Health concerns swirl as Bolivian city drowns in rubbish / Photo: FERNANDO CARTAGENA - AFP
-
Oscars to stream exclusively on YouTube from 2029: Academy
-
CNN's future unclear as Trump applies pressure
-
Zelensky says Russia preparing for new 'year of war'
-
Rob Reiner's son appears in court over parents' murder
-
US Congress passes defense bill defying Trump anti-Europe rhetoric
-
Three Russia-themed anti-war films shortlisted for Oscars
-
US oil blockade of Venezuela: what we know
-
Palace boss Glasner says contract talks on hold due to hectic schedule
-
Netflix to launch FIFA World Cup video game
-
Venezuela says oil exports continue normally despite Trump 'blockade'
-
German MPs approve 50 bn euros in military purchases
-
India v South Africa 4th T20 abandoned due to fog
-
Hydrogen plays part in global warming: study
-
EU's Mercosur trade deal hits French, Italian roadblock
-
What next for Belarus after US deal on prisoners, sanctions?
-
Brazil Senate debates bill that could slash Bolsonaro jail term
-
Coe shares 'frustration' over marathon record despite Kenyan's doping ban
-
Stolen Bruce Lee statue 'returns' to Bosnia town
-
Veteran Suarez signs new Inter Miami contract
-
Warner Bros rejects Paramount bid, sticks with Netflix
-
Crude prices surge after Trump orders Venezuela oil blockade
-
Balkan nations offer lessons on handling cow virus sowing turmoil
-
French readers lap up Sarkozy's prison diaries
-
UK PM warns Abramovich 'clock is ticking' over Chelsea sale fund
-
Warner Bros. Discovery rejects Paramount bid
-
Winners of 2026 World Cup to pocket $50 million in prize money
-
World no. 1 Alcaraz ends 'incredible ride' with coach Ferrero
-
World number one Alcaraz announces 'difficult' split with coach Ferrero
-
Iran boxer sentenced to death at 'imminent' risk of execution: rights groups
-
Snicko operator admits error that led to Carey's Ashes reprieve
-
Finland PM apologises to Asian countries over MPs' mocking posts
-
Doctors in England go on strike for 14th time
-
Romania journalists back media outlet that sparked graft protests
-
Rob Reiner's son awaiting court appearance on murder charges
-
Ghana's Highlife finds its rhythm on UNESCO world stage
-
Stocks gain as traders bet on interest rate moves
-
France probes 'foreign interference' after malware found on ferry
-
Europe's Ariane 6 rocket puts EU navigation satellites in orbit
-
Bleak end to the year as German business morale drops
-
Hundreds queue at Louvre museum as strike vote delays opening
-
Bondi shooting shocks, angers Australia's Jewish community
-
Markets rise even as US jobs data fail to boost rate cut bets
-
Senegal talisman Mane overcame grief to become an African icon
-
Carey pays tribute to late father after home Ashes century
-
'Many lessons to be learned' from Winter Games preparations, says ski chief
-
Emotional Carey slams ton to give Australia upper hand in 3rd Ashes Test
-
Asian markets mixed as US jobs data fails to boost rate cut hopes
-
Carey slams ton as Australia seize upper hand in third Ashes Test
-
Bondi shooting shocks, angers Australia Jewish community
-
Myanmar junta seeks to prosecute hundreds for election 'disruption'
NYSE - LSE
| CMSC | -0.31% | 23.268 | $ | |
| NGG | 1.65% | 77.04 | $ | |
| GSK | 0.28% | 48.916 | $ | |
| RIO | 1.62% | 77.24 | $ | |
| BTI | -0.18% | 57.185 | $ | |
| BCC | -0.22% | 75.67 | $ | |
| SCS | 0.12% | 16.14 | $ | |
| RYCEF | -0.2% | 14.77 | $ | |
| BP | 1.47% | 34.265 | $ | |
| BCE | -0.6% | 23.19 | $ | |
| AZN | -1.1% | 90.36 | $ | |
| JRI | -0.72% | 13.413 | $ | |
| CMSD | -0.73% | 23.21 | $ | |
| RBGPF | 0.5% | 82.01 | $ | |
| VOD | 0.9% | 12.815 | $ | |
| RELX | -0.57% | 40.59 | $ |
Health concerns swirl as Bolivian city drowns in rubbish
Health officials in Bolivia's fourth-biggest city raised disease concerns Wednesday as tons of rubbish have accumulated on the streets due to a 12-day-old protest by residents blocking access to its main landfill.
Officials warned of a severe public health issue in Cochabamba, a city of 600,000 whose residents have closed off the landfill to demand its permanent closure.
The city's health department said cases of diarrhea soared by seven percent in the last week, and those of Hepatitis A -- a viral disease spread through contaminated food or water -- rose by 55 percent.
"This could be the beginning" of a health crisis, the department's epidemiology head Ruben Castillo told AFP.
Residents living near the K'ara K'ara landfill are demanding it be shuttered permanently, claiming contamination due to improper waste management.
"We are demanding our right to health; the municipality does not listen to us," Alcira Estrada, a 38-year-old merchant who lives near the landfill, some 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from the city center, told AFP.
The protest has now seen the problem spread wider, with about 7,000 tons of waste accumulated on Cochabamba's streets, according to municipal estimates.
The municipality had agreed last September to close the landfill within six months, but the deadline has now passed.
Cochabamba produces between 600 and 800 tons of garbage daily, according to municipal spokesperson Juan Jose Ayaviri.
V.Dantas--PC
