France bans alcohol at music events in 35 departments as heat surges
Why it matters: Officials expect 39C-41C heat on Sunday, with schools and some trains already disrupted.
France moved to ban alcohol consumption at Fete de la Musique events in departments under the highest heat alert as a severe heatwave spread across much of the country. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu's office said prefects would issue decrees barring drinking in public spaces in 35 red-alert departments from noon Sunday, including Paris, and state-run events would not serve alcohol. Meteo-France forecast temperatures of 39C to 40C from the southwest through the Paris region into Burgundy, with some places possibly reaching 41C. Authorities said the restriction is meant to reduce pressure on emergency and health services as the heatwave disrupts daily life, forcing dozens of train cancellations and class suspensions.