Latest news with #Saipan
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Tests show 'forever chemicals' in CNMI, Guam
Photo: Supplied Tests on drinking water in Saipan, in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and Guam have revealed high levels of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS, commonly referred to as 'forever chemicals'). The information, shared in a conference in Saipan, said that wells on the CNMI island are among the most contaminated in the US. Travis Spaeth, chief engineer and safe drinking water program manager at the CNMI Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality, said Saipan has four drinking water entry points ranked among the 15 most PFAS-contaminated systems in the entire United States. One well near the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport, previously used for firefighting training, had concentrations exceeding more than 1,700 times above the new federal maximum contaminant level . The CNMI has its own maximum level - which is higher - but authorities are racing to comply with the stricter US standard, which requires full compliance by 2031. To meet that, the Commonwealth Utlities Corporation has installed granular activated carbon filters at multiple sites, bringing PFAS levels down to undetectable levels in some areas. However, Spaeth warned that maintaining the filters and managing the spent material off-island is expensive and logistically difficult. Spaeth said long-term options such as aquifer remediation, expanded rainwater catchment systems, and even energy-intensive desalination must be considered. The CNMI is also exploring partnerships with the US military and the Federal Aviation Administration - both historically linked to PFAS use - for support in cleanup funding and possible future blood testing for exposed residents and first responders. In Guam, PFAS hotspots include landfills, firefighting training sites, airport crash zones, and military bases. Two staff from Guam's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Sierra Armstrong-Bettis and Nicole Ha'ane Diras, also presented at the symposium. Using data from EPA region nine and Guam Waterworks Authority, their analysis found PFAS contamination across all parts of the island, with particularly high levels in Hagåtña, Sinajana, Agana Heights, and Mongmong-Toto-Maite. The Guam EPA team overlaid contaminant data with population risk factors such as daycare centres, schools, low-income housing, and clinics. They found the most at-risk groups often live in areas with limited access to alternative water sources like water refill stations. Granular activated carbon remains the main treatment tool in Guam, but like in Saipan, disposal and replacement of spent filters is a growing challenge. Diras and Armstrong-Bettis called for greater US government investment.
RNZ News
09-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
CNMI Senate president proposes amendment to allow cash dividends for indigenous voters
Saipan in the Northern Marianas. Photo: Supplied Senate president Dennis James Mendiola has introduced a legislative initiative that could result in direct cash payouts to registered voters of Northern Marianas descent. He proposes what he described as a long-overdue return on investment from public land revenues. Senate Legislative Initiative No. 24-01 seeks to amend the CNMI Constitution to authorize the distribution of monetary dividends to registered Northern Marianas descent (NMD) voters, from earnings generated by the Marianas Public Land Trust (MLPT), which manages funds derived from the lease of public lands. "This is just the start of the conversation," Mendiola said in an interview. "For years, we've said public lands belong to NMDs. But outside of constitutional protections, there's been no direct economic return. This initiative changes that." To be eligible, recipients must be both of Northern Marianas descent and registered voters - a dual requirement Mendiola said was intentional to encourage civic participation and ensure a fair and transparent process. "We want the beneficiaries themselves to vote on it," he said. The initiative proposes the creation of a Northern Marianas descent dividend program, beginning with a one-time distribution of US$30 million to $50 million from the land trust's investment corpus. Future distributions would occur every ten years and be subject to legislative appropriation, in coordination with the land trust and the Commonwealth Election Commission. Mendiola emphasized that the payout mechanism is designed to be sustainable. MPLT currently generates roughly US$3 million to $3.5 million annually in investment income, and the proposed 10-year cycle would allow time to replenish the fund before the next disbursement. "This is not a one-and-done deal," he said. "We've built in the timeline so the trust remains solvent and continues to grow." Because the proposal seeks to amend the CNMI Constitution, the measure must go through a multi-step process. First, it will be referred to the appropriate Senate committee, which will schedule public hearings on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. If cleared by the committee, it returns to the Senate floor for a vote. To move forward, the initiative must be approved by three-fourths of the members in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Commonwealth Election Commission. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Mark Rabago If it garners that level of legislative support, the proposed amendment is then forwarded to the Commonwealth Election Commission, which will place it on the ballot for a public vote during the next general election or a special election. Only if a majority of voters approve the measure will it become part of the CNMI Constitution and carry the force of law. While many residents welcomed the news on social media, some expressed skepticism. Critics questioned the long-term sustainability of the plan and raised concerns that the initiative may draw legal challenges over discrimination. "I refuse to sit back and keep worrying about theoretical lawsuits," Mendiola responded. "The Constitution is clear - MPLT funds exist for NMDs. If challenged, maybe this will finally bring clarity on the scope of protections under our covenant." He added that estimates of how much an individual could receive under the proposal vary depending on the final list of eligible recipients. Preliminary figures suggest dividends could range from $1,000 to $2,000 per person in the first round. "This isn't about politics - it's about economic justice," Mendiola said. "Our people are struggling. This puts money back into homes and boosts the local economy." The Senate President urged the NMD community to take part in the public input process as the proposal moves through the legislative pipeline. "Whether you support it or not, I encourage everyone to come out, ask questions, and help shape what could be a historic shift in how we recognize and reward our indigenous landowners," he said.
RNZ News
08-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Call for CNMI leaders to fight back on high airfares
Photo: Supplied / United Airlines Former Northern Mariana Islands lawmaker Edwin K. Propst taken to social media to urge leaders to "go to war" with United Airlines over what he claims are exorbitant airfares between Saipan and Guam. The call to action comes amid renewed efforts to reinstate the Essential Air Service program in the CNMI and push for a cabotage exemption. "Attention all leaders of the Marianas in the public and private sector, it is time to go to war with this airline," Propst wrote. The former representative, who now works at the CNMI broadband policy and development office, shared his frustration after attempting to book a four-day roundtrip ticket from Guam to Saipan in June - to find the lowest available fare was US$767. "For a 25-minute flight?! "They have just made record-breaking profits and instead of rewarding their customers, they increase their prices." Propst called the airfares "devastating" to the local economy and tourism. The CNMI is currently seeking exemption from federal cabotage restrictions, which bar foreign airlines from operating domestic routes between US territories such as Guam and the CNMI. Governor Arnold Palacios mentioned this effort during his State of the Commonwealth Address, saying he had "actively advocated for potential cabotage waiver [and] essential air services" in recent talks with federal agencies and congressional leaders. Palacios emphasized the importance of improved regional connectivity to support the CNMI's tourism-dependent economy. Senate public utilities, transportation and communications committee chair, Senator Jude Hofschneider called Propst's complaints a "sad reality of economic times," adding that United's pricing is "likely a business decision by the air carrier". Still, Hofschneider said the moment calls for greater support of Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds' bill introduced in April to requalify CNMI airports for the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. If passed, the measure would allow federal subsidies to fund daily round-trip flights even if commercial carriers withdraw service. A quote from CWM Travel International showed a Saipan-Guam roundtrip departing 8 June 8 and returning 12 June costing $420 - significantly cheaper than Propst's booking but still high for an inter-island flight. The EAS program, created in 1978 and stripped from CNMI eligibility in 2012, was intended to preserve air access for small US communities. King-Hinds' bill seeks to restore eligibility to Saipan, Tinian, and Rota by placing CNMI alongside Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico in exemption status. United Airlines has not responded to requests for comment.
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Former male escort's horrifying claim after his picture was blasted out at Diddy trial
A former reality TV star identified by Cassie Ventura as one of the escorts she allegedly was forced to have a 'freak off' with under the instruction of her ex, Sean ' Diddy ' Combs, claims he is the victim of mistaken identity. Vin Armani told he has never had any sexual contact with the singer or the disgraced Bad Boy mogul. He said he doesn't understand why his picture was included in the bunch of photos of male escorts federal prosecutors showed to Ventura in court last week. Armani, who has moved out of the US and is now a successful tech entrepreneur in Saipan, claims federal prosecutors never informed him that his name and image would be showed during Combs' criminal trial in Manhattan. 'This has sucked for me that my name has been brought into this because, as I said, I have absolutely no information — nor have I ever witnessed — regarding anything even approximating an unethical behavior, never mind criminal behavior, from Diddy or Cassie,' Armani exclusively told 'I have never once been contacted by any lawyer or authority associated with this case, even though, clearly, it's not hard to contact me. Clearly, there are lots of problems with what is being said on the stand and shown by the prosecution.' He also wrote a book titled the Tao of the Gigolo that was released in 2011. Since leaving the entertainment world, however, Armani has become involved in crypto currency, tech development and authored other books on philosophy. The former escort admits he 'hung out with literally hundreds of celebrities on a regular basis,' but maintains he never was involved with Diddy or Ventura. An emotional Ventura broke down during her testimony last week and claimed Combs would direct her to have unprotected sex with male escorts during their 10-year relationship. The singer said it was 'humiliating' and 'disgusting' that she was allegedly forced to take part in the freak offs. 'I never wanted anyone to ever see me like that,' she said on the stand last week. 'It was not OK for me and I felt the idea of it, being tossed around like I was nothing ... objectifying me and putting me in these really compromising, gross positions with strangers.' Ventura was shown pictures of several male escorts and identified Armani as one of the men she had sex with in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Armani denies these claims. 'I have never had an interaction with Diddy and/or Cassie that included — or where I witnessed — violence, illegal drugs, contracting for sexual services/acts (prostitution), or the transportation of any person from anywhere to anywhere whatsoever,' he said. 'So, just as with the hundreds of interactions I have had with celebrities, and the thousands of interactions I have had with other people in my life, I have no knowledge of any interaction that would be pertinent in any way to a criminal case of any kind. Had any attorney or authority ever contacted me, this fact would have been plain for them to see.' has reached out to officials with the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, who declined to comment on Armani's claims that he was never contacted by investigators, and that he never had any sexual interactions with Combs or Ventura. Armani said he has received even more scrutiny after other media outlets mistakenly ran his picture and identified him as 'Jules', another the male escort who was allegedly with Ventura and Combs at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Calif. in March 2016. Ventura testified she was participating in a freak off with Jules and Combs when her ex suddenly slapped her in the face, causing her to have a black eye. The 2016 incident has been a major focus of Combs' criminal case as prosecutors played for jurors the extended surveillance video footage of the rapper kicking Ventura and dragging her by her hair as she tried to leave the hotel. Armani said he has never used the name 'Jules' and he was not in California the day of the March 2016 incident. 'I lived in Vegas during that period and I was in New York the entire weekend in question,' Armani told 'I have the records of my plane tickets and even receipts from purchase of in-flight WiFi. 'Clearly, there are lots of problems with what is being said on the stand and shown by the prosecution. Again, I have proof that I could not possibly have been in Los Angeles on the day this Jules person — someone who is absolutely and categorically not me — supposedly was. 'Had any lawyer or authority ever contacted me, it would have been immediately obvious to them that any claim that I was present at the incident in question is completely false.' Armani said he has moved on from his life in Las Vegas and entertainment. He moved out of mainland US a few years ago, has authored a few books and is focusing on bringing new technology to Saipan, where he now lives. Armani is often seen in the community volunteering his time and is the board president of the Trade Council of the Marianas, which has a goal to bring educational opportunities, businesses and global technology to the islands. A frustrated Armani said being mentioned as part of Combs' criminal case has caused damage not only to his name but his community. 'I live in Saipan, a US commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, which now shows up in any Google search of my name, and where this TMZ bulls--t and the lack of professionalism or competence from the prosecution has damaged my reputation in our small, conservative community,' he said. TMZ named and pictured Saipan in their reporting of the trial, but have since made a correction on being informed that Saipan denies any connection to Diddy or his freak offs. Diddy, 55, faces life in prison if convicted of all charges, which include racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has plead not guilty to all charges. His trial will resume on May 27.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'No regrets' - Keane, Saipan and the story of a lifetime
With just two words and three syllables, Stephen Watson knew he had the scoop of his career. In Saipan airport on the eve of the 2002 Fifa World Cup, the BBC Sport NI presenter had not found Roy Keane in a particularly talkative mood but, such was the furore unfolding around the Republic of Ireland captain, any word from the mouth of the Manchester United midfielder would be the stuff of global headlines. The Cork native's forthright views on his side's preparations for the tournament in Japan and South Korea had sparked a week-long saga and provided the biggest story in the build-up to world's largest sporting event. One minute he was headed home, the next he was staying, but with just one utterance into Watson's microphone as Keane waited for his unexpectedly early return flight it became clear that the chances of a thawing of the frosty relationship with manager Mick McCarthy were remote. How did Keane feel about the sequence of events that had led to him being sent home from what should have been the biggest tournament of his life? "No regrets," he told Watson. "The biggest story of my career," recalls the presenter in the first episode of Hold the Front Page, which airs on BBC One NI at 22.40 BST on Monday. Watch: Stephen Watson interviews Roy Keane in Saipan What triggered the Roy Keane row in Saipan? As the programme - which delves into how journalists broke their most memorable stories - shows, the troubled relationship between Keane and his international boss dated back to when they were international team-mates. When the side arrived in Saipan for their tournament preparations without sufficient kits or footballs, Watson remembers wondering whether Keane's complaints were going to become "something that actually sticks and becomes a major problem or just a storm in a teacup". It soon became clear it would be the former with the fallout becoming one of the most infamous episodes in Irish sporting history, one that more than two decades later will be the subject of an upcoming film starring two-time Oscar nominee Steve Coogan. First Keane was to leave of his own accord, then he was to stay but retire from international football after the tournament. Finally, when word broke of how he had criticised his manager and the Football Association of Ireland in media interviews, he was on his way home eight days before his side's tournament opener. Watson says he was "still finding his feet" in his new job after joining BBC NI but soon found himself thrust into a huge sporting story, one which the time difference ensured would play out across a virtual 24-hour news cycle. "I didn't know as many of the Republic of Ireland players as I did the Northern Ireland players, so it was more a chance for me to try and get to know them," he recalls of the initial assignment. "Relationships in my job are the most important thing. Building relationships with sporting stars is absolutely key, but as it turned out, having those relationships didn't actually matter when the Roy Keane story broke." Watson admits he "took a gamble" to trust his instincts to stay behind when the Republic of Ireland team, and as a result the majority of the press pack, departed for Japan. "My feeling was if Roy Keane's staying here, I'm staying here. "There was the slightest opportunity that we could get some pictures of him, if we could get an interview with him even better. "It was a long shot." When Keane slipped out the back of what had been the team hotel to head for the airport and start his journey home, Watson and a few remaining photographers thought they had missed their chance but followed in a waiting van. "There was a heightened tension within that van because we thought we'd missed him. Suddenly, very close to the airport, we saw [Keane] in a white van and we were euphoric," Watson remembers. "Roy knew that he'd been rumbled and he jumped out of the van and then all hell broke loose I suppose. The flashbulbs went off left, right and centre. "I said to the cameraman we need to go and ask some questions and I fired off four, five, six questions and [Keane] never changed his gaze, he never even looked at me." As Keane waited in line for security, Watson tried again with the player's brief answers that followed the "gold dust" he had chased. "It was a short interview but anything said by Roy Keane was going to be powerful," he adds. Indeed it was with the quotes soon travelling far and wide. The Keane saga cast a shadow of Republic of Ireland's tournament. Reportedly written on the wall of the team's dressing room as they reached the last 16 of the tournament...'no regrets'. Watch 'Hold the Front Page: Roy Keane in Saipan' on Monday, 19 May at 22.40 BST on BBC One NI and BBC iPlayer.
