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Mariana Islands

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US military opens environmental review for expanded Marianas training footprint

March 9, 2026

By Mark Rabago, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent The United States military has begun the formal environmental review process for the continuation of large-scale training and testing activities in waters around the Northern Mariana Islands and on Farallon de Medinilla. The Department of the Navy, including the US Navy and Marine Corps, ... <a title="US military opens environmental review for expanded Marianas training footprint" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/09/us-military-opens-environmental-review-for-expanded-marianas-training-footprint/" aria-label="Read more about US military opens environmental review for expanded Marianas training footprint">Read more</a>

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Outcry on Saipan after ‘Free Palestine’ mural vandalised – arrest made

February 9, 2026

By Mark Rabago, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent More than 11,000 km separate the Northern Mariana Islands from Gaza and Israel. But the conflict has landed sharply on Saipan after the vandalism of a “Free Palestine” mural has sparked community anger, an arrest, and a wider debate over free speech, protest, and ... <a title="Outcry on Saipan after ‘Free Palestine’ mural vandalised – arrest made" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/09/outcry-on-saipan-after-free-palestine-mural-vandalised-arrest-made/" aria-label="Read more about Outcry on Saipan after ‘Free Palestine’ mural vandalised – arrest made">Read more</a>

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Micronesia: Island US military veterans struggle to get healthcare

January 31, 2026

By Giff Johnson, editor, Marshall Islands Journal / RNZ Pacific correspondent The death earlier this month of a 26-year veteran of the US Army from the Micronesian island of Kosrae, who was an ardent advocate for healthcare benefits for island veterans, highlights the ongoing lack of promised US healthcare support for those who served in ... <a title="Micronesia: Island US military veterans struggle to get healthcare" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/micronesia-island-us-military-veterans-struggle-to-get-healthcare/" aria-label="Read more about Micronesia: Island US military veterans struggle to get healthcare">Read more</a>

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Pacific delegates warn against US fast-tracking seabed mining

January 28, 2026

By Mark Rabago, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent Pacific delegates in the United States Congress are warning efforts to fast-track deep-seabed mining could sideline island communities and cause irreversible damage to fragile ocean ecosystems. The concerns were raised at a House Natural Resources Committee hearing in Washington last week, held a day ... <a title="Pacific delegates warn against US fast-tracking seabed mining" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/28/pacific-delegates-warn-against-us-fast-tracking-seabed-mining/" aria-label="Read more about Pacific delegates warn against US fast-tracking seabed mining">Read more</a>

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CNMI leaders warn economic slide could affect US strategic presence in Pacific

January 12, 2026

By Mark Rabago, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent Leaders in the Northern Marianas have warned that a deepening economic crisis in the US territory could begin to undermine civilian systems that support America’s long-term strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific. In joint letters sent to US President Donald Trump and Admiral Samuel Paparo, ... <a title="CNMI leaders warn economic slide could affect US strategic presence in Pacific" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/12/cnmi-leaders-warn-economic-slide-could-affect-us-strategic-presence-in-pacific/" aria-label="Read more about CNMI leaders warn economic slide could affect US strategic presence in Pacific">Read more</a>

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NZ police chief acknowledges impact of criminal deportees on Pacific

August 21, 2025

RNZ Pacific New Zealand’s police commissioner says he understands the potential impact the country’s criminal deportees have on smaller Pacific Island nations. Commissioner Richard Chambers’ comments on RNZ Pacific Waves come as the region’s police bosses gathered for the annual Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police conference in Waitangi. The meeting, which is closed to media, ... <a title="NZ police chief acknowledges impact of criminal deportees on Pacific" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/08/21/nz-police-chief-acknowledges-impact-of-criminal-deportees-on-pacific/" aria-label="Read more about NZ police chief acknowledges impact of criminal deportees on Pacific">Read more</a>

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Micronesian Summit in Majuro this week aims to be ‘one step ahead’

July 1, 2025

By Giff Johnson, editor, Marshall Islands Journal/RNZ Pacific correspondent in Majuro The Micronesian Islands Forum cranks up with officials meetings this week in Majuro, with the official opening for top leadership from the islands tomorrow morning. Marshall Islands leaders are being joined at this summit by their counterparts from Kiribati, Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia, ... <a title="Micronesian Summit in Majuro this week aims to be ‘one step ahead’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/07/01/micronesian-summit-in-majuro-this-week-aims-to-be-one-step-ahead/" aria-label="Read more about Micronesian Summit in Majuro this week aims to be ‘one step ahead’">Read more</a>

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‘Bridge for peace – not more bombs,’ say CNMI Gaza protesters

June 29, 2025

By Bryan Manabat in Saipan Advocacy groups in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) disrupted the US Department of Defense’s public meeting this week, which tackled proposed military training plans on Tinian, voicing strong opposition to further militarisation in the Marianas. Members of the Marianas for Palestine, Prutehi Guahan and Commonwealth670 burst into ... <a title="‘Bridge for peace – not more bombs,’ say CNMI Gaza protesters" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/06/29/bridge-for-peace-not-more-bombs-say-cnmi-gaza-protesters/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Bridge for peace – not more bombs,’ say CNMI Gaza protesters">Read more</a>

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Leaders in US-affiliated Pacific react to surprise strikes on Iran

June 23, 2025

By Mark Rabago, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent Leaders in the US-affliliated Pacific Islands have reacted to the US strikes on Iran. US president Donald Trump said Iran must now make peace or “we will go after” other targets in Iran, after US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said ... <a title="Leaders in US-affiliated Pacific react to surprise strikes on Iran" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/06/23/leaders-in-us-affiliated-pacific-react-to-surprise-strikes-on-iran/" aria-label="Read more about Leaders in US-affiliated Pacific react to surprise strikes on Iran">Read more</a>

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Northern Mariana Islands advocates hit back at Trump diversity directives

January 23, 2025

By Mark Rabago, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent Two LGBTQIA+ advocates in the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) are up in arms over US President Donald Trump’s executive order rolling back protections for transgender people and terminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs within the federal government. Pride Marianas founder Roberto Santos said Trump’s ... <a title="Northern Mariana Islands advocates hit back at Trump diversity directives" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/01/23/northern-mariana-islands-advocates-hit-back-at-trump-diversity-directives/" aria-label="Read more about Northern Mariana Islands advocates hit back at Trump diversity directives">Read more</a>

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Pacific leaders remember Jimmy Carter’s ‘pivotal role’ for CNMI

December 31, 2024

By Mark Rabago, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent The Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas has paid tribute to former US President Jimmy Carter who died yesterday. “Carter played a pivotal role in the historic establishment of the CNMI as a Commonwealth in political union with the United States,” Governor ... <a title="Pacific leaders remember Jimmy Carter’s ‘pivotal role’ for CNMI" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/12/31/pacific-leaders-remember-jimmy-carters-pivotal-role-for-cnmi/" aria-label="Read more about Pacific leaders remember Jimmy Carter’s ‘pivotal role’ for CNMI">Read more</a>

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Northern Marianas leaders meet Taiwan President Lai Ching-te in Guam

December 5, 2024

By Mark Rabago, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent Northern Marianas Governor Arnold Palacios and Senator Celina Babauta have travelled to Guam to attend a luncheon with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te. Taiwan is officially known as the Republic of China (Taiwan). China claims Taiwan as its own territory, with no right to state-to-state ... <a title="Northern Marianas leaders meet Taiwan President Lai Ching-te in Guam" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/12/05/northern-marianas-leaders-meet-taiwan-president-lai-ching-te-in-guam/" aria-label="Read more about Northern Marianas leaders meet Taiwan President Lai Ching-te in Guam">Read more</a>