EUROPE: Much of Europe continued yesterday to swelter in a heatwave that has killed at least 35 people, sparked wildfires, ruined crops and forced some Dutch schools to adopt a "tropical roster".
Tourists plunged into London fountains to cool off and fully-clothed Parisians stood in sprinklers as temperatures hit 40 degrees. German brewers struggled to keep up with the demand for beer.
Portugal, where 14 people have died in raging forest fires since late July, was trying to control at least two fires. More than 2,500 firefighters were tackling blazes.
Flames raged outside Macieira, a village about 180 km northeast of Lisbon. Aircraft and helicopters dumped water as more than 200 firefighters and volunteers struggled to contain the flames.
"I am really worried that the wind might shift," said Ms Fernanda Maria, a Macieira resident, as she hosed down harvested corn outside her home and eyed the advancing fire.
In France, weather forecasts warned people to brace themselves for at least five more days of sweltering heat. Firefighters in southern France battled wildfires, including one on the outskirts of Luceram, near Nice.
Meteorologists blame the heat on high pressure reaching from west of the Iberian Peninsula into central Europe, along with a depression from North Africa into the peninsula. The combination is pumping hot air northwards from North Africa and interior Spain .
Spain and Germany have reported at least 19 heat-related deaths. Two British teenagers drowned while trying to cool off.
Italy's maize crop is expected to be the worst in five years, crop research body, Istituto di Servizi per il Mercato Agricolo Alimentare has said. "It is entirely due to drought," said ISMEA's senior grain crop analyst Mr Roberto Milletti.
The Dutch weather office said the Netherlands was officially in a heatwave. Students on the northern islands are working on a "tropical roster", attending school from 8 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.
A number of German professional soccer coaches have urged the football league to delay Saturday's planned Bundesliga fixtures to the evening from their current 3.30 p.m. kickoffs, due to the heat.
However, league spokesman Mr Tom Bender said they could not do so, due to the logistical headache involved and the rights television companies have to broadcast highlights early in the evening.
"I could understand if amateurs are put off by the heat, but we're talking about top professionals in their prime, all of whom have undergone rigorous medical tests," Mr Bender said.