Countries in southeast Europe brace for heat wave

Authorities in several southeast European countries have issued weather warnings ahead of a heat wave in the region

SKOPJE, North Macedonia -- Authorities in several southeast European countries have issued weather warnings before a heat wave in the region expected Thursday that is set to push temperatures to as high as 43 C (109.4 F) in inland areas. Public health officials in North Macedonia on Wednesday said all six of the country’s administrative regions would be affected by the emergency and urged a pause in construction work and called for municipal-level initiatives to help the elderly and the homeless. High temperatures are expected through the weekend in North Macedonia and neighboring Albania, Bulgaria, and Greece, as well as parts of Romania and Serbia. In Albania’s central Dimal region, temperatures reached 42 C (107.6 F) Wednesday.