South Indian actress Shakeela undergoes neck surgery after excessive phone use

An Italian firefighting aircraft has joined efforts to contain two major wildfires in Tunisia’s western Kef province, as authorities continue a large-scale operation to prevent the flames from spreading through forested and mountainous areas. The Italian Embassy in Tunis announced on Friday that Italy had sent a Canadair firefighting aircraft to assist Tunisian emergency teams. The aircraft collected water from the Mellegue Dam and repeatedly dropped it over areas affected by the fires, according to footage broadcast by Tunisia’s national radio. Khalil Mechri, head of operations and monitoring at Tunisia’s Civil Protection Directorate, said firefighting teams continued their work throughout Friday evening to bring both blazes under control. He said the fires began several days earlier in Jebel Touila and Jebel Takrouna, two mountainous areas in the Kef province. The wildfires have already scorched hundreds of hectares of forests and vegetation, Mechri told Tunisia’s state news agency TAP. Around 22 fire engines and large numbers of civil protection personnel remain engaged in the operation, while several government ministries and local authorities have provided additional equipment and logistical support. Tunisia’s Defense Ministry has also contributed to the response by deploying military aircraft to provide aerial assistance in the firefighting operation. The latest fires come amid a sharp rise in wildfire damage across Tunisia this summer. According to figures released by Tunisian authorities, wildfires have destroyed around 4,400 hectares (10,873 acres) of land since the beginning of May. Mohamed Noufel Ben Haha, director general of forests at the Agriculture Ministry, said fires recorded between May 1 and July 23 had burned approximately 4,400 hectares. The figure represents a significant increase from the 2,705 hectares affected by wildfires during the same period in 2025, marking a rise of nearly 63 percent. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as firefighters work to contain the remaining flames and protect nearby forests and communities from further damage.

South Korea has experienced its hottest day since national weather records began more than 100 years ago, as an intense heatwave continues to grip the country and raise concerns over the growing impact of climate change. According to reports, the southeastern city of Yangsan recorded a temperature of 42.5 degrees Celsius (108.5 degrees Fahrenheit) at 1:26 p.m. local time on Sunday, setting a new national record. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) confirmed that the reading surpassed all previously recorded temperatures since the country began maintaining official weather data more than a century ago. The latest milestone comes amid a prolonged period of extreme heat across South Korea. Yangsan has now recorded temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) for five consecutive days, highlighting the severity of the current heatwave. Weather officials have warned that the scorching conditions are expected to continue, with temperatures in many parts of the country remaining well above seasonal averages. Heatwave warnings remain in place across much of South Korea, where daytime temperatures have climbed into the upper 30s Celsius in numerous cities. More than 20 regions were placed under emergency heatwave alerts on Sunday, reflecting the widespread nature of the dangerous weather conditions. The emergency heatwave warning is the highest level of heat alert introduced by South Korean authorities this year to better respond to increasingly intense summer temperatures. The alert is issued when weather forecasts predict either a perceived temperature of at least 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) or an actual air temperature of 39 degrees Celsius (102.2 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher, even if only for a single day. Meteorological data also indicates that South Korea has experienced a dramatic rise in the frequency of extreme heat over recent decades. According to the KMA, the average number of annual heatwave days has more than doubled over the past five years, increasing to 19 days compared with an average of just eight days during the 1970s. The weather agency defines a heatwave day as one in which the highest daytime temperature reaches at least 33 degrees Celsius (91.4 degrees Fahrenheit). It also classifies a tropical night as one in which overnight temperatures remain above 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit), preventing residents from receiving relief from the daytime heat. Climate scientists have repeatedly warned that human-driven climate change is increasing the frequency, intensity, and duration of heatwaves around the world. Rising global temperatures are contributing to more severe weather events, placing additional pressure on public health systems, infrastructure, agriculture, and energy supplies.South Korea’s record-breaking temperatures come during a year marked by numerous climate-related disasters across the globe. Several countries have experienced devastating droughts, destructive wildfires, severe flooding, and powerful storms, underscoring the growing challenges posed by extreme weather. Elsewhere, Europe continues to battle its own climate-related emergencies. Wildfires fueled by scorching temperatures and strong winds have spread across parts of Greece, forcing authorities to evacuate residents from threatened communities. Meanwhile, Spain and France remain under hot and dry conditions, increasing the risk of additional wildfires as firefighters remain on high alert. Experts say the latest record in South Korea serves as another reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and strengthen preparedness for increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events.