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Donald Sinclair, a long-serving tourism advocate, educator and public-sector leader who played a key role in shaping Guyana’s tourism sector, has died, and the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) are paying tribute to him.

Sinclair had more than 35 years of experience across local, regional and international tourism and hospitality, spanning pelicy development, education and on-the-ground programme delivery.

“He was a key architect of Guyana’s National Tourism Policy, helping guide the country’s focus toward its natural landscapes, rich wildlife, and diverse cultural heritage,” the GTA stated.

Mr. Sinclair served as Executive Director of the GTA, as Director General of Tourism within the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, and as the Chairman of the GTA’s Board of Directors.

Sinclair was also President of the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF),

The GTA said that throughout his career, Sinclair championed a “community-first” philosophy, supporting the decentralisation of tourism to ensure that Indigenous and rural communities benefit directly from the industry.

Alongside his public-sector work, Sinclair was a committed educator, lecturing at universities in Guyana, the United States and Canada, and serving as a senior lecturer in sustainable tourism management. He also contributed to regional capacity building as a lecturer and director at the Suriname Hospitality and Tourism Training School.

His academic work extended internationally through research articles on tourism published in a range of global journals and professional publications.

Within the Ministry of Tourism, Sinclair was also involved in implementing practical tourism initiatives, including community-based and product-development programmes. Among them was the Coconut Festival, an agro-tourism event that promoted cultural heritage, local enterprise and greater community participation in tourism.

THAG said Sinclair’s legacy lay in his ability to bridge education, policy and practical development, and described his career as one marked by mentorship, vision and service.

The association extended condolences to his family, colleagues, students and the wider tourism community, saying his contributions to Guyana and regional tourism would be remembered with respect and gratitude.

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Government Technical Institute (GTI), Queen’s College, and President’s College secured victories as the inaugural Schools Basketball League tipped off in Georgetown on Friday.

The Under-18 competition marks a shift in the local sporting landscape, moving away from traditional knockout formats to a full home-and-away structure.

The new format guarantees each participating school 10 games through March 22, an initiative organizers say is designed to bridge the gap between training and high-stakes competition.

GTI recorded the day’s most dominant performance, defeating Marian Academy 84-38 on the road. In other opening-day action, host Queen’s College beat St. Stanislaus College 66-42, while President’s College edged St. Rose’s High 47-41 in a closely contested defensive match.

TOURNAMENT STATS: https://www.sblgy.com/match/42716851.html

Organisers stated the league is built on a philosophy of increasing match frequency to aid skill retention and tactical growth among student-athletes.

The league resumes on Jan. 23 with Marian Academy hosting Queen’s College and St. Stanislaus facing St. Rose’s High at Burnham Court.

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Courtney Walsh will be Zimbabwe’s bowling consultant for the upcoming T20 World Cup. A Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) statement said Walsh had already begun working with the squad.

Walsh, the West Indies great who was the first man to take 500 Test wickets, has previously served as specialist bowling coach for Bangladesh men and as head coach with West Indies women.

In 2024, he was also a technical consultant with the Zimbabwe women’s team.

“I think we have a very good chance once we execute well and work together as a team and adapt to the conditions,” Walsh said after his appointment. “The combination of the attack has impressed me from watching and the potential that’s within the team.”

Zimbabwe’s bowling attack in their T20 World Cup squad, under Sikandar Raza’s captaincy, includes Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava and Tinotenda Maposa as their quicks. Brad Evans and Tashinga Musekiwa are the seam-bowling allrounders. Their spinners, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer and Raza, form an experienced pack.

ZC managing director Givemore Makoni said Walsh’s appointment aimed at harnessing his “ability to mentor” the bowlers.

“As we prepare for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, it was important for us to bring in someone who understands what it takes to succeed on the global stage,” Makoni said. “Courtney’s knowledge, professionalism and ability to mentor players will be invaluable as we sharpen our bowling resources for the challenges ahead.”

Zimbabwe are in Group B at the T20 World Cup, alongside Australia, Ireland, Oman and tournament co-hosts Sri Lanka. All four of Zimbabwe’s group games are in Sri Lanka across three venues, two in Colombo and one in Pallekele. They return to the tournament after failing to qualify for the 2024 edition. (ESPNcricinfo) 

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The ICC has decided to send officials to Dhaka this weekend to meet the BCB’s top brass in a bid to resolve the impasse over Bangladesh travelling to India for the T20 World Cup that starts in three weeks.

The ICC’s team is expected to provide the BCB with security details including an independent assessment as part of the discussions.

The development comes days after the BCB reiterated its stance of not sending Bangladesh to play in co-hosts India’s venues owing to “security concerns.”

So far, meetings and discussions have taken place via video conference; this will be the first time the two parties will meet in person.

During the January 13 virtual meeting, the BCB asked the ICC to move Bangladesh, who are placed in Group C, outside India.

However, the ICC said it would not tweak the original schedule, with the tournament start date – February 7 – less than a month away. Bangladesh are scheduled to play on that opening day, against West Indies, in Kolkata.

With relations between India and Bangladesh tense in recent times, the BCB sent a letter to ICC on January 4 stating it would not be safe for Bangladesh to travel to India for the World Cup where its four group matches are scheduled.

That was in response to the BCCI “authorising” Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh left-arm fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman. No specific reason was given for that decision.

A Risk Assessment report for the World Cup, compiled by an independent security agency, and accessed by ESPNcricinfo, says the threat to teams playing in India is in the moderate-high band but there is “no information to indicate a direct threat against participating teams.”

The ICC shared that security assessment report with the BCB in their last call, which indicated no specific or heightened threat to the Bangladesh cricket team in India.

The assessment was shared with the BCB’s security team and concluded there was no overall threat to the side, but pointed to low to moderate risks in some venues and low to nil in others – standard ICC categorisations around the world that do not ordinarily constitute sufficient reason to move games. (ESPNcricinfo) 

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Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the murder and stabbing incident that occurred on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Barakat Landing, Cuyuni River, which resulted in the death of 27-year-old Matthew Ramlichan.

Ramlichan, a pork-knocker of the Soesdyke–Linden Highway, reportedly died after being stabbed during the incident. Following investigations and information received, police ranks on Friday, at approximately 08:30 hrs, proceeded to Barakat Backdam.

At the location, police contacted a 38-year-old male gold miner of Half Mile, Wismar, Linden. He was informed of the allegation, cautioned, and subsequently arrested.

Additionally, two Venezuelan nationals—both females, aged 37 and 27—who were present at the location at the time, were also taken into police custody.

All three individuals remain in custody and are assisting police with ongoing investigations.

Authorities have indicated that investigations into the matter are continuing.

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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is expected to make an initial appearance in Manhattan federal court on Monday, according to a Justice Department official.

Maduro was captured in Caracas, Venezuela on Saturday morning by the United States’ armed forces following months of planning.

While the operation was approved by US President Donald Trump four days ago, military and intelligence planners suggested he wait for better weather and less cloud cover.

In the early hours of Saturday, the mission – which would be known as Operation Absolute Resolve – to capture Maduro started with Trump watching the livestream surrounded by his advisers at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida.

The top U.S. general, General Dan Caine, told reporters that the operation involved more than 150 aircraft taking off from 20 bases around the Western Hemisphere, including F-35 and F-22 fighter jets, and B-1 bombers.

Trump at a press conference on Saturday promised to put the country under American control for now, including by deploying U.S. forces if necessary.

“We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump said.

“We can’t take a chance that someone else takes over Venezuela who doesn’t have the interests of Venezuelans in mind.”

It is unclear how Trump plans to oversee Venezuela.

However, the US President said a U.S. occupation “won’t cost us a penny” because the U.S. would be reimbursed from the “money coming out of the ground,” referring to Venezuela’s oil reserves.

Trump said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been in touch with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez — Maduro’s presumptive successor.

“‘We’ll do whatever you need,’” Trump quoted Rodríguez as saying. “She really doesn’t have a choice,” he added.

Trump was asked how the U.S. running Venezuela falls into his administration’s “America First” strategy.

“Well, I think it is because we want to surround ourselves with good neighbors. We want to surround ourselves with stability. We want to surround ourselves with energy. We have tremendous energy in that country, it’s very important that we protect it,” he said.

He also said “We want safety there. We want to be surrounded by countries that aren’t housing all of our enemies all over the world. That’s what was happening. And you don’t want to have that, but we’re going to be rebuilding and we’re not spending money. The oil companies are going to go in, they’re going to spend money there.” (Extracted from Reuters)

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Lawrence Joseph called “Tuggy,” a 38-year-old Businessman of Republic Gardens, Georgetown was remanded to prison on Friday for the Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition without a Licence, Contrary to Section 16(2)(a) of the Firearms Act, Chapter 16:05.

Joseph was arrested by police on Thursday in connection with the case and was subsequently charged.

He appeared on Friday at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court before His Worship Clive Nurse where the charges were read to him. The accused pleaded not guilty to both charges. Bail was refused, and he was remanded to prison.

The matter was adjourned to February 20, 2026.

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A 47-year-old Chief Security Officer of South Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was on Friday granted $400,000 bail for the Possession of a Firearm without a Licence and Possession of Ammunition without a Licence, contrary to Section 16(2)(a) of the Firearms Act, Chapter 16:05.

Edward McCollin, called “Butler,” was arrested by police on Thursday, January 1, 2026.

On Friday, he appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court where the charges were read to him.

The accused pleaded not guilty to both charges and was granted bail.

The matter was adjourned to February 18, 2026.

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See full Statement from the Attorney General’s Chambers:

Fugitive Offender Azruddin Mohamed, in his latest response to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), continues his incredible portrayal as an alleged victim of political persecution rather than accept that his current state of affairs are consequences of sanctions imposed upon him, his father and their business by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury, and an Extradition Request from the United States Government in respect of serious international financial crimes for which him and his father are indicted in a Court in Southern Florida.

It is public knowledge that these OFAC sanctions prohibit the Mohameds and their businesses from conducting transactions and exposes US citizens, US businesses and indeed all other entities to severe consequences for transacting business with them or their commercial outfits. These sanctions were imposed since June, 2024 and they were indicted before a grand Jury in the United States on October 2, 2025 and yet Azruddin Mohamed expects himself and his commercial enterprises to operate as if ‘it is business as usual’ — a clear indication that this individual is either living in a bubble or is simply incapable of appreciating reality.

When the commercial banks and insurance companies took the internationally recommended decision to sever relations with Azruddin Mohamed, his businesses and those associated with him, in order to protect themselves against repercussions from the sanctions, he blames the Government. It is common knowledge that these financial institutions have a duty to act lest they suffer irreparable injury to their systems and damage to their reputations on the international stage. Again, Azruddin Mohamed seems incapable of processing this stark reality.

The Guyana Police Force has a statutory duty to ensure compliance with the Laws of Guyana for the public good and for public order in the country. These include the law governing motor vehicles used on our public roadways. Every citizen is expected to comply with these laws or face the legal consequences. These include legal requirements regarding insurance for vehicles, licensing and fitness requirements. When the Guyana Police Force enforces these legal provisions against the Mohameds, it attracts the usual mantra of persecution and victimisation. This plea is not available to the ordinary citizen but only to the entitled Mohameds. They seem to have persuaded themselves that these laws must not apply to them and any attempt to do so, is met with the allegation of victimisation.

It is public knowledge that the Guyana Revenue Authority has launched a comprehensive investigation into the Mohameds in relation to smuggling of gold, and the evasion of billions of dollars of taxes as well as customs duties, regarding the importation of motor vehicles. A block was lawfully imposed on the transferral of the motor vehicles while these investigations are ongoing.

Notwithstanding, the Mohameds managed to corruptedly have these vehicles transferred and worse yet, some transferred into the names of a member of the family who is specifically prohibited from transacting any business with the Mohameds by virtue of the OFAC sanctions, Maksim ‘Max’ Dmitriyev. When GRA discovers this fraudulent design and signals an intention to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice as the law demands, the Mohameds go into the characteristic victim mode and chant the usual anthem of persecution and victimisation.

Needless to say, the laws of Guyana will continue to be enforced by the relevant authorities against every citizen who violates them, the Mohameds are no exception.

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US President Donald Trump at his Saturday morning’s press conference said US will ‘run’ Venezuela until ‘safe transition can take place’

Questioned further on if the US running Venezuela means US troops will be on the ground, he said “we’re not afraid of boots on the ground” and the US military had “boots on the ground last night at a very high level”.

“We’re going to make sure that country is run properly,” he adds.

Trump is also asked what exact mechanism he will be using to run the country. He says “we’re designating people right now” and “we’re going to let you know who those people are”.

He is then asked who will run Venezuela. He gestures his hand towards himself and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as he says “it’s largely going to be for a period time the people that are standing right behind me”. (BBC)

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