Karim Benzema and Alexia Putellas win Ballon d’Or awards Loop Jamaica

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

PARIS (AP) — Karim Benzema won the men’s Ballon d’Or for the first time on Monday after a brilliant season with Real Madrid capped by the Champions League and Spanish league titles.

Spanish player Alexia Putellas won the women’s trophy for the second straight year following another standout season with Barcelona.

Benzema had his best season ever at Madrid, being the top scorer in both leagues. He scored 44 times for Madrid, including 15 in Europe’s top competition, and equalled Ra?l Gonz?lez as the club’s second-highest scorer behind Cristiano Ronaldo.

Benzema, at 34, became the oldest winner since the first recipient in 1956, Stanley Matthews.

“Age is just a number for me,” he said. “People play until their later years now and I still have this burning desire. It is this drive that has kept me going and never allowed me to let up.”

Benzema won ahead of Sadio Man? and Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne. Man? played for Liverpool last season and joined Bayern Munich in the summer.

“I’m really proud, it’s a lot of work and a kid’s dream come true,” Benzema said.

He succeeded Lionel Messi, who won the award for a record-extending seventh time last year but was not among the nominees this time after his first season with Paris Saint-Germain.

For the first time this year, the Ballon d’Or was based on achievements from the past season. It had previously been awarded based on performances throughout calendar years.

Awarded by France Football magazine, the Ballon d’Or has been given out to men for 66 years. The women’s trophy was created in 2018, and both were cancelled in 2020 because of the pandemic.

Benzema became the fifth Frenchman to win it after Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin and Zinedine Zidane, who was crowned in 1998, the year France won their first World Cup.

Benzema was not part of the France squad that triumphed at the 2018 World Cup in Russia but, barring an injury, will compete at the tournament in Qatar next month.

After nearly six years out following his involvement in a sex tape scandal, Benzema was recalled by France coach Didier Deschamps last year ahead of the European Championship and has played regularly since.

“There were much more difficult moments for me, when I was not selected (with France) and I did not give up,” Benzema said after Zidane, his former coach at Madrid, handed him the trophy. “I am really proud of my career. This is the Golden Ball of the people.”

Leading an attack that also included Vin?cius J?nior and Rodrygo, Benzema played a crucial role last season to drive Madrid to a record-extending 14th European title, and his fifth since he joined from Lyon in 2009. The Frenchman was the tournament’s top scorer and found the net when it really mattered, with 10 of his goals in the knockout stages.

Putellas scored 42 goals and delivered 22 assists last season. She became the first player to win the award twice.

With Barcelona, she won the Spanish League and reached the Champions League final. She has been sidelined since July after injuring her left knee and undergoing surgery on the eve of the Women’s European Championship.

“When I got injured I didn’t think I’d be here today, but it makes me proud to get recompense for all that hard work,” she said. “I miss playing so much and doing what I like to do the most.”

Putellas beat out fellow forwards Beth Mead of Arsenal and England and Sam Kerr of Chelsea and Australia for the award at the ceremony in Paris. A panel of international journalists chose the winners.

In other awards, the Kopa Trophy for the best under-21 player went to 18-year-old Barcelona midfielder Gavi, while Robert Lewandowski won the Gerd M?ller award for the best striker of the year.

The Lev Yashin award for best goalkeeper went to Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois.

Ballon d’Or organizers added a humanitarian prize named after the late Brazil midfielder Socrates. The trophy went to Man? for his charity work in Senegal including building a hospital and school donations.

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50 Cent Tribute Eminem On His 50th Birthday: “I Love You”

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Urban Islandz

50 Cent shared a tribute for Eminem as the Detroit rap legend turn 50.

The beefs in rap are often spoken about, but we should also highlight the friendships that endure the test of time. One such friendship was highlighted yesterday, October 17 as Eminem celebrated his 50th birthday. Even though several rappers took the time out on social media to send their best wishes to the “Rap God”, the one that stood out for fans was the greeting from 50 Cent. It’s important to note that Fif got his first shot at hip hop’s big stage when he got the chance to sign with Em’s Shady Records imprint in 2002.

Even after all the success, the “Candy Shop” rapper remains loyal to the Detroit native, and they have worked together on many different projects over the years. Taking to probably his favorite social media site, Instagram, the “Many Men” rapper posted:

“Happy birthday to my boy @eminem I love you, I’m wishing you many more God bless. I’m gonna come see you when I get done touring,” 50 Cent wrote. He made the post next to a photo of Eminem wearing a party hat and holding a gun.

Eminem’s associate Royce Da 5’9″, also used Instagram to wish his close friend a great day. “Next Week on SNL!. Nah.. Just kidding Happy Birthday to the [G.O.A.T.] @eminem Love you, Sunny Jim,” he said.

Another notable rapper that took the time to reach out to the “Without Me” rapper was Public Enemy’s Chuck D. He used Twitter to convey his message.

“Goat50 looks good on you champ many more @Eminem @Rapstation365,” he tweeted.

A host of other rappers and personalities expressed similar sentiments. Among them were Tony Yayo, Hot 97 and Apple Music host Ebro Darden, and former Aftermath producer Fredwreck.

The rapper, who often courted controversy early in his career, used the occasion of his 50th to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his hot-selling third album The Eminem Show. He debuted some new merchandise for the album, which dropped just about 20 years ago. A testament to how long he’s been in the game.

The new merch will include t-shirts and hoodies with imagery of the album. That also includes the tracklists, lyrics, and other accolades. Fans can also expect to get a photo of Em working with Dr. Dre in the studio. The new products are expected later this week on October 20.

There’s no doubt that “The Real Slim Shady” rapper has one of the most successful rap careers, which now spans decades. His first album was back in 1996 and was titled Infinite.

With his work with D12 and Bad Meets Evil, Eminem has achieved ten number-one albums on the Billboard 200. He has also sold more than 42 million tracks and 49.1 million albums in the United States and over 100 million albums worldwide.

The “Lose Yourself” artist was also the first rapper to win the Best Rap Album at the Grammys for three consecutive LPs. The first was The Slim Shady LP followed by The Marshall Mathers LP, and The Eminem Show.

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Kanye West Sued For $250 million By George Floyd Family After ‘Drink Champs’

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Urban Islandz

The family of George Floyd filed a defamation suit against billionaire rapper and designer Kanye West over misleading comments he made while on Drink Champs podcast.

The lawsuit comes a day after Drink Champs host Nore apologized for the comments West made, and they also pulled the entire podcast from their platforms by Monday night. The lawsuit was filed by Roxie Washington, the mother of George Floyd’s daughter, a minor who is the sole beneficiary of his estate.

In a release on Tuesday, Washington revealed that the Floyd estate has retained two law firms, Witherspoon Law Group and Dixon & Dixon Attorneys at Law, to initiate proceedings against Kanye West.

The suit is seeking $250 million in damages. “Kanye’s comments are a repugnant attempt to discount George Floyd’s life and to profit from his inhumane death,” the release quoted attorney Pat D. Dixon III said.

She added that the suit intends to hold Kanye accountable for the “flagrant remarks” about Floyd’s death and also to send a message to not only the ‘Donda’ rapper but everyone connected to him, including business partners and associates, as the comments were not only insensitive but also false.

The family is contending that Kanye’s comments, which disputed the manner and cause of death of Floyd, are tantamount to “harassment, misappropriation, defamation, and infliction of emotional distress,” on his daughter and the family.

During the rant-filled interview, Kanye West shares several statements that have been proven false about Floyd’s death. His statements which quote right-wing activist Candace Owens, state that the man was not killed by the police but rather that he had been drugged up on fentanyl. The statements by Kanye are similar to that offered by the police officers who arrested Floyd, one of whom sat on his neck for almost nine minutes while he complained about being unable to breathe.

The police officers claimed that Floyd had died from a fentanyl drug overdose, but a jury found them all liable for his death after the prosecution introduced evidence that while the deceased man did have a nonlethal amount of fentanyl in his bloodstream, his cause of death was ultimately homicide due to the reckless acts of the police.

The officer who sat on Floyd’s neck, Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of Floyd’s death and has been sentenced to 22 years in jail. Three other officers were also found guilty by a St. Paul federal jury of federal civil rights offenses arising out of the death of Floyd.

The case spurred nationwide protests after the officers were initially not removed from the frontline and continued to work after Floyd’s death which was caught on camera, went viral.

In the meantime, it’s unclear if Drink Champs has been named a party in the lawsuit, but co-host N.O.R.E issued several frantic apologies on Monday during a surprise phone-in on the Breakfast Club show.

“I don’t support none of it,” N.O.R.E. said. “I don’t support the George Floyd comments, I don’t support the antisemitic [comments]. That’s all I have is Jewish friends, all I have is Black friends. That’s it,” he added.

Drink Champs also issued an explanation for the show pulling the content.

“Drink Champs prides itself on its ability to allow a free flow of ideas within the hip hop community. That being said, unfortunately, the recent interview with Kanye West contained false and hurtful information regarding the circumstances surrounding the murder of George Floyd,” a representative for the show said in a statement via The Hollywood Reporter.

“Integrity is very important and we don’t want to promote false narratives on our platform. Our goal is to celebrate the culture. Therefore, we had no choice but to remove the episode from distribution. We apologize to the family of Mr Floyd and anyone else hurt by this episode,” the statement reads.

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A$AP Rocky Tells Judge He’s Too Busy For Shooting Victim’s Deposition

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Urban Islandz

A$AP Rocky has filed an application to hold off on his deposition in the civil lawsuit brought by his former friend A$AP Relli.

In documents filed over the weekend, the rapper requested that the judge put off a hearing that would see him being cross-examined by attorneys of Relli. The rapper was sued by his former friend for damages following a shooting allegedly by Rocky.

While the matter has been moving apace, A$AP Rocky has asked a judge to postpone his appearance for the deposition on October 19 as he is very “busy” reportedly with his music career, plans for touring, and business ventures that include traveling abroad, Radar Online reported.

The rapper had agreed to be deposed on November 16, but the plaintiff’s lawyer wanted him to appear on October 19 has threatened the “Fashion Killa” with court sanctions if he doesn’t show up on that date.

Rocky’s team said that the rapper is an “award-winning international recording artist, recording executive and music producer, recording, touring and performing worldwide,” who also “oversees several other business ventures including collaborations with national and international brands.”

The lawyer added that Rocky’s “various commitments and obligations substantially impose upon his time and professional schedule,” which affects his schedule to appear on the date that Relli’s team is demanding.

Relli claims that he was injured by a shot fired by the rapper ‘DMB” rapper. The civil suit is before the court simultaneously as Rocky faces criminal charges filed by the LAPD.

In the civil suit, Relli is suing the rapper for damages for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress using boilerplate language.

He claims that the rapper invited him to a location in Hollywood in November 2021, and he shot him after an argument.

“As a result of being placed in fear of immediate grievous bodily harm,” the victim “suffered and continues to suffer physical, mental and emotional injuries,” Relli’s lawsuit read.

Last month, Rocky replied to Relli’s lawsuit saying that Relli’s actions to start and instigate an altercation and intentional acts of third parties contributed to the damages he suffered.

The rapper also denied being guilty of the offenses and said he was being extorted by his jealous friend.

“Rocky didn’t commit a crime. It was an extortion attempt by a former associate, who threatened to make false criminal accusations if Rocky didn’t pay him,” it said.

A decision by the judge is pending.

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Nelson’s ex-attorney Scotland: No comment on plea-deal affair

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

MP Keith Scotland. File photo/Jeff K Mayers

ATTORNEY Keith Scotland has declined to comment on the Vincent Nelson affair and statements made by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar at the UNC’s Monday night Virtual Report.

Contacted on Tuesday, Scotland, who is also the PNM MP for Port of Spain South, said he wished to decline comment at this stage.

On Monday, Persad-Bissessar revealed e-mail correspondence purportedly from Nelson terminating the retainer fee he had been paying Scotland.

Scotland was part of Nelson’s legal team at his plea-deal discussions and hearing in 2019 and 2020.

In June 2019, Nelson pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiring to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit an act of corruption.

In March 2020, he was fined $2.5 million. Those fines are yet to be paid. He has said they must be paid by the State, as they form part of the agreement to indemnify him if he provided a statement on the alleged legal-fees kickback conspiracy with former attorney general Anand Ramlogan, ex-UNC senator Gerald Ramdeen and two UK attorneys.

Nelson, 64, is now suing the State for over $96 million for: loss of earnings after being expelled from a prestigious UK firm; loss of insurance benefits; the $2.5 million fine he was ordered to pay when he pleaded guilty; and additional sums if the UK authorities make demands on him for alleged unpaid taxes.

He has alleged the State breached the November 2017 indemnity agreement.

His civil claim was filed in February. In May, he is alleged to have told Scotland by e-mail he had concerns about his conflict of interest in the matter.

In the purported e-mail on May 26, Nelson said his concern had grown considerably over the last few weeks and he had decided it was in his best interests and for his peace of mind to terminate Scotland’s retainer.

Scotland was asked if he was Nelson’s attorney when the civil claim was filed and whether his client had terminated his retainer. He was also asked if he knew whether Nelson gave instructions to have the claim sealed.

On October 10, DPP Roger Gaspard, SC, announced the State was dropping the charges against Ramlogan and Ramdeen.

He said Nelson was not willing to give evidence in that matter until his claim for breach of the alleged indemnity agreement came to an end.

“Suffice it to say,” he added, “this court may be well aware that one of the primary considerations the State must consider is whether or not there is a fair prospect of conviction and at this stage and having regard to the fact that those civil proceedings may raise germane issues which may attend upon the credibility and reliability of Mr Nelson, the State at this stage is saying that we are discontinuing the case against the two defendants.

“Any other option, in my respectful view, especially having regard to the time that would have elapsed and the uncertainty of outcomes in relation to that civil case would make for unfairness to these defendants, and the DPP’s office is especially careful not to do anything that would cause the DPP’s office of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service to be associated with any such unfairness.”

So far, the Criminal Bar Association and the Assembly of Southern Lawyers have expressed concern over the affair. Former president of the Law Association Martin Daly condemned the purported agreement and the alleged role of former AG Al-Rawi.

Also contacted for comment, Law Association president Sophia Chote, SC, said she could not speak on the issue without the input and agreement of the association’s council.

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JSC: Public servants were productive working from home

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Independent Senator Paul Richards, chairman of the Parliament’s Joint Select Committee on Social Services and Public Administration.

MOST workers in the public service were happy to work from home, and productivity online during pandemic lockdowns generally matched that of office-based staff, said a recent report by Parliament’s Joint Select Committee (JSC) on Social Services and Public Administration chaired by Independent Senator Paul Richards.

“According to the Ministry of Public Administration (MPA), the view that there is low productivity and poor service delivery in the Public Service has not been substantiated by data,” the JSC report said, referring to the work-from-home (WFH) period.

However, there is not yet any WFH policy for the public service, nor any labour laws to regulate this activity. A survey of 66 managers in the public service, municipal corporations, and Tobago House of Assembly (THA) got 58 responses. Most managers – 60 per cent – said most employees who worked from home had done so “just as effectively” as at their workplace. Some 34 per cent said employees worked from home less effectively.”Five per cent of respondents indicated that most employees who worked from home did so more effectively than when they worked from their assigned place of work.”

Results were less clear-cut as to how WFH practices had affected worker productivity, with fewer managers saying it had remained the same, but more saying it had improved. The same rate of pessimism existed for WFH productivity as for worker effectiveness, that is, 34 per cent.

Some 46 per cent of managers said productivity remained the same, while ten per cent said it had increased. Some 34 per cent indicated a decrease, while nine per cent were uncertain. The JSC opined, “It was encouraging to note that the majority of state bodies reported that their employees were able to work just as effectively at home as they did in the office”.

The JSC said the findings suggest a significant potential to standardise WFH arrangements in the public sector within an apt regulatory framework.

“In light of the finding that the majority of state entities surveyed reported that employees were able to work just as effectively from home, the Chief Personnel Officer/ Personnel Department should provide an update to the Parliament on its reclassification exercise, inclusive of its assessment of public-sector jobs that can be done from home.”

The report said, last year the Ministry of Planning and Development was given $300,000 to develop a WFH policy for the Public Service.”A survey of 1,068 public-sector employees representing ten MDAs conducted by the Ministry of Planning and Development indicated that 853 (82 per cent) of them were able to work from home.” MDAs refer to ministries, departments and agencies in the public sector.

The report gave figures showing most respondents, 69 per cent, were under 44 and so likely to be familiar with online technology and so have access to the survey. These were 38 per cent aged 25-34 and 32 per cent aged 35-44.

Overwhelmingly, most staff said they liked working from home – 59 per cent being very comfortable, 19 per cent comfortable, and 12 per cent fairly comfortable. Seven per cent were neutral and three per cent were not comfortable working from home.

Some 91 per cent said they wanted to continue working from home. Nine per cent did not.

The report said WFH “allows for more productivity, flexibility and reduced transportation cost; projects will be delivered on time; and less time spent in traffic.

“Some of the reasons for not wanting to continue to work from home include getting more done at the office, preferring to separate work life from home life, social isolation, and distractions.”

The report said while most staff wanted to work from home, there was a need to look into reasons for not wanting to work from home and offer assistance or solutions where practicable.

Some 87 per cent of staff had facilities to enable them to work from home; 13 per cent said they did not.

The JSC said, “The Personnel Department will be responsible for any adjustment made to terms and conditions of employment related to any WFH policy implemented and indicated that majority unions will need to be consulted should any changes need to be made to terms and conditions of employment.”

The department is now evaluating 1,621 jobs in the public service, the report added. Some 35 per cent of these jobs can be done remotely, the JSC said, while 36 per cent were considered to be hybrid and done partially from home.

“Based on ILO guidelines, when employees are working from home, the home space becomes an extension of the work space.

“There is currently no case law in TT to govern employer responsibility when employees work from home. However, there is precedent established in other jurisdictions.”

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Errol Fabien out of hospital, ready to ‘rock ‘n’ roll’

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Errol Fabien. File photo/Sureash Cholai

Comedian and television and radio presenter Errol Fabien is “ready to rock and roll” after a motorbike accident on October 3. He was hospitalised at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) for some days afterwards.

He was discharged on October 7.

Fabien shared the news of the accident in a video on Facebook.

Although he appeared groggy at the time, he was in high spirits, and thanked people who helped him to the hospital and the “amazing health system.”

Newsday reported, “In the video, Fabien is seen in a hospital bed, with bandages around his torso and his left arm in a cast and sling. He said in spite of his appearance, he expects to be released ‘within a day or so.”

In a phone interview on Tuesday, Fabien said his first clinic visit was that day.

He added that he was now moving into the physiotherapy phase of his recovery, and his cuts and bruises were healing well.

“It was my dislocated (left) shoulder that the doctors were most concerned with, and they gave me a very favourable feedback from my clinic visit. My next clinic visit will be on December 1,” he said.

He also suffered cuts and bruises to his feet, elbows and arms.

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Chief Sec tells vendors: Good service critical to food hub’s success

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Tobago

Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, right, buys a scented candle from Melissa Sylvan, left, of Exotic Bath Creations by Mel at the opening of Shaw Park Food Hub on Monday. Photo by David Reid

THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine told a gathering of small entrepreneurs on Monday that they must always practise good customer service when selling their products to locals and foreigners.

He was delivering the feature address at the opening of the Shaw Park Food Hub. The theme of the event was All Things Tobago.

The hub, on Orange Hill Road, near the Shaw Park Cultural Complex, is meant to be a centre for commercial activity not just for local, agro-processed products but also for art and craft, indigenous cuisine and entertainment. It is a collaboration between the Division of Food Security, Natural Resources, the Environment and Sustainable Development and the Tobago Agri-Business Development Company.

Augustine said customer service is critical to the success of the hub.

“I pray to God that the food hub does not adopt traditional market-vendor behaviour… that we are able to evolve in the way we treat people,” he said. “Treat every Tobagonian that comes to your stall the same way you will treat a foreigner or – let me put in plainly – treat every Tobagonian that comes to your stall the same way your would treat a white man with a foreign accent.

“And be reminded that every Trinidadian that walks through this space is in fact a tourist too, and they must be treated as tourists.”

Saying Tobagonians and Trinidadians may not always agree “on the political side,” Augustine added, “You see, when it comes to our space, we must treat them with dignity and treat them with love and keep them coming back, because they are tourists too, and deserve our best customer service.”

He told the entrepreneurs they should not be discouraged by low sales.

“I encourage you to keep pressing on. There will be days that you will come here and the sales will be very low. You might come here a day and wouldn’t make $100 or $200…But there will be days you will come here and be overwhelmed and all your goods will be sold.”

The point, he said, was: “Good entrepreneurs stick to it.

“Keep consistency with the quality of your product. Keep producing every bene ball, every pone, loaf of bread, produce it with all the love you can put into it, so that when you are giving that product you are giving the best of yourself.”

He said they should always bear in mind that the patron with whom they are interacting will be getting an example of what Tobago has to offer.

“You might be their only impression of Tobago.”

Augustine said the Shaw Park hub will bring some liveliness back to Scarborough.

“For a while, Scarborough became a place where you catch a car to go somewhere else to the action. But what this is doing is providing avenues in our capital that people will want to stay and engage each other.”

Vendor Lydia Joseph, of Lyd’s Products, displays her homemade seamoss and wines at the opening of the Shaw Park Food Hub. Photo by David Reid

He added the initiative is in sync with the global trend of gastronomic tourism (travellers visiting for the sake of sampling new foods characteristic of that place),

“That has become a signal component of tourism the world over, because you recognise that gastronomic tourism provides visitors with opportunities to create unique and memorable experiences that will highlight kitchen cultures and local and regional foods.”

Augustine said gastronomic tourism also promotes an understanding of different cultures.“There is no better way to share your culture with people than with a plate of food. In one plate of food, someone can understand so much about a people.”

He said it is emerging as one of the most important sub-sectors of the tourism industry globally.

The hub, which is 80 per cent complete, will soon offer facilities for dirt-oven baking. Bleachers are to be built on its periphery for outdoor events

Augustine suggested provisions be made for Wifi access and wide-screen monitors for patrons so that they can enjoy sports, especially with the World Cup just around the corner. He also suggested a playpark for children.

Similar food hubs are being planned for Roxborough and Mason Hall.

Augustine said the division is preparing to rehabilitate the Botanical Gardens in Scarborough.

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Iwokrama River Lodge’s good practice story selected as part of 2022 Green Destinations Top 100 Stories list

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
The Iwokrama Canopy Walkway

Every year the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories competition collects sustainable tourism stories and good practices from destinations all over the world to be shared as inspiring examples to others, from tourism professionals to travellers.

By telling their stories, destination management organisations are acknowledged and recognised for the solutions they have implemented in response to challenges and problems to sustainable development they have faced.

With the tourism sector facing very challenging times in the past years, the resiliency and hard work of these destinations to become more responsible should be celebrated.

The 2022 selection included IWOKRAMA RIVER LODGE, with the story “PROTECTION OF THE NATURAL AND SCENIC VIEWS OF THE IWOKRAMA FOREST…”.

This story seeks to highlight how the Iwokrama organisation protects the natural and scenic views of the Iwokrama Forest through conservation and rigorous monitoring plan and activities.

Submissions were evaluated by the Green Destinations Top 100 Team, country experts and Green Destination Partners, coordinated by Green Destinations. The Top 100 Committee stresses that selection to the Top 100 list does not imply the destination is sustainable, but that the destination has been pre-selected based on a minimum level of compliance with the core criteria of the Green Destinations Standard and selected to the list based on the assessment of their Good Practice Story.

The competition is held under the auspices of the Top 100 Partnership, with special contributions by Green Destinations, QualityCoast, Travelife, ITB Berlin, Asian Ecotourism Network, Ecotourism Australia, Global Ecotourism Network, Sustainable First and GLP Films.

This competition is also supported by the Future of Tourism Coalition. The story “PROTECTION OF THE NATURAL AND SCENIC VIEWS OF THE IWOKRAMA FOREST…” and the whole 2022 Top 100 list is available on the Green Destinations website.

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Guyana recorded over 31,000 Covid infections this year

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Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana

An analysis of Guyana’s coronavirus numbers has shown that 31,329 persons contracted the virus for the year thus far.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony shared statistics on Monday during the COVID-19 briefing, where he highlighted that January saw the highest spike, at 19,900 cases. By February, the number dropped to 2570 cases.

The following months showed 379 in March; 267 in April; 1686 in May; 2715 in June; 2456 in July; 1032 in August; 287 in September and 37 for October thus far.

Presently, only 47 active cases are being monitored by the Health Ministry, but he maintained that this might be an underestimation of the actual situation.

“There are still people who are infected with COVID and while we have been tracking 47 cases, this is probably an underestimate because there are lots of people who might have flu-like symptoms and they might mistake those symptoms for flu. They can easily infect other people. The idea is that if you want to remain safe, you should wear a mask, especially if you’re in a crowded area and in indoor environments,” Dr Anthony relayed.

A breakdown of active cases reflects one in Region Two, two in Region Three, 25 in Region Four, one in Region Five, 10 in Region Six, five in Region Seven, one in Region Eight, one in Region Nine and one in Region 10.

To date, Guyana has recorded 71,404 confirmed cases. Only one infection was reported in the Health Ministry’s dashboard on Monday. No cases are being monitored in the Intensive Care Unit.

There are two persons in institutional isolation, 44 in home isolation, and two in institutional quarantine. To date, deaths remain at 1281 while recoveries are pegged at 70,077. Since the pandemic was detected locally, 32,726 males and 38,678 females contracted the virus.

In the meantime, vaccines are still offered countrywide at the various sites. Sinopharm, Pfizer, Moderna and a limited number of Johnson and Johnson vaccines remain available.Symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough, tiredness, diarrhoea, pains, sore throat and loss of taste or smell. The more serious symptoms are difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain and loss of speech or movement.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy.

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