Hurricane Lane: Hawaii braces for category four storm
The US state of Hawaii is bracing for a dangerous category four hurricane which could hit the islands as early as Wednesday evening.
Lane was downgraded to a category four storm, with sustained winds of 155 mph (249km/h), but officials say it is still close to category five strength.
Forecasts say the islands will face strong winds and surging waves even if the storm does not make landfall.
The last category five storm to come this close to Hawaii was John in 1994.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a hurricane warning for the Big Island and a hurricane watch for the islands of Oahu, Maui, Molokai and Lanai as of Wednesday morning.
On the Big Island, the first in Hurricane Lane's path, damaging tropical storm and hurricane-force winds could pick up as soon as Wednesday afternoon or evening.
President Donald Trump urged those in the path of the storm to prepare and listen to local officials.
BAHAMAS AND TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS PUBLIC FORECAST
THE PUBLIC FORECAST FOR 6:00 AM TODAY AND TONIGHT WEDNESDAY 22ND AUGUST 2018 ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF THE BAHAMAS
GENERAL SITUATION: A SURFACE TROUGH ACROSS THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS WILL CONTINUE TO DRIFT WESTWARDS AND DISSIPATE WHILE SUPPORTING A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TODAY AS HIGH PRESSURE DOMINATES THE REMAINDER OF THE ISLANDS
SPECIAL WARNINGS: BOATERS SHOULD REMAIN VIGILANT DUE TO POSSIBLE FUNNEL CLOUD AND WATERSPOUT ACTIVITY TODAY
FOR ALL AREAS
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY AND HOT WITH A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS TODAY. FAIR AND WARM TONIGHT WITH A STRAY SHOWER OR TWO POSSIBLE.
ADVISORY: GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS CAN BE EXPECTED IN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
WINDS: SOUTHEASTERLY AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS IN THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 15 KNOTS IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS INCLUDING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN IN THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND 3 TO 5 FEET IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS INCLUDING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 93F 34C
HEAT INDEX 106F 41C
OVERNITE LOW TEMPERATURE 78F 26C
SUN
SUNRISE: 6:47AM SUNSET: 7:36PM
MOON
MOONRISE: 5:13PM MOONSET: 4:13AM THU
TIDES
LOW TIDE: 10:49AM 11:41PM
HIGH TIDE: 5:14PM 5:29AM THU
EXTENDED FORECAST: (FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS) HIGH PRESSURE WILL PREVAIL ACROSS THE BAHAMAS OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
Premier Robinson attended the VIP Opening of Outback Steakhouse TCI
Premier Robinson attended the VIP Opening of Outback Steakhouse TCI as Guest of Honor and Featured Speaker.
TCI Aquatic Swim Club and TCI Cadets were the first recipients of financial donations under the Company's Give Back Program
Science student observership at Cockburn Town Medical Centre
Science student and Grand Turk Native, Danielle Baptiste recently concluded a two-week observership at Cockburn Town Medical Centre. Danielle received first-hand insight into the daily operations of several departments. These included Laboratory, Dialysis, Radiology, Emergency, Outpatient and Inpatient along with sessions on Pediatric Advanced Life Support.
As part of her observership, she was required to conduct and present research on an area of choice. The enthusiastic learner selected Antibiotic Associated Encephalopathy, a medical condition associated with abnormal brain function due to its connection with antimicrobial resistance, which is a global health care concern.
During the presentation, the observer stressed the importance of understanding the neurotoxic effects of antibiotics, and explored several antibiotics associated with the medical condition. She also provided recommendations on management strategies and an algorithm for treatment of the condition.
Danielle is currently pursuing a Bachelors degree in Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience at Leicester University in England. We wish her all the best in her future career.
Bahamian Govt to incur loss in resort purchase
Although the government intends to purchase the Grand Lucayan resort, it does not plan to spend the near $100 million to renovate it, according to Minister of Tourism Dionisio D’Aguilar.
D’Aguilar said the government is only interested in purchasing the hotel and finding a buyer.
“The government wants to buy it, hold it, continue to actively look for a seller to stabilize it and to sell it on,” D’Aguilar said.
“That’s what we are doing. The renovations, upgrade…that may change but right now I don’t think that’s the policy of the government.
“The prime minister has said many times, ‘I don’t want to be owning [and] running a hotel. I just don’t want it.’”
Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis announced that the government has decided to purchase the property after Canadian real estate developer Paul Wynn, who had signed a letter of intent with the Hutchison Whampoa to buy the resort, pulled out of the sale.
D’Aguilar noted that two of the hotels that make up the three-piece property remain closed following Hurricane Matthew in 2016.
“It hasn’t reopened,” said the minister in a recent interview on the Peace 1075FM radio talk show “Hard Copy” with host Steve McKinney.
“Hutchison Whampoa has taken the insurance money and said they are not going to reinvest in it.”
Only Lighthouse Pointe reopened in 2016.
Wynn said that he thought the final purchase price negotiated, of $65 million, was too high.
He said it could take between $110 million and $120 million to fully open the Grand Lucayan.
D’Aguilar said the government cannot allow Hutchison to walk away from the property.
“I’ve heard a lot of noise in the marketplace that we should not buy it, that we should just negotiate a harder deal with Hutchison Whampoa,” he said.
“We have been back and forth with Hutchison Whampoa time and time again trying to drive a better deal. It’s nothing to them to say, ‘Look, we are going to stick to $65 [million] and if it has to close; it got to close.’
“The government of The Bahamas doesn’t have that choice. These are people’s lives. This is the economy and lifeblood of Freeport, Grand Bahama.
Tiger Woods: 14-time major winner says comeback has endeared him to new fans
Fourteen-time major winner Tiger Woods says he has never experienced such "warmth" from fans as he has this year.
Woods has had back surgery four times - most recently in April 2017 - and had previously questioned whether he would ever return to competitive golf.
But the 42-year-old American, who is in contention to be picked for September's Ryder Cup, says his comeback has endeared him to a new set of fans.
"I think people are more appreciative," said Woods.
"They've all gone through it - when you get to your forties you're feeling it.
"They know I'm at the tail-end of my career. I don't know how many years I've got left but I'm certain I'm not like I was when I was 22. At 42 it is a different ball game."
Woods, who made his latest comeback at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas last November, made a remarkable return to form earlier this month at the US PGA Championships, carding a final-day 64 to finish second behind winner Brooks Koepka.
He will be back in action this week at the FedEx Cup play-offs in New Jersey and says fans can relate to his new vulnerabilities.
"I've struggled and I've had some back pain, I've been through four surgeries and I'm trying to work back and it's been tough, and people understand that," he said.
"This entire year has been so different. Go back to how everyone received me at Tampa [in the Valspar Championship in March] - that was very special.
"I hadn't received ovations and warmth like that."
Italy floods: Girl, 8, rescued after deadly flash flood
An eight-year-old girl with hypothermia is among 23 people rescued from flash flooding in the Pollino National Park in southern Italy.
At least 10 hikers died in the Calabria tourist spot after they were hit by a wall of water on Monday.
Rescuers looked for survivors into the night, with helicopters airlifting the injured to local hospitals.
Local reports say the eight-year-old was found in a state of shock by rescuers beside a dead body.
Officials believe the girl's parents are "almost certainly" among the victims, according to Pasquale Gagliardi, medical director of the regional helicopter rescue service.
He posted emotional photographs of the girl's rescue on his social media pages.
One was captioned (in Italian) "you'll make it, little one."
Nicki Minaj and Cardi B both called some people out ... while Madonna gave a bizarre tribute to Aretha Franklin.
The 2018 MTV Video Music Awards went down in New York on Monday night and if you missed the 2 hour and 45 minute show, we've got all the highlights for you right here.
After Katy Perry hammed it up while hosting last year's event, the star-studded show went host-less for 2018. Performances included Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Shawn Mendes, Travis Scott, Post Malone, Panic! At the Disco and Logic with Ryan Tedder. Jennifer Lopez was also getting honored with the Video Vanguard Award, which she accepted after a performance of her own.
Of course, some of the drama also started brewing before the event even began, after Minaj went in on fellow performer Travis Scott and baby mama Kylie Jenner on Twitter over album sales. While Stormi's parents haven't responded to her tweets, they did reportedly have their seats moved so they wouldn't be behind Nicki during the show.
First, Cardi B shut it down in her first appearance since giving birth to daughter Kulture in early July. The "Bodak Yellow" rapper looked incredible, sporting a short new 'do and killer curves in a velvet magenta dress that hugged every curve. Amber Rose also had all eyes on her as she donned a Catwoman-inspired look in red latex, all while brandishing a matching whip.
Ariana Grande and fiancé Pete Davidson stole the spotlight as they made their first red carpet appearance as a couple at the event. The two shared some PDA in front of photographers for their big debut, looking all kinds of adorable as they kissed for the cameras. Also swapping spit: Noah Cyrus, 18, and her boyfriend Lil Xan, 21.
Cardi B opened the show with a major fake-out for the audience, as she appeared on stage holding what appeared to be a swaddled up baby.
With no host, MTV brought out the two comedians to take aim at the entire audience. "This show is so big, they couldn't bring one comedian. They needed two," said Haddish.
Haddish then brought up Camila Cabello's multiple nominations, after totally butchering her name. Then came this shade bomb: "Those of you watching at home ... 'Hi Fifth Harmony!" It should be noted that Camila wasn't there for the diss, shaking her head at the joke.
Everyone was hoping Nicki would go in on a few members of the audience when she picked up the award for Best Hip Hop video. Sadly, for us, she didn't.
When Ariana Grande picked up her award for Best Pop Video for "No Tears Left to Cry," she first gave her man a few big kisses before hitting the stage.
She then thanked her fans, AKA her "friends on the Internet," for their support of her new record. She went on to give thanks to her family, friends and management before ending with this: "Pete Davison, thanks for existing. Love you."
Before accepting her Video Vanguard Award, Jennifer Lopez performed a medley of her greatest hits. She started with the green lasers, flying in to "Waiting for Tonight." She then sang "On the Floor," before ripping off her long dress to dance her infamous booty off to "Dance Again," "I Ain't Your Mama," "Booty," "My Love Don't Cost a Thing," "Get Right" and "All I Have."
She then came on stage to collect her golden moon person and got a standing O from the crowd, where A-Rod and her own children were watching.
Drones hunt cocaine farms in Colombia
The Colombian government has started to use drones to destroy the plants that produce cocaine.
Small aircraft loaded with herbicide are being sent to search for illegal fields of coca.
President Iván Duque has favoured the use of the unmanned aircraft to ensure that damage to neighbouring crops is kept to a minimum.
Critics have warned that the approach may be a technological fix to a problem that needs a political solution.
German Huertas, the drone company's director of operations, said the drones had eliminated about 90% of the coca on each acre (0.4 hectare) targeted during tests in the country's Narino province.
The trial has involved the deployment of 10 drones, each weighing 23kg (51lb) and carrying the plant-killing chemical glyphosate.
Jaguar Land Rover opening its first U.S.-based classic center in Georgia
Jaguar Land Rover Classic currently operates two of its Works Centres, one in Coventry, England and the other in Essen-Kettwig, Germany (pictured). Just in time for Pebble Beach, the English carmaker has announced that it will bring its first facility to the United States next year, having signed a deal to open the latest Works operation in Savannah, Georgia. To be located in the Crossroads Business Park near Gulfstream Aerospace, the facility will engage in the sales, service, and restoration of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles out of production for at least ten years.
The 150,000-square-foot Coventry site opened two years ago and is said to be the largest dedicated factory workshop of its kind (the largest unaffiliated shop is in the Philippines). Jaguar builds its continuation cars there, like the D-Type and XKSS, while Land Rover uses it to build the Defender Works V8. Shoppers can also buy vintage models off the showroom floor, a variation of the Certified Pre-Owned program called Works Legends, that come with a 12-month warranty. Or, Jaguar Land Rover will locate, restore, and maintain one of the classic company products that a buyer chooses. In the UK, a Land Rover Series 1 starts at around $90,000, a Jaguar E-Type starts at around $400,000.