A woman protects her head during a heat wave, Monday, June 30, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
By The Associated Press
Published Jul 1, 2025 12:48 pm
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A heat wave covered much of Europe on Monday, with a record-hot first day of play at Wimbledon and high winds fanning forest fires in Turkey.
Heat warnings were issued for parts of Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany and the U.K., with new highs expected on Wednesday before rain should bring respite to some areas.
Extreme heat is no longer a rare event — it has become the new normal, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres tweeted from Seville, Spain, where temperatures hit 42 degrees Celsius (108 degrees Fahrenheit). He called for action to fight climate change, saying the planet is getting hotter & more dangerous.
Dr. Hans Kluge, head of the World Health Organization's Europe office, warned in a statement that the scorching heat silently threatens the people who need protection most: older adults, children, outdoor workers and anyone living with chronic health conditions.
Portugal
Portuguese authorities issued a red heat warning for seven of 18 districts as temperatures were forecast to hit 43 C (109F).
Spain
Spain's national weather service said no relief from the first heat wave of the year is expected until Thursday. Sunday's national average of 28 C (82F) set a new high temperature for June 29 since records were started in 1950.
France
In France, where air conditioning remains relatively rare, authorities were taking extra effort to care for homeless and elderly people. Misting stations doused passers-by along the River Seine in Paris.
France's first significant forest fires of the season consumed 400 hectares (988 acres) of woods Sunday and Monday in the southern Aude region. Water-dumping planes and some 300 firefighters were mobilized, the regional emergency service said.
Turkey
In Turkey, forest fires forced the temporary closure of the airport in Izmir, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported. Authorities evacuated four villages as a precaution, the Forestry Ministry said.
Firefighters battled a blaze that broke out Monday near residential areas in Hatay province, near the border with Syria, that prompted 1,500 people to evacuate.
Italy
In Italy, the Health Ministry put 21 cities under its red alert, which indicates emergency conditions with possible negative effects on healthy, active people as well as others. Regional governments in northwestern Liguria and southern Sicily put restrictions on outdoor work.
There were torrential rains in the north, and parts of Bardonecchia near Turin were covered in sludge after the Frejus river burst its banks. RAI state television said one person was killed.
Britain
Britain's national weather service said the Wimbledon tennis tournament was facing what could be its hottest start, with temperatures just under 30 C (85F). Tournament rules allow players to take a 10-minute break when the heat goes above 30.1 C mid-match.
Germany
Temperatures in southern Germany were forecast as high as 39 C (102F) on Wednesday. Some towns and regions imposed limits on how much water can be taken from rivers and lakes.
At the Berlin zoo, elephants were showered with water and bears treated with blocks of ice containing fruit.
By Jinggoy I. Salvador
Davao del Sur is the gateway to the country’s highest peak, Mt. Apo, where thrill-seekers climb for leisure and athletes compete in the Boulder Challenge, one of the country’s most challenging events. Towering at 2,954 meters above sea level, the mountain rewards its victors with breathtaking vistas imprinted in memory to last a lifetime.
Mt. Apo is just one of the many gifts that the “Maanyag nga Paraiso” (beautiful paradise) of Davao del Sur can offer. Spanning nine municipalities and one component city, this province is a land of rich natural resources, destinations, an art sanctuary, and a well-preserved cultural heritage. It’s a tourist’s paradise—and an investor’s promised land.
Since its founding day in 1967, Davao del Sur has become one of the most progressive provinces in the Philippines. Thanks to good governance and empowered citizens, it has achieved its vision of becoming an agri-industrialized, commercial, eco-tourism, and risk-resilient province—and it continues to grow.
Under the administration of the first lady governor, Gov. Yvonne Roño Cagas, the province remained true to its mission and vision. Over the past year, significant progress has been made in expanding and modernizing Davao del Sur’s medical, educational, sports, and agricultural programs and facilities.
Serving Davao del Sur for another term, the lady governor shared her plans on the 58th Anniversary Foundation Day celebration. “This year, one of my major plans is to hasten the purchase of relocation sites in the different areas of the province,” she said. “These shall be turned into villages and awarded to the landless.”
Among the many festivals and events in the province, the most anticipated is the annual foundation day. It’s when the entire population takes part in the exciting week-long celebration that the provincial government has organized. The most popular and well-attended affair is the Mutya ng Davao del Sur pageant, where citizens from all over the province fill the stadium to support their candidates.
Winning the crown in this prestigious pageant means embracing civic duties and promoting the province. “The Mutya ng Davao del Sur is one of our strategic ways to promote tourism, particularly in mounting world-class events where people can enjoy and be enticed to come and visit the province,” said Kervin Joseph Elijay, provincial tourism officer. “It gives an economic opportunity and benefit, particularly to MSMEs and private investors, who build their business for tourism purposes.”
judges Designer Edgar Buyan, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2018 Jehza Huelar, shoe designer Jojo Bragais, COO of Joji International Schools Nicole Hao Bian Ledesma, Theia Gems founder Kristine Joy Agcopra, and the author
Judges Designer Edgar Buyan, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2018 Jehza Huelar, shoe designer Jojo Bragais, COO of Joji International Schools Nicole Hao Bian Ledesma, Theia Gems founder Kristine Joy Agcopra, and the author
Vice Governor Mark Cagas and Governor Yvonne Roña-Cagas
2024 Mutya passes her crown to 2025 Mutya Angela Yvonne H. Wabingga as Governor Yvonne Roña-Cagas looks on
From every town and sector, empowered, beautiful, intelligent, and eloquent women rise as storytellers, dreamers, and symbols of the resilient Davsuranon spirit. Besting 21 other candidates, Angela Yvonne H. Wabingga earned the coveted Mutya ng Davao del Sur 2025 crown. Completing her court were Hannah Mary G. Kolencheril (first runner-up), Fredelma Nova T. Corporal (second runner-up), Danna Mitchelle Ruelo (third runner-up), and Nichole P. Mandalones (fourth runner-up).
Adding even more sparkle to the evening were Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, who served as an inspiring co-host, and singer Michael Pangilinan, who serenaded the candidates and the cheering crowd.
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The Supreme Court (SC) asked the Court of Appeals (CA) in Mindanao to determine if the construction of the P23 billion Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) project is a threat to the environment in the area. The SIDC project is a bridge that will connect Barangays Vicente Hizon, A. Angliongto Sr. and R. Castillo in Davao City, and Barangay Limao in the Island Garden City of Samal. Read more |
By Mark Rey Montejo
Published Jul 1, 2025 04:44 pm
Alas Pilipinas imposed its will for an emphatic 25-13, 25-15, 25-20 win over Australia to make it two in a row in the 2025 VTV International Women's Volleyball Cup at the Vinh Phuc Gymnasium in Vietnam Tuesday, July 1.
Coming off a four-set win over Sichuan of China, the Nationals dazzled anew as they put on a clinic from start to finish and denied the Australian their first win in the week-long meet.
Alas is currently at second place in Pool A with a 2-1 win-loss record, with the group standings and the quarterfinal pairings expected to change after the evening match between Vietnam (2-0) and Sichuan (1-1).
The Jia De Guzman-led squad will face Thailand’s Est Cola in the quarters.
Australia, for its part, might battle reigning champion and Russia-based squad Korabelka or Chinese Taipei.
As expected, Brooke Van Sickle powered the Nationals with her scoring prowess, while Vanie Gandler impressed with 11 points off eight attacks and three aces.
De Guzman also shone as she provided the plays that Gandler, MJ Phillips, Alleiah Malaluan, Amie Provido and Dell Palomata relied on. Justine Jazareno showed promise as well as a backup for seasoned libero Dawn Catindig.
