NASSAU, BAHAMAS A popular online travel company yesterday ranked The Bahamas in the top five among Caribbean destinations its members are most likely to travel to over the next two years.

Lara Barlow, Travelzoo general manager was speaking a Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association web series Gauging Consumer Travel Sentiments.

She noted that based on a recent survey, The Bahamas ranks second among its U.S. members and fourth among its Canadian members as a Caribbean destination they would most likely travel to over the next two years.

When we look at the Caribbean islands that people want to visit most in the next two years we find that for US travelers the US Virgin Islands ranked number one, now outranking one of our longtime favorites which is The Bahamas. For our Canadian members Cuba and the Dominican Republic remain at the top, said Barlow.

With regards to accommodations, Barlow said: We asked our members when they book their next destination where do they plan to stay and what we found was that for both Americans and Canadians, all-inclusive, chain hotels really ranked number one.

The reason being is that members felt that the chain properties had stricter safety guidelines and protocols. Canadians are even more likely to chose this accommodation type. Undecided does rank second which means there is an opportunity to shift share not just between destinations but between accommodation types.

Susan Catto, head of content and publishing at Canada Travelzoo noted that with regards to COVID-19 restrictions and protocols its U.S. and Canadian members indicated they were more likely wear a mask in some places and submit an online health visa.

They also indicated that they were less willing to quarantine in a hotel or government facility and follow a nightly curfew.

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Bahamas ranked top five pick for future travel destination - EyeWitness News

Marvin Dames, Minister of National Security.

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THERE have been more than 200 COVID-19 cases collectively in the Royal Bahamas Police Force and Royal Bahamas Defence Force, National Security Minister Marvin Dames said yesterday.

He said of the 102 confirmed cases in the police force, six of those are still currently active.

As it relates to the RBDF, Mr Dames said there have been some 103 cases recorded within that agency to date.

He added: "Defence force total cases are around 103. That includes the recruits and that's 103 to date. So, those numbers when you look at it from an overall perspective, they're not bad and given the work that these officers do.

"As I said, the commissioner told me yesterday that they have six active cases. They had a total of 102 and the defence force had a total of 103 since COVID has started, since the beginning of the COVID period to now and most of those COVID cases are asymptomatic which are a little bit more difficult to manage."

This comes after RBDF officials revealed on the weekend that the agency had discontinued new entry training due to the "quick spread of COVID-19" among its latest intake of recruits.

"Steps have been taken to sanitise the training facility, lodging, classrooms and other common spaces occupied or utilised by the recruits and training staff," the RBDF said in a statement on Saturday.

In an effort to minimise COVID-19 exposure among law enforcement agencies, Mr Dames said officials are continuously looking at preventive measures to deal with the COVID-19 threat.

"The plan that these agencies have in place has been working and what we have been doing from day one is trying our utmost best to avoid a massive outbreak and I think we have been successful to date," he said.

"I mean this is a very dynamic thing and these agencies are constantly looking at how they can improve upon their preventive measures."

Mr Dames also spoke about recent cases involving law enforcement officers being brought to court on charges.

He said everyone should be treated equally under the law, no matter who they are.

"We police at the consent of the Bahamian people and if the Bahamian people see that the police, the defence force and the prison, immigration and customs, our law enforcement agencies are operating and are being treated differently then how do you think that would look?

"So, this is a clear testament that the agencies are doing what they are supposed to be doing so whether you are in uniform or whether you sit in some high office somewhere else, you are subject to the same laws as the man on the streets."

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More than 200 cases of COVID-19 in Police and Defence Force - Bahamas Tribune

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The decision to reopen sectors of The Bahamas economy was based on the analysis and recommendations of medical professionals and other socio-economic considerations, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest.

He was responding to questions from Eyewitness News about a Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) statement urging countries to work to slow and reduce the spread of COVID-19 infections and deaths following spikes, before reopening.

In this instance, the data supported a renewed gradual opening with strict monitoring and public education campaigns, said Turnquest when contacted.

Decisions to continue the path to full opening will be dependent on the rate of infection and factors felt significant by the health team, such as infection to bed ratios.

However we hope to prevent any future shutdown as they do have a dampening effect on the financial health of too many families.

Health officials reported 15 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Tuesday and two additional deaths, one of which was non-COVID-related.

While the death toll continues to rise, the number of confirmed infections recorded in the last few days is in stark contrast to the high double-digit and triple-digit cases recorded in a 24-hour period in recent weeks.

Grand Bahama for example recorded two cases on Tuesday the fourth consecutive day the islandhas recorded single-digit cases.

As of yesterday, there were 1,813 confirmed cases and 1,125 active cases.

There were 79 COVID cases on last Thursday and one death; 93 cases on Friday and five deaths; 62 cases on Saturday and two deaths; and 69 cases on Sunday, and 14 on Monday.

Between August 18 and August 25, there were 389 confirmed infections.

In the week before, spanning August 11 to August 18, there were 435 confirmed cases.

And August 15, The Bahamas saw a record 133 cases recorded 102 in New Providence, 13 in Abaco, 10 in Grand Bahama two in the Berry Islands, one in Andros, one in Inagua and four pending locations.

On Tuesday, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Dr Carissa Etienne noted that while PAHO understands the need for tourism-dependent countries to reopen and resume commercial activity, there is an increased need to balance public health and economic policies.

She underscored the rapid increase in cases in The Bahamas in recent weeks, noting major outbreaks were avoided early on due to strong political resolve and a mix of public health measures.

But she said with the return of non-essential air travel, several countries have reported significant spikes, including The Bahamas.

However, she said there were encouraging signs in the data which indicate countries have the tools to reduce the spread.

During a joint press conference Monday, the prime minister maintained his priority is to save lives, but said the health team observed positive trends developing with the situation in New Providence, and data at this time, indicated a hard lockdown was no longer recommended.

Asked about the new norm for business amid potential restrictions and lockdowns in the future, which would result in them closing their doors once again, Turnquest said everyone must adapt.

Business and individuals must, unfortunately, adapt to this new way of doing business, the minister said.

We do not anticipate the virus going away, thus we must adapt to this new way of doing business and engaging each other.

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DPM: Partial reopening considered health and socio-economic' needs of families - EyeWitness News

28 August 2020

Bahamas Financial Services Board

To print this article, all you need is to be registered or login on Mondaq.com.

The Office of the Attorney General of The Bahamas today issued aQ & A Document outlining the stated criteria for the proposedinclusion of The Bahamas on a recent European Union listing and TheBahamas response.

Download Q&A(PDF)

Originally published MAY 13, 2020 .

The content of this article is intended to provide a generalguide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be soughtabout your specific circumstances.

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The growth of the fund finance market, from the development of the subscription line and NAV or asset backed facility, to the array of products and credit lines now available, has been remarkable.

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Cryptocurrencies have now officially made a debut on the balance sheet of a central bank; could this lead to an entirely new cryptoasset reporting framework?

In Pictures via Getty Images

Recently it was discovered that Central Bank of the Bahamas had included its newly created cryptocurrency, known as the Sand Dollar, on its balance sheet during April 2020. Although the amount that was actually listed was only equivalent to $48,000, the implications of this inclusion are profound.

This revelation comes on top of the news of just how comprehensive blockchain projects are at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, where over 30 blockchains are in various phases of testing and evaluation for possible implementation.

Cryptocurrencies have moved quickly from the fringe to the mainstream conversation, taking the form of decentralized financing, stablecoins, and most recently, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). Even as the ecosystem has rapidly accelerated, however, there is still ambiguity as to how exactly different types of cryptocurrencies should be treated from a reporting and disclosure perspective.

This ambiguity exists even as industry associations and regulators, including the Association of Internal Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA), the Financial Standards Board (FSB), the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) have begun to issue thought leadership on the subject. Despite these recent publications, in addition to the numerous opinions issued by other securities and market regulators, there is not a definitive guide or framework for how cryptocurrencies should be valued and reported.

The Sand Dollar amount might have only been for the equivalent of $48,000, but with central banks across the globe moving quickly to develop and beta-test versions of central bank digital currencies, it is only a matter of time until the financial impact scales materially. Given that, it is worthwhile taking a look at a prevailing opinion for reporting as well as an alternative that might make sense for certain organizations.

Mark-to-market. Marking assets value to market, on the surface, seems to make logical sense as well as to be reflective of market realities. Marking assets to current fair market value already occurs for certain financial instruments, and in some cases entire asset classes, so this is not an abstract concept. This prevailing opinion by practitioners and firms, classifying cryptocurrencies as intangible assets, also incorporates this concept of adjusting value based on market changes.

That said, the price volatility (which does not have to be good or bad) associated with cryptocurrencies and the alt-coin market specifically tempers enthusiasm for this approach. Price swings might make for great headlines and commentary, but can cause headaches for merchants and individuals seeking to use cryptocurrencies as a medium of exchange. Coupled with the lack of price transparency for some thinly traded crypto, marking to market might not be as simple as it might appear.

Addressing the volatility issues is actually one of the primary selling points of stablecoins and CBDCs, and arguably has been a driving force behind the rapid growth and investment in these assets.

A new asset class. An alternative to what is basically trying to make a square peg fit into a round hole - classifying cryptocurrencies as intangibles and marking to market - would be to create an entirely new asset sector for the cryptocurrency space. Creating a new asset class might seem like an extreme reaction to the growth of cryptocurrencies, but upon closer examination it might make more sense than it initially appears.

Taking a look at cryptocurrencies, it is relatively clear that these financial instruments do not fit neatly into any existing accounting classification. Depending on the cryptocurrency that is examined, it may or may not have characteristics of equity securities, interest paying instruments (similar to preferred stock), interest bearing deposits, intangible assets, or something akin to airline miles or reward points. Put another way, the very innovative spirit that has catapulted the cryptocurrency space to its current prominence has also led to a relatively messy reporting conversation.

By creating a new asset categorization for cryptoassets, organizations and policymakers will both have an opportunity to start fresh and to actually create reporting and disclosure standards that make sense for blockchain and cryptocurrencies. For example, cryptocurrencies could be classified by use case, or be reported depending on trading volume and market capitalization. There might even be different reporting obligations depending on what cryptocurrency is being analyzed.

Think of the following for a moment. Generally speaking, the cryptocurrency space can be broken down into three areas, especially for non-expert users. There are cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin that are completely decentralized and untethered to underlying assets. In addition, there are stablecoins that are more centralized (issued by an organization) and are connected to some external asset. Finally, there is the growing field of CBDCs issued and governed by a nation state or central bank and (most likely) connected to the fiat currency of that nation.

Does it make sense for such radically different instruments to be categorized and treated the same?

That question should be top of mind for organizations, users, and regulators as these different iterations of cryptocurrency continue to develop, compete, and gain traction in the marketplace.

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Blockchain, The Bahamas, And Future Directions In Cryptocurrency Reporting - Forbes

As the 2020 season gets closer, many analysts have begun releasing their bowl projections. CBS Sports Jerry Palm projects Liberty to make a bowl for the second consecutive season. His current projection has Liberty playing Florida Atlantic in the Bahamas Bowl on Dec. 20 in Nassau.

Liberty is entering its second season as a full-fledged FBS member and second season eligible to make a bowl game. Head coach Hugh Freeze and the Flames are looking to return to a bowl game for the second straight season, having defeated Georgia Southern, 23-16, in the 2019 Cure Bowl.

Following a two year secondary bowl agreement with the Cure Bowl, 2020 is the first of a multi-year, secondary bowl agreement Liberty has with ESPN which could put the Flames in one of at least six bowl games Boca Raton Bowl, Camellia Bowl, Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl, Myrtle Beach Bowl, or the New Mexico Bowl.

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Liberty projected to play in the Bahamas Bowl - A Sea of Red

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas is at risk of losing 80 percent of its landmass in the next eight decades due to the current pace of global warming,according to Bahamian T Oneil Johnson Jr.

I want to make this abundantly clear, The Bahamas is perhaps one of the most vulnerable countries to sea-level rise, he stressed, as he spoke on the topic, Climate Change - the Reality of Our Warming World to the Rotary of Club of Grand Bahama via Zoom.

Mr Johnson - who has a Masters Degree in Foreign Impact of Hurricanes and Climate Change on Education said Climate Change is real and threatens The Bahamas, the Caribbean and other small countries.

He noted that sea level is projected to rise by as much as one metre by 2100. Eighty percent of The Bahamas landmass is less than one metre above sea level, he said.

The Bahamas is at risk of losing 80 percent of its landmass by 2100 if sea level continues to rise the way that it is, Mr Johnson warned.

Sea level rise, which we are hearing more and more about in The Bahamas, is perhaps one of the most vexing concerns for small island developing states because most of us are very low-lying.

Countries, such as Guyana is at risk of losing 90 percent of its landmass if sea levels were to rise one metre, and Guam, the US Territory is already experiencing the impact on sea-level rise, Mr Johnson pointed out.

The US, he added, is also at risk of losing 40 percent of its landmass in Florida.

Mr Johnson said greenhouse gases caused by pollution in the atmosphereare responsible for global warming, which is causing glaciers to melt around the world.

He noted that countries such as China and the US are mainly at fault, with the former accounting for more than one-quarter of global emission of greenhouse gases, and the latter 14 percent, while the rest of the world contributes less than 22 percent of emission.

Mr Johnson indicated The Bahamas emission is 0.001 percent. So obviously, we are not causing global warming and we are not causing climate change, he said.

Most of the information on climate change can be obtained from the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (ITCC), which is an international agreement containing information regarding CC, said Johnson, who noted that Bahamian Dr Dell Thomas is a contributing author to the panel on CC.

It is unbelievable to know the state that the world is in, said the senior officer in the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management ,and Reconstruction in Grand Bahama.

Other threats of climate change, he mentioned are ocean acidification and more intense hurricanes.

Referring to Hurricane Dorian as one of the strongest recorded in the Atlantic basin in modern history, Mr Johnson said the increase in ferocity and strength of these systems as they pass through The Bahamas is a serious concern for climate scientists.

No longer are we seeing weak Category Three storms like Jeanne, Wilma and Ike - we are now seeing these explosive Category 5 storms, like Dorian and Irma. And it begs the question, is Dorian going to be our new reality? I think last year was a humbling experience for The Bahamas and it shows us we must really take serious action, he said..

Climate change also impacts all sectors of the economy from Agriculture, Tourism, and Education.

Caribbean countries are experiencing extreme drought more than ever before, such as Barbados, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent, and the Grenadines, said Johnson.

He stated that the Tourism sector is going to be crippled by the sun, sand, and sea.

According to exit surveys, tourists are now complaining about the heat in Caribbean countries. This is, of course, very concerning because we are expected to see an increase in temperature,and tourism is the lifeblood, the bread and butter of many economies in our region, he said.

In terms of education, Mr Johnson said ifThe Bahamas has more hurricanes children are going to be out of the classroom for more extended periods.

Mr Johnson said that all is not lost as there are things that can be done to mitigate the effects of climate change, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by requiring countries like America, Japan, European Union by resorting to more environmentally friendly means of doing business, with renewable energy.

Adaptation by reducing The Bahamas vulnerability and enhancing resilience is another weapon in the war against climate change, according to Mr Johnson.

This could range from building sea walls, which I am totally against, to research, preventative measures, and passing legislation and environmental laws, mangrove rehabilitation and restoration, he said.

Mr Johnson commended the government for the establishment of the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management, and Reconstruction and Disaster Reconstruction Authority. It is the first institution of its kind in the region, he said.

Mr Johnson has a Master's Degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Management, specialising in Climate Change. He is currently doing his PHD in Disaster and Crisis Management.

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Global warming's huge threat to Bahamas - Bahamas Tribune

The Bahamas government says it will soon outline new measures aimed at reviving the economy in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic even as it announced a relaxation of the lockdown measures put in place to curb the spread of the virus, particularly in New Providence.

We are all living through the worst economic crisis in more than 70 years. I will give a major national address with emphasis on the economy in short order. We are working on a revised detailed phased plan to boost jobs and economic growth domestically, even as we plan for the reopening of our vital tourism sector, which is dependent on conditions at home and abroad, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis said during a news conference on Monday night.

He said reminded that early in the pandemic he had established an Economic Recovery Committee (ERC) and that it is providing the government with advice and recommendations to position the country to emerge from the economic crisis, as rapidly as possible.

Minnis said that the ERC will deliver its full report in September as planned and that even as it is working to do so it has provided to my office several interim recommendations and considerations to help focus on the immediate situation.

It is essential to reopen the domestic economy as soon as possible, with the reopening of the external economy to follow as soon as feasible given the economic conditions overseas. We are seeking to ensure that reopening is subject to established COVID-19 protocols.

Minnis said that the government agencies and private sector stakeholders must commit to greater adherence and compliance to established safety standards.

Based on the ERCs recommendations, we are preparing a strategy to approve all pending viable private sector and construction projects that are currently under consideration, and to fast track those approvals.

The approval and execution of these projects will generate immediate employment and business opportunities for Bahamian contractors and trade professionals.

Minnis said that his administration is accelerating the execution of the budgeted public infrastructure and construction projects, and will pay special attention to the smaller scale projects that benefit multiple smaller contractors.

This will allow for increased employment in many vulnerable segments of the economy and benefit a number of Bahamian small firms, he said, adding that the government is also looking at ways to provide special support for the creative community, and further support for Bahamian small businesses and entrepreneurs to provide them with the resources and expertise to be able to showcase and deliver their products to the world.

As with every other country, there will be no quick fix to this grave global economic situation. But provided we all are prepared to move out of our collective comfort zone and undo the constraints that have too often defined us for decades, we can and we will shape a future Bahamian economy that is more dynamic, more resilient, more sustainable and most of all, more inclusive.

He said street vendors play an important role in the local economy and his government will be offering a way for enterprising Bahamians to be able to sell their products on the streets of their respective islands, and to be able to do so in a safe and sustained manner.

The government will review the current licensing and regulatory procedures for street vendors. Our intention is to enable street vendors to be able to sell their products in safe and secure venues.

We will make available additional funding to the Small Business Development Center for business loans or grants for these street vendors that will allow them to adjust to the current circumstances and to support their business start-ups or expansion.

Minnis said that it was also imperative for the country to get its vital tourism sector up and running, as safely and as rapidly as possible.

Thus far, there is no other economic sector as prepared to deliver the range of employment and the depth of tax revenues with great immediacy, like tourism, Minnis said, adding our task now is to restore our confidence in ourselves by shutting down community spread and flattening the COVID-19 curve of transmissions and infections once again, over the next several weeks.

In his broadcast, Minnis offered condolence to the family of Bernadette Rolle, a registered nurse at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre (SRC), who died after testing positive for the virus.

We mourn the loss of a brave warrior from the frontline in our fight against the pandemic COVID-19. The nation is grateful for her service and for all of those on the frontlines of this battle.Nurse Rolle was dedicated to her family, to her patients, and to the institutions of nursing and the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre, Minnis said, telling the population to also remember in their prayers, the Opposition Leader Phillip Davis and other legislators and government officials hospitalised as a result of the virus.

Minnis, who said he has since tested negative for the virus, said that his administrations plan from the start of the pandemic was to utilize a range of public health tools to get the highly contagious COVID-19 virus under sufficient control in order to gradually re-open our economy and society, and to return to some level of growth and normalcy.

In the past few weeks we have been fighting our second wave of the global pandemic, he said, noting that changes have been made to the Emergency Orders for Grand Bahama and various Family Islands that take effect from Tuesday.

I am happy to tell you that the health team sees positive trends developing regarding the situation in New Providence. At this time a hard lockdown is no longer recommended for New Providence, Minnis said, warning however that if the data points to the need for other restrictions in the future to address community spread, such restrictions will be put in place.

There is still no vaccine for this virus, he said, adding that the very latest data has led to new measures being put in place here.

To continue to slow the current spread of the virus on New Providence, the current provisions that are in place will remain in place until 5.00 am (local time) Monday 31st August In order to give business owners time to put the necessary measures in place, and to be able to properly plan your activities, please note that effective 5.00 am, Monday, 31st August 2020, many businesses on New Providence will be able to resume normal activity with appropriate physical distancing measures

We will continue to monitor and analyse the data during the course of the coming week. If the data points to it we will announce the relaxation of some other measures. We are committed to a measured phased re-opening of the economy and society, based on specific health metrics, Minnis said, adding that it is hoped that this will aid the public, to gauge when there may be more relaxed or more restrictive measures.

CMC

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Bahamas Government to Outline New Economic Measures to Deal with Impact of COVID - caribbeannationalweekly.com

EVEN with his thick, trademark eyebrows hidden by a pair of shades there is no mistaking the superstar smile of Sir Sean Connery.

But as he celebrates his 90th birthday today the man who James Bond fans say has never been bettered as 007 will be celebrating away from the glare of the cameras.

Jeff Rayner/Coleman-Rayner

Not seen out in public for three years Connery has become a virtual recluse, determined to have nothing to do with showbusiness or the fictional spy who made him both rich and famous.

He rarely leaves a gated community in the Bahamas where he lives in splendid retirement with his second wife Micheline Roquebrune.

Once able to command eight figure fees for a movie role, the actor has given strict instructions to his agent to turn down all offers.

Instead he prefers to spend his days playing golf, which seems to have given him the unrefined joy that he never truly found making films.

The demanding actor grew frustrated by what he considered to be idiots in the industry.

He was said to have come close to blows with the director of his final movie, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, in 2002.

AP:Associated Press

Jeff Rayner/Coleman-Rayner

On the sun kissed island of New Providence, which is a tax haven, the British knight is able to relax and is treated like royalty by staff at the Lyford Cay community.

There he is able to escape the shadow of Bond, the character he came to loathe even though he has repeatedly been voted the greatest actor to play 007.

The last time he was spotted away from the Bahamas was in New York 2017 when he seen needing a walking stick.

Alamy

Splash News

Notoriously private, Connery wont tolerate any friends or family speaking about him publicly.

But one source told The Sun: These days Sir Sean lives a very quiet lifestyle and just potters around, no one troubles him.

Its all set up for him there, all his needs are covered in the Bahamas.

He doesnt venture out of Lyford Cay much and has people visit him instead. He has become a bit of a recluse.

EPA

The perfectly manicured lawns, luxury bungalow with its own pool and high-level security are a long way from Connerys working-class beginnings.

Born to a lorry driver Joseph and cleaner Effie in Edinburgh his early jobs included milkman, artists model and coffin polisher before he found a career on the stage in London.

His rugged good looks, an athletic chest from bodybuilding and an ability to use his fists in a movie called Darby OGill and the Little People caught the attention of American producer Cubby Broccoli.

Broccoli had the rights to Ian Flemings Bond character and even though the writer didnt think Connery was sophisticated enough to play an English Commander, the relatively unknown Scotsman won the role.

Made for just 1million, Dr No was a massive hit in 1962 and Connery enjoyed the initial success.

He said: The first two or three were fun. The cast made it fun. Jumping out of planes was entertaining, although it was tough on my hairpiece.

The budget on Thunderball was more than the first three combined, but that didnt stop Connerys life being put in danger.

A plexiglass screen that was supposed to protect him from sharks was not big enough and the actor had to swim for it when they came after him.

Alamy

Kobal Collection - Rex Features

Connery hated all the attention which came with being the worlds most famous undercover agent.

People would say theres James Bond as he wandered down the street and he wanted to be known for being Sean Connery.

Fed up with the whole Bond thing he quit twice, first while making You Only Live Twice in 1967 and then after making Never Say Never Again in 1983.

His final outing as 007 was so troubled he refused to make a film for two years.

Martial artist turned actor Steven Seagal broke Connerys wrist choreographing a fight, while there were constant off screen legal and financial problems.

Alamy

A Bafta for The Name of the Rose in 1986 and a best supporting actor Oscar for The Untouchables in 1988 changed his mind about the business.

Now, the ageing actor was feted for his acting skills rather than his looks.

Other 80s hits such as Highlander and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade proved he could be more than Bond, James Bond.

A string of forgettable flops in the 1990s, including First Knight and the much mocked The Avengers, soured things again.

He also grew tired of the constant legal battles with studios over his fees, often taking producers to court for underpaying him.

The final straw came making comic book movie The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen in 2002.

Plagued by disasters, including flooding in Prague ruining a 5million set, matters came to a head when British director Stephen Norrington stopped shooting for a day because a prop was wrong.

When Norrington heard rumours that Connery wanted him fired, he allegedly squared up to the actor saying I want you to punch me in the face.

Connery responded dont tempt me, and walked off the set.

Even though he earned 15million for the film, Connery had no interest in taking on any more roles, not even when a bigger cheque was dangled for the fourth Indiana Jones movie in 2008.

The actor later said about making The League: The experience had a great influence on me, it made me think about showbiz. I get fed up dealing with idiots.

Alamy

After retiring he was often seen in New York, where he would visit his son Jason, 57.

Jason was the only child from his 11 year marriage to Australian actress Diane Cilento, who died in 2011.

Having dated a string of beautiful women including Bond girls Jill St John and Lana Wood, Connery settled down with French painter Micheline Roquebrune, 91, in 1975.

Their relationship has survived his roving eye, including a seven-month affair with British pop star Lynsey De Paul.

Globe Photos

Getty Images

Kobal Collection - Shutterstock

Hulton Archive - Getty

Last year Connery and his wife were fortunate to escape the full force of Hurricane Dorian, which killed over 30 people when it struck the Bahamas.

They were about 90 miles from the worst hit area and took precautions to make sure their mansion was protected.

We were lucky compared to many others and the damage here was not great, he said. We had been prepared for the storm.

AFP - Getty

It would take more than a hurricane to shake Connery from his Caribbean contentment.

On the idyllic island he has swapped his Aston Martin for a golf buggy and Walther PPK for a golf club.

His home backs onto a five-star private club with its own golf course.

This is heaven for Connery who once said: The Oscar I was awarded for The Untouchables is a wonderful thing, but I can honestly say that Id rather have won the US Open Golf Tournament.

So, anyone wishing to see the actor back on screen will be disappointed.

As he has said: In the end, retirement is too damn much fun.

We pay for your stories and videos! Do you have a story or video for The Scottish Sun? Email us at scoop@thesun.co.uk or call 0141 420 5300

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EDITOR, The Tribune

Being a Philomath and in particular a Matholephile, I created a mathematic model for the Bahamass Coronavirus cases and death. This is not accurate but it gives a ball park figure. It is similar to predicting the weather; things could change but there is a high probability it will occur.

The model predicts the following: March 2020, 10(1)= 10, April 2020, 9(2)= 81, May 2020, 4(3) = 64, June 2020, 4(4)= 256, July 2020, 4(5) = =1024, August 2020 3.5(6) = 1838, September 2020 3(7) = 2 187, October 2020, 2.65(8) = 2432, November 2020, 2.4(9) = 2.210 = 2 656, December 2020, 2.1(11) = 3 503, January 2021 2(12) = 4 096, February 2021, 1.9(13) = 4 205 March 2021, 1.8(14) = 3 748. Microbial growth goes through 4 stages: lag, growth, steady and decline, The COVID-19 should start to decline unless, there is a third wave due to an unforeseen agent(s).

The Bahamas should have about 70 deaths by April 2021, using the current death rate of 1.6%. There should be between 4 000 to 4 500 cases of COVID-19 detected in the Bahamas within a year. Using the flu which infects 3% to 11% of a population annually, the Bahamas should have 11 814 to 43 319 cases of COVID-19. Since everyone is not tested, the number of cases detected will be much lower.

Lockdown and quarantine will change the timeline but the final result will be similar. This is how virus and bacteria usually behave. I am making this model public to start the discussion on long-term projections.

PS: numbers are raised to the power eg, 2 to the 12 power 1.8 to the 14 power (in brackets).

BRIAN E PLUMMER

Nassau,

August 23, 2020.

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All the virus secrets are revealed in the numbers - Bahamas Tribune

Crew members say theyve been trapped aboard Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line ships for months without pay, effectively held hostage during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a class action lawsuit filed in federal court on Tuesday.

The suit alleges that thousands of workers have been unnecessarily kept on the ships for months on end, many thousands of miles away from their homes and families and suffered lost wages and lost employment opportunities as a result. After the pandemic shut down cruises in March, crew members were required to continue cleaning, cooking and maintaining their ships without pay, according to the lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

This egregiously delayed repatriation is tantamount to false imprisonment of the crew, the lawsuit states.

In a statement, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line said the company has worked tirelessly with local governments around the world to repatriate as many of our crew members as possible.

To date, more than 90 percent have safely returned home. For those whose governments have closed their borders and not permitted them to return, we have provided accommodations, food, and onboard credit for incidentals, the statement said. While we understand the strain that these difficult times have placed on our crew, in particular those who have been unable to return home, we are confident in the approach weve taken to treating all team members with transparency and care.

In an earlier statement on July 21, announcing that it would not resume sailing operations until October per new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rules, the cruise line said it had followed all required guidelines, including adhering to strict requirements for our onboard crew members, and installed the best safety protocols in the industry across our fleet to protect our guests and crew, who are always our top priority.

Dragan Janicijevic, the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit, is a Serbian citizen who was employed on one of the cruise ships as a casino dealer. He told the Miami Herald that he and other employees had asked to be sent home in April, but were told the cruise line could not afford charter flights, which were initially required by the CDC to prevent disembarking crew members from potentially spreading the virus on commercial flights. They were keeping us captive, Janicijevic, who left the ship in late June, told the Herald.

When sailing operations were halted in March, the cruise line forced all crew members aboard the ship to sign a document stating they were voluntarily staying onboard, without pay, according to the lawsuit.

The crewmembers were forced to sign these agreements by being threatened that they would not be rehired if they did not sign, the lawsuit states. This system of requiring crewmembers to work, without pay, is the equivalent of forced labor or peonage.

In July, the CDC extended its no-sail order for cruise ships through September. Other cruise ship companiesincluding Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdingshave been paying working crew members, but not paying the non-working crew who remain on their ships, the Herald reported.

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Write to Katie Reilly at Katie.Reilly@time.com.

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In Lawsuit, Cruise Line Crew Members Say They're 'Effectively Held Hostage' on Stranded Ships, Working Without Pay - TIME

Change comes into place on 4am on Saturday August

Travellers arriving in the UK fromBelgium, Andorra and the Bahamas will be forced to quarantine for 14 days after the countries were removed from the governments travel corridors list.

The Department for Transport said that data from the joint biodiversity centre and Public Health England indicated a significant change in both the level and pace of confirmed cases in the countries.

The change comes into place on 4am on Saturday August 8. Scotland has also withdrawn the countries from its list.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office now advises against all but essential travel to Belgium, Andorra and the Bahamas.

Data shows we need to remove Andorra, Belgium and The Bahamas from our list of #coronavirus Travel Corridors in order to keep infection rates DOWN. If you arrive in the UK after 0400 Saturday from these destinations, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days.

Belgium recoded more than 70,000 Covid-19 cases this week, meaning it has a rate of 27.8 new cases per 100,000 people. This is compared to the UKs 8.4.

Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia,Slovenia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines were added to the list on July 24, butSpainwas removed on July 25 andLuxembourgwas removed on July 31.

More: Get information on overseas travel in our travel advice sectionMore: Sign up to our Weekly Digest for an overview of travel news

The government is under increased pressure to implement a testing regime at borders amid the confusion caused by changes to thetravel corridors list.

In the wake of the Department for Transport removingSpainfrom its safe list and the change in FCO advice, which was subsequentlyextended toinclude the Canary and BalearicIslands, the chief executive of Heathrow has renewedcalls for testing.

As many of our customers have experienced, its difficult to plan a holiday that way, let alone run a business.Testing offers a way to safely open up traveland trade to some of the UKs biggest markets which currently remain closed, John Holland-Kaye told BBC Radio 4sTodayprogramme.

He said: The UK needs a passenger testing regime and fast, adding that without it, Britain is just playing a game of quarantine roulette.

Matt Hancock has said he hasabsolutely no regrets about the quickchange in advice on Spain and saidmore countries could be removed from the exemption list within days.

The health secretary said officials were looking all of the time at coronavirus cases in other countries.

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Belgium and the Bahamas off safe list - ABTA Magazine

Travellers arrivng in the UK from Belgium will now be required to quarantine for 14 days (Getty Images)

Travellers arriving in the UK from Belgium, the Bahamas and Andorra will be required to quarantine for 14 days.

The new measure comes into place from Saturday 8 August, except in Wales where the restriction is already in place.

The trio of countries follow Spain and Luxembourg in having a quarantine reimposed, with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office warning against all but essential travel to the three countries.

When do the measures get underway?

The Transport Secretary revealed the changes on Thursday night.

He tweeted: Data shows we need to remove Andorra, Belgium and the Bahamas from our list of [coronavirus] travel corridors in order to keep infection rates DOWN.

"If you arrive in the UK after 0400 Saturday from these destinations, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days."

Scottish Justice Secretary Humza Yousuf said there was a shared understanding between all home nations that the measures were required.

Wales have already implemented the quarantine restrictions.

The measures apply to anyone travelling through Belgium on their return from other European or World destinations.

Why have the measures been introduced?

Belgium has seen a rise in cases in recent weeks with data showing 27.8 new cases per 100,000 people compared to UKs 8.4.

The weekly case rate has spiked in The Bahamas at 77.8, while Andorra has seen a five-fold increase in cases since mid-July.

According to the Guardian measures could be introduced for France amid a rise in cases.

Are there any new travel corridors?

UK travellers have been told it is now safe to travel to Malaysia and Brunei following a significant dip in cases.

Vaughan Gething, the Welsh health minister said the public health risk posed by a decreasing prevalence was now low enough to open up a travel corridor to the southeast Asian countries.

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Belgium, Andorra and Bahamas have been added to the UK quarantine list - heres why - Leighton Buzzard Observer

Residents of the United States have been cautioned against travelling to The Bahamas.

On Thursday the US State Department issued a level four travel advisory for the Caribbean territory citing health and safety concerns and COVID-19 related conditions.

The advisory which was issued on Thursday said: "Do not travel to The Bahamas due tohealth and safety measures and COVID-related conditions.Exercise increased caution in The Bahamas due tocrime. Some areas have increased risk."

The State Department warned US residents to exercise extreme caution if they decided to venture to the Caribbean territory.

Included in the advisory was a country summary which read: "Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assault, occurs even during the day and in tourist areas. Although the family islands are not crime-free, the vast majority of crime occurs on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands."

The Bahamas is the first country within the English speaking Caribbean to be on the receiving end of a level four travel advisory since the start of the pandemic.

The United States has approximately five million confirmed cases and has recorded over 160 thousand virus-related deaths.

On Thursday the Bahamas Ministry of Health recorded 10 new cases of COVID-19 bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 761.

Of the 10 new cases, 7 were recorded in New Providence, 2 in Bimini and 1 on the island of Abaco.

With concerns raised over the rate of infection in the territory, persons travelling from The Bahamas to Sweden and the United Kingdom will now be subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

The Bahamas currently has 654 active cases of COVID-19.

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US issues level 4 advisory warning against travel to The Bahamas - Loop News Jamaica

06 August 2020

Intertrust

To print this article, all you need is to be registered or login on Mondaq.com.

When you hear the word "foundation" your immediatecorrelation is probably "charity." But in the Bahamas,the definition has evolved from the classical philanthropic senseand foundations have become a formidable instrument to assist withprivate wealth planning.

The Bahamas Foundations Act, 2004 (later amended in 2007)relating to the appointment of a foundation agent, foundationcouncil and the rights of a beneficiary, is a relativelylittle-known private wealth vehicle. Over the years, we have seenthat certain instruments originating from common law jurisdictionsmay not be recognized in civil law jurisdictions, but foundationsare a dependable option due to their non-recognition, meaningthey're not subject to forced heirship statutes applied bycivil law countries.

Foundations are often referred to as a "hybrid," a termused because this instrument has attributes of a trust as well as acompany.

Here are the similarities of a foundation to a trust:

Has a settlor

The founder is similar to thesettlor

Settlor can have reservedpowers

Founder can have reservedpowers

Can be revoked

Can be revoked

Can be amended

Can be amended

Must have objects (assets)

Must have objects (assets)

Must have beneficiaries

Must have beneficiaries

No perpetuity period

No perpetuity period

May have a protector

May have a protector

After death of the settlor,probate is not necessary

After death of the founder,probate is not necessary

And here are the similarities of a foundation to a company:

Coupled with the Bahamas' stable regulatory framework,foundations are an untapped and practical private wealth option.Get in touch with an expert below to learn more.

The content of this article is intended to provide a generalguide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be soughtabout your specific circumstances.

POPULAR ARTICLES ON: Wealth Management from Bahamas

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The asset management sector within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is responsible for sustainable growth of financial sectors ...

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Foundations Aren't What You Think: The Little-known Bahamas Private Wealth Structure Explained - Wealth Management - Bahamas - Mondaq News Alerts

A U.S. Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry takes off from Odyssey Aviation in Nassau, The Bahamas, on the way to an overflight of areas affected by Hurricane Isaias | August 2, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Public Affairs Sectionhttps://bs.usembassy.gov+1 (242) 322-1181 ext. 4220Nassau, The Bahamas | August 2, 2020

Less than 24 hours after Hurricane Isaias passed over The Bahamas, the United States provided aircraft support so that Prime Minister the Most Honorable Dr. Hubert Minnis could assess the damage, and the humanitarian needs of those in the storms wake.

Charg dAffaires Kevin OReilly accompanied the Prime Minister on the overflight, along with U.S. Coast Guard District 7 Commander Rear Admiral Eric Jones. The Honorable Desmond Bannister, Minister of Public Works; Captain Stephen Russell, Director of the National Emergency Management Agency; and Leader of the Opposition, Philip Davis also joined the overflight.

As Hurricane Isaias was still roaring over The Bahamas on August 1, the U.S. Embassy was putting in place a plan to provide a U.S. Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry so that the Prime Minister could fly over affected areas to assess the damage from the storm. Based out of Air Station Miami, the overflight went over Andros and the Berry Islands, before returning to New Providence due to prevailing weather conditions.

In the coming weeks the United States will continue to work with Bahamian partners at every level of government to strengthen disaster response in The Bahamas. Before Isaias struck, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) activated a team of 11 Bahamas-based disaster experts to liaise with NEMA and humanitarian partners, and to help assess impacts and humanitarian needs, if required.

Long before Isaias had formed in the eastern Caribbean, the United States works year-round to reduce the riskand impactof disasters in the Caribbean. The USAID Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance has provided training to NEMA staff and other national and local emergency responders in The Bahamas, including courses on disaster risk reduction, school safety, shelter management, risk program management, and damage assessment and needs analysis. NEMA staff are now certified to teach the courses to others first responders, ensuring the wide implementation of the information and protocols across The Bahamas, thereby strengthening the entire countries ability to respond to a disaster.

By U.S. Embassy Nassau | 2 August, 2020 | Topics: Press Releases

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Bahamas PM Assesses Isaias Damage on US Coast Guard Aircraft - US Embassy in The Bahamas

People arriving into the UK from Belgium, Andorra and The Bahamas will have to self-isolate after a rise in coronavirus cases.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed on Thursday evening that the three countries will be removed from the UK travel corridor list.

It means anyone arriving into the UK from one of the three countries after 4am on Saturday will have to self-isolate for 14 days.

A statement on the Government website said: "Data from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and Public Health England has indicated a significant change in both the level and pace of confirmed cases of coronavirus (Covid-19) in all 3 destinations, leading to ministers removing these from the current list of travel corridors.

"There has been a consistent increase in COVID-19 cases per 100,000 of the population in Belgium since the middle of July, with a 4-fold increase in total cases over this time period. In Andorra, new cases per week have increased 5-fold over the same time period, while in The Bahamas the weekly case rate peaked at 78.6 last week, up from 3.1 in mid-July."

Mr Shapps tweeted: "Data shows we need to remove Andorra, Belgium and The Bahamas from our list of #coronavirus Travel Corridors in order to keep infection rates DOWN.

If you arrive in the UK after 0400 Saturday from these destinations, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days.

Meanwhile, a further 950 cases of coronavirus were confirmed in the UK on Thursday - the highest daily number for six weeks.

A total of 49 more deaths have also been confirmed, bringing the UK death toll to 46,413.

The worst affected areas in England remain Blackburn with Darwen, where there are 82.2 cases per 100,000 people. It is followed by Oldham, at 67.9, Pendle, at 58.6, and Leicester, at 52.2 cases.

Other areas where there have been increases are Swindon, Calderdale, Manchester, Preston and Tameside.

In Leeds, the city council has warned of clusters in Kirkstall and Harehills and says "further steps may need to be considered" if case numbers continue to increase.

In Hull, the infection rate in the seven days to August 3 is 1.9 - with five cases confirmed - compared to 3.5 in the seven days to July 27, when nine cases were confirmed.

Meanwhile, up to 135,000 people could lose their jobs at more than 100 of Britain's biggest firms due to coronavirus.

An audit carried out by the Daily Mail shows the severity of cuts likely to hit both here and abroad.

Analysis found that, of large firms that disclosed figures, 22,500 jobs are in retail, 18,100 in hospitality and 21,600 in travel and airlines.

For more of the latest updates, follow our live blog below.

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Coronavirus UK live updates as arrivals from Belgium, Andorra and The Bahamas forced into quarantine - HullLive

Hurricane Isaias has lashed the Bahamas as it churns towards Florida, bringing new dangers to a US state suffering record deaths from an unrelenting coronavirus outbreak.

Hurricane Isaias has strengthened slightly as it has lashed the Bahamas, bearing down on Florida.

Isaias was carrying top sustained winds of 85 mph (140 kph) and was located about 125 km (80 miles) south-southeast of the Bahamas capital Nassau at 5 am (0900 GMT) heading northwest, the National Hurricane Center said.

Its centre was approaching Andros Island in the Bahamas and was due to pass over or near islands in the central and northwest Bahamas on Saturday, bringing a danger of damaging storm surges of up to 1.52 m (5 feet) over normal tide levels, the NHC said.

Meanwhile, officials in the Bahamas evacuated people on Abaco island, who have been living in temporary structures since Dorian. People living in the eastern end of Grand Bahama were also being moved.

Paula Miller, Mercy Corps director for the Bahamas, told The Associated Press that while the islands can normally withstand strong hurricanes, some have been destabilised by the coronavirus pandemic and the damage caused by Dorian.

With everything not quite shored up, property not secured, home not prepared, even a Category 1 will be enough to set them back, she said.

Two of those islands, Abaco and Grand Bahama, were battered by Dorian, a Category 5 storm that hovered over the area for two days and killed at least 70 people, with more than 280 reported missing. People are still living in tents on both islands, and officials said crews tried to remove leftover debris ahead of Isaias.

READ MORE: Dorian strikes Bahamas with record fury as Category 5 storm

Curfew imposed

Prime Minister Hubert Minnis relaxed a coronavirus lockdown as a result of the storm, but imposed a 10 pm to 5 am curfew. He said supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations and hardware stores would be open as long as weather permitted.

The Bahamas has reported more than 570 confirmed Covid-19 cases and at least 14 deaths. It recently barred travellers from the US following a surge in cases after it reopened to international tourism.

Measures in parts of Florida

The storm, a Category 1 on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, prompted authorities in parts of Florida to close Covid-19 testing sites and people to stock up on essentials.

Isaias was expected to deliver heavy rains to the state's Atlantic coast beginning late Friday before hitting the eastern Carolinas by early next week, the NHC said.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis established a state of emergency for a dozen counties on the Atlantic coast, which makes it easier to mobilise resources.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper followed suit.

'No need to open shelters' in Miami

Public beaches, parks, marinas and golf courses were closed in Miami-Dade County on Friday.

Miami Mayor Carlos Gimenez said on Friday that 20 evacuation centres were on standby that could be set up with Covid-19 safety measures.

We still dont think there is a need to open shelters for this storm, but they are ready, he said.

Miami-Dade and Broward counties also closed drive-through and walk-up testing sites for Covid-19, as the state at the epicentre of the country's outbreak reported a record increase in coronavirus deaths for a fourth day in a row.

DeSantis said testing sites would remain open on Florida's west coast, and testing at hospitals and community centres may also continue.

READ MORE:US once again registers more than 70,000 new Covid-19 cases

Flooding and landslides

On Thursday, while still a tropical storm, Isaias toppled trees, destroyed crops and caused widespread flooding and small landslides in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, where hundreds of thousands of people were left without power and water.

Officials reported that a man died in the Dominican Republic when he was electrocuted by a fallen electrical cable. More than 5,000 people were evacuated, and more than 130 communities remained cut off by floodwaters.

In Puerto Rico, the National Guard rescued at least 35 people from floodwaters that swept away one woman who remained missing.

READ MORE:Hurricane Hanna threatens flash floods in coronavirus-hit Texas

Source: TRTWorld and agencies

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Hurricane Isaias lashes the Bahamas as it bears down on Florida - TRT World

There is an alleyway of sorts developing near the U.S. east coast/far W. Atlantic. A more organized Isaias seems to now be sniffing out that alley lending confidence to the more north & east solution in the long run. The approaching upper level trough moving into the Eastern U.S. should help eventually steer Isaias north then northeast. The trough may help with the upper level ventilation of the storm negating some of the effects of potential low level shear while along or near the east coast & Isaias may undergo a period of fairly solid intensification through the weekend/early next week as indicated by some models..... &, therefore, be even stronger - at times - than a Cat. 1 hurricane. However, there may also be some land interaction - especially on the west side of the circulation - over the weekend during the close approach to SE Florida. The GFS model has recently come in stronger as has the operational European & UKMET models & generally agree on a painfully close approach to SE Fl. while turning north then well east of Jacksonville. The GFS remains decidedly faster (by 12+ hours) than either the European or UKMET models. A compromise between all three is the prudent route at this juncture & probably will end up closest to reality.

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Talking the Tropics With Mike: Isaias to roll across the Bahamas through Friday night & near Florida over the - ActionNewsJax.com

Hurricane Isaias Carrying 80 mph max sustained winds

ABOVE VIDEO: Hurricane Warning issued for Brevard County by the National Hurricane Center. Space Coast Dailys Zach Clark reports on the latest developments.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA National Hurricane Center is continuing to monitor Category 1 Hurricane Isaias after a Hurricane Warning was issued for Brevard County on Friday.

The system is carrying 80 mph max sustained winds and moving to the northwest at 15 mph. The Category 1 hurricane is expected to slow down forward progress as it moves through the Bahamas early Saturday morning.

Experts project tropical storm-force winds could impact Brevard County as early as Saturday late afternoon around 3 p.m. The main portion of the hurricane will move near or over the Floridas East Coast, including Brevard County, throughout the day on Sunday. The strongest winds will arrive Sunday night around 8 p.m.

National Hurricane Center is expecting Hurricane Isaias to gain strength tonight as it moves off the Bahamas Friday night and early Saturday morning.

Brevard County could be impacted by winds as high as 85 mph.

Isaias is expected to carry storm surge around 2-4 feet for Brevard County, along with the entire east coast of Florida. The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the right of the center, where the surge will be accompanied by large waves.

In addition to storm surge, rainfall amounts is also a concern as Isaias is producing a vast amount rainfall. Brevard County is expected to receive 2-4 inches of rain, which could cause isolated flash flooding, especially in low-lying and poorly drained areas.

Finally, Brevard County will begin seeing swells spread along the coast by Saturday afternoon. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Those traveling to the beach on Saturday should adhere to local government warnings regarding dangerous rip currents as Isaias begins to descend on the area.

A local State of Emergency has been declared for Brevard County on Friday in response to the pending threat of Hurricane Isaias.

A local state of emergency is declared in advance of a potential disaster event and enables government entities to readily seek response or recovery assistance from the state.

The emergency declaration will be signed by Brevard County Commission Vice-Chair Rita Pritchett, who is the appointed chair of the Policy Group, which consists of local, county, and state officials and is activated for emergencies.

An emergency declaration provides avenue for counties to expedite contractual procedures, rental of equipment, employment of permanent and temporary workers, acquisition of supplies, materials and facilities and appropriation and expenditure of public funds.

Gov. Ron DeSantis also declared a state of emergency on Friday.

ABOVE VIDEO: Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey talks about area sandbag locations for citizen pickup.

The Brevard County Sheriffs Office along with the Board of County Commissioners and our Public Safety partners continue to monitor the storm projections of Hurricane Isaias.

As a result of a potential impact to Brevard County, the Sheriffs Office will be distributing sandbags (at no cost) to our citizens, today and Saturday, at five different locations throughout Brevard County.

In an effort to expedite the process, we will be using inmate labor to fill and load the sandbags directly into our citizens vehicles at the five different locations.

This will be conducted under the direct supervision of the Sheriffs Office employees. Each vehicle can obtain up to 10 free sandbags so they can help prepare and protect their homes and businesses.

The five locations will be open for distribution Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. or until supplies are gone.

*The five locations are:

NORTH BREVARD AREAChain of Lakes Park2300 Truman Scarborough WayTitusville, FL 32796

COCOA/PORT ST. JOHN/CANAVERAL GROVES AREABrevard County Jail (*across the street*)855 Camp Road, Sharpes

MERRITT ISLAND AND BEACHESMitchell Ellington Park575 Hall RoadMerritt Island, FL 32953

CENTRAL BREVARD AREACalvary Chapel Church2852 Fellowship PlaceViera, FL 32940

SOUTH BREVARD AREAEastern Florida State CollegePalm Bay CampusPalm Bay, FL, 32909

Please continue to monitor the potential track of this major storm and take the necessary precautions to protect you, your family, your pets, and your homes as we face another hurricane season together in Brevard County.

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS

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Hurricane Isaias Moves Through Bahamas as Category 1 Hurricane, Projected to Strike Brevard County on Sunday - SpaceCoastDaily.com