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Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took a dominant victory in the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix founded on an audacious overtaking move on the first lap.

The four-time champion passed pole-sitter Oscar Piastri’s McLaren around the outside of the first chicane after the start and controlled the race from there.

A late safety car closed the field up and put the McLarens of Piastri and Lando Norris on Verstappen’s tail.

But a consummate restart from Verstappen allowed him to break free while Norris, on much fresher tyres than Piastri, fought for three laps before finally passing the Australian to take second.

The result, Verstappen’s second win of the season, reduces Piastri’s championship lead over Norris to 13 points from 16, and puts the Dutchman nine behind the Briton.

Lewis Hamilton benefited from an offset strategy, starting on the hard tyre, and the two safety cars to fight up from 12th on the grid to finish fourth for Ferrari, passing his team-mate Charles Leclerc in the hectic closing laps thanks to much fresher tyres. (BBC) 

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Premier Insurance has come onboard as a corporate partner of the Demerara Cricket Board’s fund-raising Independence T10 Cup, slated for May 25 at the LBI Ground.

Assistant Manager Aleyah Peterkin and Marketing representative Ariadna Fonseca joined recently to present the company’s sponsorship to DCB Secretary Davteerth Anandjit.

They both expressed the firm’s pleasure in being a partner for the first-ever competition.

Peterkin and Fonseca are confident the tournament will be a success and all the objectives will be met.

Premier Insurance has joined CIC Insurance Brokers (Guyana) Inc., L. Mahabeer and Son Cambio, Office Express, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Anil Beharry Real Estate, Construction and General Business Services and Naven’s Construction as partners of the tournament.

Anandjit was elated to welcome Premier Insurance, noting that their support is critical to the success of the event.

He emphasised that such support is important in the board’s endeavour to fast-track the development of the sport in the county.

Eight first division teams from the county will compete for top honours, with the format being a one game knockout.

Seven teams- Lusignan, LBI, Better Hope, Enterprise, Herstelling A, Transport Sports Club and Helena One and Two- are already confirmed, with the other one to be revealed in the coming days.

Total cash prize of G$500,000 and trophies will be up grabs at the one day event.

While the teams will be represented by players within the respective associations, each team is allowed two guest players from other counties.

The champion team is guaranteed G$250,000 cash plus trophy; the runners-up G$150,000 and trophy, while the losing semi-finalists will be receive G$50,000 each.

On the individual side, Man-of-the-Match in the semi-finals and final will receive a trophy.

Action will bowl off at 10:00h and conclude under floodlights.

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Colombian rider Matteo Garcia has established a commanding position in the 42nd edition of the Independence Three-Stage Cycle Road Race, winning both stages on Saturday to build a significant lead heading into the final day of competition.

Competing for the Trinidadian outfit Team Raiders, his impressive performance has given him a formidable 56-second advantage in the general classification, making him the firm favourite ahead of Sunday’s decisive stage.

Garcia has an overall time of four hours, two minutes, and 0.2 seconds (4:02:02).

The chasing pack is led by Masters (35-50) competitor Robin Persaud of Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club.

He is followed by a quartet of riders who will be looking to challenge for a podium spot: Aaron Newton of KFC Evolution, Adam Alexander and Jaiden Naves of Team Raiders, and Christopher Griffith of KFC Evolution complete the top six in the general classification standings after the opening day.

Garcia clocked a winning time of one hour, 41 minutes, and 28 seconds on the first stage, a 45-mile test from Corriverton to New Amsterdam.

The Colombian was pushed hard by local favourite Aaron Newton (KFC Evolution), who finished just three seconds adrift in a thrilling sprint finish, recording a time of 1:41.31.

Adam Alexander, also riding for Team Raiders, secured third place in 1:42.17.

Curtis Dey, Robin Persaud, and Jaiden Neaves rounded out the top six in the opening stage.

Garcia continued his dominant display in the second stage, a challenging 62-mile journey from D’Edward Village to Liliendaal.

He once again proved too strong for his rivals, crossing the finish line in two hours, twenty minutes, and 36 seconds.

Persaud demonstrated his enduring class by finishing second in this stage, four seconds behind Garcia in two hours, twenty minutes, and 40 seconds.

Speaking to News Room Sport after the day’s racing, Robin Persaud acknowledged the difficulty in keeping pace with the elite riders but highlighted his passion for the sport as his driving force.

He admitted that overturning Garcia’s significant lead would require a “herculean task” but stated he aims to at least secure a stage win in Sunday’s final leg.

Alexander Leung is battling for the Juniors title (PHOTO: News Room/Shaconeil Burnette/May 17, 2025)

The third and final stage will see competitors tackle a circuit race in Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The route will start on Greenfield Road, head east, turn left onto the first corner heading north towards Red Road, then west to the East Bank Demerara Highway before returning to Greenfield Road.

Riders are expected to complete 20 laps of this circuit, covering an approximate total distance of 62 miles.

This format differs from the usual rider from Linden to Homestretech Avenue due to the ongoing road construction on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway.

More so, Continental Cycling’s Alexander Leung (4:09:29) and Alex Newton (KFC Evolution) are tied in the battle for the Juniors title.

Persaud leads the Masters (35-50) with a three-minute and 49-second lead over Alexander.

In the Masters (50+), Mark Spencer of KFC Evolution leads with 4:17:03, three minutes and 37 seconds ahead of Ian Jackson (Flying Star).

Roy Mangal, another Evolution rider, leads Category Four at 4:21.12, and is 48 seconds ahead of Kwame Fortune (Kaieteur Attack Racing Cycling Club).

The National Sports Commission is solely organising the 42nd Independence Three-Stage Cycle Road Race.

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A fire on Saturday afternoon destroyed a building which housed a school situated in the compound of the East Ruimveldt Community Center ground in Georgetown.

Reports are that the fire started around 17:00 hrs.

Firefighters were summoned and they managed to extinguish the blaze.

Fire fighters managed to extinguish the fire (Photo: News Room/ May 17, 2025)

However, the building- which housed a nursery school- was destroyed.

At the scene, a resident told the News Room that he was at home when he noticed flames. By time he got to the area, the building was engulfed in flames.

“I just see the flame and when I come all this did done gone,” the man said.

An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire.

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The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is investigating a second explosion at a Guyana Power and Light (GPL) substation at Mandela Avenue, Georgetown.

In a release, Police Headquarters said the substation “experienced suspicious damage” in the wee hours of Saturday.

Earlier Saturday, it was reported that the gate of the East Ruimveldt Police station was blown off after an improvised explosive device was thrown at the facility by unknown individuals.

Police said the two incidents occurred around the same time.

“Authorities are examining the possibility of a coordinated effort between both incidents.

“Eyewitnesses in the area have provided valuable accounts, and forensic teams are actively analyzing all available evidence. The individuals contacted by police remain key to understanding the full scope of the events,” Police said in a statement issued Saturday afternoon.

The Police Force statement also noted that the matters are being “seriously” addressed and that all efforts are being made to ensure public safety.

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Days after he was involved in an accident on the Strathspey Public Road, East Coast Demerara, 31-year-old Jermaine Waldron succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention.

Waldron was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital following the accident, which occurred at about 18:27 hrs on May 12. He died while receiving medical attention around 10:25 hrs on May 16.

At the time of the accident, Waldron of South Haslington, East Coast Demerara, was riding a motorcycle. Whilst in the vicinity of Lin Min Chinese Supermarket, he was involved in an accident with a motor car, PPP 109.

According to a Police report, inquiries revealed that the motor car was heading east along the northern lane of the road. While in the vicinity of the supermarket, the car driver navigated a right turn into the path of Waldron.

As a result, Waldron fell onto the road and received injuries. He was picked up in a conscious state by public-spirited citizens and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

He was seen and admitted as a patient.

Police said the scene was visited, and the driver was arrested and placed in custody. He was subsequently released on bail. He was subject to a breathalyser test but no alcohol was his blood.

Following Waldron’s death, the driver was arrested.

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Twenty-year-old Omari Nicolas died on Friday afternoon after he lost control of the motorcycle he was riding along the Mon Repos Public Road, East Coast Demerara.

The accident occurred at about 15:15 hrs.

Nicolas, a resident of Meadowbrook Gardens, Georgetown, was riding a motorcycle with an unknown license plate. Police said he was speeding.

In a statement, Police Headquarters said inquiries revealed that Nicolas was heading east along the northern carriageway of the southern drive lane.

While doing a “wheelie,” he lost control of the motorcycle and fell onto the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Nicolas’ body was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary, awaiting post-mortem examination.

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Police ranks on Friday found a quantity of cannabis at the East Coast Demerara premises of a 45-year-old shop owner.

Police Headquarters said the ranks searched the premises and two transparent plastic bags containing a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis, wrapped in a black plastic bag, were found.

Another black plastic bag containing 25 small ziploc plastic bags, all containing leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis, was also found outside the premises in a tyre.

The suspect was arrested and escorted along with the suspected narcotics to the Police Station. In his presence, the suspected cannabis was weighed and amounted to 26.2 grams. The 25 ziplock plastic bags
containing suspected cannabis were also weighed and amounted to 106.9 grams. Both parcels were marked, sealed, and lodged.

The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue.

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An elderly couple and their 28-year-old son were arrested on Friday after Police found an illegal .38 revolver and seven matching rounds of ammunition at their Alness Village, Corentyne, Berbice house.

Police Headquarters reported that ranks were conducting an operation in the area on Friday. The couple (a 56-year-old woman and her 66-year-old husband) and their son were all cautioned and arrested when the firearm and ammunition were found in the house.

The individuals remain in custody as the investigation continues.

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Indian High Commissioner, Amit Telang on Saturday expressed his country’s support for Guyana in the border controversy with Venezuela.

“Our position is that they [Guyana and Venezuela] should strictly abide with that declaration (the Argyle Declaration) and avoid taking any actions.

“We respect the position of the government Guyana… We have always supported Guyana and will continue to support them,” the High Commissioner told reporters at a press engagement on Saturday.

His statements came as tensions between Guyana and Venezuela escalated recently.

The two countries have grappled with a border controversy for decades. Guyana has taken the case to the ICJ, seeking a final, binding ruling that the Essequibo is its own, affirming the 1899 Arbitral Award that settled the border between the two countries.

Venezuela announced that it intends to hold elections in the Essequibo region, an area internationally recognised as Guyana’s territory and has been under Guyana’s administration for over 100 years. So the Venezuelan election plan, scheduled for May 25, 2025, is seen by Guyana as a direct violation of the Court’s Order and international law.

Earlier this month, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) unanimously reaffirmed provisional measures granted in December 2023 and told Venezuela that it shall refrain from conducting, or preparing to conduct, elections in the Essequibo region.

Guyana’s President, Dr Irfaan Ali expressed confidence that the ICJ is the forum where the voice of international law will be heard and justice will be determined.

The Indian High Commissioner said that any action taken against the Argyle Agreement will not be supported.

“The matter is for consideration in the ICJ and I think the Government of Guyana has already made it clear that they would respect whatever judgement would come from the ICJ.

“Any action which is being taken which is against that declaration is not something that we will support,” he said.

The Argyle Agreement was signed in the presence of regional and international interlocutors, and unequivocally commits Guyana and Venezuela to refrain from escalating any conflict or disagreement arising from the territorial controversy between the two States. This includes refraining from actions that could aggravate tensions or alter the current situation in the disputed territory, pending resolution in accordance with international law.

But despite the order agreement in place, Venezuela continued with attempts to undermine Guyana’s sovereignty.

Should the aggression continue, and Guyana approaches India for support, the India High Commissioner said that the request will be considered.

“We are constantly in touch, we keep talking to the authorities in Government of Guyana and when that type of situation happens and government of Guyana approaches us, yes we will continue to support Guyana,” he said.

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