CALEXICO, Calif. (AP) — People withered in blistering heat on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, where temperatures hit a scorching highs this week and many got little relief from the sun.
Maribel Padilla, part of the Brown Bag Coalition, met up with people who are homeless and particularly vulnerable to the heat in Calexico, on the border between Mexico and California, where temperatures hit 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees Celsius). She provided them with a cold, wet towel, and some refreshments to give them respite. Many placed the towels over the heads to shield themselves and rehydrated with cool bottles of water.
People wait in line to cross the border to Calexico, Calif., Thursday, July 20, 2023, in Mexicali, Mexico. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Just across the border in Mexicali, Mexico, many plunged into indoor pools for some exercise and cool comfort. An outdoor taekwondo class waited for the sun to set before exerting themselves in the sweltering heat.
The Justice Department has told Texas that a floating barrier of wrecking ball-sized buoys the state put on the Rio Grande violates federal law and raises humanitarian concerns.
An estimated 20,000 Americans are coming to New Zealand for the Women’s World Cup and many have arrived in the days before the U.S. women’s team plays its opener against Vietnam on Saturday.
A street-food salesgirl who became a tech entrepreneur and senator is shaking up the contest to succeed Mexico’s popular president.
But there was little choice for those working outside, who sweated through their clothes in 115-degree Fahrenheit (46-degree Celsius) temperatures. Most others kept away from the outdoors, or stayed in shade cast by buildings.
The southwestern U.S. has baked in record hot weather over the last week, and more is expected to come, as climate change bolstered by an El Nino, a cyclical and natural warming of the Pacific, pushes global temperatures to new highs.
A man, who is homeless, looks at some refreshments in a bag given to him by Maribel Padilla of the Brown Bag Coalition, Thursday, July 20, 2023, in Calexico, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Three men, who are homeless, react as they are given cold, wet towels by Maribel Padilla of the Brown Bag Coalition, July 20, 2023, in Calexico, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Women take part in an exercise class at a public pool Thursday, July 20, 2023, in Mexicali, Mexico. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Elizabeth Lopez changes lanes as she swims at a public pool July 20, 2023, in Mexicali, Mexico. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Children take part in a Taekwondo class after the sun set on a day of temperatures beyond 115 degrees Fahrenheit, July 19, 2023, in Mexicali, Mexico. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Men sit in the shade amid extreme heat, July 19, 2023, in Calexico, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
A man, who is homeless, carries a bag of refreshments given to him by Maribel Padilla of the Brown Bag Coalition, July 20, 2023, in Calexico, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Men, who are homeless, react as they are given cold, wet towels by Maribel Padilla of the Brown Bag Coalition, July 20, 2023, in Calexico, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Homero Acevedo sings for tips among the line of cars waiting to cross the border to Calexico, Calif., July 20, 2023, in Mexicali, Mexico. Acevedo says he only works till about ten in the morning, due to the extreme heat. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Pablo Suarez’s shirt is bathed in sweat before seven in the morning as he parks cars and provides security for a downtown cafe Thursday, July 20, 2023, in Mexicali, Mexico. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Victor Hernandez waits for work washing windows among the line of cars waiting to cross the border to Calexico, Calif., July 20, 2023, in Mexicali, Mexico. Hernandez says he only works till about ten in the morning, due to the extreme heat. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Jorge Martinez works the fires at his taco stand after the sun set on a day of temperatures beyond 115 degrees Fahrenheit, July 19, 2023, in Mexicali, Mexico. Martinez says he hasn’t bothered to open earlier in the afternoons this week, because the heat keeps his patrons away. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
___
Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP’s climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
