Heatwave threatens Europe

Temperatures are set to soar in parts of Europe as officials issued warnings of droughts, forest fires, and crop failure. The heatwave brought unusual temperatures of a sweltering 39°C to Paris on Sunday and 38°C to Florence, as a huge mass of hot air drifted up from the Sahara desert. The Belgian capital Brussels roasted in 36°C. Britain’s media claimed the UK was sweltering this weekend in temperatures higher than the Caribbean. But they were no match for Germany where thermometers hit the 40s in many regions. Officials said electricity usage has skyrocketed as fans and air conditioners are turned up across Europe. Temperatures are due to soar in Eastern Europe too, with the Romanian capital Bucharest hitting 39°C by Thursday. There will also be no let off for Italy, already experiencing its worst drought for 10 years, with temperatures in Rome expected to be in the mid-30s all week.