David Rodigan

This morning we are waking up to the deeply saddening news of the passing of Stephen “Cat” Coore, a towering figure in our cultural history and one of the architects of Jamaica’s global musical legacy. As a founding member and musical director of Third World, Cat Coore helped shape a sound that carried Jamaica’s rhythm, spirit, and message to every corner of the world. His artistry blended technical brilliance with deep cultural consciousness, creating music that was both timeless and unmistakably Jamaican. Cat Coore was a cultural ambassador in the truest sense, representing Jamaica with dignity, excellence, and pride. His contribution to the creative arts enriched our national identity and inspired generations of musicians at home and abroad. In recognition of his extraordinary service to Jamaican culture, he was deservedly awarded the Order of Distinction, honouring a lifetime dedicated to music and nation-building through the arts. On behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, I extend sincere condolences to his wife Lisa, his children, grandchildren, family, bandmates, and the global community of fans whose lives were touched by his work. May his music continue to live on, reminding us of who we are and the power of Jamaican creativity to unite the world.

Minister Dr. Andrew Wheatley and Minister Robert Morgan have been designated to oversee a special clean-up programme in Westgreen and Catherine Hall, St. James. The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and the Jamaica National Service Corps (JNSC), supported by over 200 workers, have been deployed to restore these communities to a clean and healthy environment. A phased clean-up operation is now underway. The first phase, clearing and washing out the affected areas, is progressing well. Next, we will sanitize the streets, and our teams will distribute disinfectant and bleach to reduce the spread of disease and protect the health of residents. This is a challenging time for many, but I want residents to know that the Government is fully with you. We remain committed to quick recovery, strong teamwork, and responsible leadership as we rebuild after Hurricane Melissa.

What gives Jamaica its true strength is the power of our local communities, our brotherhood and sisterhood, coming together in times of disaster. I am especially heartened by what the Chinese Benevolent Association is doing to support our people in this difficult period. With more than 150,000 homes damaged, the needs across the island are immense. Government resources alone cannot reach everyone as quickly as we would want, which is why your contribution is so important. I want to commend the many other groups, organizations, and individuals, both here and abroad, who continue to stand with Jamaica. Your generosity, service, and solidarity are helping to hold up families and rebuild communities across the island. You all help create a synergy far greater than anything we could accomplish separately.

One of the greatest songs of the 1970s. All civilised people agree on this.

In the midst of the crisis, innovation and technology are being used to develop solutions to many of the challenges being faced in Western Jamaica. I must applaud Johnson’s Petroleum for the preparedness in having these 10 mobile micro fuel stations ready to deploy to Western Parishes to refuel the local economy and provide much needed energy support to vehicles, boats & for other personal and residential use. #HurricaneMelissa

The international community has rallied to our aid with some noting that this is a catastrophe unlike any they have ever seen before. Jamaica is grateful for the outpouring of support and will continue to channel all our energies into getting our people the help they need. We know many communities are still struggling and still hurting and we are expanding our reach day by day to get to them. This is a time for all of us to stand together and that spirit of collaboration and helping each other is now on display. Help is being deployed and more help is on the way. We will reach each and everyone and we will rebuild stronger and more resilient communities after this historic disaster.

It's a year since Donald Trump won the US Presidential election. We've looked at the year that's followed. bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cg…

Darliston, Westmoreland got some supplies via a helicopter delivery.

Too many people are wasting time raising up pitch forks at anyone they don’t see publicly helping with Jamaica’s recovery, it’s so juvenile and quite frankly asinine. Some working publicly and others privately, all of it is welcomed 🙏🏽

A glimpse at the work @kfcjamaica has been doing with Hurricane Melissa recovery

JPS is bringing in an additional 100 overseas line workers and more than 60 utility trucks are being deployed to Jamaica to speed up power restoration following Hurricane Melissa. This is a massive joint effort, local and international teams working together to restore service, safety, and hope to our people. We are moving with urgency and unity.

Digicel has now restored 46% of its mobile sites, with 86% of fixed networks and 75% of business connections back online. Service has been restored in several key areas, including Santa Cruz, Falmouth, Spur Tree, Bevin, and Rose Hall. Over the next two days, efforts will focus on restoring connectivity from Falmouth to Montego Bay, and onward to Negril, with parallel work continuing in Portmore, Spanish Town, and St. Thomas. FLOW has restored 64% of its fixed sites, reconnecting 40% of customers, primarily in urban areas where power has returned. Mobile coverage now reaches approximately 78% of customers, as 37% of sites are operational. Repairs continue in the hardest-hit parishes, including St. Ann, Hanover, and St. Elizabeth, where several towers sustained damage. We have now received 400 Starlink residential/commercial units, all of which will be distributed to government agencies and NGOs by tomorrow, ensuring critical communication links remain open as relief efforts continue. I again thank our telecommunications partners and international allies for their swift response and collaboration in helping Jamaica reconnect and recover.

The Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, has launched the “I Love Jamaica” fundraising concert series, a global initiative to raise US$1 million for the Hurricane Melissa Relief Fund. The series will include a telethon and virtual concert on Sunday, November 16, broadcast live from the CPTC studios between 3:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Performers will include Chris Martin, Masicka, and several others, with additional artists to be announced. Concerts are also being organized across the diaspora. Both Jamaican and international artists have pledged their support, alongside prominent personalities who will help drive donations and pledges. Notably, Chris Gayle will partner with the CPL to champion overseas fundraising efforts.

The Government of Jamaica, through the National Works Agency (NWA), continues intensive efforts to clear blocked roads and restore access to communities affected by Hurricane Melissa. Our main priority has been to establish and maintain safe corridors for relief supplies to reach the western parishes most severely impacted. We have successfully opened major routes, including continuous access from St. Elizabeth to Savanna-la-Mar, and from Montego Bay through St. Ann and Trelawny to Westmoreland. Work is also ongoing in Manchester, Clarendon, St. Andrew, St. Catherine, and eastern parishes where flooding, landslides, and fallen trees continue to pose challenges. More than 100 contractors and equipment operators are deployed across the island to accelerate the recovery process. We are also coordinating daily with the Jamaica Public Service Company to safely remove fallen poles and restore electricity to affected communities. Our teams are working around the clock to reconnect communities and bring relief to every parish.

@chefjoseandres Amazing 👊🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

I’m here at Murray’s…is an incredible jerk chicken restaurant in Jamaica, where the team is cooking 5,000 meals for families in Clarendon impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Jamaicans helping Jamaicans…neighbors cooking for neighbors…showing the world what community looks like when people come together. This is Jamaica strong!! This is the spirit of @wckitchen! And we will keep cooking with our amazing local partners to reach anyone in need. #ChefsForJamaica

You can still hear my interview with Holly Cooke ⁦@bbc1xtra⁩ just by going to ⁦@BBCSounds⁩ …her new album ‘Shy Girl’ is now out.

In recent years, the first qualification to land a plum job as a radio presenter is to have absolutely no experience as a radio presenter. The second qualification is a level of celebrity which is now on the wane.  (Paul Burke ©️ ) @spectator

Today ⁦@bbc1xtra⁩ 1pm King Waggy Tee listen on ⁦@BBCSounds⁩

Hot shots ! My youth …in music.

This Sunday 10th August it’s a Harry Mudie’s special for the 2 O’Clock Drop on ⁦@1Xtra⁩ listen 🎧 on line live via bbc.co.uk/1xtra