Nichelle Nichols attends the Nichelle Nichols Finale Celebration during 2021 Los Angeles Comic Con in California. The actress died at the weekend, aged 89. AFP
Nichelle Nichols attends the Nichelle Nichols Finale Celebration during 2021 Los Angeles Comic Con in California. The actress died at the weekend, aged 89. AFP
Nichelle Nichols attends the Nichelle Nichols Finale Celebration during 2021 Los Angeles Comic Con in California. The actress died at the weekend, aged 89. AFP
Nichelle Nichols attends the Nichelle Nichols Finale Celebration during 2021 Los Angeles Comic Con in California. The actress died at the weekend, aged 89. AFP

Nichelle Nichols, Lieutenant Uhura on 'Star Trek', dies aged 89


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Nichelle Nichols, the groundbreaking US actress who played Lieutenant Nyota Uhura on Star Trek: The Original Series, has died at age 89, her son, Kyle Johnson, announced.

"I regret to inform you that a great light in the firmament no longer shines for us as it has for so many years,” he wrote on the official uhura.com website.

“Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away.

“Her light, however, like the ancient galaxies now being seen for the first time, will remain for us and future generations to enjoy, learn from, and draw inspiration.”

A family spokesman told Agence France-Presse that Nichols died in Silver City, New Mexico, where she had been living with her son.

George Takei, who as Sulu shared the bridge with Uhura on the USS Enterprise, remembered his former co-star as “trailblazing” and “incomparable”.

“For today, my heart is heavy, my eyes shining like the stars you now rest among, my dearest friend,” he wrote on Twitter.

Nichols made history when by participating in one of the first interracial kisses on US television with Captain James T Kirk, played by William Shatner. Nichols told CNN in 2014 that the kiss “changed television forever”.

She drew praise from civil rights campaigner Martin Luther King Jr, who said her role on the hit 1960s television series portrayed a black woman in a non-stereotypical role.

Nichols, who had trained in ballet and musical theatre, at one point told Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry that she wanted to quit the show to return to the theatre.

When she mentioned that to King, in a chance meeting recounted by the Hollywood Reporter: “All the smile came off his face and he said, 'You can't do that. Don't you understand, for the first time, we're seen as we should be seen? You don't have a Black role. You have an equal role.'”

AFP contributed to this report

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If you go

The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.

Volvo ES90 Specs

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Various artists, Sony Music Turkey 

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Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

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Director: Sree Narayan Singh
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Cricket World Cup League 2

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Fixtures

Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
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THE SPECS

Touareg Highline

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Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Power: 340hp

Torque: 450Nm

Price: Dh239,312

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Test

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Star rating: 2/5

The specs: 2019 Mini Cooper

Price, base: Dh141,740 (three-door) / Dh165,900 (five-door)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder (Cooper) / 2.0-litre four-cylinder (Cooper S)
Power: 136hp @ 4,500rpm (Cooper) / 192hp @ 5,000rpm (Cooper S)
Torque: 220Nm @ 1,480rpm (Cooper) / 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (Cooper S)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 4.8L to 5.4L / 100km

Updated: August 01, 2022, 5:09 AM