Bitterly cold air is gripping America, while on the other side of the globe, Australia is sizzling as a record heatwave takes hold.

Much of the Iberian Peninsula is experiencing the year's first heatwave, with the mercury expected to soar before peaking at 47 degrees Celsius in some areas of southern Portugal this weekend.

Poor growing weather, including a heatwave and lack of rain, has damaged crops in France, Germany and the Baltic Sea countries.

Summer heatwaves are becoming the new normal across the region.

German farmers intensified calls for around 1 billion euros in special aid on Tuesday after crop damage from a drought and heatwave.

The World Meteorological Organization warns the floods, heatwaves and other extreme weather conditions gripping many parts of the world are likely to continue as a consequence of accelerating climate change.

The heatwave gripping large stretches of Europe has already been blamed for deadly forest fires and crop failures. Now freshwater fish could be its next victims.

Parts of the world are feeling the strain of record-breaking heatwaves, drought, devastating floods and raging wildfires. They are having a widespread impact on human health, agriculture, ecosystems and infrastructure.

Koalas face several threats, including loss of habitat due to land-clearing, dog attacks and heatwaves.

The little dog drank all of his water during the heatwave.