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BAHAMAS: URCA Launches Consumer Education Tours in Acklins and Crooked Island

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#Bahamas, October 5, 2018 – A key function of the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) is Consumer Education. URCA recently launched its 2018 Family Island tour in the southern Bahamas with visits to the islands of Acklins, Crooked Island and Long Cay.

During the visits, town hall meetings were held in Acklins and Crooked Island providing residents with important information regarding their rights and obligations relating to services in the electronic communications and electricity sectors. URCA’s team also spoke about URCA’s role and the benefits that it delivers to consumers throughout The Bahamas. Residents learnt about recent developments such as number portability and Small Scale Renewable Generation, and the ongoing work in both sectors such as the finalization of the Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) Consumer Protection Plan. “The town hall meetings are very valuable”, said Mavis Johnson Collie, Corporate and Consumer Relations Manager, “in that they afford residents an opportunity to express their concerns about any issues related to any of URCA’s licensees and in turn they are apprised of URCA’s Consumer Complaints Handling Procedures”.

“We welcome these opportunities to engage with members of the Bahamian public across the archipelago and to open their eyes as to how URCA can assist them and work on their behalf,” stated Mr. Waldon Russell, acting Director of Electronic Communications at URCA. “For me”, continued Mr. Russell, “I am able to assess the nature and quality of the services provided by service providers first hand.”

As URCA’s electricity sector mandate is the “new kid on the block” so to speak, residents were not quite sure what regulation of the electricity sector would mean to them. “We were able to explain why it is important to regulate the sector and what that will look like for them as customers of the electricity service providers. These visits are important for the efficient and effective execution of our work at URCA because what is important to a community can vary greatly as you go from settlement to settlement and island to island,” said Mr. Mark Hudson, Regulatory Manager, Technical at URCA.

Complaints about services within the Electronic Communications Sector concerned:

  • inability to access a mandated minimal 5 channel PayTV Package;
  • the unavailability of the ‘six free to air TV channels’ which is a legacy package negotiated by Government and multiple service providers;
  • slow internet speed;
  • lack of service on long stretches of roadways connecting settlements and
  • billing for services not received. Complaints about services in the Electricity and Energy Sector concerned:
  • High bills;
  • Lack of street lights in Lovely Bay and Pinefields;
  • Insufficient location at which to pay for services

URCA’s team will follow-up with service providers and will make all attempts to have the issues resolved.

In addition to the town hall meetings, URCA’s team also took the opportunity to do walkabouts in local communities on Acklins and Long Cay, as well as make presentations to the High Schools on Crooked Island and Acklins. This allowed them to not only reach more members of the community but also to see firsthand the licensees’ local operations and locations.

URCA will continue its consumer education tours in the southern Bahamas with visits to Inagua and Long Island scheduled for late October 2018.

 

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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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