**Breaking News: France Swelters Under Record Heatwave, Climate Crisis Deepens**

France is reeling as an unprecedented heatwave grips the nation, pushing temperatures soaring past 40°C (104°F) in several regions. This extreme weather event, fueled by a suffocating heat dome, has triggered widespread alarm and urgent climate concerns. Hundreds of schools are shuttered, and emergency measures are in full swing as citizens struggle to cope with the blistering heat.

Alen Oryas, an organic herb farmer near Paris, describes the harrowing impact on her livelihood. “This year, our production might be reduced by the heatwave,” she warns, highlighting the stark reality that extreme temperatures are now a constant threat to agricultural productivity. Last year, it was relentless rain and late frosts; this year, it’s the oppressive heat.

In the capital, Paris, officials are scrambling to adapt. A city council member revealed plans to create more green spaces and retrofit historical buildings to combat the escalating heat. “We need to refurbish our schools,” they stressed, acknowledging the urgent need for change in the face of a hotter future.

Despite the growing crisis, President Emmanuel Macron’s administration is facing criticism for rolling back key climate initiatives. Once a champion of environmental reform, Macron is now accused of prioritizing business interests over urgent climate action. “We are paying the price for that,” lamented a climate advocate, as the nation grapples with the consequences of political concessions to rising right-wing forces.

As the heatwave is expected to persist for a short while longer, the respite that follows may only be temporary. The message is clear: France stands at a critical crossroads in its climate policy, and the time for decisive action is now. The nation watches anxiously as the climate crisis looms ever larger.