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Riyadh Named Arab Environment Capital

A group photo of Arab environment ministers following the Jeddah meeting (Ministry of Environment)
A group photo of Arab environment ministers following the Jeddah meeting (Ministry of Environment)
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Riyadh Named Arab Environment Capital

A group photo of Arab environment ministers following the Jeddah meeting (Ministry of Environment)
A group photo of Arab environment ministers following the Jeddah meeting (Ministry of Environment)

Riyadh has been named the “Arab Environment Capital” for two years, during the 35th session of the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment, held in Jeddah. Additionally, the Saudi Green Initiative received the award for the Outstanding Environmental Project in the government sector.

The 35th session brought about several key decisions focused on natural reserves, the Arab response to emerging climate change issues, and the follow-up on international environmental agreements and meetings, including policies connecting water and agriculture sectors.

The meeting, chaired by Saudi Arabia and organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture in collaboration with the Arab League, emphasized the importance of linking water, agriculture, and environmental policies in Arab nations.

Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture for Environmental Affairs, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the session addressed numerous topics aimed at enhancing joint cooperation, unifying Arab positions on international environmental agreements, and coordinating with regional and international organizations.

One of the most notable outcomes of the session was the selection of Riyadh as the Arab Environmental Capital, following competition from 10 countries. Additionally, the Saudi Green Initiative won the award for Outstanding Environmental Project in the Arab Government Sector.

According to Faqeeha, this achievement reflects Saudi Arabia’s leading role in adopting strategic, innovative, and sustainable environmental projects through its initiatives at both the local and international levels. The Kingdom has hosted many international environmental gatherings, underscoring its leadership in this field.

Faqeeha added that the ministry is working under various strategies related to the environment, water, and agriculture, all of which place sustainability at their core. Efforts are underway to improve waste management, with the goal of reducing landfill waste by over 95% by 2035.

He also noted significant targets for increasing environmental protection, including expanding protected areas, which were only 4% in 2016 but have now reached around 18%.

For his part, Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, emphasized that Saudi Arabia embraces a comprehensive vision for ecosystems in line with its ambitious Vision 2030. He added that the Kingdom is committed to achieving its goals by implementing national strategies and plans aimed at protecting the environment, combating land degradation, preserving vegetation, enhancing biodiversity, ensuring food and water security, and launching national, regional, and global initiatives to combat land degradation and preserve habitats.

Water Crisis

Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, emphasized that the Arab world faces a more severe water crisis than any other region.

Dr. Ali Al-Malki, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Economic Affairs Sector at the Arab League, noted that this session comes following significant Arab participation in hosting COP climate change conferences, citing COP27 in Egypt and COP28 in the UAE. He added that the positive outcomes and initiatives launched during these conferences received global recognition.

Saudi Arabia is also preparing to host the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in December. This session is expected to address critical issues for Arab countries, including the implementation of the UNCCD’s 2018-2030 strategic framework, as well as addressing drought and dust storms.

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Varieties

UK Braced for Heavy Snow as Cold Weather Snap in Europe Persists

Lost Earth Adventures' instructor Mick Ellerton climbs a frozen waterfall in Gordale Scar near Malham Cove in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, as ice warnings are in place across the UK ahead of a storm which is set to bring heavy snow later in the week, on Wednesday Jan. 7, 2026. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)
Lost Earth Adventures' instructor Mick Ellerton climbs a frozen waterfall in Gordale Scar near Malham Cove in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, as ice warnings are in place across the UK ahead of a storm which is set to bring heavy snow later in the week, on Wednesday Jan. 7, 2026. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)
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UK Braced for Heavy Snow as Cold Weather Snap in Europe Persists

Lost Earth Adventures' instructor Mick Ellerton climbs a frozen waterfall in Gordale Scar near Malham Cove in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, as ice warnings are in place across the UK ahead of a storm which is set to bring heavy snow later in the week, on Wednesday Jan. 7, 2026. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)
Lost Earth Adventures' instructor Mick Ellerton climbs a frozen waterfall in Gordale Scar near Malham Cove in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, as ice warnings are in place across the UK ahead of a storm which is set to bring heavy snow later in the week, on Wednesday Jan. 7, 2026. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)

Britain, already in the midst of one of its coldest and longest cold snaps in years, is set to endure heavy snowfall and strong winds later Thursday that weather authorities have warned could bring a risk to life.

The brunt of the storm coming in from the Atlantic is set to be felt in central England, with as much as 30 centimeters (12 inches) of snow falling in just a few hours, which inevitably will have potential implications for schools, travel and commerce, particularly in more rural areas.

Storm Goretti, which has been named by the French weather service France Meteo, is expected to leave Britain's shores by late Friday before further impacting other parts of northwest Europe, which have already endured snow, ice and freezing temperatures in recent days.

Neil Armstrong, chief forecaster at the Met Office, Britain's national meteorological service, described Goretti as a “multi-hazard event” with heavy rain, strong winds and snow, The AP news reported.

The Met Office has issued amber warnings for many parts of the UK. These have an “increased likelihood of impacts from severe weather” compared to the lower yellow warnings, meaning there is the possibility of travel delays, road and rail closures, flight cancellations, power cuts and potential risk to life and property.

The snowfall will mean trains and planes could be delayed or cancelled, rural communities may be cut off, and power cuts and disruption to mobile signal are likely.

Amber cold weather health alerts have also been extended by the UK Health Security Agency for all regions of England until Jan. 12, which means severe impacts across health and social care services are expected. Officials expect a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, with impacts also possible on younger age groups.

Many parts of Wales, northern England and Scotland have been blanketed with snow over the past few days that has led to numerous school closures and travel disruption.

In the Netherlands, the bad weather eased on Thursday, helping Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, which saw hundreds of flights canceled on each of the first three days of the working week, trying to return to normal. However, it was briefly hit by a power outage in the morning.

Dutch national carrier KLM said there were still long lines of passengers at the airport but added that it was “doing everything possible to ensure departing passengers leave on time.”

Varieties

Volcano Guides at Mount Etna are Protesting over New Safety Rules

A group of people observes glowing lava emerging from a fissure during ongoing volcanic activity on Mount Etna in Catania, Sicily, Italy, January 3, 2026. REUTERS/Antonio Denti
A group of people observes glowing lava emerging from a fissure during ongoing volcanic activity on Mount Etna in Catania, Sicily, Italy, January 3, 2026. REUTERS/Antonio Denti
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Volcano Guides at Mount Etna are Protesting over New Safety Rules

A group of people observes glowing lava emerging from a fissure during ongoing volcanic activity on Mount Etna in Catania, Sicily, Italy, January 3, 2026. REUTERS/Antonio Denti
A group of people observes glowing lava emerging from a fissure during ongoing volcanic activity on Mount Etna in Catania, Sicily, Italy, January 3, 2026. REUTERS/Antonio Denti

Guides who take tourists to enjoy the striking views of Sicily’s Mount Etna are up in arms over tougher restrictions imposed by local authorities after a round of eruptions at the giant volcano in recent weeks.

Authorities in the city of Catania have suspended or restricted excursions to see the volcano's lava flows, prompting guides to go on strike for the first time in decades and leaving disgruntled tourists with fewer options to see the spectacle up close, The Associated Press reported.

Dozens of the guides demonstrated Wednesday in front of Mount Etna’s lava flow gate, calling the new restrictions excessive and saying the lava flows are slow-moving enough to be viewed safely as has been done in the past.

“These measures effectively nullify the role of guides, stripping them of their skills, function, and professional responsibility,” a statement by the guides’ regional board said.

The lava flows are especially spectacular after sunset, but under the new rules, excursions are allowed only until dusk and can go no closer than 200 meters (660 feet) to the lava flow. Also, a previously existing limit of 10 people per group is being vigorously enforced, including with drones.

Mount Etna is Europe’s most active volcano and the continent’s largest. It attracts hikers and backpackers to its slopes, while less adventurous tourists can take it in from a distance, most stunningly from the Ionian Sea.

At 3,350 meters (almost 10,990 feet) tall and 35 kilometers (21.7 miles) wide, the Sicilian giant frequently offers a front-row seat to nature’s power. Last June, a massive eruption forced tourists to flee the volcano after a plume of high-temperature gases, ash and rock several kilometers high billowed into the air above them.

The latest restrictions were adopted after Mount Etna started a round of eruptions on Christmas Eve.

The most advanced lava front reached 1,360 meters (4,460 feet) above sea level, before stopping and entering a cooling phase after a journey of approximately 3.4 kilometers (about 2 miles), local authorities said. The lava flow poses no danger to nearby residential areas, volcanologists say.

Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology confirmed this week that Mount Etna’s eruption is ongoing, but said the lava fronts are cooling and not advancing further.

“This is a lava flow that is descending very slowly on an area that is now also flat or semi-flat,” said Dario Teri, 43, a member of Sicily’s association of alpine and volcano guides who participated in Wednesday’s protest.

The guides, who are expected to continue their strike in the coming days, hope to come to a compromise with authorities that can protect their profession while also ensuring the safety of visitors.

Claudia Mancini, a 32-year-old tourist, said she came from Palermo for an excursion with a guide at Mount Etna.

“Unfortunately, we got the bad news of the cancelling of all activity,” Mancini said, adding that she sympathized with the guides over a situation that “is not making anyone happy.”

Varieties

Lego Unveils Tech-Filled Smart Bricks

Lego unveils Smart Bricks (AFP)
Lego unveils Smart Bricks (AFP)
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Lego Unveils Tech-Filled Smart Bricks

Lego unveils Smart Bricks (AFP)
Lego unveils Smart Bricks (AFP)

Lego has unveiled Smart Bricks - tech-filled versions of its small building blocks - which it says will bring sets to life with sound, light and reaction to movement, according to the BBC.

However, the new product range has got a mixed reaction from play experts, who said it risks undermining what makes Lego distinct for children in an increasingly digital world.

Announced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas, the Danish toymaker's Smart Play system introduces new electronic components to the classic plastic blocks.

Lego said its new tech-enabled products, launching in March with a new Star Wars set, are its “most revolutionary innovation” in nearly 50 years.

But Josh Golin, executive director of children's wellbeing group Fairplay, believes Smart Bricks could “undermine what was once great about Legos” - harnessing children's own imagination during play.

He said the toy did not require extra features to generate sounds or other effects.

“As anyone who has ever watched a child play with old-school Legos knows, children's Lego creations already do move and make noises through the power of children's imaginations,” he told the BBC.

Andrew Manches, professor of children and technology at the University of Edinburgh, agreed the beauty of Lego lay in “the freedom to create, re-create, and adapt simple blocks into endless stories powered by children's imagination.”

But he also welcomed Lego's efforts to integrate physical and digital play with tools that react to the way children interact with its Smart Play products.

Julia Goldin, the company's chief product and marketing officer, previously told the BBC it viewed digital technology as an opportunity to “expand physical play and physical building.”

“We don't look at the digital world as a threat,” she said - adding its smart range weaves interactivity “seamlessly” with its physical products.

What are Lego Smart Bricks?

Lego says its Smart Bricks can sense motion, position and distance, allowing the models to respond in various ways during play.

Measuring 2x4, the brick itself contains sensors, lights, a small sound synthesizer, an accelerometer and a custom-made silicon chip enabling it to detect movement and react to it.

But it is designed to be used with Smart Minifigures and Smart Tags tiles - two additional products making up Lego's Smart Play System.

Similarly adapted from existing Lego components, these possess digital identifiers triggering different sounds or reactions when they detect and interact with each other.

For instance, when tried out by the BBC at CES, a Lego birthday cake recognized when its “candles” were blown out - sounding a cheer and a happy birthday song.

Meanwhile, a Lego helicopter made whooshing sounds when moved or rotated, with its Smart Brick lighting up red upon crashing.

Tom Donaldson, head of Lego's Creative Play Lab, said the tech intended to respond to children's actions and complement the way they naturally play.

He said the Smart Brick's reactions to responses would “hopefully inspire and surprise the user to keep them continuing to play.”

“We are building a platform that we want to last for many years,” he said.
Manches told the BBC reduced cost and size of components has “enabled more toymakers to integrate digital technology seamlessly into a range of toys.”

But he added despite exciting innovation, concerns remain about the security and privacy of new and emerging smart toys for children - particularly those which integrate AI.

“The key is to us all to remain critically reflective of the design of these toys, and to pay much attention to how they influence children's everyday lives,” he said.

It is not the first time Lego has dabbled in digital experimentation or sought to appeal to increasingly online audiences.

Since 2017 it has released augmented reality apps and experiences letting people play with computer-generated models layered over their surroundings.

Through collaborations with video game publishers such as Nintendo and Fortnite-maker Epic Games it has also looked to appeal to fans of trending games or new launches - releasing a Super Mario Minifigure in 2020 with a tiny display screen.

Lego chief executive Niels B. Christiansen said in the firm’s 2024 annual report it had accelerated spending on digital technology as a “strategic area” for the company.