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The Sacred Marathon: Pilgrims Confront Extreme Heat at Mount ArafatAs the sun beat down on the rocky terrain near Mecca, over 1.5 million Muslims participated in the most critical ritual of the Hajj pilgrimage, standing in prayer on Mount Arafat. The event, known as the Day of Arafat, took place under punishing conditions as temperatures soared to 40°C (104°F), with recent highs reaching 44°C (111°F). Despite the physical strain, worshippers described the experience as spiritually transformative, marking a pivotal moment in their faith.The Ritual of Standing at Mount ArafatFrom daybreak on Tuesday, thousands of white-robed pilgrims ascended the 70-metre rocky hill, believed to be the site where the Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon. The atmosphere was one of intense devotion, with volunteers lining the route to distribute water, parasols, and food packages to the tens of thousands making the ascent. Because men are prohibited from wearing hats, many carried umbrellas to shield themselves from the blistering desert sun.Demographics and the Shadow of WarWhile the overall numbers have increased compared to 2024, the geopolitical climate has significantly impacted specific demographics. The conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran has cast a long shadow over the region. Consequently, Iranian participation has dropped sharply; while 86,000 were originally expected, only about 30,000 Iranians made the journey. Iranian state media attributed this decline to the "wartime situation," highlighting how regional instability directly affects international religious travel.Geopolitical Legitimacy in the Holy LandThe Hajj serves as a crucial source of legitimacy for the Al Saud dynasty, whose monarch holds the title "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques." Hosting the pilgrimage is a massive logistical and diplomatic undertaking, requiring the Saudi government to balance security concerns with the spiritual needs of millions. The ability to conduct the event safely, despite regional tensions, reinforces the kingdom's status as the guardian of Islam's holiest sites.The Path to Mina: Challenges AheadAs the Day of Arafat concludes, the focus shifts to the next phase of the pilgrimage. Pilgrims will spend the night in Muzdalifah, collecting pebbles for the symbolic "stoning of the devil" ritual in Mina, which is set to begin on Wednesday. Authorities face the ongoing challenge of managing the massive crowds and extreme heat through the remaining days of the pilgrimage.

Russia has warned all foreign nationals to evacuate Kyiv, announcing planned strikes on decision‑making centres, command posts and drone‑manufacturing facilities, marking the first direct threat to foreigners in the city since the war began.Targeted Strikes and Evacuation OrderRussia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it will hit "decision‑making centres and command posts" as well as drone‑manufacturing sites scattered throughout Kyiv.The statement urged foreign citizens, including diplomatic and international‑organisation staff, to leave the city immediately.Sergey Lavrov reportedly conveyed the plan to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging evacuation of embassy personnel.Recent Casualties and Attack MetricsDrone and rocket strikes on Kyiv over the weekend killed at least 4 people and injured roughly 100.A drone strike on a student dormitory in Starobilsk, Luhansk, killed at least 18 people, which Moscow cited as retaliation.Earlier, a large drone barrage on May 17 resulted in multiple civilian deaths in the Moscow region.Geopolitical Implications for Diplomacy and ResidentsThe warning is the first time Moscow has directly told foreigners to leave Ukraine, raising concerns for embassies and international NGOs operating in Kyiv. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the move as Russian blackmail, while French Ambassador Gael Veyssiere emphasized the resilience of Kyiv’s residents. Analysts such as Philip Bednarczyk of the German Marshall Fund suggest the threat reflects Russia’s frustration after failing to break Ukraine’s will during the harsh winter.Outlook for Peace Talks and Potential Further EscalationPeace negotiations, already stalled, face added pressure as the United States pivots attention to other conflicts, notably the war in Iran. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio signalled readiness for a new round of talks, but European nations may need to assume a larger mediating role. If Russia proceeds with the threatened strikes, diplomatic relations could deteriorate further, potentially prompting additional sanctions and a hardening of the conflict’s front lines.

The Record-Breaking Temperature The UK has recorded its highest-ever May temperature for the second consecutive day, with thermometers hitting 35C (95F) at Heathrow and Kew Gardens in London, the Met Office said. Previous Records and Weather Warnings The previous May peak of 32.8C had stood since 1922. The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms across England earlier on Tuesday, with forecasters warning of isolated storms with lightning, hail, and gusty winds. Heatwave Threshold and Regional Impacts Many areas across England and Wales will reach the heatwave threshold on Tuesday, and some will have experienced such conditions for five days by Wednesday, the Met office's senior meteorologist, Becky Mitchell, said. The highest heatwave threshold in the UK at this time of year is 28C, which applies to London and areas north of the capital towards Cambridgeshire. Health and Safety Concerns An amber health warning was extended by 24 hours for several regions in England, including the south-west, south-east, London, East and West Midlands, and the west of England. Police reported two deaths over the bank holiday weekend, with a 13-year-old boy dying after getting into difficulty in a West Yorkshire reservoir. Future Outlook and Climate Context Temperatures are forecast to start to decline from the middle of the week, but it is still expected to be largely dry with sunny spells. A previous Met Office study found breaking the May record was "around three times more likely now in our current climate than it would have been in a natural climate not impacted by greenhouse gas emissions".

The LeadAl Jazeera has provided exclusive coverage of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, speaking with pilgrims from diverse backgrounds about their profound spiritual journey to Islam's holiest city, Mecca. The coverage offers intimate insights into one of the world's largest religious gatherings, which draws millions of Muslims from across the globe each year.The Spiritual Journey to MeccaThe Hajj represents the fifth pillar of Islam and is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey at least once in their lifetime. Al Jazeera's coverage follows pilgrims as they perform the sacred rites, including the Tawaf (circumambulation) around the Kaaba, the Sa'i (walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah), and the Wuquf at Arafat.The network's reporters document the emotional and spiritual transformations occurring as pilgrims fulfill this lifelong dream, capturing moments of reflection, prayer, and communal solidarity that define the Hajj experience.The Global Gathering of FaithThis year's Hajj continues the tradition of bringing together Muslims from various nations, ethnicities, and social backgrounds, creating a powerful display of unity in diversity. Al Jazeera's interviews highlight how pilgrims navigate language barriers and cultural differences while sharing in a common spiritual purpose.The coverage also addresses the logistical challenges and organizational efforts by Saudi authorities to ensure the safety and smooth operation of the pilgrimage, which accommodates approximately 2-3 million participants annually.The Significance of Personal TestimoniesThrough personal narratives, Al Jazeera reveals the deeply personal meaning of the Hajj experience for individual pilgrims. Many describe it as a life-transforming journey that brings them closer to Allah and provides a sense of renewal and spiritual purification.The network's coverage emphasizes how the pilgrimage serves as an equalizer, with all pilgrims dressed in simple white garments (Ihram), symbolizing equality before God regardless of wealth or status in their home countries.The Future of HajjAs global Muslim populations continue to grow, the Hajj pilgrimage is expected to see increasing participation in coming years. Al Jazeera's coverage suggests that technological advancements may play a larger role in facilitating the pilgrimage experience, from crowd management systems to digital resources for pilgrims.The network also notes the ongoing balance between preserving the traditional spiritual essence of the Hajj while adapting to modern challenges and opportunities in the 21st century.

The Lead Oil has again touched $100 a barrel after fresh US strikes on Iran dashed hopes of a Middle East breakthrough, with experts saying that whatever the outcome of peace talks, the global energy market may now be past the 'point of no return'. US Strikes on Iran and Oil Price Surge News of the US attacks on missile launch sites and mine-laying vessels pushed the price of Brent crude past the key threshold on Tuesday, before it eased back to about $99. The conflict and resulting blockade of fossil fuel shipping through the strait of Hormuz have sent oil soaring, topping $126 at the end of last month. The Data Analysis Market observers say weeks of disruption to oil exports have heavily eroded global stockpiles of crude and fuel, while demand for transport fuels is expected to increase over the summer travel season. Analysts at HFI Research said last week that the market had 'reached the point of no return' and could be due a 'rude awakening' by the start of next month. Global oil demand fell by an average of 2.8m barrels a day in March. Deeper declines of 4.3m barrels a day in April and 5.5m barrels a day in May were likely. The Impact Analysis The head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, said last week that the world could hit a 'red zone' in July and August by using far more oil than countries were producing, meaning further emergency measures may be required. Record draws from emergency oil stockpiles have helped to plug this shortfall by about 2m barrels a day but these releases are expected to end by July and inventories are already 'critically low'. The Prediction 'The market continues to watch for a US-Iran agreement to resume flows through the strait, but even in a blue-sky scenario, with flows normalising, the market will remain tight with inventories critically low,' JP Morgan said. Higher oil prices are already feeding through at the pumps, with petrol prices in the UK at their highest level since the Middle East conflict started.

Ian McEwan Warns Pessimism Threatens Climate ActionAt a Hay Festival panel on 26 May 2026, acclaimed novelist Ian McEwan argued that widespread pessimism is "a bigger problem than climate change" and that optimism should be treated as a moral duty to sustain future generations.Panel Highlights Climate Concerns Amid Record HeatMcEwan shared the stage with former NFU president Minette Batters and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig. The discussion unfolded as London hit 34.8°C, breaking a May record set in 1922, underscoring the immediacy of climate impacts.Record‑Breaking May Temperatures QuantifiedLondon temperature: 34.8°C on 25 May 2026.Previous May record: 1922.UK heatwave coincided with the release of McEwan’s new novel What We Can Know, set in a flooded 2119 Britain.How Pessimism Undermines Public and Agricultural ResilienceMcEwan linked pessimism to reduced civic engagement, suggesting that optimism fuels rational action. Batters warned that extreme weather left her farm with only 50% of normal hay and silage yields, and that just 7% of English farmers fully understand Defra’s farming vision.Outlook: Shifting Toward Optimism and Policy ChangeBoth speakers called for concrete steps: McEwan cited renewable electricity surpassing fossil fuels in 2020 as a hopeful milestone, while Batters criticized policy uncertainty, including proposals like a land‑value tax. The panel concluded that fostering optimism—through small personal actions such as installing balcony solar panels—could create a “nudge” toward broader climate solutions.

On Monday 26 May 2026 the United Kingdom experienced a “tropical night” as minimum temperatures stayed above 20 °C, breaking the May daily‑minimum record for the second day in a row.Record‑Breaking Night Temperatures Across the UKKenley airfield (south London) recorded a minimum of 21.3 °C, the highest May night ever.Kew Gardens (south‑west London) hit 34.8 °C, setting a provisional all‑time hottest spring temperature.Previous May night record was 19.4 °C at Kenley on the preceding Sunday.12 locations, from Suffolk to Berkshire, broke their local records on Monday.97 Met Office monitoring sites reached or exceeded 30 °C.Numbers That Define the HeatwaveHighs of up to 35 °C forecast for southern England and Wales on Tuesday, with some areas approaching 36 °C.Heat‑wave threshold for this time of year is 28 °C (London and northwards to Cambridgeshire).Eight parts of England already met the three‑day heat‑wave criteria by Sunday evening, including Heathrow, Kew Gardens, Northolt, and sites in Oxfordshire, Suffolk and Essex.Implications for Climate Resilience and Public SafetyMet Office senior forecaster Greg Dewhurst warned that heatwaves are now developing “so quickly” due to the climate crisis.Firefighters battled a grass fire near Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh as temperatures hit 25 °C.A 13‑year‑old boy died after drowning in a West Yorkshire reservoir amid the heat.Nearly 100 sites surpassing 30 °C underscores how many locations are meeting heat‑wave thresholds.What the Forecast Holds for the Rest of the SummerTemperatures are expected to gradually decline from mid‑week but remain in the high 20s with dry, sunny spells.Potential thunderstorms on Tuesday could temporarily curb peak temperatures.Continued high night‑time minima suggest that further “tropical nights” are likely as the season progresses.

The Heatwave in Western Europe Seven people have died in France in an extreme early-summer heat event that is affecting a swathe of western Europe, as France and the UK set record highs for May and temperatures were forecast to rise further on Tuesday. Record Temperatures and Deaths "What I can say today is that there have been seven deaths linked directly or indirectly to the heat," a French government spokesperson, Maud Bregeon, told TF1 television, adding that five of the deaths were by drowning. Météo France, the national weather agency, said Monday's highest reading, 37.1C, was recorded near Hossegor, in the south-western department of Les Landes, and that temperatures across the west of the country could exceed 36C on Tuesday. The Data Analysis The UK's Met Office said Monday was the country's hottest May day on record, with temperatures hitting 34.8C at Kew Gardens, south-west London, a reading it described as "exceptional in the UK even in mid-summer, let alone May". In Spain, widespread highs of 36-38C in the Guadiana, Guadalquivir and Ebro valleys were expected to continue possibly until Friday, the state weather service, Aemet, said, adding that "in some of those areas, temperatures could reach 40C". The Impact Analysis In Italy's Lazio region, which includes Rome, authorities have imposed restrictions on work in conditions "with prolonged exposure in the sun", for example on farms, construction sites and in the delivery sector, between 12.30pm and 4pm. Eight of France's 96 administrative departments have been placed on an orange high-temperature alert, the second-highest level, requiring the population to "be vigilant and take precautions", with a further 20 on a more moderate yellow warning. The Prediction Christophe Cassou, a climate scientist, told Le Monde: "This is an unprecedented event with a one in 1,000 chance of happening at this time of year in the climate of 1979 to 2025." He added that "it would have been virtually impossible in the pre-industrial era". The prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, called a meeting of key ministers on Thursday to assess government preparations for heatwaves after more than 350 weather stations across France recorded new monthly highs on Monday.

Heatwaves have grown hotter and stronger as the planet has warmed, making what doctors call a "silent killer" even more dangerous. How worried should we be about heat – and how can we stay safe as the climate changes?The Human Cost of Extreme HeatHot weather kills an estimated half a million people each year. The average annual death toll is greater than that from wars or terrorism, but smaller than that from cars or air pollution.Despite this, heat is rarely listed as the cause of death. That's because extreme temperatures are largely indirect killers. Most heat victims die early from illnesses – such as heart, lung and kidney disease – that are made worse in warm weather.The Physiological Impact of Heat StressHigh heat stresses the human body, sending the heart and kidneys into overdrive as they work to keep the body cool. The added strain – particularly for those with chronic illness – can prove fatal even before heatstroke hits.There are also secondary health effects from high heat. Heatwaves lead to more accidents, dirtier air, bigger wildfires and more frequent power outages, all of which can increase the burden on health systems.The Critical Role of Nighttime TemperaturesWhen days are too hot to function and nights are not cool enough to recover, the body is unable to rest. This compounds the damage done during scorching days.In many European countries, meteorologists describe nights with temperature minimums above 20°C as "tropical", while in Spain, which is more familiar with extreme heat, they call nights above 25°C "equatorial" or "torrid". In recent years, they have informally introduced a new category for night-time temperatures above 30°C: "hellish".Identifying Vulnerable PopulationsPeople who are forced to be outdoors in scorching weather – builders, farmers, rough sleepers etc – are most likely to suffer from heat exhaustion and the heatstroke that can follow.But older people, and particularly those with underlying illnesses, make up the bulk of heat-related deaths. Women are more likely to die from heat-related causes than men. Poorer people – who are less likely to have air conditioning, well-insulated homes or access to green spaces – are also at greater risk.The Humidity FactorSweat is the body's best defence against heat, lowering internal temperatures as it evaporates. But when humidity is high and the air hot and sticky, the body struggles to cool down because sweat clings to the skin. The effect this has on perceived temperatures can be equal to several degrees, enough to spell the difference between life and death.Climate Change and Escalating HeatwavesMore than a century's worth of fossil fuel pollution has clogged the atmosphere, trapping sunlight and heating the whole planet. Average global temperatures have risen by about 1.3°C since preindustrial times – and land temperatures by even more – which has pushed the baseline higher and made punishing extremes far more common.There is also some evidence that the climate crisis is making heatwaves worse by weakening the jet stream. Scientists think this is increasing the occurrence of heat domes, which are areas of high pressure and heat that get stuck over a region for days or even weeks.The Net Effect of Rising TemperaturesCold weather kills far more people than hot weather today, even in warm regions such as sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia. But as temperatures rise, the number of deaths from heat is projected to grow much faster than the number of lives saved from milder cold. When scientists modelled this in 854 European cities, they found a net increase in temperature-related deaths under all emissions scenarios, even accounting for how people adapt.Adapting to a Hotter FutureCutting fossil fuel pollution is the biggest step that can be taken to stop heatwaves from getting even hotter, along with protecting forests and wetlands that suck carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.Urban planners have called for cities to be redesigned so they have less concrete and fewer cars, and more parks and water. This can negate the urban heat island effect, which makes cities hotter than their rural surroundings.Buildings with air conditioning or passive cooling can bring down death tolls, as can strong healthcare systems and swift emergency warnings.The Air Conditioning DilemmaAir-conditioning units increase planet-heating emissions if the power they consume is generated by burning fossil fuels, as it mostly is today, but their pollution is falling as countries clean up their electricity grids. Some experts cite the scale of the heat-related death toll as a worthy reason to use more air conditioning – particularly for the most vulnerable groups – even if it pushes temperatures higher.This year, the UK's Climate Change Committee (CCC) recommended that air conditioning be installed in all care homes and hospitals within the next 10 years, and in all schools within 25 years.Personal Safety StrategiesThe simplest advice is to stay out of the heat: avoid going outside during the hottest parts of the day, and stay in the shade if you have to. To keep your home cool, close windows during the day and open them after dark, when outdoor temperatures fall below inside temperatures. Cover windows with blinds or curtains to block out direct sunlight.Doctors also recommend drinking water frequently, wearing loose clothing and checking on vulnerable people in your community.