France sizzles in a week of punishing heat as red alerts spread

France is experiencing a severe heat wave with record-breaking temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F) and sleepless nights, prompting red alerts across most regions. The heat wave, linked to human-caused climate change, has led to school closures, public health warnings, and drownings in rivers. The United Kingdom also issued an extreme heat warning as temperatures may reach 38°C (100°F).