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Oscar Piastri led Lando Norris to a dominant McLaren one-two in the Chinese Grand Prix ahead of George Russell’s Mercedes.

Piastri’s calm, controlled victory made it two wins from two for McLaren at the start of the season following Norris’ outstanding drive in the wet in Melbourne last weekend.

The Australian led from pole and lost first place only briefly in the period around the leaders’ only pit stops. Piastri was rarely more than four seconds ahead of Norris but always in control.

Norris was struggling with fading brakes in the closing laps but had enough of an advantage to hold Russell at bay.

Charles Leclerc drove an outstanding race in a Ferrari with a damaged front wing, faster than team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who moved out of his way.

But the pair were disqualified after the race – for separate technical infringements – along with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.

During the race, Leclerc lost fourth place to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen with four laps to go as the world champion’s car found some pace in the second half of the race.

Hamilton, who took an outstanding victory in the shorter sprint race on Saturday, had resisted the team orders call for a couple of laps before letting Leclerc by and then dropped back.

The seven-time champion made a second pit stop, while the other leaders all stayed out on their single set of hard tyres, fitted at their only pit stops.

The result leaves Norris leading the championship by eight points from Verstappen, with Russell a further point adrift, and Piastri one behind Russell. (BBC)

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Chennai Super King’s bowling acquisitions during the off-season paid immediate dividends.

Their four new bowlers took nine wickets between them to restrict Mumbai Indians to 155 for 9, a total that they ultimately chased down with ease but not without a hiccup against debutant left-arm wrist-spinner Vignesh Puthur, who is yet to represent his state side in senior cricket.

However, the other left-arm wrist spinner, younger than Puthur but a veteran by comparison, made the telling impact.

Noor Ahmad registered his best IPL figures and the best figures for a CSK spinner against MI, 4 for 18, to capitalise on the inroads made by Khaleel Ahmed, whose CSK debut was not too shabby either: wickets of openers and analysis of 4-0-29-3.

CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad made the chase look like a walk in the park with 53 off 26, bringing the requirement down to a run a ball in the ninth over, but this is when they started losing wickets to Puthur, struggling to impart power into his slow wristspin.

Three of them holed out in the deep, but Rachin Ravindra anchored the chase with 65 off 45 to see them home. (ESPNcricinfo) 

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A tragic incident unfolded Saturday afternoon when fisherman Parmand Singh, 30, from Dundee Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, was brutally murdered by a known individual who has since been arrested.

His wife, Violet Bennett, 30, told the News Room on Sunday that she was made aware of the shocking news after receiving a call around 17:00 hrs, just hours after Singh left their home.

Determined to uncover the truth, Bennett rushed to the scene.

According to eyewitness accounts, Singh was at the Dundee Canal Bridge when Adesh Latchman approached him and requested a cigarette. Without warning, Latchman violently attacked Singh with a chopper, inflicting a fatal blow to the back of his neck.

Singh was immediately transported to the Mahaicony Public Hospital, but it was too late.

Violet Bennett

Bennett, in tears, demanded justice for her husband, asserting, “Me want justice for my husband because he na do he nothing. Watch he left he pickney them. He never want left he pickney.”

Singh’s mother, Sharmila Singh, expressed her deep anguish over her son’s death, stating, “he hard fuh loose a big boy pickney like that, it really hard.”

Singh leaves behind his wife, four children, and grieving family members who are determined to seek justice.

Sharmila Singh

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The new/modern $831.8 million Campbellville Polyclinic is expected to be completed in 12 months and is set to revolutionise healthcare delivery in Guyana.

This was revealed by President Irfaan Ali at the official sod turning ceremony for the new facility on Saturday.

“This is not simply an upgrade, it is a revolution in how we deliver healthcare, this is the kind of vision we are bringing to healthcare, a vision where every region, every community, every citizen have access to the kind of medical care that improves that save lives,” President Ali said as he delivered featured remarks at the event.

Healthcare professionals, cabinet ministers and residents attended the ceremony.

The new/modern $831.8 million Campbellville Polyclinic is expected to be completed in 12 months

The new facility was heralded as a major transformation for local healthcare.
The project will merge the Campbellville and Kitty Health Centres into a brand new two-storey building. Out of 16 bidders, BM Property Management Investment Inc secured the contract, with Innovative Consultant Service appointed as the supervisory consultant.

The consolidation follows previous developments when the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) took over the management of the health centres.

President Irfaan Ali
(Photo: President Irfaan Ali/Facebook)

Together, the two centres currently see an average of 5,000 patients monthly and this is expected to increase once the new polyclinic is completed.

The Campbellville Polyclinic aims to eliminate the need for referrals to GPHC and reduce the strain on the hospital, as it will handle diagnostics and specialised care directly.

“We are not just breaking ground, we are breaking barriers, we are not just putting up walls, we are tearing down obstacles to quality healthcare, we are not just turning the sod, we are constructing a better and stronger future for all,” President Ali said.

The new/modern $831.8 million Campbellville Polyclinic is expected to be completed in 12 months

During his remarks, the Head of State revealed that all polyclinics and clinics will be linked through a telemedicine platform, connecting local doctors with specialists in partnering institutions in India and the US.

“Even if we have five radiologists, we will have access to 25 through the telemedicine platform,” he stated.

The polyclinic’s ability to enable early and accurate disease detection is seen as critical to improving patient outcomes.

“Establishing this modern polyclinic is a long overdue response to our challenges with the existing facilities both the kitty health centre and the campbellville health centre have served their communities but they were limited by outdated infrastructure,” GPHC’s Chief Executive Officer Robbie Rambarran highlighted.

GPHC’s CEO Robbie Rambarran (Photo: President Irfaan Ali/Facebook)

The new facility will offer a wide range of services including x-ray, ultrasound, ECG, an asthma bay, physiotherapy, spirometry, diet and nutrition service, diabetic care, a dental suite along with primary healthcare services. Additionally, the facility will be equipped with two elevators and while it does not have a laboratory, proper logistics will be in place to transport samples to GPHC for lab testing.

Meanwhile, a section of the building will also serve as the Campbellville Post Office. Rambarran explained that to manage the expected overflow on pension distribution days, clinics will not be held to accommodate the pensioners.
Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony said in addition to physical upgrades, the electronic health record system and a health app will also be integrated into the new polyclinic.

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony (Photo: President Irfaan Ali/Facebook)

“So, not only are we going to give you a modern facility, but we will give you a modern way in which to make your appointments. When we talk about this modern way of doing healthcare this is what we are talking about,” Dr. Anthony said.

The Industry Health Centre is also earmarked to be upgraded to a polyclinic.

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Caribbean leaders held an emergency virtual meeting on Friday to discuss the recent decision by the United States to impose visa restrictions on officials allegedly involved in the export of Cuban workers.

Asked about Guyana’s position on the matter during an event on Saturday, President Irfaan Ali stated that Guyana, alongside CARICOM, is seeking clarity and dialogue on the issue.

President Ali emphasised the importance of finding common ground with the US, while making it clear that “I don’t see abandoning Cuba as part of this equation.”

The restrictions were recently announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who asserted that Cuba profits significantly from what the US considers a “forced labour” programme, particularly involving doctors and other healthcare workers.

President Ali explained that Guyana employs foreign healthcare workers from Nigeria, India, and Cuba.

“All of that follows the local laws and international labour laws,” he said.

He further noted that Guyana has formally requested information from the US to better understand its position.

“We have also asked as a country for any information that would help us to understand the position of the US, and if there is any breach in relation to our system, we will endeavour to have those breaches looked at in accordance with our local law and international law,” the President stated.

The involvement of Cuban health workers varies across the region, with some Caribbean countries being heavily dependent on them. However, President Ali asserted that “what is clear is that the Cuban health workers are part of the regional health care system.”

He explained that the issue at hand is not about Cuba as a country, but rather the concerns raised by the US regarding Cuba’s health brigade system.

“…it is surrounding an issue and the US is contending that with the information before them, they don’t believe that the Cuban health brigade system is following the international best practices and laws,” President Ali stated.

However, President Ali added that the region is also facing an added challenge in healthcare.

“We are faced with an added challenge as a region and that is the recruitment of our own healthcare workers and that is because of the English language for the EU healthcare system, the UK, Canadian, US healthcare system.”

Caribbean countries, including Guyana, have maintained strong relations with Cuba and continue to advocate for improved US-Cuba relations. The US and Cuba have maintained a strained relationship for decades, ever since the Cuban revolution in the 1950s.

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President Donald Trump’s plan to impose tariffs on China-made ships/vessels will impact trade in Guyana and the CARICOM region, President Irfaan Ali revealed on Saturday.

Specifically, countries like Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago would need to assess the implications for tankers and other vessels transporting oil and gas, President Ali said.

“That of course can have effects on the cost of goods coming into the region, the cost of transport coming into the region,” President Ali stated.

Adding: “this is a policy that was alluded to, so there are some discussions that will have to occur so all of these things are key regional issues that we are discussing together.”

Some of these challenges were raised by the Regional Private Sector Organisation during a recent emergency virtual meeting held by CARICOM heads.

“The US is our partner, the region recognises that the US is an important partner and the Regional Private Sector will be having some conversations with the US.

“We will also be having conversations with various actors in the US, Secretary of State for example and also the Chair of CARICOM will be seeking to have a meeting with the White House to go through some of these challenges that we may face and to have a better understanding of each other positions,” President Ali said.

He noted while the policy is not yet implemented, “we have to have early conversations to mitigate or minimize the impact.”

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will embark on his first official visit to the Caribbean next week, with a tour of three nations, including Guyana, Jamaica, and Suriname. Rubio will meet with regional leaders to discuss several pressing issues.

The visit will begin in Jamaica, where Rubio is set to meet with Prime Minister Andrew Holness for talks. He will then travel to Guyana and Suriname to engage with their respective presidents, Presidents Irfaan Ali and Chandrikapersad Santokhi.

Rubio’s trip follows a regional summit in Barbados last month, where CARICOM Chairwoman, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, extended an invitation to President Donald Trump to visit the Caribbean.

As part of the discussions, Mottley will attend the summit in Kingston, where she will represent CARICOM.

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Virat Kohli struck an unbeaten 59 as Royal Challengers Bengaluru comfortably beat defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders by seven wickets in the opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Chasing 175 to win, Kohli added 95 for the first wicket with England’s Phil Salt, who made 56 from 31 balls on a flat surface at Eden Gardens.

RCB reached their target in 16.2 overs, as new captain Rajat Patidar contributed a superb 16-ball 34 and England’s Liam Livingstone hit the winning runs with two fours and a six in his 15 not out from five balls.

Kolkata made a flying start, reaching 107-1 inside 10 overs after South Africa’s Quinton de Kock fell for four in the first over, with Sunil Narine and captain Ajinkya Rahane adding 103 for the second wicket.

But a canny spell of 3-29 from spinner Krunal Pandya clawed back control as RCB chipped away with regular wickets through the middle overs.

Pandya crucially had Rahane dismissed for 56, and bowled Shreyas Iyer for six and Rinku Singh for 12.

He was supported by Australia seamer Josh Hazlewood, who missed the recent Champions Trophy with injury but delivered a miserly spell of 2-22.

Rahane admitted post-match his side were hoping to post a score in excess of 200 on such a good batting pitch, which was exemplified by RCB making light work of their chase and sending an early statement in their pursuit of a long-awaited first IPL title.

They reached the Eliminator in 2024 but were knocked out by Rajasthan Royals, while Kohli was the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 741 runs in 15 innings. (BBC)

 

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McLaren’s Oscar Piastri took pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix as George Russell’s Mercedes snuck between the Australian and team-mate Lando Norris.

Both Piastri’s laps in the final part of qualifying were quick enough for pole and ended up 0.082 seconds quicker than Russell.

Norris aborted his final run after a mistake in the middle for the lap and that gave Russell the chance to edge ahead.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took fourth, ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who took his first win for Ferrari from pole in the sprint race earlier on Saturday.

The seven-time champion beat his team-mate Charles Leclerc by 0.094secs.

French rookie Isack Hadjar impressed with seventh place for Racing Bulls, ahead of the second Mercedes of Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Racing Bulls’ Yuki Tsunoda was ninth while Williams driver Alex Albon completed the top 10.

Piastri’s pole was his first for a grand prix in his career, although he has had two poles for a sprint race before.

The Australian said: “It means a lot Q3, (I) just found a lot of pace, Q1 and Q2 I was genuinely struggling but the car came alive in Q3 and I think I did, too, the laps were a little bit scruffy. I’m just pumped to be on pole.

“First lap was better than second lap, lost a couple of 10ths and then I thought: ‘Why not send it into the hairpin?’ And gained those 0.2secs back and found a bit more for the final corner.

“I was going to abort that lap. I’m glad I didn’t.”

Norris, who ended up 0.152secs slower than Piastri, said: “Oscar deserves it. He has done a very good job this weekend. It’s his first pole, and that’s always nice. Just a couple of mistakes from me, but felt a lot more comfortable for the car, a much better direction we’re going in, not too disappointed.”

Russell said he was surprised to split the McLarens.

“Feels incredible to be honest,” he said. “One of the hardest qualifying sessions I’ve done in a long time.

“I was trying all sorts in my prep with the tyres and nothing seemed to be clicking. I tried something completely different on the last lap and it made all the difference.

“I had a big moment at Turn One but it all came together. I was really surprised. I knew it was a good lap but to be between the McLarens… buzzing for tomorrow.”

Hamilton, who ended up 0.286secs from pole, said that Ferrari had modified the car’s set-up following the sprint victory that had not improved its behaviour.

“We made some changes,” he said. “But nothing major but the car was really hard to drive. It wasn’t hugging the road.

“I don’t know how that will affect the pace for tomorrow. Everyone showed today it was really difficult to follow.”

Leclerc, who was just 0.094secs behind Hamilton, added: “As a team we maximised the potential of the car, but the most important thing is we understand where has gone the potential of the car. Both laps Lewis’ and mine were not that bad.”

British rookie Oliver Bearman will line up 17th for Haas, after being cleared of impeding Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin during the session.

And it was another difficult session for Red Bull’s second driver Liam Lawson, who was 20th and last.

The New Zealander said: “I can get upset at traffic but it shouldn’t be the difference between me getting through and not. I have a whole lot of things to sort out myself before I can look at things like that. It is just frustrating.

“The window is very small in this car. But it’s not an excuse, it’s just something I need to get a grip on. We have glimpses where it feels good. But it’s just a very small window and I just need to get on top of it.” (BBC)

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In a statement issued on Saturday, Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton sought to clarify comments made at a community meeting in Haslington, East Coast Demerara recently.

Hamilton took the opportunity to provide clarity on the Government of Guyana’s stance on undocumented workers, emphasising that the country’s immigration and employment laws are crucial for ensuring fairness, economic stability, and the protection of workers’ rights.

“There is no ambiguity: Guyana is a sovereign nation underpinned by the rule of law, and the laws governing immigration and employment are neither arbitrary nor negotiable,” Hamilton stated, reinforcing that these laws are essential for the structured development of society.

He continued, “The employment of undocumented individuals is not simply a legal infraction; it represents a deviation from the principles of accountability, justice, and due process that form the bedrock of our national development agenda.”

While acknowledging the challenges businesses face in recruiting skilled workers and the labour shortages in certain sectors, Hamilton stressed that bypassing legal processes is not a solution. “To operate outside of the regulatory framework is to erode the very structures designed to uphold fairness and security in the workplace,” he said. “It creates an uneven competitive landscape where compliance becomes a disadvantage, undermining the integrity of our labour market.”

Hamilton further addressed the demand for skilled labour, noting that the rapid growth of Guyana’s economy, particularly in sectors like oil and gas, construction, and manufacturing, has revealed significant gaps in the workforce. “These gaps are not due to a lack of willingness among Guyanese to work, but rather a need for advancements in education and vocational training,” he explained. “If we are to sustain our momentum as a nation, we must actively address these disparities.”

Since taking office in 2020, the Government has committed to enhancing the nation’s workforce through various educational and training initiatives. These include expanded access to technical and vocational training, the introduction of the GOAL scholarship programme, and the removal of tuition fees for government-run technical institutions and the University of Guyana. Hamilton highlighted that these measures are not symbolic, but strategic investments aimed at preparing Guyanese workers for future challenges.

Finally, Hamilton addressed the potential misinterpretation of his recent remarks, offering an unequivocal apology for any distress they may have caused. “If my comments have caused unease or concern in any community, I apologise, as it was never my intent,” he stated.

Looking ahead, Hamilton reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to data-driven strategies for addressing workforce imbalances. He reiterated that policies would continue to be grounded in evidence and aimed at solving the nation’s labour challenges. “Our Government’s priority remains the structured and lawful development of our labour force, ensuring meaningful and sustainable employment for all citizens,” he concluded.

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Two individuals were arrested Friday night for possession of cocaine during a Police cordon-and-search operation in Georgetown.

The operation targeted multiple residences in search of narcotics, stolen property, and wanted individuals. Officers conducted searches at the following addresses:

• The home of a 43-year-old businessman from Castello Housing Scheme, Georgetown
• The home of a 22-year-old cashier from Curtis Street, Albouystown, Georgetown
• The home of a 36-year-old unemployed female from James and Cooper Street, Albouystown, Georgetown
• The home of a 33-year-old wash bay attendant from Cummings Park, Sophia, Georgetown

No illegal items were found during the searches at these locations.

The police then proceeded to Lot 67 Gordon Street, Kitty, where they made contact with 50-year-old construction worker Gavin Clarke and 33-year-old housewife Seauta Norville, both residents of the address. Upon conducting a search of their home, officers discovered a quantity of cocaine.

Clarke admitted to possessing the drugs, while Norville denied any knowledge of them. The cocaine, weighing 33 grams, was seized, sealed in an evidence bag, and marked in the presence of the suspects. It was then lodged at Kitty Police Station to be sent to the forensic laboratory for analysis.

Both Clarke and Norville were arrested and placed into custody. Investigations are ongoing.

 

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