Peru declares health emergency in most
of its provinces as dengue cases soar
LIMA, Peru, Feb 27: Peru declared a health emergency in most of its provinces on Monday due to a growing number of dengue cases that are occurring at a time of higher than usual temperatures caused by the El Nino weather pattern. According to the nation's health ministry, the number of dengue cases registered during the first seven weeks of this year is twice as high as during the same period in 2023 - with more than 31,000 cases recorded. "This is a grave problem," health minister Cesar Vásquez said last week, before the emergency was declared. "And it is getting out of hand." The health emergency will enable the nation's government to transfer funds faster to the affected regions and also transport doctors and nurses. —AP
Gabon leader faces mixed record
LIBREVILLE, Feb 27: Six months after bringing the curtain down on the 55-year Bongo dynasty, Gabon's military leader remains popular despite criticism of authoritarian governance that is slow to fulfil promises. Many Gabonese rejoiced when Ali Bongo was overthrown in a bloodless coup on August 30, an hour after being proclaimed the winner of a presidential election, which the army and opposition declared fraudulent. Coup leader General Brice Oligui Nguema, 48, was swiftly sworn in as transitional president of the oil-rich, central African nation, promising a return of civilian rule with elections. —AFP
Oil spills contaminate Iraq farmers' lands
AL-MEAIBDI, Feb 27: Iraq enjoys tremendous oil wealth but many hard-scrabble farmers in the north say crude spills have contaminated their lands, piling on pressure as they already battle drought. Amid the hills of Salaheddin province, puddles of the viscous black liquid pollute the otherwise fertile and green fields, rendering vast swathes of farmland barren. "The oil has damaged all that the land can give," said one farmer, Abdel Majid Said, 62, who owns six hectares (15 acres) in the village of Al-Meaibdi. "Every planted seed is ruined. This land has become useless." Oil spills in Iraq-a country ravaged by decades of conflict, corruption and decaying infrastructure-have contaminated farmland in the northern province, especially during the winter rains. —AFP
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