Europe braces for prolonged heatwave as temperatures approach 40C

Europe sweltered under a heatwave near 40°C on the summer solstice as an "African anticyclone" created a heat dome and pushed authorities to issue red alerts.
Travel and events were hit — French intercity trains cancelled and some festivals evacuated as infrastructure strained.
Locals and tourists coped with parasols, fans and cold drinks, while wildlife centres reported many heat‑stressed nestlings and animals.