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USAID donates an additional $7.5 Million for humanitarian assistance in Grand Bahama

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#Freeport, GB, October 2, 2019 – Bahamas – The United States is providing an additional $7.5 million dollars in humanitarian assistance to the people of The Bahamas who were affected by Hurricane Dorian, bringing the United States’ total funding for the response to Dorian to more than $33 million.

The additional funding was announced by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Mark Green, during a press briefing at Samaritan’s Purse on Tuesday, October 1, 2019.

Green was a part of a bipartisan, government effort.

“This assistance is part of a whole of the United States’ Government effort in partnership with the Bahamian Government, charitable organizations and the private sector to address the humanitarian needs of those affected by the strongest storm ever to hit The Bahamas,” said Green.

“This is a bipartisan group.  Republicans and Democrats; Administration, members of Congress… we are all united in our support for our neighbour, The Bahamas.”

Thanking USAID for their financial assistance on behalf of the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, President of the Bahamas Senate and Coordinator for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Senator Kay Forbes-Smith said the United States and The Bahamas have such a great partnership and relationship.

“We’ve had so many international organizations come to our aid in Grand Bahama and we are appreciative of it,” said Senator Smith. “They have done a tremendous job and I know that the Prime Minister and the Bahamian people are thankful. We certainly are, because those who have come in have been extraordinary.

“I want to put a special plug in for the Coast Guard because they have really been working with the NEMA team. We’re proud of them, we’re proud to have them with us. They’ve done a tremendous job with everyone else.

“We are extremely pleased to continue to accept the support and help from the United States and we remain both thankful and hopeful.”

Most of the additional funding from USAID will provide vital support to the USA’s humanitarian partner, Samaritan’s Purse, for its field hospital, and the Rand Memorial Hospital of Freeport.  In addition to contributing to meeting the most immediate humanitarian needs, the funding to Samaritan’s Purse humanitarian aid organization will also pay for the removal of debris to help residents get back into their homes.  “Emergency and transitional shelter for families whose homes Dorian damaged or destroyed in Grand Bahama and in the Abacos, also repairs to water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure and the provision of emergency water supplies to communities affected by the storm,” added Administrator Mark Green.

South Florida District Congresswoman, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz said South Floridians know and understand what kind of devastation a hurricane like Dorian could inflict on an island like The Bahamas.  “Dorian was unique in and of itself because of the way it hung over Grand Bahama for such a long period of time,” said Congresswoman Wasserman-Schultz. “Nowhere have we seen a storm impact a country the way Dorian has The Bahamas.  So, we wanted to make sure that we were here to demonstrate our support and affection and show the Bahamian people, our extended family, how much we care.”

Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, originally from Abaco and the first Bahamian-American to be elected to the United States Congress, thanked the American people who assisted those Bahamians who migrated to Miami from Abaco and Grand Bahama immediately following the passing of Hurricane Dorian.  She said they will continue to do their part in assisting Bahamians in Florida and looks forward to a quick recovery from the devastation of Hurricane Dorian.

Administrator Mark Green said that the assistance to The Bahamas will continue because it is America’s desire to see both Grand Bahama and Abaco recover quickly from Hurricane Dorian.

“I also want to pay tribute to the outpouring of compassion from the American people. I often say that when crisis strikes, especially in our neighborhood, America will stand with our friends because that’s who we are as Americans.

“We care very deeply about our neighbors in The Bahamas and we will continue to stand with them and assist them in their time of difficulty.”

By Andrew Coakley

Release: BIS

Photo Caption: President of the Senate, Kay Forbes-Smith (right) welcomes the American bipartisan group of US Congress men and women, and officials from USAID to Grand Bahama on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at the Grand Bahama International Airport.  The group had previously met with Prime Minister of the Bahamas, the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis in Nassau.  They then flew to Grand Bahama where they met with Senator Kay Forbes-Smith, toured Samaritan’s Purse humanitarian field hospital, and other facilities in Grand Bahama — and announced a $7.5 Million donation to Grand Bahama for humanitarian relief.  Most of the funding will go towards Samaritan’s Purse Hospital and the Rand Memorial Hospital.  Meeting Senator Smith at the airport were (from left): Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, Congressman Gregory Meeks, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, and Mark Green, Administrator, United States Agency for International Development (USAID).   

(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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Bahamas News

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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