Newsboyphil Reporting from Kingston, Jamaica

Its the weekend and all the chatter in these parts settle around the New orleans politicking. A bewildered US President Bush during prime time on TV last night accepted personal responsibility for failures in his Government's response to Hurricane Katrina. He also announced a reconstruction plan to rebuild the communities of the Gulf Coast. Mr Bush, who delivered his address from the heart of New Orleans' deserted French Quarter, said the disaster had been a "dark chapter" in US history but pledged that the Crescent City would rise again. The death toll from the disaster, on August 29, now stands at 792 across the affected region. One British citizen is among the dead and 100 people are still missing.  Mr Bush gave no details about how much more money would be required in the relief effort. Congress has already approved a $62 billion package of aid but that is expected to fast run out and some Republicans have warned that the huge bill will exceed 200 billion.

On Monday Mr Bush had named Miami native R. David Paulison as acting director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, replacing Mike Brown. Brown resigned Monday after days of criticism over what some said was a slow and ineffective response to Hurricane Katrina’s devastation.

So, Four Jamaican hotel workers in Biloxi, Mississippi were arrested for looting in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The four workers were taken into custody recently. Looting we are told was widespread in portions of Louisiana and Mississippi following the storm, with stranded survivors crashing storefronts taking whatever they could find. Other Jamaicans stranded in area were H2- B hotel workers, about 350 of them stationed on the Gulf Coast have been accounted and flown back home.

If you know New Orleans you know that music is a huge part of the culture. Jamaican entertainer and music artist Akshan and friends will be hosting a benefit concert for the victums of this disaster. The event, Saturday, September 17th
8:00 PM @ Children's Studio School
1301 V Street NW. Washington, DC 20009 (Corner of 13th and V st. NW)
Free Cover--Donations accepted

Aside from that Akshan will be donating all proceeds from online sales of CD to the American
Red Cross disaster relief effort. Every dollar raised will go to support the recovery of the people of New
Orleans. http://akshanmusic.com/

Best of wishes to the people of New Orleans, we know that they will be successful in rebuilding as they continue to represent the diaspora in music and culture.