MUST-READS

• Ukraine summit strives for consensus, way forward uncertain
  Western powers and their allies at a summit in Switzerland denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Sunday, but they failed to persuade major non-aligned states to join their final statement, and no country came forward to host a sequel. Over 90 countries attended the two-day talks at a Swiss Alpine resort at the behest of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, billed as a "peace summit" even though Moscow was not invited.

• At least 14 Hajj pilgrims die in intense heat

  At least 14 Jordanian citizens have died during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia due to intense heat, officials have said.

  Jordan's foreign ministry said 14 of its nationals had died "after suffering sun stroke due to the extreme heat wave" and a further 17 had been reported missing.

  According to the AFP news agency, the Iranian Red Crescent confirmed that five Iranian pilgrims had also lost their lives, but did not specify how they died.

• Deadly heat waves in Mecca and Greece underscore climate crisis

  Multiple heat-related deaths have been reported in Greece during the country's earliest heat wave on record and Jordan's official news agency said Sunday "14 Jordanian pilgrims died and 17 others were missing" in the searing heat while on the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

• Saudi Consumption — Not Production — Is Key to Peak Oil

  The staggering amount of oil the Saudis consume – 3.7 million barrels a day, the world’s fourth most, behind only the US, China and India — means the kingdom would play a key role in shaping demand to 2030, potentially accelerating peak consumption – or delaying it.

• Saudi Arabia’s King Salman congratulates Muslims on Eid al-Adha

  King Salman, who is also the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, said in a post on X that he prayed that God accepts the Hajj pilgrimage of all those who performed the ritual this year “and to perpetuate security and stability for our homeland and our people, and for our Islamic and Arab nations and the entire world.”

• My Unbelievable Cycling Journey Across Saudi Arabia (Nothing Like I Expected)

  My female partner and I travelled over 4,000km (2,485mi) in 90 days throughout Saudi Arabia. This took us from the Star Wars landscapes in the north to Al Naslaa rock (which looks like it was cut with a laser), to Maraya (the largest mirrored building in the world), to Medina (which is the burial site of the prophet Mohammad), to Abha (a city that’s situated at 2300m in the misty mountains), to Thee Ain (a spectacular fortress town), and to Riyadh (a truly sprawling city with some nice historic buildings).

• Hajj pilgrims innovate for comfort amid Saudi Arabia’s efforts to beat the heat

  Alongside the Kingdom’s measures — which include extensive cooling systems — pilgrims are using rechargeable and battery-powered neck and handheld fans in their determination to offset the challenging conditions brought by the summer.

• Hajj 2024 in numbers: Annual pilgrimage draws over 1.83 million worshipers

  A total of 1,833,164 pilgrims performed the annual pilgrimage, 1,611,310 of whom were from outside the Kingdom with domestic pilgrims-both citizens and residents-numbered at 221,854. The number of male pilgrims this year reached 958,137, while female pilgrims totaled 875,027, GASTAT said.

  • SPA - Eid Al-Adha Prayer Performed Across Saudi Arabia
• The scientist who saved the Middle East’s priceless crops

  When civil war broke out in Lebanon in 1975, agricultural scientist Dr Geoff Hawtin was left with little time to try to save the thousands of priceless seeds he had collected from across the Middle East.

  Under gunfire, he and his team knew they needed to protect the 17,000 precious seed packets knowing they would be vital for the food security of future generations.

  Driving 50km to the Syrian border over roads covered with landmines, he made five trips to take the collection to Damascus to safety.

• US weighs plan for Centcom to coordinate directly with Palestinian Authority’s security forces

  US President Joe Biden's administration is weighing a plan to bring cooperation with the Palestinian Authority's security forces under the purview of Centcom, a potential reshuffle that some US officials say could advance plans for post-war Gaza governance. US officials advocating for the move argue it would bolster cooperation between the Palestinian Authority's (PA) security forces and Arab states, one current US official, one former US official and one Western official familiar with the plan told Middle East Eye.

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