Chinese Cities Open Air Raid Shelters for Heat Relief as Record Temperatures Soar

China has opened air-raid shelters to provide relief from the scorching heat as global temperatures reached a new record high of 17.23C on Thursday, surpassing the previous record set earlier in the week. Northern China has experienced a prolonged heatwave, with Beijing recording its longest streak of temperatures above 35C since 1961. The government has issued health alerts and suspended outdoor work. Some deaths have been attributed to the heat. Meanwhile, in Europe, Germany and Austria have issued heatwave warnings, and thousands of people have been displaced in southern China due to heavy flooding. The increasing temperatures have led to a surge in the demand for sun protection garments in China.