Posted inIn Focus

U.S allies in Asia alarmed as think tank calls for pullback

Analysts warn that a U.S withdrawal from the western Pacific, as recently suggested by a think tank, would weaken deterrence and strengthen China’s position.  By Julian Ryall  WASHINGTON, 16 SEPTEMBER 2026 (DW)—A study by a U.S foreign policy think tank advocates a major military pullback from the western Pacific, prompting concern among long-standing allies of […]

Posted inPacific News

Pacific groups urge CNMI governor to oppose deep sea mining lease sale

SAIPAN, 11 SEPTEMBER 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC) —Environmental and community groups from across the US Pacific and Caribbean territories are urging the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) governor to formally oppose a proposed federal deep sea mining lease sale near the Marianas.  Representatives from the Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the U.S […]

Posted inPacific News

CNMI leader urges caution as U.S advances Pacific seabed mining plan

SAIPAN, 20 AUGUST 2026 (RNZ PACIFIC)—The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Governor David Apatang says protecting Pacific waters and island communities must come first as the United States moves ahead with plans that could eventually open a vast area of seabed around the Mariana Trench to mineral development.  The U.S Marine Minerals Administration, […]

Posted inPacific News

Attorney general seeks to reopen settled case against former CNMI governor

SAIPAN, 03 JUNE 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES)—The Office of the Attorney General is asking the CNMI Superior Court to throw out the settlement that cleared former governor Ralph Torres, arguing the deal was unauthorised and illegally granted him broad immunity. Torres’ legal team immediately pushed back, saying the government is attempting to “revisit the same […]

Posted inPacific News

American Bar Association backing Pacific territories’ fight against deep-sea mining

HAGATNA, 12 FEBRUARY 2026 (GUAM DAILY POST) — The American Bar Association threw its weight behind Pacific Island opposition to deep-sea mining Monday, passing a resolution that brings more than 400,000 lawyers into the fight against federal leasing plans. The resolution, submitted by the Guam Bar Association and approved by the ABA’s House of Delegates […]

Posted inPacific News

‘We don’t care what you think’: Panel says deep-sea mining, more show issues with U.S territorial status

HAGATNA, 09 FEBRUARY 2026 (GUAM PACIFIC DAILY NEWS) — A push to mine waters around American Samoa without consent, a board appointed by the president dictating government decisions in Puerto Rico, and the removal of immigration controls from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands were all issues highlighted by a panel on U.S territories […]

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