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.

CARIBPR WIRE, SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico:---  L’Oréal Caribe and the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean announce the opening of the 2026 call for applications for the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program, an initiative that recognizes and supports outstanding women researchers from the region by awarding two $15,000 USD grants to advance the development of their scientific research.

The call for applications will be open from May 19 through August 14, 2026, and is intended for women scientists from the Caribbean who are pursuing doctoral studies, conducting postdoctoral research, or are in the early stages of a scientific research career within the program’s eligible STEM disciplines.

The program is part of the renowned global L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science movement, created to promote women’s participation in scientific research and help reduce the gender gaps that continue to persist in STEM fields. In the Caribbean, the initiative is carried out in collaboration with the Caribbean Academy of Sciences and the Caribbean Division of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

“At L’Oréal Caribe, we firmly believe that science needs the talent, creativity, and leadership of women to address the challenges of today and the future. Through For Women in Science, we seek to increase the visibility of and support women researchers who are generating knowledge and innovation with an impact on our region and the world,” said Liana Camacho, Market Vice President of L’Oréal Caribe.
Eligible candidates must conduct research in areas such as formal sciences, life and environmental sciences, materials science, engineering, and technological sciences. The awards seek to provide financial support and recognition to women who contribute to scientific advancement across different fields of knowledge and whose research helps drive solutions to some of the main challenges facing the region.

“UNESCO works to recognize and promote the talent of women in science, foster diverse perspectives, and break down the barriers that limit their professional development,” said Audrey Azoulay, General Director of UNESCO.

In its 2025 edition, the program recognized Jamaican scientists Dr. Lori-Ann Fisher and Dr. Arianne Brown Jordan for research addressing important health and environmental challenges. Dr. Fisher conducts research on genetic factors associated with liver diseases, while Dr. Brown Jordan studies the presence of bacterial diseases in water systems serving vulnerable communities. Their research highlights the impact of Caribbean women scientists in generating knowledge and solutions for the region.
Globally, women continue to face significant challenges in the scientific field. According to UNESCO data, women represent approximately one-third of researchers worldwide. Although Latin America and the Caribbean have a higher representation of women in science than the global average, significant challenges remain regarding access to funding, visibility, and leadership opportunities in scientific research.

Interested applicants can review the complete eligibility requirements and submit their applications through the For Women in Science application platform https://www.forwomeninscience.com/challenge/show/167 . The deadline to apply is August 14, 2026.

About L’Oréal Caribe
L’Oréal is recognized as the world’s leading beauty company, with a broad portfolio of brands distributed across four main divisions: Consumer Products, Professional Products, L’Oréal Luxe, and Dermatological Beauty. From its offices in Puerto Rico, L’Oréal Caribe oversees operations across 25 Caribbean islands, with the mission to create the beauty that moves the world: beauty that is inclusive, ethical, generous, and committed to social and environmental sustainability. With a portfolio of 31 international brands and ambitious sustainability goals under our L’Oréal for the Future program, we strive to offer everyone, everywhere, the best in quality, efficacy, safety, transparency, and responsibility, while celebrating beauty in all its infinite forms.

For more information, visit L’Oréal Caribe’s official website: https://www.loreal.com/en/caribe/