FLASHBACK

APRIL 23, 2005

LEGISLATURE OKS $20M BORROWING

The Legislature has approved a measure authorizing the Commonwealth Development Authority to borrow $20 million to allow the government to give salary increases and settle the unpaid retroactive pay of government employees. The House of Representatives accepted Thursday the amendments offered by the Senate on House Bill 14-304. The bill now goes to the governor.

EMO TEAM FLIES TO ANATAHAN

A team from the Emergency Management Office flew to Anatahan yesterday to repair the only functional seismic station on the island. The team, which included EMO’s geophysical seismic technician Juan Takai Camacho, flew to Anatahan in the morning and got back in the afternoon. Camacho, however, could not be reached for comment if the mission was successful.

APRIL 23, 2004

NEW OVERTIME RULES OUT

The federal government has issued new rules requiring the payment of overtime pay to all workers-including those in the exempt category-who receive $23,660 a year and below. The new policy, which takes effect within four months or 120 days after its publication in the Federal Register, provides a guaranteed rate of at least $455 a week for the exempted group-executive, administrative, and professional workers-in the 50 states and jurisdictions, including the CNMI. The new rules, known as the Fairpay Initiative, amended the 50-year old part 541 regulations of the Fair Labor and Standards Act.

SAIPAN’S 2003 XTERRA GETS TELLY AWARD

The CNMI recently received the 2004 Telly Award for the film production of the 2003 XTERRA Saipan Championship. The television show recently earned a bronze medal at the Telly Awards in the Sports TV/Cable program category. The 2004 Telly Award was presented during the awards banquet for the recently concluded XTERRA Saipan Championship for 2004. Founded in 1978, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable commercials and programs, as well as the finest video film productions.

APRIL 23, 2003

INNOCENT OR GUILTY?

The jury trial against Sen. Ricardo S. Atalig on federal wire fraud charges concluded yesterday afternoon amid a jampacked courtroom at the U.S. District Court. The 14-man jury was up for deliberation and could possibly reach a verdict today.

DISTRIBUTION OF SARS SHEET DELAYED

The distribution of information cards on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome to all incoming passengers has been delayed pending the completion of its translation to other languages, Department of Health Secretary James U. Hofschneider said. Authorities need to translate the SARS information card, which is in English, to three other languages: Japanese, Chinese, and Korean.

APRIL 23, 2002

CPA COURTING PHILIPPINE AIRLINES BACK

The Commonwealth Ports Authority will formalize negotiations with Philippine Airlines executives next month, in line with plans to reinstate nonstop Manila-Saipan flights previously provided by the carrier. CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas yesterday disclosed that he is scheduled to meet with PAL officials next month to thresh out concerns raised during a discussion between the CNMI and the Philippine delegations two months back.

ENVOYS’ SUMMIT TO FOCUS ON TRADE, TOURISM

Preparations for the first-ever Consuls General Summit Conference, which will be held on Saipan in May, kicked off yesterday with a free-wheeling discussion between the Babauta administration and the consuls general of Japan, the Philippines and Palau on issues ranging from delayed Authorization To Board documents to enhanced tourism promotion efforts.