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About 20 people drowned in France over the weekend as they sought relief from a scorching heatwave in unsupervised waters. The heatwave also broke temperature records across France, Britain, and Spain, prompting red alerts, school closures, and warnings from officials. Scientists attribute the extreme heat to an 'Omega block' weather pattern trapping hot air over Europe.
Climate experts warn that 25% of matches at the 2026 World Cup could be played in very hot conditions, impacting both players and fans. Sweltering heat in U.S. host cities has already affected European teams training for the tournament. FIFA has implemented cooling breaks and other measures, but high humidity and solar radiation remain major concerns.
Millions of Yemenis are enduring a brutal heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 40°C, while prolonged power cuts devastate daily life in a country already shattered by over a decade of war. Homes have become 'ovens' as the power grid collapses, paralyzing businesses and worsening a humanitarian crisis.
Millions of Muslim pilgrims have begun the annual Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, facing record heat above 40°C and regional war fears. Authorities have deployed medical teams and tightened security amid the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza and Houthi attacks in Yemen.
An extreme heatwave in India, with temperatures surpassing 46°C, has caused multiple deaths and threatens food security. Critics say the government is neglecting the poor and using relief efforts for self-promotion.
Japanese retailers are intensifying summer sales campaigns as consumers prepare for prolonged extreme heat, with temperatures potentially reaching 40 degrees Celsius or higher. Promotions cover fans, portable air conditioners, sunscreen, summer clothing, and beverages, with deep discounts on seasonal fruits. Revenue from cooling appliances and summer fashion has jumped 15% year-on-year.
A powerful high-pressure system is driving temperatures 10–15°C above seasonal averages across the western U.S. and Mexico, with extreme heat warnings in California and Arizona. At the same time, South Africa’s Western and Northern Cape provinces are battered by heavy rain and strong winds, raising fears of flash floods and landslides. The weather follows a deadly flooding event earlier this month that killed one person and displaced thousands.
Europe is the fastest-warming continent, according to a new joint report by the WMO and ECMWF. In 2025, nearly all of Europe recorded above-average annual temperatures, leading to intense heatwaves, wildfires that scorched over 1 million hectares, and significant glacier and snow cover loss. The report warns that climate change is an urgent present reality.
