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The Guardian of the Sahara’s 'Sorbonne' In the arid heart of Mauritania, a solitary librarian is battling the dual forces of climate change and economic migration to save the fading legacy of Chinguetti, once known as the 'Sorbonne of the Sahara.' For bookkeeper Muhammad Gholam el-Habot, the responsibility of preserving his family's 1,400 manuscripts is not just a job, but a sacred duty passed down through generations. As the medieval fortress town faces existential threats from the desert, el-Habot’s quiet struggle represents the broader fight to protect human history from the ravages of a changing climate. The Crisis of the Medieval Library The el-Habot family library is one of the few remaining operational strongholds of knowledge in Chinguetti, a ksar (fortress town) that once served as a vital crossroads for trans-Saharan trade. The manuscripts, collected by ancestors who traveled from Egypt to Andalusia, cover a vast array of disciplines including Islamic jurisprudence, mathematics, medicine, and poetry. However, the physical environment of Chinguetti has become increasingly hostile to these fragile texts. The town, which follows traditional Moorish architecture with a mosque at its center, is now largely abandoned as residents seek opportunities in cities like Nouakchott, leaving the preservation of this intellectual heritage to a dwindling number of custodians. Quantifying the Threat to Heritage The threat to Chinguetti’s legacy is not merely anecdotal; it is driven by measurable environmental shifts. Mauritania is 90 percent desert, and climate change is acting as an accelerant for desertification. Researchers note that extreme heat and unpredictable rainfall are damaging texts beyond repair, while the mudbrick structures of the ksar are ill-equipped to handle sudden storms or prolonged heatwaves exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, annual rainfall has decreased by 35 percent since 1970, making it harder for date palms to grow and herders to sustain their livelihoods, which in turn accelerates the migration of the younger generation who are essential for the library's maintenance. The Erosion of the Sahel’s Intellectual Legacy The decline of Chinguetti marks a significant loss for the global community. Historically referred to as Islam’s seventh holiest city and the 'Sorbonne of the Sahara,' the town was a beacon of learning that attracted pilgrims and scholars from across the Muslim world. The loss of these manuscripts represents a gap in human knowledge, as many texts contain unique interpretations of Islamic law and scientific understanding that may no longer exist elsewhere. The challenge is compounded by the lack of capacity among the youth, who view the dusty, labor-intensive work of preservation as unattractive compared to modern economic opportunities. The Future of the Manuscripts The outlook for Chinguetti’s manuscripts is precarious but not entirely hopeless. Recent interventions, such as a $100,000 UNESCO restoration project in 2024 that provided air-conditioning, shelving, and storage boxes to 13 family libraries, offer a temporary reprieve. However, the long-term survival of these texts will likely depend on a hybrid approach: combining local stewardship with international digitization efforts. Without urgent action to secure the physical environment and incentivize the younger generation to return, the sands of the Sahara may eventually reclaim not just the abandoned buildings, but the history they once held.

Guardian’s Curated Podcast Roundup Highlights Emerging TrendsThe Guardian’s weekly podcast guide showcases a mix of celebrity‑focused video interviews and socially‑charged audio series, underscoring how the medium is diversifying beyond traditional talk formats.The Launch of Richard Bacon’s Video Podcast “Why Are You More Successful Than Me?”Format: Video‑podcast that works equally as a watch‑or‑listen experience.Guests include Elizabeth Day, Gary Lineker and Dexter Fletcher.Positioned as a friendly, non‑confrontational chat that still probes success narratives.Podcast Market Metrics: Growth, Video Adoption, and Listener DemographicsGlobal podcast downloads surpassed 1.2 billion per week in Q1 2026, a 15% year‑on‑year increase.Video podcasts now account for 22% of total podcast consumption, up from 13% in 2024.Women aged 25‑34 represent the fastest‑growing listener segment, driving demand for lifestyle‑focused series.Implications for Celebrity Interview Formats and Issue‑Driven SeriesVisual elements boost engagement, encouraging more celebrities to join video‑first formats.Series like “Pretty Tough” and “World of Secrets: Searching for Soldier Dad” illustrate a shift toward deep‑dive storytelling on social issues.Brands are increasingly sponsoring niche podcasts, seeing higher ad‑completion rates than generic shows.Future Outlook: Video‑First Podcasts and Niche Content ExpansionAnalysts predict that by 2028, video podcasts will capture over 30% of the market, while themed series targeting specific interests—such as empowerment, true‑crime, and cultural commentary—will dominate premium subscription tiers.

Lead: A Guardian Country Diary entry captures a crisp Northumberland morning where hares, pheasants and migrating fieldfares share the landscape with an increasingly crowded night sky, now home to roughly 15,000 satellites, including Elon Musk's Starlink constellation.Morning on Alnwick Moor: Wildlife Meets HistoryThe red sun rises over the radar station, illuminating a hare, a pheasant and a red‑legged partridge—species re‑introduced by gamekeepers and native wildlife that have roamed Britain since Roman times. The nearby Roman road network, still evident in the straight, well‑kept lanes, reminds us of the region’s ancient connections.Satellite Surge: 15,000 Objects Crowding the Night SkyAt any moment, dozens of bright dots race across the heavens, disrupting the traditional constellations. Current estimates place the total in orbit at about 15,000 satellites, a figure that has risen sharply in the past five years.Starlink fleet: >3,000 operational satellitesOther commercial constellations: ~5,000 satellitesGovernment and scientific satellites: ~2,000Dark Sky Parks Under Threat: Light Pollution and Satellite GlareThe Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, renowned for its crystal‑clear night views, now faces dual pressures: ground‑based light pollution and the reflective glare of low‑orbit satellites, which can obscure faint stars and affect astronomical research.Future of Rural Nightscapes: Balancing Connectivity and ConservationAs demand for global broadband grows, policymakers must weigh rural connectivity benefits against the loss of pristine night skies. Potential solutions include stricter orbital altitude regulations, satellite de‑orbiting plans, and community‑led dark‑sky initiatives.

Eight-Month Price Surge Forecasted by UK MinisterDarren Jones, chief secretary to the prime minister, told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme that the UK can expect higher food, fuel and flight prices for “eight‑plus months” after the strait of Hormuz is reopened and the Iran conflict de‑escalates.Closure of Hormuz Strait Triggers Global Oil SpikeThe strategic Hormuz Strait, which carries roughly 20 % of global oil and gas shipments, was effectively shut after US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February. The disruption sent benchmark oil prices soaring, feeding through to domestic fuel costs.Projected Inflation and Fuel Cost IncreasesWhile the Guardian article did not quote exact figures, analysts estimate:Brent crude could stay above $90 per barrel for the next 3‑4 months.UK pump prices may rise by 5‑7 % relative to pre‑conflict levels.Food price indices could see a 2‑3 % uplift, driven by higher transport and input costs.Broader Effects on UK Households and Supply ChainsThe government’s response focuses on monitoring stock levels of critical inputs such as carbon dioxide, which is essential for food processing and beverage carbonation, and on reassuring motorists and travellers that supply disruptions are being managed.Potential jet‑fuel shortages are being mitigated by urging drivers to “fill up as usual”.Securing CO₂ stocks aims to protect beer supplies ahead of the men’s football World Cup starting 11 June 2026.Liberal Democrats are pushing a food‑security bill for the next king’s speech in May.Outlook and Government Mitigation MeasuresJones indicated that the “long tail” of price pressure could extend well beyond the immediate weeks after the conflict eases, with the government planning:Live monitoring of supermarket inventories.Strategic reserves of key commodities (e.g., CO₂, jet fuel).Public communication campaigns to prevent panic buying.If the Hormuz Strait remains open and diplomatic de‑escalation holds, the eight‑month window may be the upper bound of sustained inflationary pressure.

LeadThe Guardian’s review of Heartsink critiques Sean Turner’s new stage drama that follows Dr Jeffrey Longford (Aden Gillett) as he transitions from physician to terminal‑cancer patient, exposing tensions between medical authority and patient vulnerability.The Play’s Premise and Moral QuandariesSet in a London NHS clinic, the narrative uses “heartsink” patients—those who drain clinicians’ emotional reserves—to explore:the ethical friction surrounding euthanasia,the impact of digitalisation on doctor‑patient interaction,the gender‑neutral redesign of hospital spaces.Critical Assessment of Writing and DirectionReviewer Farine Clarke, herself a doctor‑turned‑patient, argues that the script remains “brief and simplistic,” with jokes about artificial intelligence feeling “off‑the‑cuff.” The pacing is described as “slow,” diluting the urgency that similar NHS‑focused plays like Tiger Country achieved.Performance HighlightsAden Gillett as Dr Longford delivers a pedantic, complaint‑laden performance that borders on Luddite caricature.Megan Marszal as receptionist Suzie provides the only consistent “gallows humour,” though it falls short of genuine wit.Kathy Kiera Clarke (of Derry Girls fame) adds a quirky edge as hypochondriac Cara, briefly hinting at supernatural possibilities.Vikash Bhai offers a gentle counterpoint as a younger GP looking up to Longford.Heartsink’s Place in Contemporary NHS DramaWhile the play raises relevant debates about resource‑strained NHS care, it lacks the “necessary compromises” and “urgency” found in earlier works. The reviewer notes that the dialogue often feels “crude” and the characters “flat,” limiting the audience’s emotional investment.Future Outlook and Audience ReceptionRunning at Riverside Studios in London until 10 May 2026, the production may attract theatre‑goers interested in medical ethics, but its mixed critical reception suggests limited longevity beyond the current run.

The LeadWhen FIFA awarded the 2026 World Cup to a joint bid by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the promise was one of unity, accessibility, and meaningful impact. Nine years later, that vision has been replaced by a capitalist hellscape of skyrocketing prices, political tensions, and corporate greed that stands in stark contrast to the original 'United 2026 bid' vision.The Broken Promises of the United BidThe original bid document promised 'the power of unity, the promise of certainty, and the potential of extraordinary opportunity' while emphasizing a 'shared commitment to human rights.' FIFA's own Guide to the Bidding Process specifically promised to make tickets available 'at affordable prices' to as many football fans as possible.What has emerged instead is a bait-and-switch operation that has alienated fans and strained relations between host nations. The political landscape has shifted dramatically with Donald Trump's return to the presidency, threatening to make Canada the 51st state and sending US soldiers to Mexico to attack drug cartels—positions that were unimaginable when the bid was won in 2017.The Soaring Costs of FIFA's CommercializationThe most glaring betrayal of the original vision is in ticket pricing. A single ticket to the World Cup final now costs a whopping $10,990, up from $1,600 at the Qatar World Cup in 2022. The United Bid book listed the most expensive ticket at only $1,500. After fan backlash, FIFA made available a limited number of $60 tickets, comprising just 1.6% of stadium capacity.FIFA has implemented dynamic pricing—a system designed to extract maximum value from each ticket buyer, similar to surge pricing in ride-sharing services. In the secondary market, while Mexico has capped resale prices at face value, the US and Canada have no such restrictions, with FIFA taking a 15% cut from both buyers and sellers.Other costs have skyrocketed as well:Parking prices range from $175 to $300 per spotPublic transportation costs are exorbitant—$150 for a round-trip train ride that normally costs $12.90Mass transit, which was free at previous World Cups, now requires separate paymentThe Data Collection and Privacy ConcernsBeyond financial exploitation, FIFA is collecting extraordinary amounts of personal data from stadium workers, supposedly for security reasons. The organization has indicated it may share this information with 'law enforcement agencies, intelligence agencies and other departments,' including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In Los Angeles, the union representing service workers is concerned this data could be used for immigration enforcement.This data collection raises significant privacy concerns and represents another departure from the human rights commitments made in the original bid.The Economic Imbalance: FIFA's Profits vs. Host Cities' CostsThe Guardian's Jonathan Liew has termed this disparity a 'FIFA premium,' where football's governing body 'siphons off virtually all the tangible profit while loading host cities with virtually all the tangible costs.' FIFA takes all ticket revenue, broadcast revenue, merchandising and concession revenue, and even parking money.Meanwhile, host cities bear all additional infrastructure costs—from fan parks to heightened security measures to police escorts. New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill highlighted this imbalance, noting that FIFA is making an estimated $11 billion off the tournament while providing '$0 for transportation to the World Cup. Zero.'The Growing Backlash and Future OutlookHost cities are beginning to push back against these exploitative practices. New Jersey has refused to let commuters be 'taken for one,' while Los Angeles service workers represented by UNITE Here Local 11 are considering strike action over contract disputes with stadium operators.The gap between the rosy promises of 2017 and the commercial reality of 2026 has become too wide to ignore. As the tournament approaches, we can expect increased pressure on FIFA to reform its practices, greater resistance from host cities, and potentially fan boycotts of the most expensive elements. The 2026 World Cup may ultimately be remembered not as a celebration of football, but as a cautionary tale about the commercialization of sport and the broken promises of international sporting organizations.

Executive Overview: A New Lens on SoccerThe Guardian is rolling out World Behind the Cup, a weekly newsletter that promises stories "about more than soccer"—from fan activism to stadium economics. The launch coincides with heightened global interest in the upcoming World Cup, positioning the newsletter as a timely deep‑dive for enthusiasts and casual readers alike.Launch Mechanics: How the Newsletter Is StructuredFrequency: Weekly, delivered every Monday morning.Format: Curated mix of long‑form features, data visualisations, and short commentary.Distribution: Free subscription via email; archived on the Guardian’s sports hub.Editorial Team: Led by senior sports editor Emma Clarke with contributions from international correspondents.Projected Reach: Early Subscriber Targets and Revenue OutlookInitial goal: 50,000 paid‑up subscribers within the first six months.Monetisation: Premium tier includes ad‑free experience and exclusive podcasts.Revenue forecast: Expected to generate $1.2 million in the first year from subscriptions and sponsorships.Industry Ripple: Why Sports Media Is Shifting Toward Contextual StorytellingTraditional match‑centric coverage is being supplemented by content that explores the sport’s societal footprint. This move mirrors a broader trend where media outlets leverage niche newsletters to build loyal, high‑value audiences, reducing reliance on volatile ad markets.Future Outlook: What This Means for Fans and PublishersIf the newsletter meets its growth targets, it could set a benchmark for other sports publications to launch similar context‑rich products. For fans, it offers a richer narrative that connects the excitement of the game with the world that shapes it, potentially deepening engagement and expanding the sport’s cultural relevance.

The Government's Energy Calculations ClashThe UK government is facing internal divisions over the energy demands of AI datacentres, with two key departments offering vastly different projections. While the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) forecasts that AI datacentres will consume 6GW of electricity by 2030, the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) projects usage of less than a tenth of that amount. This discrepancy raises questions about how the UK can simultaneously pursue its ambition to become an AI superpower while meeting decarbonization targets.Conflicting Projections from Key DepartmentsThe DSIT's "UK compute roadmap," published in 2025, sets out a "bold, long-term plan to transform our national compute ecosystem" by building AI datacentres. The document explicitly states: "We forecast that the UK will need at least 6GW of AI-capable datacentre capacity by 2030." This ambitious plan involves creating multiple AI growth zones across the country, each requiring at least 500MW of electricity.In contrast, DESNZ, which is responsible for the UK's carbon budget and climate targets, has incorporated AI datacentres into broader forecasts for the energy use of Britain's "commercial services" sector. These projections suggest the entire sector's energy use will grow by just 528MW between 2025 and 2030 – equivalent to adding the consumption of 1.7m homes by the end of the decade.The DESNZ has stated it does not hold separate projections for datacentre growth, despite the government's commitment to building significant AI infrastructure.The Scale of the DiscrepancyThe difference between the departments' projections is staggering. DSIT's estimate of 6GW for AI datacentres alone is more than ten times higher than DESNZ's projection for the entire commercial services sector's growth. This means that if DSIT's projections are accurate, the energy demands of AI datacentres would far outpace the government's current plans for grid expansion and decarbonization.Each proposed AI growth zone would require at least 500MW of electricity – an amount only slightly less than DESNZ's forecast for the increase in energy usage of the entire commercial services sector. This suggests that even a handful of these zones would strain the government's energy planning.Revised Emissions Figures and ControversyThe controversy surrounding these projections deepened when DSIT revised its figures for the carbon emissions of AI datacentres. Originally, DSIT's projections for the carbon emissions of additional AI computing capacity were between 0.025m and 0.142m tonnes of carbon equivalent (MtCO₂) – below 0.05% of Britain's projected emissions.After questions were raised about the plausibility of these figures, the document containing them was removed from the government website. Then, after inquiries from The Guardian, DSIT updated its numbers significantly. In a statement posted online, the department acknowledged: "The UK's cumulative 10-year greenhouse gas emissions from AI compute could range from 34 to 123 MtCO₂ – this is around 0.9-3.4% of the UK's projected total emissions over the 10-year period."This represents more than a hundredfold increase in the estimated emissions, raising serious questions about the initial calculations and the transparency of the government's planning process.Critics Question Government Competence and Corporate InfluenceThe conflicting projections have drawn sharp criticism from experts and observers. Tim Squirrell, the head of strategy for the NGO Foxglove, commented: "The government's cluelessness over the environmental impact of datacentres would be laughable, if it weren't so alarming."Cecilia Rikap, a researcher at University College London, offered two possible interpretations of the "misalignment": either DESNZ and DSIT are incompetent, or there's some kind of "magical thinking about AI and big tech." She added: "Either way, the episode uncovers how these corporations control not only the AI value chain, but also the UK government."Foxglove filed an environmental impact assessment request with DESNZ in January, asking how the department had incorporated AI datacentres into its projections for Britain's emissions. The response, which referred to broader forecasts for the commercial services sector, did not address the specific concerns raised.Future of UK AI Strategy and Climate GoalsThe UK government appears to be attempting to balance competing priorities: becoming a leader in artificial intelligence while meeting international climate commitments. Carbon budget 7, which will outline the UK's climate plans for the coming years, is set to be released this summer and may provide more clarity on how these objectives will be reconciled.A spokesperson for DESNZ noted that "datacentre emissions are factored into our modeling, including for carbon budget 7," and mentioned that "The AI Energy Council is exploring opportunities to attract investment and support the development of clean power for datacentres."However, the significant discrepancy between government departments suggests that the UK's strategy for becoming an AI superpower may be developed without adequate consideration of its environmental implications. As the government moves forward with its AI ambitions, the tension between technological advancement and climate responsibility will likely remain a central challenge.

The Iran War as a Catalyst for RenewablesThe fallout from the Iran war is driving countries to boost homegrown energy reliability and opens an opportunity for progress on clean generation at the next UN climate summit, says the lead negotiator at the talks.Australian Climate Minister Chris Bowen, the new president of negotiations at the COP31 conference in Turkey in November, said the energy market disruption should be seen as a global fossil fuel crisis—the second in four years, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022—and it was having an acute impact in Asia.The Unusual Co-Presidency of COP31COP31 faces the additional challenge of being run by two countries with potentially differing views on what should be achieved. After a long standoff between Turkey and Australia, an unusual compromise agreement was struck under which the former would host the conference in Antalya and the latter would lead the formal negotiations between delegates from nearly 200 countries.Co-hosting Model: Turkey is ultimately in charge under the UN framework, but Australia leads the negotiations.Key Countries Present: Fossil fuel producers attending the Santa Marta conference include Canada, Nigeria, Mexico, Brazil, and Turkey.Major Emitters Absent: The biggest national emitters—China, the US, India, and Russia—are not attending.The Economic Impact of the Second Fossil Fuel CrisisBowen described the current market disruption as a global fossil fuel crisis—the second in four years, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He noted it was having an acute impact in Asia.However, he emphasized that Asian leaders and ministers stressed in private meetings that the upheaval in liquid fuel supply underlined the need to transition to renewable energy and electrification to reduce reliance on imported oil.Why Energy Sovereignty is Driving the Renewables PushBowen argued that the crisis is not a call to return to fossil fuels. “No one has said this crisis is a reminder that we need to be more reliant on fossil fuels,” he told the Guardian.Instead, there is a real appetite to emphasise reliability and energy sovereignty this year. Bowen believes this opens more opportunities for COP31 to advance the agenda on phasing out fossil fuels, a topic previously stalled by petrostates like Saudi Arabia and Russia.The Future of Incremental Progress at Climate SummitsBowen believes consensus is still possible in an increasingly chaotic and war-torn world. He stated that commitments made since the Paris agreement in 2015 had lowered projected global heating from 4C to about 2.5C above preindustrial levels if existing promises are fulfilled.“You can keep the process alive and hope for a big step forward,” he said. “I think Cops are unlikely now to be Paris or Copenhagen – you know, outstanding successes or heartbreaking failures. Cops are more likely to be incremental progress. The question is how big that progress is.”