
-
Trump says Iran has 'maximum' two weeks, dismisses Europe peace efforts
-
Defending champions Toulouse hold off Bayonne to reach Top 14 final
-
Teams from 'south' have Club World Cup heat advantage: Dortmund's Kovac
-
'It's only match one' says Itoje after Lions mauled by Pumas
-
Fleetwood, Thomas and Scheffler share PGA Travelers lead
-
Mexican authorities rescue 3,400 trafficked baby turtles
-
Maresca accepts Chelsea were second best in Flamengo loss
-
Global stocks mixed, oil lower as market digests latest on Iran
-
Argentina's Kirchner urges backers not to gather as police deploy
-
Lions slump to warm-up defeat by Argentina
-
Habz, Stark light up Diamond League as Girma banishes Paris blues
-
Haliburton warns Pacers of 'poison' of outside noise before NBA Finals game 7
-
Benfica knock out Auckland in delayed Club World Cup romp
-
Benfica knock out Auckland in Club World Cup romp
-
Flamengo fightback floors Chelsea at Club World Cup
-
Jaiswal salutes 'special' hundred as Vaughan 'staggered' to see England bowl first
-
Wirtz wants to 'win everything' for Liverpool after record move
-
World Bank and IMF climate snub 'worrying', says COP29 presidency
-
Iran rejects nuclear talks with US before Israeli 'aggression' stops
-
Sahel juntas pile pressure on foreign mining firms
-
Europe powers urge Iran to keep up diplomacy despite Israeli strikes
-
Sabalenka saves four match points against Rybakina to reach Berlin semis
-
Liverpool complete record swoop for Wirtz from Leverkusen
-
Armenia PM hails 'in depth' talks with Erdogan on 'historic' Turkey visit
-
Alcaraz extends winning streak, Draper into semi-finals at Queen's
-
Gill launches India captaincy reign in style with hundred against England
-
Mexico's Sheinbaum claims drop in homicides, experts dubious
-
Russia might try to take Ukrainian city of Sumy, Putin says
-
Zverev battles in Halle, faces Medvedev in semis
-
Tennis star Sinner releases duet with Italian tenor Bocelli
-
Israel warns of 'prolonged' war against Iran
-
Giorgio Armani to miss Milan Fashion Week shows
-
Armenia PM in talks with Erdogan on 'historic' Turkey visit
-
Royal Ascot is 'heaven on earth' for shock winner Cercene's trainer
-
Iran's nuclear programme: from its origins to today's dispute
-
Draper digs deep to reach Queen's semi-finals for first time
-
Afghan-born Nadia Nadim returns to Danish team for Euros
-
NATO scrambles to overcome Spain block on summit spending deal
-
Putin says recession in Russia 'must not be allowed to happen'
-
Ton-up Jaiswal makes England toil in first Test as India take control
-
NBA star Durant takes minority PSG stake
-
US enters first major heat wave of 2025
-
Macron says Europe must become 'space power' again
-
Big-name porn sites back online in France after age check row
-
Zverev battles into Halle semis, joined by Medvedev
-
Romania names pro-EU PM after months of instability
-
UK MPs vote in favour of assisted dying bill in historic step
-
Indonesia President denies G7 snub in Russia visit
-
European powers meet Iran in Geneva as war with Israel rages
-
Armenia PM to meet Erdogan on 'historic' Turkey visit

'Have to be outside': Thai delivery riders swelter in heatwave
In Bangkok's central Siam Square, Suriyan Wongwan sweats while he waits to collect the food that he will deliver by motorbike as Thailand bakes through a heatwave.
"I'm afraid of getting heatstroke," the 51-year-old told AFP as the mercury hit 37 degrees Celsius (99 degrees Fahrenheit), with humidity pushing the "real feel" to a sticky 43C (109F).
Large swathes of Southeast Asia are struggling through a heatwave that has broken temperature records and forced millions of children to stay home as schools close across the region.
Experts say climate change makes heatwaves more frequent, longer and more intense, while the El Nino phenomenon is also driving this year's exceptionally warm weather.
Among those hit hardest are workers whose jobs require them to be outdoors all day, such as the motorbike drivers who deliver food and offer taxi rides through Bangkok's traffic-choked streets.
"My self-protection is to drink more water, so I can carry myself and not pass out," Suriyan said.
"In hot weather like this, I drink whenever I park my bike."
The air-conditioned malls from where he collects his deliveries offer some respite, but he also worries the rapid change in temperature risks making him sick.
Isara Sangmol is one of the city's legion of "win motosai" -- motorbike taxi drivers -- and has been on the job since he was 17.
These days he drinks four or five bottles of water a day to stay hydrated -- double his normal intake.
"We need to get enough sleep to work, otherwise the heat would affect our body and our health," the 48-year-old told AFP as he sipped water from a tumbler.
He waits for customers in the early afternoon at a motorbike stand that offers some shade.
"If it gets too hot for me, I can take off my orange 'win' jacket (worn by motorbike taxi drivers) and go inside the mall to cool down," he said.
He switched up his clothing for lighter fabrics that are more breathable, but driving a motorbike means he needs to wear long trousers and proper shoes.
Seksith Prasertpong has been delivering food for the Line Man appfor the past two years and said the heat "makes my job harder".
"I have to wash my face more often,go to the toiletand drink cold water regularly," the 38-year-old told AFP during a break.
Though the heat eases later in the day, Seksith said changing his working hours is not an option.
"Our rate is low. But the more we work, the more we earn," he said.
He would like to see incentives for drivers during hot weather, as is currently the case during heavy downpours when delivery rates are increased.
Suriyan also thinks rates ought to be raised to reflect the difficulties of the job.
Even in the heat, "riders like me still have to work because we need money to live our daily life... especially now when everything is getting more and more expensive," he said.
"I don't think there's any option to help us, because we have to be outside."
G.Stevens--AMWN