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Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli became the youngest driver to take a Formula 1 pole position for the sprint event at the Miami Grand Prix.

The 18-year-old beat McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, the championship leader, by 0.045 seconds. The second McLaren of Lando Norris was third ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Antonelli’s team-mate George Russell was fifth fastest, 0.309secs slower than the Italian rookie.

It was an outstanding performance from Antonelli, the first time he has beaten Russell in qualifying this season, and the first time he has shown a glimpse of the huge potential Mercedes believed they saw in him when they chose him to replace Lewis Hamilton for this year.

Antonelli has taken a steady approach to the start of his career but had looked sure-footed and accomplished from the start of practice and carried that form into qualifying.

“I am over the moon,” he said. “I did not expect it.

“I was feeling good in the car. I was able to improve lap by lap and find that consistency and that gap came all together. I am super happy with that. We will enjoy this moment but I want to focus on tomorrow because I really want to try to repeat myself.”

Antonelli embraced his father Marco in the Mercedes garage as the team celebrated his achievement wildly.

“It was really nice and also to find him in the garage after qualifying,” Antonelli added.

“I am super-happy to share this moment with him. It is so important to me, he is like a rock. I can always rely on him. I would like to share it with my mum and sister as well but hopefully next time.”

Starting the sprint from pole gives him a big opportunity to convert it into a first win, given the power of clear air in F1. (BBC)

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Police have launched an investigation into the alleged murder of a 54-year-old clothes vendor, Datson Davidson, known as “Blackie”, which occurred on the evening of Thursday at the junction of Cocorite and Freeman Streets in East La Penitence, Georgetown.

Davidson, who resided on Callender Street, Albouystown, was reportedly involved in an altercation with 33-year-old shop owner Colwin Marcurius of Freeman Street, East La Penitence. The two men are said to have known each other prior to the incident.

According to preliminary reports, the argument between the men escalated at approximately 20:45 hrs. Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion resembling a gunshot, after which Davidson was found lying motionless a short distance away.

Emergency Medical Technicians were summoned to the scene and Davidson was subsequently pronounced dead by a doctor.

During their investigations, police recovered a 9mm pistol, one live 9mm round, and a spent shell at the scene.

Marcurius was promptly arrested and remains in police custody as investigations continue.

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Maleah Davis, a 34-year-old mother of two, who is battling Stage 3 kidney disease is seeking a living kidney donor to help save her life. Three years ago, Davis’ life drastically changed after she was diagnosed with kidney disease but her health journey began in 2013 after she was diagnosed with hypertension while pregnant with her son.

“During pregnancy my blood pressure was always high mostly like 200 something, 100 something so I used to be in the hospital like every two weeks due to that and due to not eating right and stuff like that it get worse,” Davis told the News Room during an interview on Friday.

She explained that living with this condition has impacted her daily life resulting in her leaving her job as a taxi dispatcher.

“I can’t do some of the things I used to do before. Most of the time, I’m weak and have to rely on my mom and sister to do a lot of things for me,” she said.

Davis explained that her symptoms started in 2021 with itching, extreme thirst and tiredness.

“I was okay, just taking my blood pressure meds,” Davis explained.

Over time, her health continued to deteriorate and eventually she was diagnosed with kidney disease. Davis said doctors told her that it is a result of her hypertension. Now, she relies on weekly dialysis treatments and is urgently seeking a kidney donor since her sister is not a match. Her blood type is A+.

“I am currently seeking a donor so I can get a kidney transplant done as soon as possible,” she said.

She is urging others to eat healthy and “always get a doctor’s check-up once in a while. Check your blood pressure and sugar levels.”

If you’re interested in helping kindly contact Davis at 653-3429.

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See below press release from Cricket West Indies

Guyana Rainforest Rangers fast bowler Quentin Sampson, was reported for a suspect bowling action during match five of the West Indies Breakout League against the Jamaica Titans at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium in Trinidad on Tuesday, April 29.

As part of the process, once a player is reported for a suspect bowling action, video footage from the match in which the player was reported is provided to CWI.

The video footage along with the written report is sent to Loughborough University for analysis using an Opinion Report.

On Friday May 2, Cricket West Indies (CWI) confirmed that the Opinion Report by the Independent Assessor at Loughborough University, has found Sampson’s bowling action to be illegal and, as such, he has been suspended from bowling in all West Indies international and regional matches with immediate effect.

The assessment revealed that Sampson’s deliveries exceeded the level of tolerance for extension of the elbow permitted under playing regulations.

As per the International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations the suspension will also apply to all other domestic leagues worldwide.

Sampson will now undergo remedial work under the supervision of the Guyana Cricket Board.

He will be eligible to apply for reassessment once he has modified his bowling action, either through another Opinion Report from Loughborough or via analysis from another accredited testing centre.’

Editor’s Note: Quentin Sampson is the second player to be reported for a suspect bowling action in the Breakout T20. The first was Trinidad and Tobago Legions fast bowler Joshua James.

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Two men were charged and remanded to prison in separate cases involving serious cybercrime offences under Guyana’s Cybercrime Act No. 16 of 2018, following alleged threats and incitement to violence made via the social media platform TikTok.

The first accused, 24-year-old Emmanuel Rogers, a self-employed delivery driver and labourer of New Prospect Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was charged with two indictable offences: using a computer system to encourage or incite persons to commit a criminal offence against the President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, and using a computer system to incite a terrorist act. These charges are in direct contravention of Sections 18(1)(c) and 18(1)(d)(ii), and contrary to Section 18(2) of the Cybercrime Act.

Rogers was arrested by ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters in relation to a TikTok video uploaded on Tuesday, in which he allegedly called on individuals to murder the President and commit acts of terrorism, including burning the police station, hospital, and Parliament building.

He appeared at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrate’s Court on Friday, where he was not required to plead to the charges. Magistrate proceedings concluded with Rogers being remanded to prison until the next hearing, scheduled for May 23, 2025.
In a separate case, 43-year-old Azriel Ashby, a security guard of El Dorado Village, West Coast Berbice, was also charged with inciting a terrorist act via TikTok. The alleged offence occurred between Monday and Tuesday, at Go Slow Avenue, Tucville, Georgetown. According to investigators, Ashby allegedly used the platform to call for the burning of several areas, including Sophia Road, Weldaad, Paradise, and Eldorado.

Ashby was arrested by CID ranks and brought before the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Friday. He entered a plea of not guilty. However, bail was denied and he, too, was remanded to prison. His case has been adjourned to May 23, 2025.
The Guyana Police Force has reiterated its commitment to thoroughly investigate and prosecute cyber offences that pose threats to national security and public safety. Authorities have also warned the public of the serious legal consequences of using online platforms to incite violence or terrorism.

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In a joint operation, officers of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) intercepted a significant quantity of foreign cannabis at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Wednesday.

Acting on intelligence received, customs and CANU officials carried out targeted searches at the Laparkan Cargo Shed, inspecting multiple incoming barrels shipped from the United States of America. The operation led to the discovery of several transparent parcels containing cannabis.

In total, three barrels were searched. One barrel yielded 1.502 kilograms of cannabis, resulting in the arrest of Machaia Andrews of Lot 274 Section “B”, Non Pariel, East Coast Demerara, and Lemme Campbell of 229 Section “C”, Enterprise, East Coast Demerara. Both individuals were taken into custody and transported to CANU Headquarters along with the seized narcotics.

A separate search of two additional barrels uncovered a further 16.4 kilograms of foreign cannabis. This prompted a follow-up investigation by CANU officers at a residence in North East La Penitence, Georgetown. There, a black garbage bag was discovered containing numerous packets of foreign zip-lock bags, small plastic containers commonly used for packaging cannabis, and rolling papers.

The combined seizures represent a total of 17.902 kilograms of cannabis. Authorities have confirmed that investigations are continuing.

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This country is not ready or prepared for a third-party option according to Gary Griffith, Political Leader of the National Transformation Alliance (NTA) as he conceded defeat at 9.30 last night.

The mood at the NTA headquarters in Mt Lambert was quiet and pensive, as the results started to trickle in about after 7 pm.

Griffith had the full support of his family, who kept close to him as the numbers started to collate.

The political party contested 17 seats in the General Election but preliminary results showed it was unsuccessful in gaining any seats.

The constituencies the party contested were Aranguez/St Joseph, La Horquetta/Talparo, Toco/Sangre Grande, San Juan/Barataria, Tunapuna, St Augustine, Arouca/Maloney, Arima, Diego Marin West, Diego Martin Central, Diego Martin North/East, Port-of-Spain North, Port-of-Spain South, Point Fortin, San Fernando West, Chaguanas East and St Ann’s East.

Speaking to his candidates and a small group of supporters, Griffith told them this was not a time for the party to be despondent, or have any degree of animosity towards the country, as the citizens have made a choice, and it must respect it.

“Since 1981, we started with this perception of a third party that was the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) and they did not get a seat. In 1991, it continued with the NAR on its own, breaking away from the UNC of which the political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar was a part and they didn’t get a seat. The same thing happened with the Congress of the People. What we did is provide the country 18 years later as an option,” Griffith said.

He noted that the NTA has tried to unite T&T and will continue to provide that opportunity.

“Probably if former US president Barack Obama decides to lead a third party, he might lose his deposit as well. That is just the way it is in T&T and similar to other countries in the United States, the same thing with the Democrats and the Republicans and people will criticize both,” Griffith pointed out.

Asked by Guardian Media if the NTA was disappointed that it did not make inroads in the constituencies the party contested, Griffith said, “Honestly, it is very difficult and I think it is time we need to have polls, scientific polls. No one knew what was going to happen until last night and that is where difficulty came in. What I can tell you is that the NTA, I mean, as I’m the only political leader in the country, I can tell you that the NTA has walked in with its candidates. We honestly did not know, but we have no regrets.”

As to whether the NTA would be contesting the 2030 general elections, Griffith quickly said that the decision is not going to be based on him alone.

Griffith explained that his style is different. He said as a former military officer, he is a team player.

“It’s going to be based on the rank and file of the NTA. What they decide to do, how they intend to go in what direction, whether it may very well be they may want another political leader. I am always prepared to move aside for someone who may have the capacity to build a party, to build a team. That is what I am. I am not here. I do not own the NTA. All I am is a humble servant, representing the NTA as the political leader,” Griffith stressed.

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A fire ravaged through several buildings located between Thomas and Pike Streets, Kitty, Georgetown on Thursday leaving several persons displaced.

When the News Room visited the scene at about 12:30 hrs, smoke blanketed the area, as fire engulfed buildings that were close to each other.

The Guyana Fire Service responded to the fire about 30 minutes after the initial call.

It was a fight against the time for the firefighters on the scene. The fire spread from the initial building and engulfed two other buildings on the side. Both buildings are seemingly apartment complexes as well.

With tenders displaced at the entrances from both Pike and Thomas Streets, the firefighters tried to contain the fire to one building.

Building left in a devastating state after the fire on Thursday. (Photo: News Room/ May1, 2025)

Persons were also seen dousing water onto their homes in efforts to stop the fire from spreading further and engulfing more buildings.

According to Randall Duguid, 28, who lived on the top/third floor of one of the apartment building where it is assumed the fire started, said his mother first said she was smelling smoke.

“I was in front relaxing and my mother said she smells smoke. Soon as I opened the back door, I saw bright orange in the back room of the downstairs (bottom apartment) I started trying to fight it, throwing water,” Randall said.

After realizing his efforts to extinguish the fire were futile, he immediately told his mother, Evelyn Benjamin, 64, to call the fire service and he then went to the bottom flat, where two elderly cousins lived. By this time an alarm was raised and neighbours assisted him with removing the women from the apartment.

Randall Duguid during an interview with the News Room. (Photo: News Room/ May1, 2025)

The smoke played a massive factor in preventing persons from escaping the building but the man said he held onto the rails on the steps to get by and he managed to escape with his mother as well before the fire destroyed the building.

“Right now I am just happy to be here and to have my mom. Duhs it, we ain’t got nothing left. It’s sad but we have life,” the man said.

The two women who lived at the bottom/ first floor are Verlie De Barros, 87 and Lucille Peters, 97, who are cousins. Verlie told the News Room that her cousin complained about feeling heated in the apartment just moments before they were aware of the fire. She suspects the fire started because of a wiring issue.

Verlie De Barros during an interview with the News Room on Thursday. (Photo: News Room/ May1, 2025)

“She [Lucille] tell me she feeling heaty, heaty, where the heat coming from? I said we ain’t gah heat here because I don’t cook in the house…That house, it has wires and thing that need to change. All that could cause it,” she said.

Both households related that all of their belongings were destroyed by the fire. They could not provide an estimate of the amount but they suspect it was millions of dollars in losses.

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– Authorities send DNA samples to New York; multiple officers on administrative leave 

The owner of the Double Day Hotel, who had been held in connection with the investigation into the death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge, has been released from police custody after the statutory detention period expired, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) confirmed.

He has been ordered to report to the police daily while investigations continue and has also been barred from leaving the country.

As part of the ongoing probe, DNA samples taken from the hotel owner and the late Adrianna Younge are being transported to the Mount Sinai Health System in New York for advanced forensic testing, escorted by a police forensic investigator.

The investigation, described by the GPF as “serious in nature,” has also resulted in several law enforcement and civilian staff being placed on administrative leave. Among them is Assistant Commissioner Khalid Mandall.

A civilian employee, who was monitoring security footage on the day in question, admitted to investigators that she input the wrong date while reviewing camera footage near the Double Day Hotel. Her error led to a false report that a woman matching Younge’s description had left the premises with a man.

Further scrutiny has revealed that a sergeant from the Special Constabulary Unit falsely claimed to have received a tip-off about Younge entering a black Raum vehicle. Investigators traced the phone call and identified the “anonymous” caller, who turned out to be well acquainted with the officer.

He told detectives that his claim was based on overhearing a conversation outside the hotel and relayed this to the sergeant during a ten-minute phone call—later corroborated by call records.

Due to apparent negligence, a corporal and a constable have also been removed from duty pending further inquiry.

The GPF has stated that the investigation remains active and ongoing.

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See below the full statement issued by Guyana’s Ministry of Forign Affairs and Internaional Cooperation

Order issued on 1 May 2025, by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, in response to Guyana’s request for the indication of additional provisional measures, following the announcement by the Government of Venezuela in January 2025 of plans to elect a governor and legislative council of “Guayana Esequiba State”, which is the name Venezuela has given to Guyana’s Essequibo region.

In its Order of 1 May 2025, the Court:

“(1) Unanimously,

Reaffirms the provisional measures indicated in its Order of 1 December 2023, which should be immediately and effectively implemented; and

(2) By twelve votes to three,

Indicates the following provisional measure:

Pending a final decision in the case, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela shall refrain from conducting elections, or preparing to conduct elections, in the territory in dispute, which the Co-operative Republic of Guyana currently administers and over which it exercises control.”

It should be recalled that the Court’s Order of 1 December 2023 stated as follows:

“(1) Pending a final decision in the case, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela shall refrain from taking any action which would modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute, whereby the Co-operative Republic of Guyana administers and exercises control over that area; and

(2)              Both Parties shall refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute before

the Court or make it more difficult to resolve.”

The Government of Guyana reiterates its unwavering commitment to the principles of international law, the peaceful resolution of disputes and to the ICJ Process for a final, peaceful and lawful resolution of the controversy concerning the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award that determined the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela.

The Government of Guyana further calls upon the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to comply fully with the ICJ’s orders, which are legally binding, and refrain from any actions that violate Guyana’s territorial integrity or disrupt the peace and security of the Latin American and Caribbean region.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation May 1, 2025

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