Swiss police ordered the evacuation of several mountain villages late on Monday as a forest fire spread, while it was not immediately clear how many people were affected.
Soaring summer temperatures across southern Europe could prompt a lasting shift in tourist habits, with more travellers choosing cooler destinations or taking their holidays in spring or autumn to dodge the extreme heat, tourism bodies and experts predict.
A heatwave in the Gaza Strip that has sent temperatures over 38 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) worsened power shortages and sparked discontent among residents who expressed frustration with the ruling Islamist Hamas group.
Electricity demand from customers of the Arizona Public Service (APS) soared to an all-time peak for the second time in a week, on July 15, mirroring similar trends in Texas as grid operators grapple with a heatwave in parts of the United States.
Greece closed the ancient Acropolis during the hottest part of the day on Friday to protect tourists as southern Europe suffered in a fierce heatwave, while more than 100 million Americans also faced a prolonged spell of sweltering weather.