A fire was this morning averted at the Hosororo dorm located in Region One.

According to information reaching the News Room, at around 03:00h on Saturday, a smoke alarm was triggered. Upon checking, the dorm parent noticed a bucket with paper and fabric was lit on fire in the laundry room.

There were no injuries. One washing machine waa damaged.

Reports indicate that the fire was started by a female student at the facility.

The fire was contained by a contractor who is currently doing works at the site.

The Hosororo Secondary schoo is located in the Maburama sub-district in Region One. Itl officially began phased intake of students in January 2026. It is designed to accommodate more than 500 students and also features modern student dormitories to house roughly 200 students from remote riverine communities, plus duplex living quarters for up to 20 teachers.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

Guyana’s Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, convened a meeting of Amazon countries to advance regional cooperation on Malaria elimination, Indigenous Peoples’ health and stronger disease surveillance.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Health, the meeting took place on the sidelines of the 63rd Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), under Guyana’s Pro Tempore Presidency of the Special Commission on Health in the Amazon (CESAM). Guyana assumed the presidency on September 8, 2026.

Representatives of Guyana, Bolivia, Suriname and Venezuela participated in person, while Brazil joined virtually. PAHO and the Permanent Secretariat of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) also attended.

Opening the discussions, Dr. Anthony called for regional dialogue to translate into concrete actions with measurable results for Amazon communities. Participants identified malaria, hepatitis B and C, Indigenous Peoples’ health, intercultural health and epidemiological surveillance as priority areas for cooperation.

Sharing experience to advance malaria elimination

Malaria was a central focus of the meeting, with countries discussing opportunities to coordinate national strategies, share expertise and develop joint actions.

Suriname’s Director of Health, Dr. Rakesh Gajadhar-Sukul, shared the country’s experience in eliminating local malaria transmission through community-based diagnosis, rapid response and timely treatment. Suriname expressed its willingness to share these practices with other ACTO Member Countries.

ACTO is developing a proposal to support this exchange, including the possibility of a technical workshop in Suriname with assistance from cooperation partners.

Strengthening health services for Amazon communities

Bolivia’s Minister of Health and Sports, Marcela Tatiana Flores Zambrana, highlighted the difficulties faced by Indigenous populations and communities far from health services, alongside the health impacts of mercury contamination associated with gold mining.

Brazil reaffirmed its commitment to cooperation on Indigenous health and infectious diseases. Venezuela’s Vice Minister for Comprehensive Health, Dr. Noly Coromoto Fernández Hernández, emphasised the importance of culturally appropriate care, traditional knowledge and community participation. She also called for stronger joint surveillance and early warning mechanisms for malaria, dengue and onchocerciasis.

PAHO expressed its willingness to continue providing technical cooperation, linking disease elimination efforts with approaches that respect the cultures and needs of Indigenous communities.

Moving from priorities to implementation

Participants also discussed the development of a health module for the Amazon Regional Observatory and the identification of national focal points to support health data exchange and interoperability.

The ACTO Permanent Secretariat noted that the priorities align with ongoing efforts to strengthen CESAM. The Commission’s guidelines have been approved, while its General Work Plan remains under discussion.

At the close of the meeting, participants identified malaria as a priority for closer regional coordination. They also proposed continuing cooperation on hepatitis and exploring technical support and financing opportunities with multilateral organisations.

Under Guyana’s leadership, CESAM will work to translate these shared priorities into practical regional actions that improve access to care, strengthen prevention and protect the health of Amazon communities.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

Georgetown, Guyana- BYD Guyana is bringing one of its most affordable electric vehicles to Berbice this weekend, with the BYD Yuan Pro on display at the Berbice Expo and available to qualifying customers from just GYD $69,000 per month.

Represented locally by GT Automotive, BYD is giving customers in Berbice the opportunity to experience the Yuan Pro up close and learn more about making the switch to electric mobility.

The 100% electric compact SUV combines everyday practicality with advanced technology, safety, and lower running costs. Compact enough for easy driving and parking but spacious enough for individuals and small families, the Yuan Pro is well suited to everyday life in Guyana.

The Yuan Pro offers up to 410 km of range on a full charge and is powered by BYD’s Blade Battery, backed by an eight-year warranty. It also comes with a wallbox home charger for convenient charging at home.

Inside, the Yuan Pro features a 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen, BYD Intelligent Cockpit, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging and an eight-speaker audio system.

Safety features include six airbags, Electronic Stability Control, Automatic Emergency Braking and a high-definition 360-degree panoramic camera.

The financing promotion allows qualifying customers to own a new Yuan Pro from approximately GYD $69,000 per month, subject to applicable financing terms and credit approval.

“Berbice is an important market for us, and the Expo gives us the opportunity to bring the BYD experience directly to these customers,” said Sheri Rodrigues, Operations Manager, GT Automotive. “The Yuan Pro offers a strong combination of affordability, technology, safety and practicality, making it an attractive option for Guyanese drivers considering the switch to electric.”

Visitors to the Berbice Expo this weekend are invited to visit the BYD display, explore the Yuan Pro and speak with the BYD Guyana team about the vehicle, charging and available financing options.

Customers can also schedule a test drive or request more information by calling or WhatsApping +592-741-6666.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

The government, through the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, has invited eligible contractors to submit bids to construct a new Bush Lot Market, Region Two.

The construction of the markets forms part of the government’s broader efforts to improve public infrastructure and create more modern, organised and accessible facilities for communities across the country.

The development of markets is also expected to provide vendors with safer and more suitable spaces to sell their goods and services.

Residents in these communities can expect improved market facilities that will enhance the shopping experience, support local vendors, and contribute to the continued development of the surrounding areas.

According to the ministry’s tender notice, the project is divided into three lots, with eligible bidders required to submit their proposals on October 20, 2026.

Bidding documents can be examined before purchase at its accounts department on Fort Street, Kingston, at a non-refundable fee of $3,000.

Bids must be submitted to the Chairman of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board at the Ministry of Finance, Main and Urquhart Streets, Georgetown.

They will be opened at the same location at 09:00 hrs on October 20. Late submissions will be rejected and returned unopened. Bids must remain valid for 120 days from the date of opening.

The government has also invited bids for the construction of new markets at Soesdyke Junction in Region Four, Skeldon, and Port Mourant in Region Six.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

Trans Guyana Airways (TGA) has commenced administrative and regulatory preparations to launch at least two weekly nonstop flights between Georgetown, Guyana, and Cayenne, French Guiana, to operate scheduled services between the two destinations.

The proposed service follows the signing of a modernised Air Services Agreement between Guyana and the French Republic on September 30, 2026, creating new opportunities for air connectivity, trade, tourism and business between the neighbouring territories.

According to TGA, the planned flights remain subject to the necessary operating approvals and could significantly reduce travel time between Georgetown and Cayenne. A journey that can currently take as long as 24 hours using existing surface connections could be completed in approximately one hour and 15 minutes by air.

In a statement, TGA welcomed the agreement, which was signed in Georgetown by Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar and France’s Ambassador to Guyana, His Excellency Olivier Plançon. The agreement replaces the bilateral air services framework established in 1976.

The airline said the agreement represents an opportunity for a Guyanese private-sector operator to expand its international operations while contributing to national development and improved regional connectivity.

The signing took place during the recently concluded International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Third Global Regional Safety Oversight Organisation (RSOO)/Regional Accident and Incident Investigation Organisation (RAIO) Forum for Aviation Safety, hosted in Guyana.

TGA noted that the agreement demonstrates how international aviation engagement and government policy can translate into commercial opportunities for local businesses and benefits for travellers and the wider economy.

Under the new agreement, Guyana may designate airlines to operate agreed services, with TGA selected to operate scheduled flights between Guyana and French Guiana. The framework also provides opportunities for commercial cooperation between airlines, including code-sharing and other cooperative marketing arrangements.

Beyond reducing travel time, the proposed direct service is expected to create opportunities for onward connections through airlines serving French Guiana, including Air France. These connections could strengthen links between Guyana, the French Caribbean, Europe and other international markets.

The airline also anticipates that improved air access could encourage two-way tourism, facilitate business travel, support investment and trade, and improve the movement of people and goods across the Guiana Shield.

TGA commended the Government of Guyana and Minister Indar for establishing an enabling environment in which local private enterprises can translate national aviation policy into commercial activity, employment, connectivity and economic value.

The airline said the agreement illustrates the complementary roles of the public and private sectors, with the Government establishing the international framework and opening market access, while private operators invest in and deliver services.

TGA said it looks forward to transforming the agreement into an operating air bridge between Georgetown and Cayenne, bringing Guyana and French Guiana closer together and creating new opportunities for residents, businesses and the wider region.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News |

DEN AMSTEL, WEST COAST DEMERARA — For final-year law student Asheanna Clarke, capturing the crown of Miss Den Amstel Emancipation 2026 represents far more than beauty, stage presence, and pageantry. It has become a mandate for community service, cultural preservation, and youth empowerment.

The coronation marks the beginning of Clarke’s tenure representing the historic West Coast Demerara village. As a third- and final-year Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) student, she has dedicated her platform—“Education: The Language of Liberation”—to dismantling the invisible barriers holding back the potential of young people in her community.

Clarke’s victory follows significant scheduling changes after the MV Barima disaster shifted the original date of the Miss Den Amstel Emancipation Pageant. Despite the postponement, Clarke maintained her rigorous preparation, balancing her university coursework with the demands of competition.

The Pillar of Discipline: Balancing Legal Studies and Competition

Preparing for the pageant proved to be an exercise in endurance and mental resilience. Balancing the demands of final-year law studies alongside intense evening rehearsals tested Clarke’s focus:

• Overcoming Self-Doubt: Clarke acknowledged that the journey included moments of exhaustion, and staying committed required willpower and mental resolve.
• The Role of Personal Discipline: Rather than relying solely on motivation, she credited internal discipline as the single factor that carried her across the finish line to secure the crown.
• Community and Faith Support Systems: Clarke emphasized that her immediate family, community elders, and local church Bible study group sustained her success by providing moral guidance throughout her training.

“I serve as a reminder to young African boys and girls that when they believe in something and they put their mind to it, they can achieve it,” Clarke affirmed.

“One of my major challenges was having the strength to remain disciplined. Some instances I didn’t want to show up to practice, and I didn’t feel like putting in the work, but having that discipline to continue is what got me here today.”

“I had my family. I had members of my community, my Bible study group, who supported, who encouraged me, and yes, that’s how I overcame most of my challenges.”

Dismantling ‘Invisible Barriers’: A Call to Nurture Youth Potential

As Miss Den Amstel Emancipation 2026, Clarke is directing her advocacy toward grassroots skill-building and educational mentorship:

• Tackling Latent Potential: Clarke plans to roll out community-level initiatives designed to address the psychological and economic hurdles that limit the horizons of coastal youth.
• Nurturing Community Talent: Her agenda emphasizes that every young boy and girl has inherent purpose, needing only committed mentors and institutional structures to turn that talent into academic or vocational success.

“I want to develop the skills of our youth because everyone has a purpose. Everyone has a talent. They need somebody to nurture that talent. That’s what I want to focus on,” the newly crowned queen concluded.

With the crown now secured, Clarke plans to leverage her legal training and community title to host youth workshops, mentorship circles, and academic clinics across Den Amstel and neighboring West Coast Demerara districts throughout her reign.

Production Notes & Media References

During the broadcast package reported by Antonio Dey, specific background instrumental selections were utilized to complement the storytelling and cultural themes:

• Background Audio Track 1: Production featured the official instrumental version of “Calm Down” by Rema (produced by Littlethegr8) under Clarke’s reflections on youth resilience: Rema – Calm Down (Official Instrumental)
• Background Audio Track 2 / Tag Out: The feature wrapped with the instrumental rendition of “Emiliana” by CKay: CKay – Emiliana (Instrumental Version)

Source: HGP Nightly News / HGPTV

https://kiskadeewatch.com/sports/cricket/hope-162-beats-rahul-129-as-west-indies-pull-off-record-chase/