Hundreds of millions suffer record-breaking temperatures
Europe is experiencing its hottest summer yet, with Poland being the latest country to see its temperature record broken as the heat dome moves eastward.
Berlin insiders like to tell the story of how a political rival of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz – known for sticking to suit and tie whenever possible – once ensured Merz was put into the harshest, brightest and hottest lighting during a speech to make him break out in sweat.
These days, such political chicanery is becoming superfluous in a country that broke its all-time temperature record three consecutive days, hitting 41.7 degrees on Sunday. Notably, the Chancellor’s office has no AC system.
While the news agency AFP estimates that some 200 million Europeans suffered under high temperatures beyond 35 degrees on Sunday, it has so far been mostly confined to Western Europe. France recorded a June record of 44.3, while Spain saw 45.1 degrees in the South. The UK recorded its hottest day in June, with temperatures reaching 37.3 in Suffolk.
