PHILIPSBURG:---  Sint Maarten Xtratight Entertainment and the St. Maarten Little League Association are proud to announce a new exclusive partnership that combines community entertainment with youth sports development, creating a long-term collaboration designed to benefit generations of young athletes while transforming the Erwin " Richardson Little League Stadium into a vibrant community destination.
Under the agreement, Xtratight Entertainment becomes the Association's exclusive entertainment partner, bringing professionally produced community events and family-friendly experiences to the stadium while making annual goodwill contributions that
directly support facility improvements and youth baseball initiatives.

For Xtratight Entertainment, the partnership represents more than securing a venue for future events. It reflects the organization's commitment to investing in the community while creating new opportunities for local families to experience the stadium in a different way.
"As an event organizer, we have been looking for the right partner to expand our outdoor event experiences," said Rude Fleming. "The Little League Stadium has a rich history. Years ago it hosted concerts, festivals and community gatherings. We believe it is time to bring
that energy back while creating opportunities that directly benefit youth sports. Baseball played a huge role in my childhood, and this partnership allows us to make sports exciting again while giving back in a meaningful way."
The collaboration is structured around Xtratight Entertainment's Community Goodwill Initiative, in which entertainment serves as a vehicle for community investment. "Our partnership with Xtratight Entertainment represents a strategic investment in the long-term growth of youth baseball in St. Maarten," said Michel Hyman, President of the St. Maarten Little League Association.
The first event under the new partnership is the 2026 Latin American Caribbean Baseball Tournament from July 12 to July 18th.

PHILIPSBURG:--- President of Parliament Sarah A. Wescot-Williams says the unprecedented use of artificial intelligence during Parliament’s review of the 2026 national budget should be seen as an important learning moment for the institution and an opportunity to strengthen parliamentary oversight.

Reflecting on the submission of thousands of budget questions by Members of Parliament, the President noted that the experience demonstrates both the tremendous potential and the practical challenges of integrating artificial intelligence into parliamentary work.

“The volume of questions has generated considerable public discussion,” Wescot-Williams said. “Some have applauded the thoroughness of Parliament’s oversight, while others have questioned whether such a volume is practical or even effective. I believe both perspectives deserve consideration.”

She explained that, for the first time, many Members used artificial intelligence to assist in reviewing the national budget.

“Artificial intelligence has democratized access to knowledge,” she stated. “It enables every Member -regardless of the size of their staff or available resources- to analyze complex budget documents, identify inconsistencies and generate questions in a fraction of the time previously required. That is a significant advancement for parliamentary democracy.”

However, the President cautioned that new technology also requires new approaches to parliamentary work.

“When every Member independently asks AI to analyze hundreds of pages of budget information, the result is predictable. Hundreds of questions quickly become thousands. Many are valuable. Many overlap. Some ask essentially the same thing in different ways.”

According to Wescot-Williams, this creates an enormous burden on the Government’s administrative machinery and may ultimately undermine Parliament’s objective.

“Our goal should never be to ask the greatest number of questions. Our goal must always be to obtain the best possible information on behalf of the people we represent. If Government is overwhelmed by volume, there is a real risk that responses become standardized, superficial or repetitive. In that case, Parliament is not necessarily better informed.”

The President believes the experience presents an opportunity for Parliament itself to evolve.

“For some time now, I have advocated for a Parliament that continues to mature as an independent institution. Our constitutional responsibilities extend beyond reacting to Government. We legislate, we represent and we exercise oversight. But we must also continuously strengthen our own institutional capacity to perform those responsibilities effectively.”

“Imagine Parliament first undertaking a shared institutional review of the budget. Members could collectively identify the major financial risks, policy inconsistencies, implementation concerns and accountability gaps. That process would not replace political debate. It would enrich it.”

Wescot-Williams emphasized that each political faction would remain entirely free to pursue its own priorities, submit additional questions and hold ministers accountable according to its own political convictions.

“Parliamentary independence would remain untouched. What would change is the quality of our preparation. Instead of producing thousands of disconnected questions, we could produce a sharper, more strategic line of inquiry. Success should be measured by the quality of the answers we receive and the decisions that follow.”

The President noted that legislatures around the world are confronting similar challenges as artificial intelligence reshapes public institutions.

“AI has changed the equation. The ability to generate information is no longer the scarce resource. AI can produce information in seconds. The scarce resource is judgment. knowing which questions matter most, recognizing patterns, connecting risks across ministries, evaluating policy choices and exercising sound parliamentary judgment. That remains the responsibility of elected representatives.”

“The initiative also aligns closely with my broader vision of an Open Parliament.”

“Too often, openness is understood simply as publishing documents or livestreaming meetings. Those are important, but they are only the beginning. A truly Open Parliament is one that promotes understanding, encourages participation, strengthens collaboration and continuously improves the way it serves the people.”

She envisions a Parliament where Members are better prepared before debates begin, committee work is more analytical, information is more accessible to citizens, and technology enables legislators to spend less time processing information and more time exercising sound judgment.

The President concluded by expressing confidence that Sint Maarten has an opportunity to demonstrate leadership in parliamentary innovation.

“Small jurisdictions are often told to follow others. I believe Sint Maarten can also innovate. We can demonstrate that a small Parliament, equipped with modern tools and guided by a clear vision, can become more independent, more transparent, more collaborative and ultimately more effective in serving the people of Sint Maarten.”

COLE BAY/ ARUBA:--- Motorworld, Regional Distributor for Chery in the Caribbean, proudly celebrates another major milestone with the successful launch of the Chery brand across the ABC islands. Over three consecutive days, Chery officially opened its doors in Bonaire on July 2, Curaçao on July 3, and Aruba on July 4, marking an important expansion of the brand's rapidly growing Caribbean footprint.

 "Bringing Chery to Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao reinforces our commitment to offering high-quality, factory-backed mobility solutions," said Sudesh Manichand, Managing Director at the Jolley Holding Group. "As China’s number-one auto exporter for 23 consecutive years, Chery brings a level of innovation and comprehensive service support and a 10-year warranty that is unmatched in our market."

The launches were led by Motorworld's dealer partners under the Jolley Holding Group, Ultimate Automobiles in Aruba and Curaçao and Akkermans Auto Supplies in Bonaire, with each island welcoming dedicated Chery showroom spaces and introducing customers to one of the world's fastest-growing automotive brands.

The expansion further strengthens Motorworld’s vision of making top globally recognized automotive brands more accessible throughout the Caribbean. With Chery now available across Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, customers have access to an award-winning lineup of SUVs and pickup trucks supported by factory-trained technicians, genuine parts, the best warranty in the Caribbean and dedicated aftersales service.

"Launching Chery across all three ABC islands in just three days is an exciting achievement for both Motorworld and the Jolley Holding Group," said Tariq Amjad, Chairman of the Motorworld Group. "These openings represent far more than showroom launches. They reflect our long-term commitment to bringing world-class automotive brands, outstanding customer experiences and reliable aftersales support to communities throughout the Caribbean. We are proud to continue expanding Chery's presence with partners who share our vision for excellence."

The ABC island launches form part of Motorworld's broader regional expansion strategy for Chery, which continues to gain momentum throughout the Caribbean. With every new market, Motorworld remains focused on delivering innovative vehicles, exceptional ownership experiences and long-term investment in the region's automotive future.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Parliament of Sint Maarten proudly opened its doors on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, in support of the CLIMB Foundation's National Literacy Movement, "Drop Everything and Read St. Maarten" (DEAR SXM), by hosting a special internal Book Party in the Legislative Hall for the children and young family members of Members of Parliament, Secretariat Staff, and Faction Staff.

The event welcomed children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, godchildren, and other invited young guests for a memorable morning celebrating books, imagination, and literacy. The Legislative Hall was transformed into an inviting reading space where children and their accompanying family members gathered to experience the joy of reading in the House of Parliament.

President of Parliament Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams welcomed the children and explained that the Legislative Hall is where Members of Parliament meet to discuss important issues and make decisions for the people of Sint Maarten. She encouraged the children to embrace reading as the foundation for lifelong learning, reminding them that books can inspire curiosity, imagination, and opportunity. The President also reaffirmed Parliament's commitment to supporting literacy, education, and youth development and expressed her hope that Parliament's Book Party will become an annual event in support of literacy.

The morning's featured guest, local author Mrs. Greta Rodney-Thompson, captivated the young audience, ranging in age from 4 to 12 years, with an engaging and interactive reading of her children's book, The Johnny Cake Delivery. Through storytelling and audience participation, she demonstrated the excitement and imagination that reading can inspire.

The event was also honored by the presence of Dr. Yadira Boston, Ph.D., and Dr. Delroy Pierre, Ph.D., Founders of the CLIMB Foundation, whose DEAR SXM initiative encourages individuals, families, schools, businesses, and organizations across Sint Maarten to 'Drop Everything and Read' on the 8th of each month in the lead-up to World Literacy Day on September 8.

Members of Parliament, Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams, Ms. Sjamira Roseburg, Mr. Dimar Labega, and Mr. Francisco Lacroes joined the celebration, underscoring Parliament's support for literacy initiatives that positively impact the nation's youth.

Chairman of Parliament's Committee for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Affairs, MP Dimar Labega, thanked Mrs. Greta Rodney-Thompson, the participating children, parents, and guests for making the event a memorable success. He encouraged the children to remain curious, continue reading, and never stop learning.

Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Garrick Richardson presented Mrs. Greta Rodney-Thompson with a token of appreciation in recognition of her valuable contribution to promoting literacy and inspiring young readers through her engaging storytelling. He also reaffirmed Parliament's commitment to supporting education, literacy, and youth development.

Building on the success of this inaugural event, the Parliament of Sint Maarten looks forward to continuing its support for initiatives that foster a lifelong love of reading and inspire future generations.