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The Government has a very clear guiding vision for a better future for Bahamians

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#Bahamas, March 9, 2018 – Nassau – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest said to properly understand the Government’s fiscal consolidation strategy and the state of the public finances at the mid-point of the 2017/18 fiscal year, it is necessary to begin with a realistic and thorough assessment of the gravity of the fiscal challenges that this Government Administration inherited from the previous administration.

“Irrespective of the baseless and empty rhetoric that we have heard following the presentation of the Mid-Year Statement, our Government does have a very clear guiding vision for a better future for Bahamians, with both a stronger economy and enhanced job opportunities.  We also have a plan for getting there,” the DPM said during his Contribution to the 2017/18 Mid-Year Budget Debate in the House of Assembly, Wednesday, March 7, 2018.

He said the present administration elaborated on their vision and plan in its 2017 Manifesto, in the Speech from the Throne, as well as in the May Budget Communication.

“As I made amply clear in the Budget Communication, however, we must as a priority addresses the fiscal mess that we inherited from the party opposite. We simply cannot, and will not, spend recklessly as did the previous administration without due regard for the financial resources available.

“Ours is now the task of putting order in the public finances of our nation to arrest the seemingly inexorable rise in the burden of Government debt that hangs like the proverbial albatross around the neck of Bahamian society and our economy.”

The DPM said it is imperative that the burden of debt is returned to lower and more sustainable levels in order to free up the critical resources that are necessary to fully implement the action plans within the Government’s socio-economic growth agenda as promptly and effectively as possible.

He explained that when the burden of Government Debt represented a more manageable and sustainable 30 per cent of GDP, the Government’s interest payments on the debt accounted for some 10 cents of every revenue dollar.

“Last fiscal year, with a debt burden of 57.6 per cent of GDP, interest payments chewed up almost 14.5 cents of every revenue dollar.

“Were it possible to return to a burden of debt under which interest payments again accounted for 10 per cent of revenues, our annual interest payments would be appreciably reduced.

“At the 2017/18 level of revenues, the savings would be on the order of $75 million.  Those are precious financial resources indeed that could make a significant contribution to the advancement of the Government’s agenda for growth through, for example, supplementary investments in education, health or infrastructure.”

He said it needs to be stressed that much work needs to be done to get the country to the type of debt burden objective that would be preferable. However, the Government is firmly committed, through its concrete fiscal consolidation plan, to getting the country moving in that direction.

DPM Turnqest said as a first step requires the elimination of the annual Government deficit that is the direct cause of increased borrowing.

He said, “Eliminating the deficit and getting to a lower debt burden are also vital to recreating the fiscal room to manoeuvre that is prudently required to allow the country to deal with unforeseen economic and other shocks, such as hurricanes, that may present themselves in the period ahead.”

By: Llonella Gilbert (BIS)

 

 

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Ayla Isaacs Unveils Transformative Guide Amidst Challenging Times

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Bahamian author Ayla Isaacs is making an impactful debut in the literary world with her book, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health—Transforming Your Wellbeing With Diet, Exercise, and Rest.” As crime rates surge and the aftermath of the pandemic leaving many grappling with hopelessness and a sense of abandonment, Isaacs’ guide offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap for personal transformation, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing spiritual resilience in navigating adversity.

Long-time Bahamian physician Dr. Horizal Simmons says, “Ms. Isaacs not only states the spiritual ingredient that we should use for our therapy, but she also explains how it works in our spiritual system and the beneficial changes that will bring the desired transformation or spiritual health benefits.” Applauding the soundness of the book and paralleling it to physical wellness, Dr. Simmons said he highly recommends it to anyone serious about their spiritual well-being and health.

Isaacs is a highly experienced Project Manager who draws from her background in Civil and Environmental Engineering, International Business, and Christian ministry, whether a physical structure or the wellbeing of an individual’s life. Her published work shows that she strongly believes in building with structural integrity. Isaacs provides readers with a holistic approach to welfare beyond traditional self-help. She explores the transformative power of simple spiritual practices integrated into daily life. Isaacs believes that prioritizing spiritual health can help individuals find inner fulfillment and a sense of purpose, which she believes are essential in combating the prevailing hopelessness.

Coach Gregory Cash, who has spent decades helping to develop great athletes and leaders in the country, believes the unique perspective shared, especially relating to spiritual exercise, can touch the hearts of so many. Wendy Fernander, PhD., a licensed clinical psychologist and president of the Bahamas Psychological Association, noted that too few of us think about our spiritual diet, which results in our spiritual wellbeing. When asked about the book, Dr. Fernander said, “This book will provoke you to do serious soul searching.”

Amid the challenges communities face, Isaacs encourages readers to initiate a positive “me” movement—a focus on self-improvement that, when embraced collectively, can lead to stronger families, churches, and nations. According to Isaacs, strengthened individuals become catalysts for positive change within their immediate circles, creating a ripple effect that extends to broader communities.

Ayla Isaacs, whose roots go back to South Eleuthera, is a founding member of the Smart and Strong Sisterhood (SASS) and the creative mind behind A.I. Paper, a gift-wrapping paper and bag company that celebrates the islands of The Bahamas. Isaacs believes that investing in spiritual wellbeing is pivotal for personal growth and resilience. A conference speaker who is actively involved in church ministries and affiliated with several civic organizations, Isaacs firmly believes in the balance between personal and community wellbeing.

“Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” is now available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in paperback and eBook form and locally at Oasis Bookstore in Nassau. Isaacs encourages readers to embark on a transformative journey and be architects of their spiritual wellbeing. In times of uncertainty, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” offers a guide and a message of hope and empowerment for individuals seeking personal and communal transformation.

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Tired of Taking Notes? The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Will Transcribe and Summarize Your Voice Notes In A Snap! 

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NASSAU, Bahamas – Faster, smarter and more convenient than ever before, the new Samsung Galaxy S24 will revolutionize your productivity with its new Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist features. In the continuous pursuit of delivering innovative solutions that enhance productivity and user experience, Samsung Electronics is proud to introduce two groundbreaking features: Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist.

The Transcript Assist feature, powered by Galaxy’s advanced artificial intelligence, takes note-taking to a whole new level by enabling users to easily convert voice notes and conversations into useful and accessible notes. Whether in a business meeting, conference, or casual conversation, the Galaxy S24’s Transcript Assist makes capturing information easier than ever.

By utilizing Transcript Assist, users can effortlessly record any conversation with multiple speakers and transform it into a clear and concise transcript with just a few taps. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to keep a detailed record of discussions and decisions made during important meetings or collaborative work sessions.

“With Transcript Assist, we’re redefining the way people take notes and record information,” said Gianmarco Leri, Product Manager at Samsung Electronics. “No longer do you have to worry about missing important details during a conversation. With the Galaxy S24, you can capture every word and turn it into a useful reference that you can easily review and share.”

In addition to generating accurate transcripts, the Transcript Assist feature also offers the ability to generate quick summaries of conversations, as well as the option to translate the entire transcript into different languages, facilitating communication and collaboration among people from different regions and cultures.

On the other hand, the Browsing Assist feature allows users to navigate more efficiently and conveniently on their Galaxy S24 devices by providing intelligent and contextual suggestions during web browsing and online content exploration.

The Galaxy S24, equipped with Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist, marks the beginning of a new era of productivity and convenience in mobile devices. These innovative features demonstrate Samsung Electronics’ continued commitment to providing advanced tools that help people achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently in everyday life.

So, get ready! The new Samsung Galaxy S24 will be coming soon to tech stores in The Bahamas soon.

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Weather Systems Affect Cuba and The Bahamas

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Weather#Cuba#TheBahamas, March 25th, 2024 – Serious weather struck The Bahamas and Cuba over the weekend, both nations receiving warnings from their meteorological entities. The Bahamas was affected by severe thunderstorms.  In fact, an area of the Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship, which was 20 miles off Eleuthera, Bahamas, caught fire and reports say it was possibly due to a lightning strike.  Fortunately no lives were reported lost.

Meanwhile, Cuba had intense rainfall and hailstorms, resulting in damage to surrounding areas, thousands left without electricity amid fallen trees and Flash Floods.

 

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