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The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has left the coastal community of Priory in St Ann, Jamaica, grappling with devastation and uncertainty. Kayan Davis, a mother of three, faced the harrowing reality of losing her roof during the Category 5 storm, which struck with winds reaching 185 miles per hour. ‘The zinc was flying off,’ Davis recounted, clutching her nine-year-old daughter. ‘I have nowhere to sleep.’ Her plight mirrors that of her neighbor, fisherman George Brown, who described the hurricane as the worst he has ever witnessed, surpassing even Hurricane Gilbert in intensity. Marvin Thomas, a janitorial services provider, also suffered significant damage when a mango tree crashed onto his home, destroying the roof. Despite the despair, stories of resilience emerged. Adina Higgins, a 62-year-old resident, opened her home to neighbors seeking refuge during the storm. ‘We took them in and they slept for the night,’ Higgins said, providing beds and warm clothes to those in need. As the community begins the arduous task of rebuilding, the scars of Hurricane Melissa serve as a stark reminder of nature’s fury and the strength of human compassion.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Andrea Purkiss, Member of Parliament for Hanover Eastern, has issued an urgent appeal for assistance to support residents in her constituency who have suffered extensive damage. Speaking on Thursday, Purkiss described the widespread devastation across Eastern Hanover, with numerous homes destroyed, roofs torn off, and entire communities left isolated.

PARIS, France — World Athletics, the global governing body for track and field, disclosed on Thursday that former employees had embezzled over €1.5 million ($1.7 million) in what it termed a case of ‘systematic theft.’ The organization has provided comprehensive evidence to judicial and legal authorities to facilitate a criminal investigation. The scandal led to the termination of a consultant and an employee, while another implicated staff member had already departed before the misconduct was discovered. President Sebastian Coe emphasized the organization’s commitment to transparency and accountability, pledging to employ ‘the full force of the law’ to reclaim the stolen funds. Coe criticized the common practice of concealing such incidents, asserting that World Athletics prioritizes integrity and good governance, even in uncomfortable situations.

Montego Bay, St James, witnessed scenes of desperation and disorder on Thursday as a limited number of operational petrol stations faced overwhelming demand from residents and motorists. Many individuals, carrying containers, flocked to these stations in a bid to secure petrol or diesel, essential for maintaining daily activities. One resident highlighted the critical need for gasoline to power generators, which have become indispensable in their daily lives. ‘Without the gas, we don’t have any light and ting,’ she remarked. Tensions escalated at a Union Street gas station, where disputes nearly turned violent as people vied for their share of the scarce resource. ‘All machete people draw because a the gas thing,’ a witness recounted to Observer Online. By late afternoon, long queues persisted at locations like the Thrifty Gas Station in Rose Hall, as individuals waited patiently to fill their vehicles and containers.

In the wake of the unprecedented devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, IsraAID, Israel’s foremost independent humanitarian organization, has swiftly launched an emergency response initiative. The Category 5 hurricane, the most powerful ever recorded in Jamaica and the region, made landfall in Black River, St. Elizabeth, on Tuesday, unleashing sustained winds of 185 mph, torrential rains, and a 10-foot storm surge. The storm wreaked havoc across the island’s southwestern coast, causing widespread destruction before weakening and moving northward.

In a significant move, King Charles III has officially stripped his younger brother, Prince Andrew, of his royal titles and privileges. The decision, announced by the palace on Thursday, marks a dramatic shift in the royal family’s handling of the ongoing controversy surrounding Prince Andrew. The statement declared, ‘His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew.’ Consequently, Prince Andrew will now be referred to as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, a clear departure from his previous royal status. Additionally, he will vacate his long-standing residence within the grounds of Windsor Castle. This decision comes in the wake of renewed public outrage over allegations made by one of Jeffrey Epstein’s primary accusers, which Prince Andrew has consistently denied. The palace’s action underscores the monarchy’s efforts to distance itself from the scandal and maintain its public image.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Trelawny, Jamaica, witnessed a significant police presence on Wednesday as officers worked tirelessly to clear the extensive damage left by the storm. A dedicated team of 30 police personnel, under the leadership of Superintendent Velonique Campbell, took to the streets armed with chainsaws and machetes to remove fallen trees that had obstructed major roadways.