Chewbacca star pays tribute to R2-D2 actor Kenny Baker
Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew has paid tribute to his friend and Star Wars co-star Kenny Baker, who died at the weekend at the age of 81.
"I know I'm a bit late with this, but my sadness is profound," Mayhew wrote on his website. "No words seemed adequate to convey what we... have lost with the passing of my dear friend Kenny Baker." Baker played the droid R2-D2 in the first six Star Wars films and formed a close friendship with Mayhew.
'Giant heart'
"Kenny and I became fast friends the first time we met and formed a lifelong bond after realising that we had so much in common," Mayhew said. Many had passed comment about the pair's contrasting heights over the years - Baker stood at 3ft 8in (1.12m), while Mayhew is 7ft 2in (2.18m).
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard settle divorce
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have settled their divorce, saying neither of them intended to cause the other any physical or emotional harm.
In a joint statement, the pair acknowledged their relationship had been volatile. "Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love," it read.
Lawyers for Heard filed a motion on Tuesday to dismiss a temporary restraining order against Depp.
'Charity donation'
News of the divorce settlement comes just a day before a hearing regarding the restraining order was due to begin. The temporary order had ordered Depp not to contact Heard, and stay 100 yards away from her, after she accused him of striking her and throwing a mobile phone during a fight earlier this year.
The Hollywood star had always denied abuse allegations made by his former wife. Heard filed for divorce in May and obtained the temporary restraining order against Depp a few days later.
The couple, who were married for just under 18 months, also came to a financial settlement as part of their divorce. "Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain. There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm," the statement continued. It said Heard would be donating proceeds from the divorce settlement to an undisclosed charity.
Neither of the actors will comment further on the case. Depp has two children from a previous relationship with French singer and model Vanessa Paradis.
Gawker case: Thiel is 'serious threat' to press freedom
A leading tech entrepreneur has been branded a "serious threat" to press freedom after he defended funding a legal case that bankrupted a news site.
Peter Thiel backed the wrestler Hulk Hogan's privacy case against Gawker.
In a New York Times article on Tuesday, he said his own privacy had also been "violated" by the site and he wanted to protect press freedom.
But the campaign group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) criticised his "secret" involvement in the case.
While Mr Thiel was "asking the right questions", the campaign group said, it could not stand behind the answers he had come up with because they represented a "serious threat to the basic principles we… are defending: freedom of press and independence of media".
Gilles Wullus, of the group, told the BBC: "These principles are universal.
"Journalism ethics should be taken care of by journalists themselves and are ultimately a matter of public and free debate.
"In case they do not, we think that nobody else can do it in their place, neither states, nor governments; especially not wealthy individuals.
He said that Mr Thiel's campaign was "nothing different to governments using legal or economic leverage to shut down a media that happens to displease them".
"It is even less defensible that this was kept secret," Mr Wullus said.
"RSF knows about thousands of cases like this."
Audi cars 'will talk to traffic lights', firm says
Audi is introducing technology that will allow its cars to communicate with traffic lights, the manufacturer has announced. It will tell drivers when lights are due to turn green and when they will not make it before a light turns red. The firm said it was meant to make driving less stressful, rather than as a safety aid, it was reported. It will require a significant investment to make it viable in the UK, one expert said.
According to Audi, the "vehicle-to-infrastructure" or "V-to-I" technology has been introduced in A4 models built after 1 June this year and will be put into some Q7 models next year. The Volkswagen-owned firm said safety and other operational information will be wirelessly transmitted between traffic lights and vehicles over the cloud.
Although it is hoped that the tech will eventually help mitigate crashes and reduce congestion on roads and highways, Pom Malhotra, the general manager of Audi's connected vehicles division, told reporters: "This is designed not as a safety feature, but a comfort and convenience feature."
3-DAY BAHAMAS PUBLIC FORECAST
TODAY AND TONIGHT TUESDAY 16TH AUGUST 2016
3-DAY BAHAMAS PUBLIC FORECAST 6:00 AM TODAY AND TONIGHT TUESDAY 16TH AUGUST 2016
GENERAL SITUATION: SURFACE HIGH PRESSURE REMAINS OVER THE AREA WHILE AN UPPER LEVEL LOW MOVING NORTHWESTWARDS ACROSS THE ISLANDS WILL ENHANCE OCCASIONAL SHOWER ACTIVITY TODAY THROUGH TONIGHT
SPECIAL WARNINGS: BEACHGOERS IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS SHOULD CONTINUE TO EXERCISE CAUTION DUE TO THE RISK OR RIP CURRENTS MAINLY ALONG THE NORTHERN AND EASTERN SHORELINES.
NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS
WEATHER: A MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS, AND HOT TODAY WITH WIDELY SCATTERED
SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS...TURNING MAINLY FAIR TONIGHT WITH THE CHANCE A FEW SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT SHOULD BE ALERT FOR GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN
SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
WEATHER: SUNNY, HOT AND A BIT BREEZY WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS AND A FEEW
THUNDERSTORMS...TURNING MAINLY FAIR TONIGHT WITH THE CHANCE A FEW SHOWERS.
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT CAUTION REMAINS IN EFFECT.
WINDS: EASTERLY AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE: 93 °F 34 °C
OVERNITE LOW TEMPERATURE: 78 °F 26 °C
SUNRISE: 6:44AM SUNSET: 7:43PM
MOONRISE: 6:28PM MOONSET: 5:53AM WED
HIGH TIDE: 6:46AM LOW TIDE: 12:54PM
HIGH TIDE: 7:15PM LOW TIDE: 1:39AM WED
EXTENDED FORECAST: (FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS): HIGH PRESSURE WILL REMAIN
ACROSS THE AREA WHILE THE UPPER LEVEL LOW ACROSS THE ISLANDS CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
WEATHER OUTLOOK: 11:00 AM (FOR TOMORROW)
FORECAST FOR WEDNESDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY, HOT AND A BIT BREEZY ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST
BAHAMAS...WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS IN THE NORTHWEST & CENTRAL
BAHAMAS... EASTERLY AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
SEAS: 2 T 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN IN THE NORTHWEST & CENTRAL BAHAMAS...4 TO 6 FEET IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
FORECAST FOR THURSDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY, HOT AND A BIT BREEZY ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS...WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS IN THE NORTHWEST & CENTRAL
BAHAMAS... & 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
SEAS: 2 T 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN IN THE NORTHWEST & CENTRAL BAHAMAS...4 TO
6 FEET IN THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: A LARGE AREA OF CLOUDINESS AND THUNDERSTORMS LOCATED ABOUT 450 MILES SOUTHWEST OF THE CABO VERDE ISLANDS IS ASSOCIATED WITH A TROPICAL WAVE. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE CONDUCIVE FOR DEVELOPMENT, AND A TROPICAL DEPRESSION IS LIKELY TO FORM DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS WHILE THE SYSTEM MOVES WEST-NORTHWESTWARD TO NORTHWESTWARD. THIS SYSTEM HAS A 70% CHANCE OF FORMATION THROUGH THE NEXT 5 DAYS
K. WARD-FORBES/dg
PDM IS ON THE MOVE
Week of August 8th, 2016 in Review
On Wednesday, August 10, 2016, the PDM introduced its Grand Turk constituency candidates at its Party Headquarters in Grand Turk. Derek Rolle and Hon Edwin Astwood will carry the banner for the PDM in Electoral District 1 and Electoral District 2 respectively. Their announcements were met with loud applause from a packed room of excited supporters. Party Leader used the opportunity to energise the Party base and to assure them that the Nation’s Capital will be respected as the Nation’s Capital and hence the decision to present its candidates in Grand Turk. Other Party officials and hopefuls were invited to greet those in attendance which included Hon Sean Astwood, Deputy Leader, Hons Derek Taylor, Delroy Williams, Goldray Ewing and Josephine Connolly, All Island hopefuls Karen Malcolm and Robert Been jr, National Chairman and ED7 hopeful Douglas Parnell.
On Friday representatives of the PDM continued on to Middle and North Caicos and had a busy weekend on the Twin Isles with a Town Hall on Middle Caicos on Friday, August 12, 2016 and a Prayer Breakfast on Saturday morning, August 13, 2016.
The Town Hall Meeting was well attended by residents from Middle Caicos and North Caicos and quickly changed to rally status, a mood set by the attendees. The Party delegation included Party Leader, Hon Sharlene Cartwright Robinson, National Chairman, Douglas Parnell, National Campaign Chair, All Island hopefuls Karen Malcolm and Robert Been and the PDM’s standard bearer for ED 4, Ralph Higgs.
Mr Ralph Higgs informed the members of his vision for these Islands and invited their questions, comments and suggestions. Party Leader, Hon Robinson gave an account of her Party’s stewardship on issues affecting the people of Middle Caicos. All members of the delegation greeted the attendees. The delegation was cautioned not to disappoint the people as did the current Government and they enthusiastically shared ideas and concerns.
On Saturday, August 13, 2016, members of the PDM attended the Funeral Service for the Late Charles Glinton and witnessed the public announcement of the renaming of the Post Office after the Late Charles Glinton, former Post Man and long serving civil servant. Party Leader who was in attendance stated that she fully supports this initiative. Hon Derek Taylor was able to move a Tribute and the Leader only wishes to add that “Mr Glinton was the only real postman I knew having spent many Summers and midterm breaks here in Grand Turk. His service and commitment were exemplary and he is worthy of this recognition. I extend my sincerest condolences to his wife Esterleen, his children and wider family. This renaming, I hope inspires civil servants to serve with distinction”.
The PDM intends to govern closely with its people as it continues to advance its plans that are “people centered”.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ELECTIONS ORDINANCE
ELECTIONS OFFICE
CONSULTATION - PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ELECTIONS ORDINANCE
The Supervisor of Elections is inviting comments, feedback and input if any from Political Parties and Independent Candidates to the proposed amending of Section 38 (2) of the Elections Ordinance of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The present election ordinance Section 38 (2) make provision for the ballot paper of each voter to be printed in which the names, Occupation, Residence and voting symbol (if any) of Candidates alphabetically arrange in order of their surnames.
However, for the up-coming general election in addition to the required five (5) Candidates to be put forward by each political party for the “All Island” District there may be an extraordinary number of Independent Candidates that will be nominated and their names will also have to appear on the “All Island” ballot paper and if this should transpire it is anticipated that it will make the voting process long and cumbersome and can result in voters unintentionally voting for less or more than five (5) Candidates and spoiling their ballot paper.
In the circumstances it is proposed that Section 38 (2) of the Election Ordinance be amended to reflect changes to the layout of the “All Island” ballot paper.
The changes proposed to this section of the ordinance are as follows:
The layout of the “All Island” ballot paper change from portrait to landscape
Candidates to be listed alphabetically and group by party affiliation
Names of Independent Candidates listed in alphabetical order represented by Candidates symbol if any
Form 17 in Schedule 1 in the Ordinance to be amended accordingly
Please submit your feedback on this propose amendment to the Elections Ordinance by email or hard copy document to the Supervisor of Elections at Woodville Court Pond Street Grand Turk or email to DLLewis@gov.tc no later than August 26, 2016.
For perusal I forward a sample copy of the proposed amended “All Island” ballot paper.
Lister Dudley Lewis
Supervisor of Elections
2016ZBallotZtest1.docx
ISSUANCE OF EMERGENCY TEMPORARY PASSPORT
MINISTRY OF BORDER CONTROL AND EMPLOYMENT
The Passport Office within the Registration and Citizenship Department, Ministry of Border Control and Employment wishes to remind all citizens of the Turks and Caicos Islands to check the validity of their passports whether there are immediate plans to travel, or not. More importantly, the expiry dates on passports must be checked prior to purchasing airline tickets as there are strict guidelines governing the issuance of TCI emergency passport stock.
The following do not meet the criteria to have an emergency temporary passport issued locally.
·the discovery of a soon to be expired or already expired passport, before or after the purchase of an airline ticket,
·a pre-planned business trip, vacation or doctor’s appointment overseas, and
·accidental or intentional damage to a valid passport as a result of inattentiveness, for example spilling liquids on a passport, washing a passport in a washing machine and defacing or tearing passport pages.
Emergency temporary passports may be issued locally under the following conditions.
When there is contact from the hospital regarding an EMERGENCY transfer of a patient to another country and the patient concerned is not in possession of a valid travel document.
When there is urgent business travel by senior government officials and parliamentarians; and,
Any other travel that may be considered on compassionate grounds.
Additional information and forms may be found on the website www.gov.tc/passports
PUBLIC FORECAST
THIS IS THE FORECAST FOR THE BAHAMAS FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT MONDAY 15TH AUGUST 2016
GENERAL SITUATION: UNSETTLED WEATHER WILL CONTINUE DUE TO A LINGERING UPPER LEVEL TROUGH IN THE AREA WHILE A RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE GRADUALLY BUILDS OVER THE ISLANDS
WARNINGS: BEACHGOERS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION DUE TO THE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS MAINLY ALONG THE NORTHERN AND EASTERN SHORELINES
FOR THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY AND HOT WITH FFEW CLOUDY INTERVALS ,SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS. BECOMING WARM TONIGHT WITH FEW SHOWERS
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT SHOULD BE ALERT FOR GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
WINDS: EASTERLY AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS WITH HIGHER GUSTS
SEAS RUNNING: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN
FOR THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
WEATHER: PARTLY CLOUDY AND BREEZY WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION
WINDS: EASTERLY AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS
SEAS RUNNING: 4 TO 6 FEET OVER THE OCEAN
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE IN NASSAU 92F 33C
OVERNITE LOW TEMPERATURE IN NASSAU 77F 25C
SUNSET AT 7.44 PM AND SUNRISE AT 6.44 AM TUESDAY
MOONRISE AT 5.39 PM AND MOONSET AT 4.55 AM TUESDAY
LOW TIDE AT 12.6 PM AND HIGH TIDE AT 6.30 PM AND LOW AGAIN AT 12.55 AM TUESDAY AND HIGH AGAIN AT 6.46 AM, TUESDAY
OUTLOOK FOR THE BAHAMAS: PARTLY SUNNY AND HOT WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: A TROPCAL WAVE A FEW HUNDRED MILES SOUTH OF CABO VERDE ISLANDS IS BEING MONITORED FOR TROPICAL CYCLONE DEVELOPMENT DURING THE NEXT FIVE DAYS
BAHAMAS PUBLIC FORECAST
THIS IS THE PUBLIC FORECAST FOR TODAY AND TONIGHT MONDAY 15TH AUGUST 2016
GENERAL SITUATION: A SURFACE RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE CONTINUES ACROSS THE AREA HOWEVER AN UPPER LEVEL TROUGH MOVING NORTHWEST ACROSS THE ISLAND CHAIN WILL SUPPORT SHOWER ACTIVITY.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: BEACHGOERS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION DUE TO THE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS MAINLY ALONG THE NORTHERN AND EASTERN SHORELINES.
AREA:NORTHWEST BAHAMAS
WEATHER:PARTLY CLOUDY WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY DURING THE MORNING, FAIR AND WARM WITH THE CHANCE OF ISOLATED SHOWERS TONIGHT
ADVISORY:SMALL CRAFT SHOULD BE ALERT FOR GUSTY WINDS AND HIGHER SEAS IN OR NEAR HEAVY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
WINDS:EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS.
SEAS:2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE OCEAN.
AREA:CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
WEATHER: MOSTLY SUNNY HOT AND BREEZY WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY ACROSS THE CENTRAL ISLANDS TODAY BECOMING VARIABLY CLOUDY, WARM AND BREEZY WITH THE CHANCE OF A BRIEF PASSING SHOWER
ADVISORY:SMALL CRAFT CAUTION IN EFFECT.
WINDS:EASTERLY AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS OVER OPEN WATERS
SEAS:4 TO 6 FEET OVER THE OCEAN
HIGH TEMPERATURE 92 °F 33 °C
LOW TEMPERATURE 77 °F 25 °C
SUNRISE:6:44AM MOONRISE: 5:39PM HIGH TIDE: 5:58AM 6:30PM
SUNSET: 7:45PM MOONSET: 4:55AM TUE LOW TIDE: 12:06PM 12:55AM TUE
EXTENDED WEATHER FORECAST: WEAK HIGH PRESSURE RIDGING ALONG WITH UPPER LEVEL TROUGHING ACROSS THE ISLANDS WILL CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
FORECAST FOR TUESDAY
WEATHER: SUNNY AND HOT WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY OVER THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS DURING THE DAY, FAIR AND WARM WITH THE CHANCE OF ISOLATED SHOWERS AT NIGHT
WINDS: EASTERLY 10 TO 15 KNOTS OVER THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND 15 TO 20 KNOTS OVER THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS.
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND 4 TO 6 FEET IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
FORECAST FOR WEDNESDAY
WEATHER: SUNNY AND HOT WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY OVER THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS DURING THE DAY, FAIR AND WARM WITH THE CHANCE OF ISOLATED SHOWERS AT NIGHT
WINDS: EASTERLY AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS FALLING LIGHT AND VARIABLE AT TIMES OVER THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND 15 TO 20 KNOTS OVER THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET OVER THE NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND 4 TO 6 FEET OVER THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: A tropical wave located a few hundred miles south-southeast of the Cabo Verde Islands continues to produce disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Some gradual development of this system is possible during the next few days before conditions become less favorable by the late in the week. This system is forecast to move westward to west-northwestward at about 15 mph over the eastern Atlantic through
mid-week. Formation chance through 48 hours is low at 10% and through the next 5 days is also low at 20%.
FORECASTER: SHEZELLE MATHER / A.T.