Greece: Greece warns public as desert heat grips country.

SHOTLIST: ATHENS, GREECE (JULY 20, 2026) 1. SYNTAGMA SQUARE AND GREEK PARLIAMENT 2. GUARD ON DUTY HAVING SWEAT WIPED IN HOT WEATHER 3. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE USING UMBRELLAS AND HAND FANS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM SUN 4. VARIOUS OF FOUNTAIN IN SQUARE 5. PIGEONS NEAR FOUNTAIN 6. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE TRYING TO COOL OFF WITH HAND FANS 7. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE COOLING OFF WITH FAN AT RESTAURANTATHENS, GREECE - JULY 20, 2026: The Greek Health Ministry issued an emergency advisory on Monday, July 20, warning the public about the dangers of extreme heat. People were advised to stay in air-conditioned areas, wear light clothing, eat light meals, drink plenty of water and use hats and sunglasses when going outside. Authorities also urged children and elderly people to avoid the sun, avoid heavy physical work, not travel for long periods in vehicles without air conditioning and stay indoors during the hottest hours. Greece is bracing for the peak of a heat wave expected early this week, with temperatures forecast to reach as high as 41C (105.8F) in parts of the country, while firefighters on Sunday brought a wildfire on Salamis Island near Athens under control. The hot spell began on Saturday and is expected to intensify through Monday and Tuesday, with mainland Greece and Crete forecast to record the highest temperatures, according to the Hellenic National Meteorological Service. The first temperature above 40C (104F) this year was recorded on Saturday in the northwestern town of Konitsa, where the mercury reached 40.4C, according to the National Observatory of Athens. Temperatures also climbed to 39.3C (102.7F) in Sparta and 38.9C (102F) in Petrokefali on Crete and Farsala in central Greece, ERT news reported. The hottest conditions are forecast for Monday and Tuesday, when temperatures are expected to reach 40-41C (104-105.8F) locally across the mainland and Crete. Conditions are expected to begin easing in northern Greece on Wednesday before a more noticeable nationwide drop on Thursday.