Thursday briefing: What’s behind Europe’s extreme heat – and the risks ahead

In today's newsletter: How countries have responded to record-breaking temperatures - and what it will take to change minds and policy

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Good morning.

When the temperature in Sicily is approaching 50C, you know something is wrong.

New Zealand | Two people died and six people were injured after a shooting at a building site in Auckland city centre, hours before the Women's World Cup is due to start. The gunman was also dead. New Zealand's PM, Chris Hipkins, said the World Cup would proceed as planned.

Politics | Almost 200,000 families living under Labour-run councils are affected by the two-child benefit cap, a Guardian analysis has revealed. Keir Starmer's decision not to scrap the policy if Labour wins power has led to attacks from anti-poverty campaigners and disquiet from senior figures in the party.

Health | MPs have urged the government to introduce restrictions on the packaging and marketing of disposable vapes to tackle the alarming trend" of children using these addictive products. The health and social care committee said there should be restrictions on how e-cigarettes are sold, in line with those applied to tobacco products.

Slavery | Caribbean countries are considering approaching the UN's international court of justice for a legal opinion on demanding compensation from 10 European countries over slavery, as the fight for reparative justice is stepped up. Ralph Gonsalves, the current leader of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, said he is also looking for an apology from the British government and expressed disappointment in Rishi Sunak's lack of engagement in the matter.

Strikes | A strike by train staff in the RMT union will severely affect rail services across Britain in the next week. About 20,000 RMT members at 14 train operators will strike for 24 hours on Thursday and again on Saturday, coinciding with the end of a week-long overtime ban by train drivers in the Aslef union. The 10 days of transport disruption will coincide with the peak summer holiday getaway weekend.