Quantcast
Channel: Native Stew - Bahamas AI Art, Photos, Videos
Viewing all 11575 articles
Browse latest View live
↧

New COVID-19 regulations would criminalize fake news

March 18, 2020, 4:47 am
$
0
0

By Royston Jones Jr.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government is set to introduce sweeping anti-fake news regulations that would criminalize the sharing, posting or reposting of false information, reports or statement on any platform, including social media.

According to a final draft of the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020, obtained by Eyewitness News, the publication, posting or re-posting on any media platform, including social media, of any purported news, report or statement that is known to be untrue, suspected to be untrue or “incites public fear, panic or ethnic hatred” shall be prohibited.

Under the proposed regulations, a person is liable, upon conviction, to a $10,000 fine and/or a term of imprisonment of 18 months in prison.

The government is expected to table the regulation in Parliament this morning.  Read more >>
↧
Search

Sands Refutes Claims of New COVID-19 Cases

March 18, 2020, 4:50 am
$
0
0

By Jones Bahamas

Minister of Health Dr. Duane Sands warned against the dissemination of fake news concerning COVID-19 and refuted false information about the spread of the disease.

Currently, there is only one confirmed case of COVID-19 in The Bahamas.

The 61-year-old female, who tested positive for the first case of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in The Bahamas, is in stable condition, according to Minster of Health Dr. Duane Sands.

Yesterday, the Minister of Health updated the media not only the patient, but ensured that more updates on COVID-19 in The Bahamas would be given in the House of Assembly on Wednesday.  Read more >>
↧
↧

Davis Calls for Financial Relief During Health Crisis

March 18, 2020, 4:58 am
$
0
0
Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Philip Davis

Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Philip Davis wants the government to ease the financial burden many Bahamians may experience as COVID-19 threatens the economy.

During the PLP’s press conference on Tuesday, Davis pointed out several issues that need to be addressed urgently.

“The National Insurance Board must provide temporary unemployment assistance,” Davis said.

He also called for assistance to small and medium size enterprises (SME) and hotels that will be immediately affected and may be forced to reduce working hours and in some cases lay off staff.

“The Central Bank must strongly consider easing credit and lowering the cost of capital,” Davis added.

“Arrangements must be made with financial institutions to temporarily halt foreclosures and demonstrate forbearance with customers regarding loan payments.

“Measures must be taken to ensure that consumers aren’t being taken advantage of by ‘price-gouging.’"  Read more >>
↧

Pope Francis tells Italians: ‘Don’t waste these difficult days’ as death toll jumps above 2,500

March 18, 2020, 5:41 am
$
0
0
Pope Francis

By Holly Ellyatt

Pope Francis has advised Italians to try to make the most of the coronavirus crisis by re-discovering the joy of family, as the country struggles to cope with the most acute outbreak of the virus outside China.

“During these difficult days we can find small, concrete gestures expressing closeness and concreteness towards the people closest to us, a caress for our grandparents, a kiss for our children, for the people we love,” Pope Francis told Italy’s La Repubblica newspaper in an interview published Wednesday.

“These are important, decisive gestures. If we live these days like this, they won’t be wasted.”  Read more >>
↧

White House requests $45.8 billion in emergency funding due to coronavirus

March 18, 2020, 5:48 am
$
0
0
Trump shifts tone on coronavirus crisis as U.S. cases increase

By Phil Mattingly and Paul LeBlanc, CNN

(CNN)The White House Office of Management and Budget submitted an emergency funding request to Congress late Tuesday for an additional $45.8 billion -- a sweeping request for new funds and statutory authority across the federal government to address the growing coronavirus pandemic.

The request came on the same day the Trump administration presented a $1 trillion stimulus proposal on Capitol Hill.

"With the pandemic growing, resource needs have also grown," wrote Russell Vought, the acting OMB director, in a letter attached to the 118-page request that was sent to lawmakers late Tuesday night.

"The unprecedented mobilization the Administration has achieved has forced agencies to incur unanticipated costs. These costs must be met with a legislative response to ensure full operational capacity."

The request comes on top of the $8.3 billion in emergency funding passed by Congress just two weeks ago and underscores just how dramatically financial demands at federal agencies have grown in a matter of days.  Read more >>
↧
↧

COVID-19 Has Caused A Shortage Of Face Masks. But They're Surprisingly Hard To Make

March 18, 2020, 5:55 am
$
0
0
A production line for the manufacture of masks at a factory in Shanghai, China.
Aly Song/Reuters

China now makes 200 million face masks a day — more than twenty times the amount it made at the start of February. The leap has been spurred by the outbreak of a new coronavirus. The masks include the lightweight ones that people like to wear in the hope of protection against coronavirus as well as the heavy-duty N95 masks used by health-care workers.

But that's still not nearly enough to meet local demands as well as global orders. So a scramble is now underway in China.  Read more >>
↧

STATE OF EMERGENCY: COVID-19 regulations allow for mandatory detention, isolation and curfew

March 18, 2020, 6:35 am
$
0
0

By Ava Turnquest

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government is expected to introduce regulations in Parliament today that will allow sweeping executive powers once a public state of emergency is declared over the threat of COVID-19.

A draft proclamation order, regulations and resolution obtained by Eyewitness News, and dated March 17, indicate the state of emergency could be extended for up to six weeks.

The Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations 2020 provides for the detention and mandatory isolation of people suspected or confirmed to be infected with COVID-19, and related screening requirements; requisition of private property and essential services; mandatory curfew; restriction of access to any area; and criminalize the publication of false statements.

It provides for the Governor General to authorize international or regional military or police forces to serve as peace officers and assist in: the storage, safe keeping or distribution of relief supplies; the provision of any essential services; and the maintenance of public order”.

Anyone believed to be in violation of the regulations, or obstructs an official in the carriage of their duties commits an offense. Once convicted, a magistrate can impose a fine up to $10,000, a prison term up to 18 months, or both.  Read more >>

View Proclamation of Emergency
View Arrangement and Regulations
View Resolution
↧

Facing 'impossible' situation, athletes criticize Olympic organizers

March 18, 2020, 7:00 am
$
0
0

By George Ramsay, CNN

(CNN)Dissent is growing among leading athletes as they voice concerns about preparing for the Olympics amid the novel coronavirus outbreak after organizers encouraged them to continue preparation as planned.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said Tuesday that no "drastic decisions" will be made about the Games, which get underway in Tokyo in July, and that measures are being taken to guarantee the "safety and interests of athletes, coaches and support teams."

But athletes believe they have been forced into an impossible position given the virus, which has infected more that 198,000 people worldwide and killed at least 7,900.  Read more >>
↧
Search

BREAKING | Bahamas COVID-19 cases rise to three

March 18, 2020, 8:29 am
$
0
0
PM Dr. the Hon. Hubert Minnis addressing the House of Assembly this morning.

Two additional people have tested positive for COVID-19, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis announced in the House of Assembly today.

“Late last evening, health officials confirmed two additional cases of individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 on New Providence,” Minnis said.

“They were identified through contact tracing.”

Minnis said the patients were identified through the Ministry of Health’s aggressive contact tracing investigations.

He said the investigation revealed that the additional patients live in the same household as the 61-year-old woman, who tested positive for the virus on Sunday.  Read more >>
↧
↧

State of emergency

March 18, 2020, 8:36 am
$
0
0
Governor General C.A. Smith

Governor General C.A. Smith will declare a state of public emergency in The Bahamas today due to the presence of COVID-19 in the country, documents obtained by The Nassau Guardian show.

The declaration will be made in an emergency proclamation, which is expected to be tabled in Parliament today, and allows the governor general, under the Emergency Powers Act, to make regulations for securing public safety and the defense of The Bahamas, among other things.

The Nassau Guardian understands that the government will also table the Emergency Powers (COVID 19) Regulations, 2020, today.

The regulations grant wide-ranging powers to the prime minister that will allow for, among other things, the detention of people infected with COVID-19 or those who traveled to infected places; the possible prohibition of assembly of two or more people in any specific area; the requisition of any building, ship or aircraft; a curfew; social distancing and isolation orders; restricted access to specified areas; and the prohibition of publishing or re-posting false stories.

The regulations state that any person who contravenes the provisions commits an offense and is liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 18 months or both.  Read more >>
↧

Face To Face: Marisa’S On A Mission - It’S About Helping People

March 18, 2020, 8:45 am
$
0
0
Marissa Mason Smith

By FELICITY DARVILLE

March is celebrated as Women’s History Month. Coming on the heels of last week’s tribute for International Women’s Day, I decided to highlight another phenomenal woman. This time, I feature Marisa Mason Smith, a woman who has done so much for the advancement of women in this country, and so much for her fellow citizens on the whole, that she deserves her flowers today.

When I first met Marisa, I met a woman so full of joy and laughter, so friendly and caring, that she struck me as outstanding from the start. She immediately connected with me and and we have maintained that connection over the years. During that time, she has been the same person I met from the very start until now. This consistency is not only displayed in her personality, but also in her professionalism. Because of this, she has become one of the most sought-after human resource experts in the country.  Read more >>
↧

Bay Street Braces For 50% Sales Hit

March 18, 2020, 8:56 am
$
0
0
Bay St., downtown, Nassau, Bahamas. PhotoⒸ Derek Catalano

By YOURI KEMP
Tribune Business Reporter
ykemp@tribunemedia.net

Bay Street merchants yesterday revealed they are bracing for at least a 50 percent sales hit due to the 30-day cruise industry shutdown as several mull closures amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Maria Liminatis, the Fashion Centre’s general manager, told Tribune Business: “We have not seen a sales fall-off yet, but it’s uncharted territory so we really don’t know. Thankfully I still have my local customers, so perhaps we may see a 40 to 50 percent drop in sales.”

Ms Liminatis said she has no plans to close her business yet, nor does she have any intention of making her one staff member redundant. “We’re just praying and hoping that this virus will come to an end soon and we can go back to our regular lives,” she added.  Read more >>
↧

Coronavirus: France President Macron suspends rent, taxes and utilities

March 18, 2020, 9:29 am
$
0
0
French President Emmanuel Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron has put his country into full lockdown, declaring ‘we are at war with the coronavirus.’

He also announced a suspension of rent, taxes and household bills.  Read more >>
↧
↧

Hospitals are warning they aren't prepared for coronavirus

March 18, 2020, 9:48 am
$
0
0

With hospitals warning they're not prepared for the impending coronavirus crisis, the Department of Defense is donating 5 million surgical masks, and 2,000 ventilators amid the coronavirus pandemic. The military is also using its labs to process civilian test kits. And Tuesday, Vice President Mike Pence called on the construction industry to donate face masks.

Overwhelmed, short-staffed, ill-equipped as the outbreak continues, health care workers on the front lines say they do not have enough medical supplies to protect themselves and patients.  Read more >>
↧

Thousands of COVID-19 scam and malware sites are being created on a daily basis

March 18, 2020, 10:51 am
$
0
0

By Catalin Cimpanu

In the midst of a global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, hackers are not letting a disaster go to waste and have now automated their coronavirus-related scams to industrial levels.

According to multiple reports, cybercriminals are now creating and putting out thousands of coronavirus-related websites on a daily basis.

Most of these sites are being used to host phishing attacks, distribute malware-laced files, or for financial fraud, for tricking users into paying for fake COVID-19 cures, supplements, or vaccines.  Read more >>
↧
Search

Restaurants And Local Businesses Fearing The Worst

March 18, 2020, 11:06 am
$
0
0
Leron Colebrooke, a Bay Street proprietor. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune staff

By LEANDRA ROLLE
lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A DAY after the country recorded its first case of COVID-19, some local restaurants are already starting to suspend operations as a precautionary measure to safeguard against the potentially deadly disease.

One of them is Twin Brothers restaurant, located on Arawak Cay.

A manager at Twin Brothers, who only wanted to be identified as Ms Nottage, said the restaurant in Arawak Cay will be closed until April 16 for safety reasons.

Meanwhile, other restaurant locations, she added, will end operations at a later date.

“Right now, we’re very concerned about (the virus) and also, with the safety of our employees. As of today, we’re closing down from March 16 to April 16 right now,” she told The Tribune yesterday.

“Arawak Cay location (will be closed) and, of course, the (other) outlets will be closed at a later date.”

With about 70 employees currently employed at Twin Brothers’ Arawak Cay location, Ms Nottage said the restaurant’s main focus is ensuring that all staff members are financially secure in view of the fast-spreading pandemic.  Read more >>
↧

Bahamasair commits to bringing ‘every Bahamian home’

March 18, 2020, 12:28 pm
$
0
0
Tommy Turnquest

By Paige McCartney

Despite the ongoing threat of the coronavirus (COVID-19), Bahamasair Chairman Tommy Turnquest said the airline will continue to fly into the United States until “every Bahamian who should be home, is home”.

Turnquest admitted there has been a slowdown in bookings, with the airline managing a load factor of less than 30 travelers on outbound flights to Miami and Fort Lauderdale yesterday.

“I don’t want to give you the booking numbers because there’s been a variance on the booking numbers on both sides. We’re finding that persons are just coming to the airport and saying ‘I’d like to go home’ and we accommodate them. And so, while we may book a small number, sometimes we have a larger number,” he told reporters during a press conference at the Bahamasair hangar at Lynden Pindling International Airport yesterday.

“To give you an example, yesterday out of Fort Lauderdale, we brought back on the jet 110 passengers. With regards to Orlando, this morning we left shortly after 11 a.m. on a 737 and we had 43 passengers going into Orlando.

“We’re not sure the demographics on those flights, whether they’re Bahamians trying to get home. Because we’re noticing that the numbers coming here are higher than the numbers going out. So we believe that there are Bahamians around the world that are trying to get home. And while we’ll be governed by the Ministry of Health and the government, we are minded to continue until we bring all Bahamians that need to be home, home.”  Read more >>
↧
↧

BREAKING: Tourism minister forecasts total sector shutdown

March 18, 2020, 12:37 pm
$
0
0
Tourism & Aviation minister Dionisio D'Aguilar

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar today highlighted the grim reality facing the country’s tourism sector due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Underscoring widespread travel restrictions imposed by the country’s key source markets, D’Aguilar told Parliament: “Our tourism industry will be strained to its very core.”

With a record 7.2 million visitors in 2019, Mr D’Aguilar said this nation’s tourism sector showed no signs of slowing down back in January when overall arrivals had increased by 7.9 percent.

“We were poised for another year of growth, another year of success, another year of plenty,” said D’Aguilar.

The tourism minister noted there has been a complete reversal of this trend as, “forward booking data reveals absolutely no bookings for the foreseeable future.”

“Life as we know it will be fundamentally uprooted for the next 30-60 days,” he continued.  Read more >>
↧

Indian guru's tips to ward off coronavirus anger health professionals

March 18, 2020, 12:52 pm
$
0
0
Image of Baba Ramdev seen inside a Patanjali store in Ahmedabad. REUTERS/Amit Dave/File Photo

By Alexandra Ulmer

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Indian healthcare professionals are questioning claims by popular yoga guru and entrepreneur Baba Ramdev who said he has found an ayurvedic remedy that would help ward off coronavirus.

In a promotional video made public this week, Ramdev, in his trademark saffron robes and clutching a sample of the medicinal plant produced by Patanjali, the company he co-founded, says: “We’ve done scientific research and found Ashwagandha ... doesn’t allow blending of corona protein with human protein.”

He did not provide evidence for the research, which he said had been sent to an unspecified international journal.

There are currently no vaccines or drugs approved to treat or prevent COVID-19, only investigational COVID-19 vaccines and treatments under development.

“These kinds of messages give a false sense of security. People who are not well educated, they are the ones who will get misled,” said Dr. Giridhar Babu, a professor of epidemiology at the Public Health Foundation of India, urging the government to ban such advertisements.  Read more >>
↧

Churches to cancel services

March 18, 2020, 12:58 pm
$
0
0
Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis delivers his contribution in the House of Assembly today. AHVIA J. CAMPBELL

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis said a group of senior pastors with churches across the country have agreed to cancel services in a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Minnis, who was addressing the House of Assembly, said the pastors agreed to take this step during a meeting at his office earlier today.

“They all understand the situation that we face today,” Minnis said in the House of Assembly. “The pastors agree that we must, in order to come back and win this battle that we face, we must not make mistake. We might have to introduce harsh measures

“They are prepared to commence social distancing by cancelling their services and continuing their services via the internet.”

He commended the pastors for “putting country before self”.  (source)
↧
Viewing all 11575 articles
Browse latest View live
Search