CASTRIES, St. Lucia -- St. Lucia will host representatives from 16 partner nations and the United States for the multinational exercise Tradewinds 2013, from May 20 until May 31, 2013.   U.S. Marine Corps Forces South, the executive agent of Tradewinds 2013 for U.S. Southern Command, will conduct the maritime training exercise in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and other facilitating agencies.

Tradewinds 2013 focuses on increasing regional cooperation in the effort to counter illicit trafficking and build participating nations’ capacity to plan and execute complex multinational security operations.  The training also provides an emphasis on reinforcing human rights awareness in the conduct of security operations.

Tradewinds 2013 will bring together more than 260 law enforcement officers, military personnel, and government representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States.  Participants from the RBDF will include: Midshipman Darron Bethel, Petty Officer Glenward Colebrook, Petty Officer Kevin Fountain, Chief Petty Officer Gordon Roberts and Sub Lieutenant Edward Fritz.

The objective of the exercise is to strengthen existing regional partnerships and encourage the establishment of new relationships through the exchange of focused knowledge and expertise, while allowing each participating country an opportunity to improve capabilities in what it considers key security mission priorities. In preparation for Tradewinds 2013, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter OAK will arrive at the port in Castries on May 19.  

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Less than one month after officially launching speed increases of 500 per cent, Cable Bahamas has now released its much-anticipated REVON Extreme. This new level of service delivers home Internet speeds at up to 70 megabits per second, which is nearly nine times faster than the nearest competition. The company claims that it is the fastest Internet service that has ever been available to residential customers in The Bahamas.

REVON Extreme is now available to all areas that Cable Bahamas serves in New Providence and Grand Bahama.

"Our goal is to deliver the best, fastest and truly most reliable Internet service to our subscribers," said Cable Bahamas Head of Marketing and REVON Product Manager David Burrows. "REVON Extreme is a huge step forward, not just for our company but our customers. Communication needs have changed and the Internet is a crucial part of all of our lives at home," Burrows added.

"We know that no other Internet service provider in The Bahamas comes close to the speeds that we now offer residential customers, however, we also know that the entire discussion is not just about speed," Mr Burrows said. "It is as much about capacity. That is what determines how many different devices families can use online at the same time and enjoy their Internet experience without constantly waiting."

Mr Burrows stated that a household of three or four people with multiple devices will quickly use up the total bandwidth that is available. "We've seen Internet usage increase dramatically, especially in the last year. Bahamians are using the Internet to work and play more, and low bandwidth speeds of 4 or 8 megabits per second speed just can't meet the demand of today's subscribers."

NASSAU, Bahamas -- In observance of the Whit Monday Holiday, the United States Embassy will be closed on Monday, May 20, 2013. Please be advised that the Embassy will resume normal business operations on Tuesday, May 21 at 8:00 a.m.

For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens, please contact the U.S. Citizens Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section via telephone: 242-322-1181.

General information on U.S. Consular services, including procedures for obtaining or renewing a U.S. passport or visa, is available on the U.S. Embassy’s website at http://nassau.usembassy.gov.

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- CEO of Bahamian Brewery, James ‘Jimmy’ Sands, was on hand last week to welcome the thirteen delegates of the Honorary Consular Corps in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, who visited the island to hear about possible opportunities for investing in the Grand Bahama industrial sector.

“I am pleased to be here to welcome you myself to the brewery,” said CEO Sands. “It’s wonderful for you to see the progress we have made and our success in the brewery business.  I am a very proud Bahamian and I hope to encourage other Bahamians to invest and achieve more here in Grand Bahama.”  

Sands went on to discuss his personal story about meeting with Edward St. George and how he came to plan and eventually build his brewery.  He introduced his management staff and announced that his beer will start distribution in Florida very soon.

The special guests and their entourage were then treated to a tour of the brewery by the Brewmaster and Hazel Springer, the Quality Control Manager.  First stop was a brief history of the construction and opening of the brewery in Freeport, with a quick climb upstairs to see the brewing process, before a taste of the local delicacies at 'Jimmy’s' bar.