Phoenix breaks US city records after hitting at least 110F for 19th straight day

Heat ripples engulf two ladies while crossing the street in central Phoenix, Arizona (Matt York/AP)

The extreme heat scorching the US city of Phoenix, Arizona, has set a new record, the 19th consecutive day temperatures hit at least 110F (43C) in a summer of suffering echoing around much of the globe.

As human-caused climate change and a newly formed El Nino are combining to shatter heat records worldwide, the Phoenix region stands apart among major metropolitan areas in the US.