A blistering heatwave has gripped the Midwestern United States, with temperatures soaring to over 43°C (109°F) in parts of Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa. Chicago recorded its hottest day in nearly a decade on Wednesday, prompting city authorities to open cooling centers.
The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat warnings for over 30 million Americans. Hospitals have reported a rise in heat-related illnesses, especially among children, the elderly, and outdoor workers.
With the U.S. power grid under strain, some parts of Illinois experienced brief blackouts. Climate experts say such extreme events are no longer anomalies but signals of worsening global warming.