Forest fires, cancelled flights and melting roads as extreme heat takes hold

(Photo: Fenland Police)

Henning Gloystein

Extreme heat across large tracts of the northern hemisphere raised fears for crops in China, fuelled forest fires in Portugal and Russia, forced flight cancellations in the US, and melted tarmac on roads in Britain.

Yesterday marked the summer solstice - the longest day of the year - and temperatures reached the high 30s in European cities such as London, Paris and Madrid.

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