French Green Party no-confidence motion over gov handling of heatwave

French Green party lawmakers have filed a no-confidence motion against the government over its handling of a severe heatwave in late June.

This, as the country braces for a third possible bout of extreme temperatures next week.

The heatwave is continuing to affect much of Europe.

In Portugal, temperatures are expected to reach 43 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country.

A red alert has been issued for Lisbon and other regions.

The Portuguese government has placed the country under alert, due to the aggravated wildfire risk for most of the country's mainland.

Elsewhere, oppressive heat is bearing down on the eastern US heading into the long Fourth of July weekend.

At the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, workers hosed down and misted animals, provided them with shaded indoor areas and offered icy treats.

According to the US National Weather Service, dangerous, record-breaking heat will continue across much of the central and eastern parts of the country.