Latest news with #Saipan
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.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'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 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. 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 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." 'All hell broke loose' 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.
RNZ News
16-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Northern Mariana Islands' annual bird count highlights conservation success
On Saipan, the Eurasian Tree Sparrow dominated the count, while Rota saw the Red-footed Booby as the most observed species. Photo: Mark Rabago The Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) annual Christmas Bird Count once again showcased the vital role that community volunteers and conservation efforts play in protecting the islands' unique bird populations. Organised by the Division of Fish and Wildlife's (DFW) Wildlife Section, this year's count saw enthusiastic participation across Saipan, Rota, and Tinian, providing essential data to guide ongoing conservation strategies. A total of 48 volunteers joined the effort: 37 on Saipan, eight on Rota, and three on Tinian. Volunteers included community members, students from Saipan International School and Saipan Southern High School, American Memorial Park rangers, and staff from Pacific Coastal Research & Planning and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance-Aga Team. "This hands-on involvement fosters a deeper connection to nature, encourages environmental stewardship, and strengthens community collaboration in protecting and understanding the CNMI's unique wildlife," DFW's wildlife biologist Amanda Santoswith said. A total of 48 volunteers joined the effort: 37 on Saipan, eight on Rota, and three on Tinian. Photo: Mark Rabago The count documented several endangered and endemic species, including the Marianas Common Moorhen, Saipan Reed Warbler, Mariana Swiftlet, Mariana Crow, and Rota White-eye. These sightings underline the critical need for continued conservation efforts to protect these rare birds, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. This year's results showed 3441 individual birds across 37 species om Saipan, 231 individual birds across 18 species on Tinian, and 3,351 individual birds across 31 species on Rota. The most numerous species varied by island. On Saipan, the Eurasian Tree Sparrow dominated the count, while Rota saw the Red-footed Booby as the most observed species. Tinian's count was led by the White Tern. Conversely, the least numerous species were the Sooty Tern on Saipan, the Tufted Duck on Rota, and the Tinian Monarch on Tinian. Beyond monitoring efforts, DFW has introduced new conservation initiatives to bolster local bird populations. Recently, three experimental floating nest platforms were deployed on the ponds at Laolao Bay Golf Course. These artificial platforms aim to provide safer nesting sites for the vulnerable Mariana Common Moorhen, helping to increase nesting success and population stability. "This type of innovation is critical for ensuring the future of endangered species like the Pulattat," Santos said. The CNMI is home to a rich diversity of both migratory and endemic bird species. Migratory species, such as the Pacific Golden Plover and the Northern Pintail, pass through or seasonally inhabit the islands, while endemic birds like the Mariana Fruit Dove and Tinian Monarch live exclusively in the Marianas. The Christmas Bird Count helps track these populations over time, providing valuable insights into the health of the islands' ecosystems and the impacts of environmental change. Photo: Mark Rabago Part of a global initiative led by the National Audubon Society for over a century, the Christmas Bird Count empowers local residents to participate in scientific research. By contributing their observations, CNMI volunteers are part of a worldwide network working to safeguard bird species and their habitats. DFW expressed gratitude to all who participated and supported the count. "Your dedication to community science helps ensure the continued protection and understanding of our local bird species and ecosystems," Santos said.
RNZ News
11-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Saipan tap water unsafe to drink in some areas, CNMI water official warns
Travis Robert Spaeth said the levels of PFAS in many parts of Saipan exceed new federal safety standards and could pose longterm health risks. Photo: AFP / FRED TANNEAU A top environmental official has advised Saipan residents, particularly those living in southern villages, not to drink from the tap due to widespread contamination from PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) - also known as "forever chemicals" - found in the island's water supply. CNMI Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality (BECQ) safe drinking water program manager Travis Robert Spaeth said the levels of PFAS in many parts of Saipan exceed new federal safety standards and could pose longterm health risks. "If you live down south, I don't know that you should [drink the tap water]. I really don't," Spaeth said during a public seminar on 8 May hosted by Northern Marianas College's Environmental and Natural Resources Organisation (ENRO). Spaeth said the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation (CUC) and BECQ have been tracking PFAS contamination on Saipan since 2015, particularly in areas near the airport where firefighting foam - one of the most common sources of PFAS - was historically used. Although water filtration systems using granular activated carbon, or GAC, have been installed, he said PFAS levels fluctuate and often exceed limits set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. PFAS are manmade chemicals used in firefighting foam, nonstick cookware, water-repellent clothing, and food packaging. Known for their resistance to breaking down in the environment, they accumulate in the body over time and have been linked to a range of health problems, including reproductive issues, developmental delays, liver damage, and certain cancers. "These compounds are everywhere," Spaeth said. "They're in our water, soil, air, even in the food we eat. And because they don't break down easily, they're incredibly difficult to remove." ENRO president and event moderator Mark Pangelinan said the seminar aimed to raise public awareness about a growing environmental threat. "Growing up, we always knew that we shouldn't drink the faucet water," Pangelinan said. "But I never realised just how severe the contamination was." Pangelinan said learning about PFAS through college courses and now witnessing its increasing coverage in the media gave him hope that more attention and resources would be directed toward solving the problem. "As Mr Spaeth mentioned, there are steps being taken like desalination and other treatment strategies. But there's still so much work to be done," he said. "The best we can do now as citizens is to spread awareness and support more outreach events like this." Pangelinan closed his remarks with a simple message: "Don't drink the tap water, please." Travis Robert Spaeth with participants at the public seminar on 8 May hosted by Northern Marianas College's Environmental and Natural Resources Organisation. Photo: Mark Rabago Recent sampling showed that 64 of 73 CUC wells tested had PFAS detections above new EPA thresholds, with six wells measuring 10 times higher than allowed levels. In Spaeth's presentation, the south-central and southern parts of Saipan were identified as the most severely affected. "The EPA's new limit is just four parts per trillion. On Saipan, we have areas with levels hundreds of times higher," he said. He added that some CUC wells had historically exceeded 70 parts per trillion, the older health advisory threshold, and that water in those areas is not safe to drink or cook with. While GAC units temporarily reduce PFAS levels, the media inside them must be replaced every two years, or sooner. "Once the media is exhausted, PFAS starts breaking through again," Spaeth explained. Spaeth reassured residents that bottled water produced on Saipan and water used at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) hospital are currently free of PFAS due to reverse osmosis filtration systems. "All bottled water companies are using reverse osmosis, and we haven't detected PFAS in any of them," he said. "CHCC's water is also safe." Spaeth said that residents in affected areas should continue using bottled water for drinking and cooking, and avoid relying on tap water unless they have tested and verified home filtration systems. With no regional water testing labs and high shipping and disposal costs, Spaeth noted that managing PFAS in the CNMI is more expensive and difficult than in mainland jurisdictions. The CNMI has been a leader among territories in adopting local PFAS limits, but now faces pressure to meet stricter federal standards by 2029. "There's a possibility that desalination could be a long-term solution," Spaeth said, "but it's costly and power-intensive." He also warned of potential contamination of fruits, vegetables, fish, and livestock due to PFAS bioaccumulation in the environment-though the CNMI has not yet conducted local food testing. "This is a serious issue for Saipan. It's affecting our wells, our homes, and possibly our food supply," he said. "The water's not drinkable in many places-and it's going to take years to fix." Spaeth said the CNMI will have until 2029 to comply with the EPA's new PFAS rules, but acknowledged that meeting these standards will require funding, technical support, and long-term infrastructure changes. Testing and disposal are more difficult and expensive in island jurisdictions, and Saipan lacks a certified PFAS testing lab. "Desalination could be a future option, but it's costly and energy-intensive," he said. Spaeth warned that PFAS contamination could also affect local agriculture and fisheries through environmental bioaccumulation, though no formal food testing has yet been conducted in the CNMI.
