Latest news with #UniversityofBirmingham
Int'l Business Times
a day ago
- Int'l Business Times
No Permit, No Hajj: Saudi Intensifies Crackdown After Heat Deaths
Saudi Arabia is ramping up a crackdown on unregistered worshippers at next week's hajj pilgrimage, a year after hundreds perished in scorching conditions. Regular raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts are aimed at rooting out unauthorised visitors hoping to mingle among the crowds in and around the holy city of Mecca. The simple message, "No hajj without a permit", is being blared out in a relentless campaign promoted nationwide at shopping centres, on billboards and across media platforms. Last year, 1,301 pilgrims, most of them unregistered and lacking access to air-conditioned tents and buses, died as temperatures soared to 51.8 degrees Celsius (125.2 degrees Fahrenheit). "Since the end of last season, we realised the biggest challenge is preventing unauthorised pilgrims from undermining the success of the hajj season," said one official helping organise the hajj, requesting anonymity. The hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be completed by all Muslims with the means at least once. Yet official permits are allocated to countries through a quota system and distributed to individuals via a lottery. Even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs make the irregular route -- which costs thousands of dollars less -- more attractive. Saudi officials said 83 percent of those who died last year did not have official hajj permits. Temperatures of up to 44C (111F) are forecast next week. To seek out unregistered pilgrims, Saudi authorities have rolled out a new fleet of drones to monitor entrances into Mecca. Security forces have also raided hundreds of apartments in search of people hiding out in the area. An Egyptian engineer living in Mecca, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said his building was raided multiple times in recent weeks. "Police officers in uniform came to my home twice and asked to see my and my wife's residency permits," he told AFP. "Almost everywhere, we're being asked to show residency or work permits in Mecca. The security presence is unprecedented." The problem of illicit pilgrims has become acute since Saudi Arabia loosened visa restrictions in line with economic reforms, trying to attract more tourism and business. Hundreds of thousands of people are believed to have used family and tourist visas, instead of the designated hajj visa, to enter the country each year. Saudi Arabia is now trying to cut off the problem at source, restricting multiple-entry visas for citizens of several countries since January. Family and tourist visas were also barred to nationals of more than 10 countries, including Egypt, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Jordan. Umar Karim, an expert on Saudi affairs at the University of Birmingham, said officials previously focused on "deterring people but not stopping them" from coming before hajj. "Saudi authorities have seen that once these people are inside the kingdom, stopping them from physically entering Mecca is a difficult task even if a huge number of security officials are deployed," he added. For the past month, entry into Mecca has been restricted to individuals with work and residency permits. Many people in Mecca have been forced to send their wives and children, who lack the proper visas, out of the city. Pilgrims coming for umrah -- similar rites that can be performed year-round -- have also been required to leave. Meanwhile, fines for an illicit hajj have doubled to 20,000 Saudi riyals ($5,333), with violators facing a 10-year ban from the country. Those found to be harbouring and helping unauthorised pilgrims can be fined up to 100,000 riyals ($26,666). "All of this is aimed at ensuring that Mecca is reserved exclusively for authorised pilgrims during the Hajj season," the official added. Residents of Mecca told AFP that the crowds there have noticeably thinned compared to previous years. However, officials said on Tuesday that more than a million pilgrims had already arrived in Saudi Arabia for the hajj. Last year's hajj deaths were a high-profile example of the havoc wrought by heat in 2024, which the Copernicus Climate Change Service said was the hottest year ever recorded. While the pilgrimage, which follows a lunar calendar, will eventually shift to the cooler winter season, relief will be temporary. A 2019 study published by the journal Geophysical Research Letters said because of climate change and the timing of the hajj, heat stress for pilgrims will exceed the "extreme danger threshold" from 2047 to 2052, and 2079 to 2086. Muslim pilgrims use umbrellas to shade themselves from the sun AFP
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
No permit, no hajj: Saudi intensifies crackdown after heat deaths
Saudi Arabia is ramping up a crackdown on unregistered worshippers at next week's hajj pilgrimage, a year after hundreds perished in scorching conditions. Regular raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts are aimed at rooting out unauthorised visitors hoping to mingle among the crowds in and around the holy city of Mecca. The simple message, "No hajj without a permit", is being blared out in a relentless campaign promoted nationwide at shopping centres, on billboards and across media platforms. Last year, 1,301 pilgrims, most of them unregistered and lacking access to air-conditioned tents and buses, died as temperatures soared to 51.8 degrees Celsius (125.2 degrees Fahrenheit). "Since the end of last season, we realised the biggest challenge is preventing unauthorised pilgrims from undermining the success of the hajj season," said one official helping organise the hajj, requesting anonymity. The hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be completed by all Muslims with the means at least once. Yet official permits are allocated to countries through a quota system and distributed to individuals via a lottery. Even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs make the irregular route -- which costs thousands of dollars less -- more attractive. Saudi officials said 83 percent of those who died last year did not have official hajj permits. Temperatures of up to 44C (111F) are forecast next week. - 'Unprecedented' security - To seek out unregistered pilgrims, Saudi authorities have rolled out a new fleet of drones to monitor entrances into Mecca. Security forces have also raided hundreds of apartments in search of people hiding out in the area. An Egyptian engineer living in Mecca, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said his building was raided multiple times in recent weeks. "Police officers in uniform came to my home twice and asked to see my and my wife's residency permits," he told AFP. "Almost everywhere, we're being asked to show residency or work permits in Mecca. The security presence is unprecedented." The problem of illicit pilgrims has become acute since Saudi Arabia loosened visa restrictions in line with economic reforms, trying to attract more tourism and business. Hundreds of thousands of people are believed to have used family and tourist visas, instead of the designated hajj visa, to enter the country each year. - Fines and bans - Saudi Arabia is now trying to cut off the problem at source, restricting multiple-entry visas for citizens of several countries since January. Family and tourist visas were also barred to nationals of more than 10 countries, including Egypt, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Jordan. Umar Karim, an expert on Saudi affairs at the University of Birmingham, said officials previously focused on "deterring people but not stopping them" from coming before hajj. "Saudi authorities have seen that once these people are inside the kingdom, stopping them from physically entering Mecca is a difficult task even if a huge number of security officials are deployed," he added. For the past month, entry into Mecca has been restricted to individuals with work and residency permits. Many people in Mecca have been forced to send their wives and children, who lack the proper visas, out of the city. Pilgrims coming for umrah -- similar rites that can be performed year-round -- have also been required to leave. Meanwhile, fines for an illicit hajj have doubled to 20,000 Saudi riyals ($5,333), with violators facing a 10-year ban from the country. Those found to be harbouring and helping unauthorised pilgrims can be fined up to 100,000 riyals ($26,666). "All of this is aimed at ensuring that Mecca is reserved exclusively for authorised pilgrims during the Hajj season," the official added. Residents of Mecca told AFP that the crowds there have noticeably thinned compared to previous years. However, officials said on Tuesday that more than a million pilgrims had already arrived in Saudi Arabia for the hajj. Last year's hajj deaths were a high-profile example of the havoc wrought by heat in 2024, which the Copernicus Climate Change Service said was the hottest year ever recorded. While the pilgrimage, which follows a lunar calendar, will eventually shift to the cooler winter season, relief will be temporary. A 2019 study published by the journal Geophysical Research Letters said because of climate change and the timing of the hajj, heat stress for pilgrims will exceed the "extreme danger threshold" from 2047 to 2052, and 2079 to 2086. ht-ds/th/ser
France 24
a day ago
- France 24
No permit, no hajj: Saudi intensifies crackdown after heat deaths
Regular raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts are aimed at rooting out unauthorised visitors hoping to mingle among the crowds in and around the holy city of Mecca. The simple message, "No hajj without a permit", is being blared out in a relentless campaign promoted nationwide at shopping centres, on billboards and across media platforms. Last year, 1,301 pilgrims, most of them unregistered and lacking access to air-conditioned tents and buses, died as temperatures soared to 51.8 degrees Celsius (125.2 degrees Fahrenheit). "Since the end of last season, we realised the biggest challenge is preventing unauthorised pilgrims from undermining the success of the hajj season," said one official helping organise the hajj, requesting anonymity. The hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, must be completed by all Muslims with the means at least once. Yet official permits are allocated to countries through a quota system and distributed to individuals via a lottery. Even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs make the irregular route -- which costs thousands of dollars less -- more attractive. Saudi officials said 83 percent of those who died last year did not have official hajj permits. Temperatures of up to 44C (111F) are forecast next week. 'Unprecedented' security To seek out unregistered pilgrims, Saudi authorities have rolled out a new fleet of drones to monitor entrances into Mecca. Security forces have also raided hundreds of apartments in search of people hiding out in the area. An Egyptian engineer living in Mecca, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said his building was raided multiple times in recent weeks. "Police officers in uniform came to my home twice and asked to see my and my wife's residency permits," he told AFP. "Almost everywhere, we're being asked to show residency or work permits in Mecca. The security presence is unprecedented." The problem of illicit pilgrims has become acute since Saudi Arabia loosened visa restrictions in line with economic reforms, trying to attract more tourism and business. Hundreds of thousands of people are believed to have used family and tourist visas, instead of the designated hajj visa, to enter the country each year. Fines and bans Saudi Arabia is now trying to cut off the problem at source, restricting multiple-entry visas for citizens of several countries since January. Family and tourist visas were also barred to nationals of more than 10 countries, including Egypt, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Jordan. Umar Karim, an expert on Saudi affairs at the University of Birmingham, said officials previously focused on "deterring people but not stopping them" from coming before hajj. "Saudi authorities have seen that once these people are inside the kingdom, stopping them from physically entering Mecca is a difficult task even if a huge number of security officials are deployed," he added. For the past month, entry into Mecca has been restricted to individuals with work and residency permits. Many people in Mecca have been forced to send their wives and children, who lack the proper visas, out of the city. Pilgrims coming for umrah -- similar rites that can be performed year-round -- have also been required to leave. Meanwhile, fines for an illicit hajj have doubled to 20,000 Saudi riyals ($5,333), with violators facing a 10-year ban from the country. Those found to be harbouring and helping unauthorised pilgrims can be fined up to 100,000 riyals ($26,666). "All of this is aimed at ensuring that Mecca is reserved exclusively for authorised pilgrims during the Hajj season," the official added. Residents of Mecca told AFP that the crowds there have noticeably thinned compared to previous years. However, officials said on Tuesday that more than a million pilgrims had already arrived in Saudi Arabia for the hajj. Last year's hajj deaths were a high-profile example of the havoc wrought by heat in 2024, which the Copernicus Climate Change Service said was the hottest year ever recorded. While the pilgrimage, which follows a lunar calendar, will eventually shift to the cooler winter season, relief will be temporary. A 2019 study published by the journal Geophysical Research Letters said because of climate change and the timing of the hajj, heat stress for pilgrims will exceed the "extreme danger threshold" from 2047 to 2052, and 2079 to 2086. © 2025 AFP
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Exercise helps maintain vitamin D levels in winter without supplements
Exercise is the key to maintaining vitamin D levels in winter, a study suggests. Regular, moderate-intensity exercise helps maintain crucial vitamin D levels during the darker months – even without weight loss or supplements. Researchers found that overweight and obese adults who completed a 10-week indoor exercise programme over winter experienced significantly smaller drops in vitamin D levels compared with those who did not exercise, even though their body weight was deliberately maintained. More than 50 people took part in four sessions per week of two treadmill walks, one longer steady-state bike ride, and one high-intensity interval bike session. Exercise helps maintain vitamin D levels in winter without supplements, according to scientists (James Manning/PA) Exercise completely preserved the body's active form of vitamin D, which plays a key role in supporting bone health, the immune system, and various organs. Previous studies suggest that vitamin D supplements alone do not help maintain this active form. The small-scale study was led by academics from the University of Bath, University of Birmingham and University of Cambridge. Lead author Dr Oly Perkin, from the University of Bath, said: 'This is the first study to show that exercise alone can protect against the winter dip in vitamin D. 'It's a powerful reminder that we still have lots to learn about how exercise benefits our health.' People who exercised saw a smaller drop in their overall vitamin D levels over winter of around 15%, compared with a 25% drop in those who did not exercise. Those who exercised kept healthy levels of the active form of vitamin D, which helps support the immune system and bone health. In the non-exercising group, levels of this active form fell by 15%. Weight was kept stable throughout the study, proving the effect was due to exercise, not weight loss. To ensure sunlight did not skew results, the study ran between October and April – when natural vitamin D production from sunlight is minimal in this part of the UK – and participants were asked to avoid supplements. A previous study from the team showed that a single workout can briefly boost vitamin D levels, but this is the first to show that regular cardio exercise can maintain basal circulating vitamin D levels and offer lasting protection during the winter months. Exercise gives you a double benefit to your vitamin D, first in and around each exercise bout, and second through changing your baseline levels Principal investigator Professor Dylan Thompson, from the University of Bath, said: 'Collectively, the findings from the VitaDEx project show that exercise increases the concentrations of vitamin D metabolites each time you are active and, on top of this, doing regular activity helps to maintain your basal resting levels of vitamin D during winter. 'This means exercise gives you a double benefit to your vitamin D, first in and around each exercise bout, and second through changing your baseline levels.' The study offers compelling evidence that exercise could be an effective winter vitamin D strategy, especially for those who are overweight or obese for whom vitamin D supplements are less effective. Liam Kilawee, who took part in the study, said: 'I was impressed on how thorough the process was and how the team engaged with me during research period. 'The results were pleasing as I could see that my actions had a positive reaction.' – The study, Exercise without Weight Loss Prevents Seasonal Decline in Vitamin D Metabolites: The VitaDEx Randomised Controlled Trial, is published in the journal Advanced Science.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
UK Universities Are Coming to India: What This Means for Students, Costs & Global Degrees
/ May 29, 2025, 10:24PM IST Big news for Indian students: Top UK universities like the University of Birmingham and University of Southampton are setting up partnerships and campuses in India. From lower tuition costs to easier access to international faculty and research, this move could reshape how Indian students access global education. Could this be the future of studying abroad—without going abroad? Find out what these collaborations mean for careers, costs, and your international dreams with insights from Ms. Rittika Chanda Parruck, Director, Education India, British Council.
