Western Europe is currently in the grip of an unusually early heatwave. In France and the UK, meteorologists have recordedew record temperatures for the month of May, with highs of up to 36 degrees Celsius. In some parts of Spain, temperatures have soared to 40 degrees, and there have already been several heat-related deaths. Commentators point to past failures and warn of what lies ahead.

The Spanish police have raided the headquarters of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's ruling Socialist Party (PSOE) in Madrid. The Civil Guard said the search was prompted by allegations of illegal party financing. Just last week, former socialist Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero was placed under investigation over alleged influence-peddling in connection with a bailout loan for the airline Plus Ultra.

The US and Iran are engaged in talks in Qatar aimed at resolving the complex conflict. Washington is sending mixed signals: US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the two countries were close to an agreement, but theext day he warned he wouldn't be rushed into a deal. And despite the ceasefire in the Strait of Hormuz, there have been mutual attacks on ships and land-based positions in recent days.

Theumber of respondents in a poll in Saxony-Anhalt who said they intend to vote for the AfD in theext state elections rose to above 40 percent for the first time in early May. Although the elections in this economically weak eastern German state areot due to take place until 6 September, the prospect of a clear AfD majority gives the media food for thought. Why have right-wing populists gained so much support? And how can their political rivals counter this trend?