Latest news with #Guam
RNZ News
10 hours ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
CNMI governor Arnold Palacios, 69, passes away after medical incident
Late CNMI Governor Arnold Palacios Photo: Facebook / Office of Governor Arnold I. Palacios Governor Arnold Indalecio Palacios passed away at the age of 69 late Wednesday night after a medical incident led him to collapse in his office on Capitol Hill on Saipan. He was immediately rushed to the Commonwealth Health Center and later was medically evacuated by a military helicopter to the Guam Regional Medical Center in Guam. Acting governor David Apatang said it's with profound sorrow and deep sadness that he's announcing the untimely passing of Palacios. Apatang now becomes governor, and Senate President Dennis Mendiola takes over as lieutenant governor. Both will be sworn in immediately. Apatang said Palacios passed away peacefully on the evening of Wednesday, July 23, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. "A dedicated public servant for more than three decades, Gov Palacios served the people of the CNMI with unwavering commitment, compassion, and integrity. From his early service in the Legislature to his time as lieutenant governor, speaker of the House, president of the Senate, and ultimately as governor, he was a tireless advocate for good governance, fiscal responsibility, environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and the well-being of all who call the Marianas home," he said in a statement. Apatang added that Palacios leaves behind a legacy defined by resilience, perseverance, humility, visionary leadership, and a deep love for the Commonwealth and its people. "He will be remembered as a unifier, a steady hand during times of challenge, and a leader who never wavered in his belief in the strength and resilience of the people he served." He then recognises this is a difficult time for the Commonwealth and thus is offering his sincerest condolences and sympathy to first lady Wella Palacios and their children and families. "I am deeply in sorrow and I join Wella and the family's grief during this time of mourning as we pray and remember my friend, Gov Palacios, for his sacrifice and life of public service for all." Details regarding memorial services and public tributes will be announced in the coming days. "The thoughts and prayers of the entire Commonwealth are with First Lady Wella Palacios, their children and grandchildren, the extended Palacios family, and all who mourn this immeasurable loss. As we grieve together, let us honor Governor Palacios by continuing to uphold the values he championed: unity, respect, and service," added Apatang. The CNMI flag shall be flown at half-staff until further notice in solemn tribute to the life and service of Palacios, according to Apatang. Palacios, the 10th governor of the CNMI, rose to the executive seat rooted in a legacy of public service and with the promise to rebuild trust in leadership. He served alongside Lieutenant Governor David Apatang since January 2023. Palacios had a long political career even before being elected governor in 2023. He previously served as the 12th lieutenant governor of the Commonwealth, serving alongside Gov. Ralph DLG Torres from January 2019 to January 2023. As lieutenant governor, he oversaw the Office of Planning and Development, the Office of Grants Management, and the CNMI's permitting agencies and led policy initiatives on government efficiency, business permitting processes, and regulatory functions. He also played an active role in the CNMI's relationship with the Federal Government with discussions on labor viability and proposed military projects in the Marianas. Palacios also served as the Senate president during the 20th CNMI Legislature from January 2017 to January 2019 and as Senate vice president during the 19th CNMI Legislature from January 2015 to January 2017. He has served four terms in the House of Representatives and served as speaker of the House of Representatives during the 16th CNMI Legislature from January 2008 to January 2010. He also served as the Secretary of Lands and Natural Resources from February 2012 to January 2015. During his time in the Legislature, he championed legislation and policies on natural resources, environmental conservation, economic development, and federal relations. He was a member of the Governor's Section 902 Consultation team in 2016, when he helped articulate the CNMI's position on labor, immigration, and US military buildup proposals. As Senate president, he created the Office of Planning and Development, establishing development objectives, standards, and principles for the CNMI's desired land use for residential, recreational, agricultural, commercial, and industrial needs. Born on 22 August 1955, on Saipan, Palacios attended Mt Carmel School. He then enrolled at Portland State University in Oregon, earning his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Management.
ABC News
a day ago
- Politics
- ABC News
US Air Force hosts biggest ever exercise in Pacific territory Guam, with experts saying China the focus
The US Air Force says it is preparing to "fight and win" the "battle of tomorrow" as the US Pacific territory of Guam plays host to the biggest combat exercise the region has ever seen. In a move experts say is undoubtedly "directed at China", the US Air Force's Resolute Force Pacific (REFORPAC) exercise sees more than 400 aircraft and 12,000 personnel from the US and allies such as Australia, converge on the small US island territory, about 3,000 kilometres north of Darwin. Coinciding with the Talisman Sabre exercises in Australia, the US Air Force says REFORPAC is designed to test how quickly the US and its allies can "mobilise air power across vast distances, under pressure, in a contested environment". On the ground at Guam's Andersen Air Force Base, hundreds of jet fighters and support aircraft have been flying in and out over the past two weeks, conducting various drills. Speaking at the base, Colonel Charles Dan Cooley told the ABC it was an exercise that had never been done "on this scope and scale". "That exercise, for us, is just an opportunity to practice." However, some, including the US Air Force's own social media accounts, suggest there is a far more targeted motive. This week, the US Air Force promoted a social media post that said the exercise proved how it would "fight and win in tomorrow's battlespace (sic)". Although the enemy or conflict was not specified, experts say it is directed at one country. "There's been very little disguising the fact that this exercise is directed at China," Leland Bettis, the director of Guam-based think tank Pacific Centre for Island Security, told the ABC. The exercises in the Pacific come on the back of US Defense Undersecretary Elbridge Colby's comments last week, calling on allies, such as Australia, to make clear if they would commit troops to a conflict with China over Taiwan. Guam has been identified by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as the country's most important strategic base in the region. Mr Bettis said REFORPAC reflected the reality that Guam could be vulnerable in a conflict, so the US was practising how to quickly disperse its forces. "There are significant aviation assets in [nearby US territories] Tinian and in Saipan," he said. "I think what US contingency planners anticipate in the event involving conflict with an adversary in the region is that they would use a distributed and dispersed plan, which would be able to move assets around, anticipating that some assets are not going to be available, and some bases are not going to be available. "So the fact that you have significant assets in Saipan and in Tinian also signalled that they expect that Guam assets will not be available in conflict." Back on the ground at the Andersen Air Force Base, this was backed up by Colonel Matt Johnston, commander from the Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, who is in Guam for exercises. "Our ability to take off in our fighters, which don't carry a lot of gas, go get fuel, accomplish our objectives, probably go back and get some more fuel so that we can come back and land. "So, we're learning a lot of lessons through that." The military build-up comes as the Trump administration continues to realign the US's priorities in the Pacific region, most notably through its multi-billion-dollar cuts to USAID. Mr Bettis said the absence of "soft power", such as USAID-led diplomacy in the region, would pave the way for development supporting a military purpose, instead of direct assistance to nations. "The face of America in our part of the world wears a uniform, and I think you're going to probably see that more and more throughout the region."
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump Honors 81st Anniversary Of Guam's Liberation From Japan
President Donald Trump marked the 81st anniversary of Guam's liberation from Japanese occupation with a message honoring the American forces who reclaimed the Pacific territory on July 21, 1944. The Presidential statement emphasized America's continued commitment to defending its territories and interests through military strength. 'As Imperial Japanese forces tried to hold their ground, they struggled to withstand the full might of the U.S. Armed Forces,' Trump said in his White House message. The battle for Guam lasted three weeks across challenging terrain. American forces fought through jungles, caves, and rugged hills to regain control of the strategically vital island. The victory positioned U.S. forces within striking distance of ending the war in the Pacific. The liberation came at a steep cost. More than 1,200 service members and over 1,000 Guam residents died during the campaign. Trump characterized the 1944 victory as 'a bold reassertion of American sovereignty at a time when our future and our freedom were in peril.' 'Under my leadership, the United States remains committed to upholding a foreign policy of peace through strength,' the president stated. He pledged that America would 'never waver in defending our interests, our citizens, our territory, and our glorious way of life from all enemies, foreign and domestic.' The liberation ended nearly three years of Japanese occupation that began December 10, 1941. Guam served as a crucial base for subsequent American operations in the Pacific theater.
ABC News
2 days ago
- ABC News
US Air Force holds biggest exercise in history
The air above the US island territory of Guam has been busy the last few weeks, as key staging ground for the largest US Air Force exercise in history. The exercise involves 400 aircraft, more than 12,000 personnel from the US and countries such as Australia, Canada, France and Japan, as they conduct exercises in more than 50 locations across the region.
ABC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Guam becomes staging ground for largest US Air Force exercise in history
On the program today Guam is transformed into a key staging ground for the largest U.S. Air Force exercise in history. New Caledonia's pro-independence leaders meet for the first time since the signing of the historic Bougival accord. A new search commences to find the remains of hundreds of South Sea Islanders who died in a north Queensland hospital in the late 1800s. A survey finds 91 per cent of children in Samoa have experienced some form of violent discipline. Fiji Tourism revives beloved Hollywood volleyball Wilson as part of its latest campaign. The British and Irish Lions have travel to Melbourne to face the First Nations and Pasifika XV ahead of their match with the Wallabies. And LGBTQIA+ youth gather together to showcase their ballroom debut in Fugalei, Apia.
