950. This landmark legislation not only conferred U.S. citizenship upon the people of Guam but also laid the foundation for civilian...

Trading places: Education options
BY OYAOL NGIRAIRIKL AND MARK RABAGO Journal Staff, Saipan Correspondent JohnsonAcross Micronesia, career and technical education is being reshaped by home-grown institutions in an effort to meet the region’s workforce needs head-on. In Guam and...

The Largest Military Bases & Their Strategic Roles
What are the largest air bases in the military and their strategic roles? This article will limit that question to just United States military installations, including military airfields located overseas used by the US military. It should be...
David Apatang sworn in as CNMI’s 10th governor
David Mundo Apatang was sworn in by Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro as the CNMI’s 11th governor on 24 July at the Governor’s Office conference room in Saipan. Photo: Facebook / Mariana Press David Mundo Apatang was sworn as the CNMI's 11th...

Election Commission faces $100K FY26 budget cut ahead of gubernatorial election
The Guam Election Commission has been asked to slash it's fiscal year 2026 budget by $100,000 according to GEC Executive Director Maria Pangelinan at a board meeting Thursday. "I got a call from the office of Finance and Budget just today ... the...

U.S. Military exercise behind loud aircraft noise in Palau, officials confirm
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang AIRAI, Palau (July 24, 2025) — The recent loud aircraft noises heard in Airai and surrounding areas are linked to the ongoing U.S. Air Force exercise Resolute Force Pacific (REFORPAC) 2025, officials confirmed....

'Led with integrity and heart': Tributes pour in for the late CNMI Governor Palacios, Apatang sworn in as new governor
Tributes poured in from around Micronesia after news broke that Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Gov. Arnold I. Palacios died while on medical evacuation to Guam late Wednesday night. Palacios, who would have turned 70 on Aug. 22, has...

In Memoriam: Governor Arnold Indalecio Palacios
‘Shocked and deeply saddened’ HAGÅTÑA (Office of the Guam Governor) —Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio issued the following statements on the passing of CNMI Governor Arnold Palacios: “We are shocked and deeply saddened by...

CNMI Governor Palacios passes away
The Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Arnold I. Palacios died late Wednesday night, hours after he was airlifted to Guam following a “medical incident” in the morning. He was 69. Pacific Daily News reports Lt. Gov. David...

OPINION Bevacqua: Guam’s true liberation awaits
Another Liberation Day has passed and once again, I did not make it to the parade on Marine Corps Drive. But I did watch some of the festivities on YouTube from PBS Guam and also followed the posts of those who attended on social media. I also...

Flags flown at half-staff on Guam in honor of CNMI Gov. Palacios' life and legacy.
CNMI Gov. Arnold Palacios, Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. and American Samoa Del. Uifa’atali Amata Radewagen at the CNMI Inauguration Ball on Saipan on Jan. 9, 2023. Photo courtesy of the Office of American Samoa Representative By Pacific...

Organ transplant service not available in Guam, CNMI and American Samoa despite rise in kidney disease
Compared to the U.S. mainland, American territories in the Pacific have a higher number of people with chronic kidney disease and its advanced stage, end-stage renal disease, yet those numbers have not translated into more organ transplants being...

Politicians Are Like Tea Bags: They Seem Nice, Then Change Under Hot Water. Vote Wisely
Lee Webber By Lee Webber for Ombre Ga’chong, Kandit News & Views As we approach the]election this coming year an excellent question to ask yourself and those in your family as you consider whom it is you plan to vote for in the elections is, do...

Senators Advance Bill Continuing Medical Marijuana Protections And Omitting House Proposal To Block Rescheduling
A Senate committee has approved a spending bill that would maintain protections for states with medical marijuana programs, while omitting a separate proposal included in the House version of the annual appropriations legislation that would...

The Late Governor’s Legacy; Apatang and Mendiola Sworn In; Senate Power Could Shift
By Troy Torres, with assistance from Glen Hunter David Mundo Apatang at [just after] 8:30 a.m. was sworn into office as the Eleventh Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands following the Wednesday night death of Arnold...

OPINION Blas: This is who we are—commemorating 75 years of self-governance with pride, purpose
On August 1 of this year, Guam will mark a profound milestone—75 years since the passage of the Organic Act of 1950. This landmark legislation not only conferred U.S. citizenship upon the people of Guam but also laid the foundation for civilian...

Spay & Neuter Island Pets program to hold community event at Talo’fo’fo Mayor’s Jeromy Newby Community Center
“This initiative makes vital spay and neuter services more accessible while helping to reduce the stray animal population across our island,” said Territory Veterinarian Mariana Q Turner. “We are grateful to Mayor Taitague for hosting this event...

Northern Mariana Islands Governor Arnold Palacios dies at 69
Governor Arnold I. Palacios of the Northern Mariana Islands passed away on July 23, 2025, at the age of 69, after suffering a medical incident in his Capitol Hill office on Saipan. He was airlifted to Guam for specialized care but was later...

GIANT Task Force's Sherwood: Guam 'final destination' for 780 lbs. of drugs seized in the mail
U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Stephen Sherwood, out of the San Francisco Division, said all the 780 pounds of illegal drugs, mainly methamphetamine, that were seized in the mail over the last four years were destined for Guam, which remains to...