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TBILISI, Georgia — Simon Leviev, the infamous con artist whose elaborate romance scams were chronicled in the Netflix documentary *The Tinder Swindler*, has been released from custody in Georgia after German authorities withdrew their extradition request. Leviev, whose real name is Shimon Yehuda Hayut, had been detained for two months following his arrest on September 15 at Batumi airport on an Interpol red notice issued by Germany.

The latest release of emails from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has unveiled the vast network of influential figures he maintained connections with, including a top adviser to former President Donald Trump and Britain’s disgraced Prince Andrew. The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote next week on compelling the release of evidence gathered on Epstein by law enforcement, which may include the identities of individuals linked to his alleged sex trafficking ring. This week’s email disclosures have already shed new light on Epstein’s extensive associations. Among the revelations are multiple references to Donald Trump, who has dismissed calls for transparency as a ‘hoax’ while urging investigations into Epstein’s ties to others, including former President Bill Clinton. The emails, spanning from 2009 to 2019, were released by congressional Democrats and include exchanges with prominent figures such as Prince Andrew, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, and former Obama treasury secretary Larry Summers. Epstein’s death in 2019, ruled a suicide, occurred while he was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The emails also reveal interactions with Kathryn Ruemmler, a former Obama adviser, and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s associate convicted of sex trafficking. These communications highlight the breadth of Epstein’s influence and the ongoing scrutiny of his network.

In a significant development following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica Public Service (JPS) President and CEO Hugh Grant announced a dramatic improvement in the island’s electricity restoration efforts. Speaking at a press conference in St James on Thursday, Grant revealed that power service has jumped from 23% to 67% within just two weeks. Over 310,000 customers have now been reconnected to the grid, a feat attributed to meticulous preparation, resilient infrastructure, and strategic partnerships.

In response to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, GraceKennedy Group (GK) has unveiled a $200 million relief initiative aimed at addressing critical needs across Jamaica. The program focuses on four core areas: food security, financial accessibility, health and wellness, and education. GK’s CEO, Frank James, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting affected communities, stating, ‘Our priority is to help Jamaica recover and rebuild stronger than before.’ The initiative has garnered support from key business partners, including Frito-Lay (PepsiCo), Western Union, and Proctor & Gamble, who are contributing essential supplies such as food, water, and hygiene products. GK has also collaborated with international organizations like World Central Kitchen to provide hot meals to residents in the hardest-hit parishes. Additionally, the company has distributed over 1,300 care packages through its GraceKennedy Foundation Food Bank, with plans to deliver 1,500 more this week. Each package contains enough supplies to sustain a family of four for one week. GK’s financial services arm has played a pivotal role in restoring cash access by reopening branches and waiving remittance fees. The company is also addressing health needs by donating medical supplies and clean water to hospitals, while offering counselling services to employees affected by the disaster. As Jamaica transitions from emergency relief to recovery, GK is shifting its focus to long-term resilience, particularly in education and agriculture. The company is re-equipping schools and supporting farming communities to ensure food security and educational continuity. ‘Melissa has tested our resilience, but together, we are stronger,’ James concluded, reaffirming GK’s dedication to Jamaica’s recovery.

Residents of Wakefield district in Trelawny, Jamaica, are facing severe isolation and hardship after heavy rains exacerbated the flooding caused by Hurricane Melissa. The community, already grappling with the aftermath of the hurricane, now finds itself nearly cut off from the outside world. Three main entrances are impassable for most vehicles, leaving residents reliant on large vans that charge exorbitant fees for transportation. Sharon Morris, a local resident, lamented the dire situation, stating that food supplies are scarce and shared among neighbors. Fayon Ellis, another resident, described how the flooding has trapped them, making it impossible to travel to nearby towns like Falmouth or Montego Bay. The Observer team, which visited the area, had to navigate makeshift routes to access the community, encountering significant flooding along the way. Leonie Clarke and her son Rodwayne highlighted the longstanding drainage issues that have worsened the flooding, with water unable to escape due to poorly designed infrastructure. While some residents use a makeshift bridge to move within the community, the roads ahead remain blocked. Rodwayne emphasized that the problem could be resolved with proper drainage work before the next rainy season. The lack of clean water has become a pressing concern, with residents fearing the health risks posed by contaminated water and the inability to access medical help in emergencies. Mae Allen expressed her desperation, suggesting that only a helicopter could rescue them. Despite relief efforts by organizations like World Central Kitchen and The Jamaica Guangdomg Association, essential supplies had not reached Wakefield by the time the Observer team departed.