COCI's clean-up efforts underway.

PHILIPSBURG--At least two businesses operating along Ring Road were forced to close on Wednesday after rotten meat allegedly removed from a Carnival booth container that had been causing a foul stench for days was allegedly dumped into the Pond on Tuesday night, creating an unbearable odor throughout the area.

Symbolic ground breaking at the former Club Orient Resort. From left: Steven Patrick, President Louis Mussington, Stephen Payne, Lloyd Tackling and Christine Page. (Robert Luckock photo)

 ORIENT BEACH--A groundbreaking ceremony for construction of a new luxury naturist resort on the grounds of the former Club Orient Resort took place on Tuesday in the presence of officials from the company Griselle SAS, Collectivité President Louis Mussington, and former Club Orient employees.

The ACP-SXM banner leads the march to NV GEBE. (Robert Luckock photo)

PHILIPSBURG--The well-publicised protest march organised by Association for Consumer Protection St. Maarten (ACP-SXM) on Monday to deliver a petition to NV GEBE to demand accountability and transparency over its practices, passed off successfully.

The teams, presenters, and attendees.

PHILIPSBURG--The Government of St. Maarten and the World Bank have launched a strategic framework and roadmap for the St. Maarten Disaster Reserve Fund (DRF), a new mechanism designed to provide immediate financing after future disasters and strengthen the country's ability to recover more quickly.

Meteorologist and Head of the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS) Joseph Isaac during last week’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) meeting briefing members of the EOC and Emergency Support Function (ESF) coordinators with respect to the forecast for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. (DCOMM Photo)