GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has voiced concern following reports the market share of illicit cigarettes in Guyana has soared to an estimated 28%. During an Illicit Trade Conference held on Wednesday, it was revealed that rampant illegal trade not only jeopardises legitimate businesses but also results in an alarming loss of around GUY$ 1 billion in government revenue. The conference, organised by the PSC, shed light on the broader implications of the illegal trade of goods, which is intricately linked to organised crime, human trafficking, arms smuggling, drug trafficking, and money laundering. Chairman of the PSC Komal Singh, articulated the gravity of the situation. “Currently, Guyana is losing billions of dollars in revenue. The market share that some of these smugglers are capturing at the moment exceeds 25 per cent to 50 per cent in some areas. If we don’t find means and measures to put a stop to the smuggling in the shortest time, they can expect those numbers to rise,” Singh warned attendees. Singh further emphasised that the conference signifies the start of crucial efforts to instigate positive change. “Smuggling cannot continue, and collectively we need to put our heads together to ensure that we find all possible measures to curb smuggling in our industry,” he added. In response to the rising tide of illicit trade, the PSC has launched an Illicit Trade Desk at its Secretariat.  This initiative provides businesses and the public with a platform to report illicit activities, aiming to complement the efforts of law enforcement agencies.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley is taking part in the second High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) today. The dedicated meeting is a new effort to bring urgent attention by leaders for increased action on the growing risk of untreatable infections and of increasing mortality. Ahead of that meeting, Ms. Mottley highlighted the impact of AMR, noting it is already claiming a million lives a year directly and is responsible indirectly for just under four million more. The theme of the meeting is “Investing in the Present and Securing Our Future Together: Accelerating Multi-Sectoral Global, Regional and National Actions to Address Antimicrobial Resistance.” The last High-Level Meeting was held by the General Assembly in 2016. Director General of the World Health Organisation, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus says AMR is a global health threat that can unwind hundreds of years of medical progress.

(CNN) — A wildfire raging in Quito has forced residents to flee their homes and Ecuador’s president to make an emergency return from abroad, as heavy smoke spreads across whole neighbourhoods of the capital city. “I had two refrigerators, stoves, gas tanks, beds, dining tables, everything. As you can see, it’s all on fire … It’s terrible,” said Maria Sarango, who lost her home and all her possessions to the fire in Quito. “We didn’t expect that. My mom is elderly. She’s 95 years old … The police came to take her out because she can’t walk,” she told CNN, standing in front of the charred remnants of her house on a hillside. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa cancelled his visit to the United Nations in New York this week, where he was set to address the General Assembly, saying Tuesday night that he would return home to lead government response efforts. Over 200 firefighters with 65 vehicles are trying to put out the fires, supported by at least 30 water tankers, Quito Mayor Pabel Muñoz said. Schools were closed on Wednesday, Muñoz added, urging citizens to stay indoors to avoid health problems from the poor air quality. “I left last night, at 9 p.m. I left because I was already suffocating, and it was affecting my eyes, so I left with my husband and we went another way and I came back this morning,” said a Quito resident named Margarita, who also evacuated. Authorities suspect the fire was started intentionally and are investigating the situation as a “criminal and terrorist” act, according to the mayor. “After the scourges that occurred yesterday in different places in the city, the Ecuadorian police are carrying out investigations to locate and capture those responsible for these events. We will not rest until we locate the people who put the safety of citizens at risk and damage the fauna and flora of our city,” the National Police said Wednesday as they called for citizens to provide information. The out-of-control fire has come as Ecuador faces severe drought, causing authorities to impose scheduled power cuts in parts of the country. A helicopter sprays water over a bushfire on a hill in Quito on September 25. (Photo: Galo Paguay/AFP/Getty Images)