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Schools close as more than half of France under red heat alerts
More than half of France’s regions are under a red heat alert, as the country braces for sweltering temperatures in an intensifying heatwave.
Highs of more than 40C (104F) are expected across parts of western France on Monday, with temperatures expected to hit 42C in Bordeaux, forecaster Météo-France said.
Some 845 schools have been shut, while a further 1,800 are allowing pupils to finish classes early, the education ministry said. But more than a million high school students are due to take their oral final exams for the baccalaureate.
The French government has warned people not to try to cool off in unsupervised areas such as lakes and rivers, after 13 drowning deaths at the weekend.
A red heat alert is the highest of four warnings issued by Météo-France, and advises people to exercise extreme caution in conditions that are potentially life-threatening.
Dozens of other regions in France are under an orange alert – the second-highest warning – with an estimated 63 million people in total affected across the country.
The national railway operator SNCF urged “vulnerable” people to avoid or postpone train travel this week, while in Paris, several train lines reduced their services on Monday due to the heat.
Belgium’s train operator also announced some peak hour trains would be cancelled for Monday and Tuesday. Temperatures in Belgium are expected to reach record levels in the coming week, the IRM meteorological institute said.
Madrid is forecast to hit 39C on Monday and in Italy, temperatures are predicted to reach 37C in Rome.
Red warnings are also in force across other parts of western and central Europe – taking effect in Germany and Switzerland on Monday and in Luxembourg on Tuesday.
The rising temperatures are being driven by hot air moving north from the Sahara desert, which is in turn trapping hot air over western and central Europe with forecasters suggesting the conditions could result in one of the longest heatwaves in recent years.
Temperatures are expected to peak in many areas on Wednesday.
Météo-France said of the 51 heatwaves recorded in France since 1947, 34 have taken place since 2000 and 26 since 2011.
Spain’s state weather service Aemet warned of “extremely high” temperatures for the season until Wednesday “between five and 10 degrees above what is typical”.
A red alert has been issued for the Basque country, with highs in San Sebastian forecast to rise to 40C, almost double its average for this time of year.
It comes as the UK’s Met Office issued a rare red heat warnung on Wednesday and Thursday for parts of England and Wales, with forecasts suggesting temperatures could reach 38C (100F) in some areas this week.
The conditions in France follow a weekend in which the mercury hit 40C, prompting an alcohol ban at the annual Fetede la Musique, a national festival that sees large crowds celebrate on the streets of most cities.
The ban applied to all events organised by the French state and its agencies, and aimed “to preserve emergency and healthcare services and allow medical staff to focus on caring for the most vulnerable”, the government said.
In the south-west Gironde region, local authorities on Sunday said three people – aged between 80 and 95 years – had died, partly due to the intense heat.
Health Minister Stéphanie Rist told French public broadcaster TV1 Info on Monday that many “fellow citizens will suffer” during the hot weather, and called on people to keep a “close eye” on relatives and neighbours.
While the hottest temperatures are expected on the western coast, highs are expected to hang around 36C to 40C across much of the rest of the country, Météo-France said.
The forecaster warned that the heatwave will be “widespread, long-lasting and intense” – with temperatures not expected to drop until the end of the week.
BBC Weather(BBC)
For a second day in a row, the United States has launched strikes against Iran, once again citing an attack against a commercial vessel as a motivation.
Saturday’s renewed attacks are the latest indication that a regional Middle East ceasefire, established as part of a June 17 memorandum of understanding (MOU), might be at a breaking poInt.
In a statement, the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which directs military action in the Middle East, explained that the latest attacks came “at the Commander in Chief’s direction”.
“CENTCOM forces launched strikes today in direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping,” it wrote.
“U.S. military aircraft targeted Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities.”
[Aljazeera]
India suffered a potential injury scare ahead of the Test series in Sri Lanka, with their No.3 B Sai Sudarshan retiring hurt on 7 while playing for India A against Sri Lanka A during the third day of the first four-dayer in Galle. After scoring a century in the first innings, Sai Sudharsan retired hurt in the fourth over of India A’s second innings. By the end of the day’s play, however, India A had stretched their lead to 170.
Chhattisgarh opener Aayush Pandey and Devdutt Padikkal were unbeaten on 20 each at stumps.
India A had claimed a first-innings lead of 122 after dismissing Sri Lanka A for 330 in their first innings. Resuming from an overnight 113 for 2, they were guided by half-centuries from captain Sahan Arachchige (72) and Ashen Bandara (70). Nuwandi Fernando, who had passed his own fifty on day two, had his innings cut short on 84 on day three.
For India A, Auqib Nabi, who was the top wicket taker in the previous Ranji Trophy season and was a net bowler during India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh, was the pick of the bowlers, returning 4 for 58 in 19.4 overs. Sri Lanka A lost their last five wickets for 30 runs, with Nabi taking four of those.
Left-arm fingerspin-bowling allrounder Harsh Dubey and Vidarbha fast bowler Yash Thakur picked up two wickets apiece. India A then closed out the day on 48 for 0.
Scores:
India A 48 for 0 in 17 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 20*, Ayush Pandey 20*) and 452 for 6 dec in 111.4 overs [Sai Sudarshan 132, Dhruv Jurel 141, Shaik Rasheed 63; Chamika Gunasekera 3-64, Dilum Sudeera 2-143] lead Sri Lanka A 330 in 101.4 overs (Nuwanidu Fernando 84, Ashen Bandara 70, Sahan Arachchige 72; Aaqib Nabi 4-58, YashThakur 2-51, Harsh Dubey 2-84) by 170 runs
[Cricinfo]
Teams that finished in the top four of each group at the ongoing T20 World Cup have secured their spots for the next edition of the tournament in 2028. From Group 1, Australia, India, South Africa and Bangladesh have qualified. England, West Indies, New Zealand and Sri Lanka join them from Group 2. Pakistan qualified as a result of being the tournament hosts; they finished fifth in the Group 2 table with just one win in five games.
Scotland missed out on a chance to directly qualify for the 12-team ICC event after losing to Sri Lanka on Friday.
The 10th spot will go to the next highest-ranked team on the T20I rankings table at the July 6, 2026 cut-off. As it stands, Ireland, ranked ninth, fill that spot. The remaining two places will be determined through a 10-team global qualifier, which will be supported by regional qualifiers.
Netherlands, ranked 14th, are likely to have to play in the qualifier to make the main event. So too Scotland (11th) and Ireland (9th) if they fall too far down the table.
The ICC also made a decision on the composition of teams at the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy, to be held next year in Sri Lanka. The hosts will be joined by the top five teams on the T20I rankings at the same July 6 cut-off. As it stands, the teams at the tournament will be Australia, England, India, New Zealand and South Africa.
[Cricinfo]
Showers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
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