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DPM Presents Budget Issues to Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce

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#GrandBahama, June 19, 2018 – Bahamas – The government has made provisions to empower people during this current budget period, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. Peter Turnquest during the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce Business Luncheon, June 15, at Pelican Bay.

Minister Turnquest, in explaining why the government will increase VAT from 7.5% to 12% to increase revenue, presented to Chamber members what the government faced when coming to office on May 10, 2017.  As a result of the large commitments due, the government borrowed some $1.4B to cover those expenses.  This, he said, was not the end of it, as there were other outstanding bills amounting to millions of dollars.

What previous governments have been doing is using the current budget to pay last year’s bills, and rolling it over continuously.  He said, there were a number of times he called for outstanding bills that were not brought to his attention until months later amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars and added that he has advised the staff that if it happens again, “when you bring me that next bill and it relates to the previous period, bring me your resignation the same time.”

This resulted in more bills coming, but the government will partially deal with those this year.

With a debt of $7.2B, and interest on that debt in the amount of $381M annually, which increased by $89 in the past year, the government is faced with a serious challenge.

“That $381M represents more than our National Security budget, our Health budget, or Educational budget by over $100M.  Obviously that is not sustainable.”

He continued, “For years, we have been borrowing to meet our commitments rather than trying to make government more efficient and roll back our expenditure.”

A lot of money was spent when a previous administration created programmes to employ people, he said.  The economy was slow and people were losing jobs at an alarming rate.  While the government employed some individuals, it cost a lot of money.  It is difficult to adjust government spending, continued the Deputy Prime Minister, adding that whenever someone is let go, there is the political side, and that person is in a position of having no safety net.  This results in their having to go back to the government for assistance.

“So have you really won anything? Not really because you’re taking them off of the government payroll where they are doing something and putting them on the social roll where they are only getting into mischief.  It isn’t really the answer, certainly not in the short term.”

The government went through the process of trying to cut costs without causing social upheaval and they started by looking at contract workers who had been on the payroll for the 52 week job programme, which became 104 weeks.  “There was no off ramp provided for them. They were left just as vulnerable one year later, as they were when hired.”  This, he said, is not sustainable, productive or empowering to the people.  To deal with this, the government has provided not only free education at BTVI, but established a Small Business Development Centre which will come on stream in July.

“The change is not a simple one. It is not like in the private sector who know what to do.”  He continued, “It’s not all bottom line.  You have to maintain a stable environment and recognize that these are people that you’re dealing with.  That’s a little bit different than just looking at a profit motive.  “Whatever approach you take, it has to be gentle, accommodating and it has to make provision for those being transitioned out.”

 

By: Robyn Adderley (BIS)

Photo Caption: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest, made a presentation on the 2018/2019 Budget, currently being debated in the House of Assembly to the business community at the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce Business Luncheon on Friday, June 15, at Pelican Bay resort.

(BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)

 

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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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