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The ongoing elections fraud trial related to Guyana’s March 2020 General and Regional Elections resumed on Monday, with certified Statements of Poll (SOPs) from Electoral Districts Four and Six formally tendered into evidence.

Proceedings at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court were briefly delayed due to heavy rainfall, which affected the transportation of court exhibits to the courtroom. Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty informed the court that the witness, Nigel Stephens of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), had arrived on time but was unable to immediately deliver the exhibits because of the weather conditions.

The hearing eventually got underway at approximately 10:42 a.m.

Stephens, who has previously testified in the matter, continued giving evidence regarding the handling, verification and preservation of election-related documents. Earlier in the trial, he told the court that on May 28, 2021, he received two metal safes and their corresponding keys that had been used to secure Statements of Poll from the 2020 elections. Those materials were later processed as part of the official evidence chain.

He also testified that on May 29, 2021, he participated in a verification exercise alongside the Registrar of the Supreme Court. During that exercise, Statements of Poll and Statements of Recount (SORs) were examined, certified and checked for authenticity.

Nine individuals are before the court accused of conspiring to manipulate the results of the March 2020 elections in favour of the APNU+AFC coalition and to deny victory to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

Among those charged are former Minister Volda Lawrence, former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo and former Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers.

The March 2020 elections sparked a prolonged political and legal dispute that delayed the declaration of the final results for five months. The impasse ended on August 2, 2020, when PPP/C Presidential Candidate Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali was sworn in as President.

The trial is scheduled to continue on Tuesday, June 16, as the court proceeds with the examination of evidence and witness testimony.

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The Global Biodiversity Alliance (GBA), an initiative launched by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali to advance global biodiversity conservation, has grown significantly in less than a year, expanding from 17 founding members to 125 members from around the world.

The rapid growth reflects increasing international support for efforts aimed at placing biodiversity at the centre of climate and development discussions, according to Senior Director of Climate and REDD+ in the Office of the President, Pradeepa Bholanath.

Speaking on the Starting Point podcast on Sunday, Bholanath said the alliance’s expanding membership is helping to create new opportunities for biodiversity financing and international cooperation.

“We now have all the development banks within our region as part of the membership of the Global Biodiversity Alliance, and that kind of momentum is opening a lot of new frontiers in terms of biodiversity financing,” she explained.

Among the organisations that have joined the alliance are major multilateral development institutions, including the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the World Bank, and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). Their participation is expected to strengthen the alliance’s ability to mobilise technical expertise and financial resources for biodiversity-related initiatives.

As membership continues to grow, the alliance is now preparing to shift its attention toward one of the most pressing challenges facing conservation efforts globally—financing.

Bholanath noted that the next phase of the alliance’s work will focus heavily on developing and expanding mechanisms that can unlock greater investment in biodiversity protection and sustainable ecosystem management.

That focus will take centre stage at the alliance’s upcoming biodiversity conference, which is expected to be held during the final quarter of 2026. The event will bring together governments, development institutions, private sector representatives, indigenous leaders, and environmental organisations to explore practical solutions for financing biodiversity conservation.

President Ali is expected to announce the official date of the conference in the coming weeks.

The conference is also expected to build on the momentum generated since the alliance’s launch in July 2025, when stakeholders from across the globe came together under a shared commitment to protect biodiversity while promoting sustainable economic development.

The Global Biodiversity Alliance was established to create stronger partnerships among governments, civil society groups, indigenous peoples, local communities, private sector entities and international organisations, recognising that biodiversity conservation requires coordinated global action.

With membership now standing at 125 and growing, Guyana’s biodiversity initiative is increasingly positioning itself as a major platform for international collaboration and financing aimed at safeguarding some of the world’s most valuable natural ecosystems.

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Iran twice came from behind in Los Angeles as they denied New Zealand a first win at a World Cup.

Motherwell forward Elijah Just gave New Zealand a flying start as he thumped home a half-volley after Chris Wood held up the ball and knocked it into his path.

New Zealand continued to show promise but, as has already often been the case at this World Cup, the first hydration break midway through the first half proved costly as the momentum swung and Iran found a way to level when Ramin Rezaeian flicked the ball past Max Crocombe.

Before their leveller, Iran’s star forward Mehdi Taremi had come close to finding an equaliser when he struck the post with an powerful drive from outside the box. After making it 1-1, Iran also had a goal ruled out for offside.

New Zealand took a while to get going in the second half but Just popped up once more to put his side back in front as he combined with Wood again and lofted the ball over Alireza Beiranvand.

But Iran found a way to restore parity when Mohammad Mohebbi met Rezaeian’s cross and guided a header in off the inside of the post.

Every side in Group G has one point, with Belgium having drawn 1-1 with Egypt in their first match. (BBC)

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Maxi Araujo’s late goal salvaged a 1-1 draw for Uruguay against Saudi Arabia as goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais was the hero.

The Saudi goalkeeper made a string of saves to keep his side in front and while the clean sheet was denied him, his player-of-the-match performance succeeded in frustrating the two-time World Cup winners led by former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa.

Following Spain’s shock draw with Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia had looked on course to find themselves top of Group H after the first round of games when Abdulelah Al-Amri poked the ball into Fernando Muslera’s net late in the first half after the veteran goalkeeper could only parry Mohamed Kanno’s header.

But Uruguay were much improved in the second half, adding greater urgency following the half-time withdrawal of ex-Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez. Manuel Ugarte of Manchester United had a shot tipped against the post by Al-Owais on the hour.

But Araujo finally scored after Al-Owais could only push another Federico Vinas header into his path. Uruguay, who had 27 shots in the game, were well worth their equaliser, and were close to a winner as Miami’s heat tired their opponents but will feel they escaped given how late the equaliser came. (Skysports)

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Tunisia have sacked head coach Sabri Lamouchi following the side’s defeat in their opening World Cup 2026 fixture.

Sweden inflicted a 5-1 loss on Tunisia in Sunday’s Group F tie at the Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, Mexico.

Reports afterwards suggested Lamouchi had been immediately sacked, but sources told BBC Sport that the 54-year-old took training on Monday.

However, the Tunisian Football Association has now confirmed that the Frenchman’s contract has been terminated by “mutual agreement”.

Former Morocco and Saudi Arabia manager Herve Renard has been appointed head coach of the side until the end of the tournament.

Lamouchi’s departure means he is the first manager in World Cup history to be sacked after just one game.

Tunisia sacked manager Henryk Kasperczak after a poor start during their 1998 World Cup campaign, when the side failed to win either of their first two matches.

Cha Bum-kun was dismissed by South Korea during the same tournament after defeats in their first two matches, while Julen Lopetegui was sacked by Spain two days before the start of the 2018 World Cup after agreeing to become Real Madrid manager.

But this is the first time a manager has lost his job after just one World Cup match and it brings to an end Lamouchi’s five-month stint in charge of Tunisia.

The former Nottingham Forest boss was only appointed in January, replacing Sami Trabelsi who left his role following a last-16 defeat by Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Speaking after the defeat by Sweden, Lamouchi said the loss was “painful”.

“Starting the competition with this bad of a loss is indeed difficult,” Lamouchi said.

“We made too many mistakes, and this is not something that we can do. We are shooting ourselves in the foot, we are hurting ourselves.”

Lamouchi won just one of his five games as Tunisia head coach – a 1-0 victory over Haiti in his first game in charge.

In their two warm-up games for the World Cup earlier this month, they lost 1-0 to Austria before suffering a 5-0 thrashing by Belgium.

Tunisia face Japan and Netherlands in their remaining Group F fixtures. (BBC)

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The Chairpersons of eight Parliamentary Committees were elected on Monday, after Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir convened a series of meetings.

In a release from the Parliament Office, the meetings commenced at 10:30 hrs in the Chamber of the Public Buildings, Brickdam. Members were given the option to participate either in person or virtually; however, the majority attended in person.

The meetings resulted in the election of Chairpersons for four Parliamentary Standing Committees and four Parliamentary Sectoral Committees.

Vishnu Panday, of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) opposition party, was elected Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). 

The PAC is a key body that examines the audited accounts, as presented in the Auditor General’s Report, exercises general supervision over the functioning of the Auditor General, and nominates the members of the Public Procurement Commission for approval by the National Assembly and, thereafter, the appointment by the President.

Duarte Hetsberger, of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) opposition party, was elected Chairman of the Economic Services Committee. 

Dr. Vindhya Persaud, the Minister of Human Services and Social Security, was elected Chairwoman of the Social Services Committee. 

Odessa Primus, of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) opposition party, was elected Chairwoman of the Foreign Relations Committee. 

And Vickram Bharrat, the Minister of Natural Resources, was elected Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee. 

“… the constitution of these committees marks an important milestone in the work of the Thirteenth Parliament, enabling Members to begin their oversight, to examine all policies and administration for each sector, to determine whether the execution of Government policy is in consonance with the principles of good governance and in the best interest of all the people of Guyana,” the release from the Parliament Office noted.

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June 15, 2026 – As the Government of Guyana continues the National $100,000 Cash Grant distribution process, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh said the distribution process has been continuing smoothly with more citizens having received the grant since the last government update provided. The Minister recalled on March 19, 2026, 48,858 Central Government employees (public servants, teachers and members of the disciplined services) received their cash grants amounting to $4.9 billion of additional income being placed in the hands of these public servants. He also reminded that the online portal launched by government on March 26, 2026, was convenient for citizens to use to access the grant since, as of today (June 15, 2026), 279,546 persons who successfully completed self-registration, have received their cash grants while another 4,053 persons are at various stages of this self-registration process.

He noted that taken together with the 48,858 Central Government employees, this brings the total number of citizens paid to date via direct transfers into their bank account to 328,404.

With regard to other eligible citizens, Government took additional steps to assist them and undertook to register persons in far flung areas and hinterland communities who had no access to banking facilities, did not have a bank account or were shut ins, in shelters, hostels and Senior Citizen homes around the country. These persons were registered by government teams and were subsequently processed for cheque payments. Dr. Singh has pointed out that the total number of persons across the country in these categories who were processed for cheque payments total 96,277.

Conclusively, the Minister noted that the total number of persons processed for the National Cash Grant comprising Central Government employees, those who self-registered using the portal and those who have been processed for cheque payments to date is 424,681 persons equivalent to $42.5 billion.

The finance minister is encouraging every eligible Guyanese citizen who has not yet registered for the cash grant to use the portal at cashgrant.gov.gy to register for their cash grant. Additionally, persons who need assistance to register can visit the website https://cashgrant.gov.gy indicating the type of assistance needed (Ministry of Finance press release) 

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Georgetown, Guyana – As Guyana’s economy continues its rapid transformation and businesses compete in an increasingly dynamic marketplace, Sonic Business Services and Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising Limited have formalised a strategic partnership designed to deliver expanded marketing, communications and business solutions to clients operating in Guyana and across the wider Caribbean.

The partnership builds on a longstanding working relationship between the two agencies and establishes a more structured framework for delivering integrated advertising, marketing, digital, media, public relations and experiential services within the Guyanese market.

For more than two decades, Sonic Business Services has supported organisations throughout Guyana with marketing execution, event management, production services, public relations support and on-the-ground campaign delivery. Its deep understanding of the local business environment, consumer landscape and operational realities has made it a trusted partner for brands seeking meaningful engagement with Guyanese audiences.

As Sonic Business Services marks its twentieth anniversary, the agency is entering a new phase of growth through a strengthened alliance with one of the Caribbean’s most established communications agencies.

Founded more than 70 years ago, Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi has built a reputation for delivering strategic communications, creative development, media planning, digital marketing and integrated campaigns for leading regional and international brands. Its portfolio includes work for organisations such as Caribbean Airlines, Digicel, Guardian Group, Lucozade, Angostura White Oak and Angostura Premium Rums, among others.

The formalisation of the partnership reflects a shared recognition that Guyana’s growth trajectory is creating new opportunities and new demands for businesses operating in the market.

As companies expand, audiences become more sophisticated and competition intensifies, organisations require communications partners capable of providing both strategic insight and effective execution. The partnership combines Sonic Business Services’ local market expertise with Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi’s regional strategic capabilities, creating a comprehensive offering designed to help businesses navigate a rapidly evolving commercial landscape.

Under the arrangement, Sonic Business Services will continue to serve as the lead in-market partner, providing client relationship management, business development, project coordination and local execution. Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi will provide specialist support across brand strategy, creative development, media planning, digital marketing, campaign development and strategic communications.

Together, the agencies will offer clients access to an expanded suite of services spanning strategy, creative, media, digital, production, experiential marketing and public relations, supported by a partnership model designed to move seamlessly from business challenge to execution.

The collaboration also positions both organisations to pursue new opportunities across sectors experiencing significant growth in Guyana, while providing existing clients with access to broader regional expertise, additional specialist resources and integrated communications solutions tailored to local market realities.

Speaking on the partnership at Sonic’s 20th anniversary, representatives of both agencies noted that the formal agreement reflects a natural progression of a relationship built on mutual trust, shared standards and successful collaboration across multiple projects and campaigns.

“This partnership is fundamentally about creating greater value for clients,” they said. “Guyana’s business environment continues to evolve at an extraordinary pace. Organisations require communications partners who understand both the local market and the broader regional context. By bringing together Sonic’s market knowledge and executional strength with Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi’s strategic and creative capabilities, we are creating a stronger platform to support businesses as they grow.”

The partnership reinforces a shared commitment to delivering world-class marketing and communications solutions while contributing to the continued development of Guyana’s private sector and broader business ecosystem.

As Sonic Business Services enters its third decade of operations, the alliance signals a renewed focus on growth, innovation and long-term value creation for the brands, businesses and organisations shaping Guyana’s future (Press release)

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