Portugal breaks hottest May day record as Europe swelters in heatwave

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Portugal breaks hottest May day record as Europe swelters in heatwave9 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleAleks PhillipsGetty ImagesPortugal has set a new hottest day in May with 40. 3C recorded in the central town of Mora, as countries in western Europe grapple with sweltering-hot weather. The temperature recorded on Wednesday bests Portugal's previous record of 40C set in May 2001.

Ministers in France are meeting to assess the country's preparedness for heatwaves, while tennis number one Jannik Sinner bowed out of the French Open after suffering from the heat. Meanwhile, Italian authorities have issued a red heatwave alert for the capital, Rome, where it could top out at 32C on Thursday. The heatwave is forecast to continue into the weekend, with Germany, Spain and Switzerland having also faced unusually hot conditions.

The Details

Parts of Portugal will peak above 35C on Thursday and Friday before the heat begins to recede, according to the nation's meteorological office. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu chaired a ministerial meeting on Thursday afternoon to develop a readiness plan for extreme heat events, including combatting forest fires and ensuring adequate water supplies over the summer. Baccalaureate exams - the French equivalent of levels - will continue during the heatwaves, despite some schools having to shut their doors due to inhospitable temperatures inside.

A primary school in Souston, in the Landes region, will remain shut on Thursday and Friday after it reached 53C inside earlier in the week, a local official told French media. Education Minister Édouard Geffray told BFMTV that exam centres would be able to choose rooms with the most shade, adding that exams would go ahead "simply because the students are prepared and... there is also a schedule according to which they expect their results".

The decision has attracted criticism from education unions and teachers, with one telling French radio of teachers "forced to bring in their own fans". A survey by France's secondary school union found nearly 78% had recorded temperatures above 30C this week, and said it had received reports of teachers bringing in screwdrivers to prise windows open. Getty ImagesRed heatwave alerts have been issued in several Italian cities including RomeSeventeen departments of France - in the north-west, as well as Paris - are under an orange alert, indicating people should be "very vigilant" about the weather.

What Experts Say

Temperatures are expected to reach 33C in Paris on Thursday, and top out at 34C on both Saturday and Sunday. Police have announced measures to ease traffic in the capital until Saturday, including only allowing lower-emission cars on roads and lowering speed limits. A single fare for the entire public transport network will be offered at the same time.

At the French Open in Paris, Sinner appeared to be cruising to a victory before suddenly taking a turn for the worse. The Italian complained of dizziness and feeling lethargic before hitting a wall.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.