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News

BREAKING: Ali, Maduro, Lula for meeting in St Vincent next week; Ali rules out negotiations on border controversy

President Irfaan Ali and the President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro are to meet in St Vincent next week Thursday, amid escalating tensions between the two countries, but the Guyanese leader on Saturday insisted that the border dispute over the Essequibo Region is a non-negotiable. Brazil’s President, Luis Inacio Lula Da Silva is expected to participate in that meeting scheduled for ...

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2023 gov’t workers 6.5 percent pay hike “pitiful”- Opposition Leader

Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton on Saturday slammed the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC)-led administration’s “shame” and “pitiful” 6.5 percent salary increase for 2023 as one that forces Guyanese into sustained poverty. “They see political gain and virtue in keeping workers and citizens poor and dependent,” he said in reaction to Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh’s announcement that 54,000 government workers ...

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Crashed GDF helicopter was equipped to detect dangerous terrain; flight diverted

The Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Bell 412Epi helicopter, in which five servicemen died on Wednesday’s crash, was equipped to alert the pilot about obstructions ahead so that he could have taken evasive action but only the aircraft’s black box can provide clues, Air Corps Commander Lieutenant Colonel Mohinder Ramjag said Saturday. “Yes, there are devices- Terrain Awareness Warning System (TAWS) ...

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CARICOM leaders support World Court for settling Guyana-Venezuela border controversy; call for Ali-Maduro talks

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders on Friday, backing Guyana’s position to resolve the border controversy with Venezuela through the International Court of Justice (ICJ), called for talks between Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali and the President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro. “CARICOM calls for a de-escalation of the conflict and for appropriate dialogue between the leaders of Venezuela and Guyana to ensure peaceful ...

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Black box retrieved as investigation into deadly GDF helicopter crash begins

The investigation into Wednesday’s crash of a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) helicopter that claimed the lives of five servicemen and injured two others has begun and the black box containing flight data has already been retrieved, Aviation Minister Juan Edghill said Friday. “We had members of his team in at Blake Slater landing strip. We have already retrieved the black ...

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6.5 percent salary back pay for government workers; tax-free bonus for Disciplined Services – Finance Minister

Some 54,000 public servants, teachers, members of the disciplined services, constitutional office holders, as well as government pensioners are set to benefit from a 6.5 per cent across-the-board retroactive salary increase, thereby putting $7.5 billion in disposable income into the economy, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh announced on Friday. Additionally, 12,000 members of the disciplined services will receive a one-month ...

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GDF soldiers still alive – senior security sector officials

The two Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldiers, who survived Wednesday’s helicopter crash deep in the country’s jungle, were Friday morning still alive and were waiting to be airlifted from the crash site once the weather improves, according to senior security sector officials. “Both are well,” according to a high-ranking military officer. Friday morning’s assurance that both Lieutenant Andio Crawford and ...

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Former President David Granger “saddened” at deaths of GDF members

Following is a statement by former President of Guyana, Retired Brigadier Arthur Granger on the passing of five members of the Guyana Defence Force in a helicopter crash on Wednesday. The incident occurred in bad weather about 30 miles from Arau near the Guyana border with neighbouring Venezuela. Following is the full text of Mr Granger’s statement. “I extend my ...

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President, Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, Home Affairs Minister mourn loss of GDF servicemen in helicopter crash

The death of five Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldiers in Wednesday’s helicopter crash has sent shockwaves throughout the country. Those who perished in the crash of the Bell 412 helicopter, bearing registration marking 8R-AYA were veteran helicopter pilot of 40 years, Lt Col. Michael Charles, Retired Brigadier Gary Beaton, Colonel Michael Shahoud, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome, and Staff Sergeant Jason ...

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Five soldiers perish in GDF helicopter crash

Five Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldiers died in Wednesday’s helicopter crash in Guyana’s Essequibo county about 30 miles east of the border with Venezuela, the GDF said. “The next phase of the operation involves the extraction from the area, followed by the commencement of an investigation into the incident,” GDF said. Among those who perished in the crash of the ...

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