Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands in 'very dire' condition: officials
The Bond Buyer - New York
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July 9, 2025
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Gov. Arnold Palacios reportedly said in February he was optimistic about federal aid. The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is in "very dire" fiscal condition, its government told the...
OPINION | Rebranding paradise: Saipan deserves a stronger identity
Marianas Variety
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Steve Jang SAIPAN is beautiful — no doubt about it. But in today’s cutthroat tourism market, beauty isn’t enough. Visitors from Japan, Korea, China, Guam, Singapore, Thailand, and Taiwan aren’t just chasing beach photos — they want something real....
DFS to exit Oceania with closure of Sydney, Auckland and Queenstown businesses
The Moodie Davitt Report
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July 9, 2025
OCEANIA. DFS Group is to close its operations in Sydney, Auckland and Queenstown, marking the travel retailer’s exit from the Oceania market. The move is part of an ongoing review of the company’s global store network revealed by Chairman & CEO Ed...
Saipan Chamber to host workplace communication training on July 25
Marianas Variety
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(SCC) — The Saipan Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce its upcoming 3rd quarter professional development training on effective communication in the workplace, scheduled for Friday, July 25, 2025, at Northern Marianas College campus, Room...
Rota SBDC to host exclusive AI training for small business owners
Marianas Variety
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(SBDC) — The Rota Small Business Development Center at Northern Marianas College is excited to announce an in-person training titled “Let AI Handle Your Day-to-Day Grind” on Thursday, July 10, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the NMC Rota...
DPW-Division of Energy announces cool roof rebate program outreach on Tinian
Marianas Variety
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THE CNMI Division of Energy is pleased to announce that it will be hosting a Cool Roof Rebate Program outreach event on Saturday, July 12, 2025, on Tinian at the Tinian Youth Center, to assist residential homeowners to improve the cooling...
Northern Mariana Islands enacts captive law
Captive Insurance News
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June 30, 2025
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) has enacted new legislation to allow captive insurance companies to operate within its jurisdiction. Governor Arnold I. Palacios has signed Senate Bill 24-09 into law, officially designating...
Tinian’s growing geopolitical relevance receiving mixed reactions
The Pacific Island Times
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July 3, 2025
Saipan—As the Department of Defense moves forward with its billion-dollar investment plan to transform the pristine island of Tinian into a strategic military hub for Indo-Pacific operations, residents are grappling with its implications. Is the...
CNMI-Taiwan dialogue focuses on economic growth and education
Marianas Variety
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Director General Jerry S. Chang of the Taiwan Economic & Cultural Office of Hawaii and CNMI Sen. Celina R. Babauta in Hawaii. Contributed photo HONOLULU — CNMI Senator Celina Babauta met with Director General Jerry S. Chang of the Taipei Economic...
Who will — and won’t — benefit from the bigger SALT deduction
CNN
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July 11, 2025
CNN — For the next five years, there will be a much more generous state and local tax deduction available to federal income tax filers, thanks to the recently enacted mega tax-and-spending-cuts law. The new law lifts what had been a $10,000 cap to...
Pacific airlines team up for pilot cadetships, four countries sign new trade and healthy food deal
The New Zealand Herald
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July 4, 2025
The airlines said the programme would include “rigorous training, structured mentorship, and professional development to produce a pilot workforce trained to operate in complex and remote Pacific environments”. The two airlines said they would...
Saipan Chamber of Commerce to meet this Wednesday; RSVP now
Marianas Variety
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(SCC) — The Saipan Chamber of Commerce reminds all members and guests to RSVP now for the July general membership meeting happening this Wednesday, July 2 at the Taga Hall of World Resort Saipan. This is a vital opportunity to receive real-time...
AK Saipan launches ‘Corolla Miles That Matter’ social media campaign
Marianas Variety
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(Special Advertising Feature) — Atkins Kroll, Inc. is proud to announce the launch of “Corolla Miles That Matter,” a community engagement campaign designed to honor the drivers, families, and stories behind one of Saipan’s most trusted vehicles:...
Triple J Motors launches Hyundai Santa Cruz on Saipan
Marianas Variety
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(Special Advertising Feature) — Triple J Motors is excited to introduce the all-new Hyundai Santa Cruz, Hyundai’s bold Sport Adventure Vehicle that combines the comfort of an SUV with the versatility of a pickup truck — now available on Saipan....
GAO flags debt growth, economic risks in NMI
Marianas Variety
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THE CNMI’s total public debt as of Sept. 30, 2021 amounted to $121.1 million, according to a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. This represented about 13% of the CNMI’s gross domestic product — the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio among...
Saipan Chamber of Commerce scholarship application deadline extended to Aug. 1
Marianas Variety
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(SCC) — The Saipan Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that the application deadline for its Educational Scholarship Program has been extended to Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at 12 p.m. Originally set for June 30, this extension gives students...
Saipan film to reopen old wounds between Keane and McCarthy ultras
The Guardian
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June 25, 2025
Watching the teaser trailer for Saipan before its cinematic release later this summer called to mind that episode of Friends in which it is revealed Joey leaves his copy of The Shining in a freezer whenever it becomes too scary for him to continue...
Here’s how deportations could affect California’s economy
The Mercury News - California
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June 30, 2025
The Trump administration’s push to deport millions of people living in the country illegally could seriously disrupt key sectors of California’s economy. A recent report from the Bay Area Council Economic Institute estimates that mass deportations...
Workforce, population, economy
Marianas Variety
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I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with our U.S. Congresswoman, Kimberlyn King-Hinds, on the plan to stabilize the NMI workforce. I am also very concerned about the continued reduction in the number of people living on our islands. I understand that current...
Saipan casino operator warned
Island Times
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June 20, 2025
SAIPAN (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES)—The U.S Bankruptcy Court for the Northern Mariana Islands has issued an ultimatum to Imperial Pacific International, warning that its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case could be dismissed or converted to Chapter 7 unless the...