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

The Week in Women's Football: Asian Cup qualifying; recruiting for national teams
This week, we review the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifying, which essentially doubles as early round 2027 Women’s World Cup Qualifying, with WWC veteran side Thailand losing out to India at home and Uzbekistan pipping enterprising Nepal on...

Saipan Community School receives WASC accreditation
(SCS) — Saipan Community School has been granted accreditation status by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The announcement was made after the school completed a detailed school report and hosted...

Tsunami spares Guam but advisory tests its preparedness
Tsunami waves from a powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake in Russia spared Guam but an eight-hour tsunami watch and advisory that was canceled before 7 p.m. Wednesday put the island’s preparedness and general sense of awareness to the test—with heavy...

Only one week left to apply for Saipan Chamber scholarship
THE clock is ticking for students in the Northern Marianas: the deadline to submit applications for the Saipan Chamber of Commerce scholarships is just one week away. All completed applications must be submitted by Friday, August 1, 2025, at...

Massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake prompts evacuations and tsunami warnings across Hawaii, California and Japan
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...

Public invited to celebrate Amelia Earhart’s 128th birthday on Saipan
Amelia Earhart (AESMMI) — The Amelia Earhart Saipan Memorial Monument Inc. once again invites the public to commemorate Amelia Earhart’s 128th birthday. She was born on July 24, 1897. The group will host the birthday commemoration at Joeten-Kiyu...

Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan honors local talent in ‘Artist of the Summer’ Art Contest
From left, Robert Neil Alvarez, Greg Bacnis, and Christian Apolonio pose for a photo with their winning artworks at The Cultural Lounge of Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, during the awarding ceremony on July 17. The three artists earned 3rd, 2nd, and...

‘Prepared for a long stay’: tsunami alert triggers mass evacuations across Pacific
In the Pacific territory of Guam, just before lunchtime on Tuesday, Sam Mabini’s phone began to ping. A tsunami warning was issued after a powerful 8.8-magnitude quake struck a remote part of the Russian coast. Authorities put out the alert over...

Elite Badminton Athletes Set to Compete in Saipan Tournaments
Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands – The CROWNE PLAZA Northern Marianas Open 2025 and the CENTURY INSURANCE Saipan International 2025 are poised to feature two exciting weeks of international badminton, with elite athletes from various countries...

REFORPAC Community Day draws hundreds of Saipan residents
THE Resolute Force Pacific 2025 Community Day drew hundreds of Saipan residents on Monday, showcasing several U.S. Air Force aircraft participating in large-scale military rehearsals in the Indo-Pacific. 2nd Lt. Grace Brandt, public affairs...

Saipan Chamber of Commerce to meet on Aug. 6
(SCC) — The Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s August general membership meeting is set for Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Queens Hall of Kensington Hotel Saipan. This month’s meeting will feature a special Q&A panel...

Trump meets with candidates for four-star general in break with tradition, White House acknowledges
Eighty years ago on July 30, 1945, the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis was sunk by a Japanese submarine, resulting in the deaths of 880 sailors and Marines, making it the Navy's worst disaster at sea. In late March 1945, the Indianapolis was...

Saipan Chamber submits recommendations to King-Hinds
Kimberlyn King-Hinds THE Saipan Chamber of Commerce has formally submitted its response to U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds, regarding her proposed CNMI Labor Stabilization Policy Framework. In its letter dated July 15, 2025, the Chamber...

Women veterans invited to virtual briefing on July 24
THE CNMI Veterans Affairs Office cordially invites all women veterans in the Commonwealth to participate in a virtual briefing hosted by the Women Veterans Manager from the VA region of Hawaii. Event details Date: July 24 (not July 25 as earlier...

Public tribute in honor of the late Gov. Arnold I. Palacios
IT is with deep sorrow and heartfelt respect that I join the people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in mourning the passing of the Honorable Governor Arnold I. Palacios. His departure marks the end of a remarkable chapter in...

FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League - Oceania Conference 2, Stop 6: Heartbreak for Samoa as the Northern Mariana Islands Cling onto Semifinals Spot
KOROR (Palau) - There was a lot to play for at Stop 6 of the FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League – Oceania in Conference 2. With semi-finals quickly approaching, teams were desperate to get into the top two on the standings to secure a ticket. Women’s...
Live: First waves hit Russia, Japan but no tsunami threat for Australia
1h agoWed 30 Jul 2025 at 3:09am Let's bring you up to speed Good afternoon, and thank you for joining our live coverage of the aftermath of a powerful earthquake off Russia's eastern coast early this morning. Here's what's happened so far: The...

Column: On an August anniversary, memories of the atomic bomb from a crew member who dropped it on Nagasaki
I was sitting with an old soldier named Ray Gallagher. He held in his hands a small doll. The doll’s name was Marianne and it was the doll that he took with him to war. It had been given to him by his niece, Margaret Gillund, and on Aug. 9, 1945,...

Congressional Women's Softball Game sets aside politics for greater cause
Washington — Marcella Powell is not a huge softball fan, nor is she a political junkie. So why did she travel more than 1,000 miles from her home in Pensacola, Florida, to Washington, D.C., to take part in Wednesday’s annual Congressional Women’s...
Swimming prodigy Aleksenko rakes up six golds for Northern Mariana Islands
Isaiah Roger Aleksenko Photo: RNZ Pacific/Coco Lance Team Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) member Isaiah Aleksenko, 19, is leading the charge among Pacific swimmers at the Mini Games 2025. The swimming prodigy has emerged as a dominant force thus...