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Shreyas Iyer broke three records in the Punjab Kings’ win over the Mumbai Indians in Qualifier Two of the IPL at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.

Punjab Kings, who beat Mumbai Indians by five wickets, will now face Virat Kohli and the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final on June 3.

Iyer led Punjab’s efforts in a record-breaking run chase in a match that was delayed because of rainfall.

The skipper was unbeaten on 87 off 41 runs as Kings chased down 204 runs with one over to spare.

Josh Inglis (38 off 21 balls) and Nehal Wadhera (48 off 29 balls) also contributed to the win.

For Mumbai Indians, their best bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, had an off day. He gave away 40 runs and failed to pick a wicket.

Shreyas Iyer breaks multiple records

During Kings’ win, Iyer managed to break multiple records. He beat Glenn Maxwell and Chris Gayle to hit the most sixes by a Punjab batter in a season.

His eight maximums against Mumbai took the 30-year-old’s tally to 38.

Iyer also became the first captain to lead three different franchises to the IPL final.

Under his leadership, Delhi Capitals reached the final in 2020. Four years later, Shreyas Iyer captained the Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title.

The 204-run chase is the first time the Mumbai Indians have failed to defend a 200-plus score in the IPL. Kings’ score is the highest-ever in IPL playoff/knockout matches.

This is the eighth time Punjab has chased 200+, the most by any team.

Earlier, Suryakumar Yadav (44) and Tilak Varma (44) top-scored for the Mumbai Indians. (Hindustan Times)

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An early morning fire at the Church Hall located at Lot 27 Durban Street, Lodge, Georgetown, originated from a defective lightbulb, the Ministry of Home Affairs said on Sunday.

According to the release from the Ministry, the Guyana Fire Service responded swiftly to the fire after a call was received at 05:20 hrs.

Upon arrival, the two storey wooden and concrete building was ablaze. Fire tenders WT#124, 95 and W/C#28, 24 were dispatched, along with 18 firefighters under the command of Officers S/L Watts, S/L Devent, L/FM Roberts, and L/FM Thompson. Extinguishment was carried out using two jets from W/C #23 and #24.

The fire caused severe damage to the structure. (Photo: Ministry of Home Affairs)

The property is owned by Juan Edghill, the Minister of Public Works. The building’s structure and contents were severely damaged by the fire. However, there have not been any reports of injured persons as a result of the incident.

According to the release, the initial investigations suggest the fire was caused by a defective light bulb, which created arcing and sparking, leading to the ignition of nearby combustible materials.

The Fire Service is urging the public to ensure all electrical fittings and appliances are properly maintained, to avoid overloads and the overuse of electrical circuits.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated. See below 

UPDATE: Arson now suspected in Church Hall fire

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Oscar Piastri led Lando Norris to a McLaren one-two at the Spanish Grand Prix as a late safety car led to a controversial final few laps involving Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Verstappen was forced on to hard tyres for the final sprint to the flag and was involved in a series of incidents with Mercedes’ George Russell.

Verstappen crossed the line fifth but dropped to 10th as a consequence of a 10-second penalty for causing a collision with Russell.

The four-time champion had kept the pressure on the McLarens with a three-stop strategy compared to their two, and was on course for third place before the safety car, caused when Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli pulled off with an engine failure.

But his race fell apart after Red Bull were forced to fit hard tyres to Verstappen’s car because they had no softer ones available.

It left him lacking grip at the restart as an extraordinary series of incidents unfolded.

Verstappen almost lost his car when he had a massive wobble coming out of the fast final corner as the race restarted with five laps to go.

Charles Leclerc, who finished third, pulled alongside on the straight, and the two cars touched as the Ferrari moved back towards the racing line while still alongside Verstappen.

The stewards investigated the incident after the race but decided to take no further action.

Russell then dived down the inside of Verstappen at Turn One, and the two made contact, the Red Bull taking to escape road and retaining the position.

Verstappen complained that Russell had pushed him off, but his engineer Giampiero Lambiase ordered him to give the position back, citing the rules on racing which say that a driver on the inside trying an overtaking move has the right to the corner if he is far enough alongside going in.

With two laps to go, Verstappen appeared to move over to the inside and give space to Russell to pass him on the outside on the entry to Turn Four.

But as Russell went around him, Verstappen suddenly appeared back on the inside and speared into his car.

The Briton went on the radio to ask what was going on, and Verstappen was penalised for the incident.

The stewards said that Verstappen was penalised because he “suddenly accelerated and collided with [Russell]. The collision was undoubtedly caused by the actions of [Verstappen]”.

Verstappen was also given three penalty points on his licence, which puts him on 11, one away from a race ban.

Piastri’s fifth win of the season moves him into a 10-point lead over Norris in the championship, but Verstappen’s eventful final few laps left him 49 points behind the Australian. (BBC)

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Ghanesh Chris Ragubir, a resident of Adventure, Essequibo Coast, died on Saturday after he was hit by a truck along the Queenstown Public Road.

Ragubir was riding a motorcycle (#CJ 7634) along the Queenstown Public Road at about 15:00 hrs when he was struck by a truck also traversing the road.

A crowd gathered after the accident. Rabubir died at the scene.

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President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced that some 20,000 acres of new farmland on the Essequibo coast, Region Two will become available for small-scale farmers to address the long-standing issue of high rental costs.

According to the head of state, a significant number of small-scale farmers, especially those cultivating 30 acres or less, are renting land, often from absentee landowners or larger farmers.

This was highlighted as one of the most pressing issues for farmers on the Essequibo coast.

To address this, “we are going to invest, in the coming months, to open up at least 20,000 acres of land in three different clusters here in Essequibo.”

He made the announcement during an engagement with farmers and fisherfolk at the Anna Regina Multilateral School on Saturday.

Beyond just access, the president said plans are afoot to also invest in capital development for these lands, including providing seed paddy, building drainage and irrigation infrastructure, and ensuring that the land is farm-ready.

The region will be organised into three agricultural clusters, with each cluster being equipped with essential machinery, such as backhoes, tractors with ploughs, and combines.

“And, you [will] manage those resources [and] you can charge each other, among yourselves, for the maintenance of the equipment,” the president said.

Additionally, to boost income and add value to existing rice cultivation, President Ali said resources will be provided to develop one acre out of every ten for high-value, high-yield crops.

With unpredictable weather patterns making it difficult for farmers to dry their produce, the president announced that two modern drying and storage facilities will be constructed in the region. Engineers are expected to complete the designs within two weeks.

In the fishing industry, plans are on the cards to diversify income for fishers and their families, by promoting swamp shrimp and prawns farming as part of a large aquaculture initiative.

Additionally, the back dam access roads will be converted into  durable, hard-surfaced routes using crush-run materials. These roads are vital for improving access to farms, transporting produce, and reducing spoilage and operating costs.

These investments, he noted, are part of the government’s vision to transform Region Two into a hub for both food production and tourism, with agritourism as a central theme.

The president noted, “the government will put three coal storage facilities to support our cash crop farmers and to support our fisher folk here in the region.”

Investments in three cold storage facilities will help stabilise prices, support perishable crop farmers and fisherfolk, and create new agribusiness opportunities.

Furthermore, to improve access to agricultural support, a new control centre in Georgetown is being established to collect and analyse data, track weather and pests, and provide timely, proactive advice to farmers not just in Guyana, but across the Caribbean.

In the next two years, the president said, Guyana will operationalise its own fertiliser plant, reducing its dependency on unpredictable global markets. It will also lower fertiliser costs and enable the production of blends to suit regional soil types.

The president emphasised a collaborative approach to agricultural development, making it clear that the government intends to craft policies and measures that are deeply informed by the lived experiences of farmers.

In closing, he urged citizens to consider who they can trust to implement these initiatives in the coming years, pledging the government’s continuous support for citizens, including those in the agriculture sector.

Joining him was the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Madanlall Ramraj and Regional Chair, Vilma Da Silva and representatives from the various agencies (Republished from the Department of Public Information)

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See below the full release from the Guyana Gold & Diamond Miners Association: 

The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) has once again reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the mining community by supporting small miners in the Bartica area who are facing challenges in resuming their operations. In a major show of support, the Association donated twenty (20) dredge engines to assist these miners in getting back into production.

This important initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources during an official visit by Minister Vickram Bharrat to Bartica, Region 7, on Saturday, May 31, 2025.

Supporting the sustainable development and resilience of the mining sector remains at the heart of the GGDMA’s mission. The Association recognizes the vital role that small miners play in the industry and is committed to providing the support needed to help them recover and thrive.

(GGDMA photo)

“It is very heartening when a small miner can move up the scale as a natural evolution,” stated GGDMA Vice President, Mr. Dabria Marcus. “We understand the difficulties that small miners face, and we will continue to support them in any way we can.”

The GGDMA also underscored the importance of its regular Open Days, which remain a cornerstone of its outreach efforts. These sessions provide all miners with the opportunity to engage directly with the Association, voice their concerns, seek guidance, and access support. Issues raised during these engagements are carefully reviewed, and where appropriate, the Association implements targeted interventions such as this donation.

The GGDMA remains steadfast in its mission to strengthen Guyana’s mining sector by empowering its members—especially small and medium-scale miners—and ensuring they have the tools, resources, and opportunities needed to succeed.

The Association was represented in Bartica by a team comprising of Vice President (Mr. Dabria Marcus), Immediate Past President (Mr. Andron Alphonso), Executive Member (Ms. Vishanti Balgobin), Executive Member (Mr. Terry Singh), and the GGDMA Administrator (Mr. Avalon Jagnandan).

The GGDMA would like to also encouraged all miners to ONLY sell their gold to the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) or to authorized gold buyers.

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Defending champions Speightland laid down a significant marker in the 2025 ‘One Guyana’ Kings and Queens of the Sand football competition, emphatically overcoming Fearless 4-1 as the tournament continued at the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP-C) Linden office ground.

Despite conceding in the opening minute, Speightland, the reigning queens of the sand, demonstrated their champion pedigree. N. Wayne proved instrumental, bagging a brace in the 4th and 10th minutes, before T. Williams (15th) and Shanella Pearson (16th) sealed a comprehensive victory.

In the fiercely contested men’s ‘Kings’ segment, five matches produced five victories, underlining the competitive spirit on display.

Bomberz soared to a 4-2 win against Rockstone, powered by two goals apiece from Shemiah Samuels (4th, 16th) and Dequan Samuels (8th, 26th).

Rockstone found the net through Isiah Allicock, who struck twice (12th, 18th), but it wasn’t enough to deny Bomberz.

Young Gunners showcased their resilience, recovering from an early setback to defeat UDK Victors 2-1. Kenneth James had given UDK Victors a 4th-minute lead, but late goals from Devonte Tappin (22nd) and Lency Barker (30th) secured a hard-fought comeback victory for Young Gunners.

Team Mineral delivered a dominant performance, dispatching Speightland’s male counterparts 4-0. Kelroy Anthony was the star with a double (13th, 29th), adding to Jermaine King’s 9th-minute opener and Delon Charter’s 24th-minute strike.

Team Minerals’ goal scorers

Ony Syde were equally impressive in their 4-1 triumph over Turf President. After Isiah Adams’ 5th-minute opener for Ony Syde was cancelled out by Turf President’s Clifton Charles three minutes later, Ony Syde took control.

Kriston Lewis restored their lead in the 16th minute before a late double from Ryan Arthur (28th, 30th) ensured a comfortable win.

The night’s action was rounded off by Foundation Family, who secured a solid 3-1 victory against Lil Ballers.

The competition continued on Saturday evening at the same Linden venue.

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Paris St-Germain’s brilliant teenager Desire Doue delivered an inspired display as they delivered a masterclass to thrash Inter Milan in Munich and win the Champions League for the first time.

The 19-year-old confirmed his status as a new superstar as Luis Enrique’s side capped a brilliant campaign by recording the biggest winning margin in a Champions League or European Cup final.

And they did it by sweeping Inter aside in a blaze of attacking football.

Doue helped PSG on their way to history by setting up Achraf Hakimi for a simple finish after 12 minutes, adding the second eight minutes later with a shot that deflected off Inter defender Federico Dimarco.

Luis Enrique, who becomes only the sixth coach to win this tournament with two different clubs after his 2015 triumph with Barcelona, saw his thrilling team pick Inter apart.

Any doubt about the outcome was removed when PSG got the third goal their performance deserved after 63 minutes.

Ousmane Dembele’s flick released Vitinha, who played in Doue for a composed finish as he became, at 19 years and 362 days, only the third teenager to score in a Champions League final – after Patrick Kluivert for Ajax in 1995 and Carlos Alberto for Porto in 2004.

PSG were outclassing Inter in devastating style, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia running clear to beat Yann Sommer, sending Luis Enrique running down the touchline in a dance of ecstasy.

The agony was not over for Inter, who lost to Manchester City in the 2023 final.

PSG substitute Senny Mayulu, himself still only 19, became the fourth teenager to score in a Champions League final, adding a fifth goal four minutes from time.

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McLaren’s Oscar Piastri put in a stunning lap to earn pole position from team-mate Lando Norris at the Spanish Grand Prix.

The Australian beat Norris by 0.209 seconds, vaulting himself ahead of the Briton – who had been faster on the first runs in final qualifying but made an error on his last lap.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was third fastest, 0.302secs slower than Piastri.

Mercedes driver George Russell set exactly the same lap time as the Dutchman but will start fourth because he set it a few seconds later.

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton beat team-mate Charles Leclerc for only the second time in a grand prix qualifying session this year to take fifth, ahead of Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli.

Leclerc, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, Racing Bulls’ Iscak Hadjar and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso completed the top 10. (BBC Sport) 

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Forty-eight teams are gearing up for a thrilling ‘June Madness’ Futsal Championship in Guyana, coordinated by the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation.

The straight knockout tournament, which was launched on Saturday, will see teams battle it out for a top prize of $2 million.

Sixteen of the top teams from the previous championship will receive a bye into the second round.

Co-Director Kashif Muhammad highlighted the support of the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport, stating that the tournament offers players a platform to showcase their skills, maintain their fitness, and earn a living from the sport.

Action will primarily take place at the National Gymnasium, with the opening night and final three match nights hosted at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The National Gymnasium will host the other playing dates.

The championship kicks off on June 3rd and will conclude on June 28th, with matches scheduled for Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

The runners-up will receive $1 million, with $500,000 and $250,000 awarded to the third and fourth-placed teams, respectively, alongside individual prizes.

While awaiting final approval from the Guyana Football Federation, Muhammad expressed confidence that the necessary agreement will be reached before the tournament begins.

The competition is expected to feature many of the country’s leading futsal sides.

Looking ahead, Muhammad outlined an ambition to revive international futsal tournaments in Guyana, inviting top teams from the Caribbean, Suriname, and Brazil to compete against the nation’s best.

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