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Riyadh Becomes First City in Region to Receive Global Active City Certification

General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Riyadh Becomes First City in Region to Receive Global Active City Certification

General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) announced that the capital has been awarded the Global Active City (GAC) certification, becoming the first city in the Middle East to attain this designation, in recognition of its efforts to promote healthy lifestyles, physical activity, and community well-being for all.

According to a press release issued by the commission Monday, CEO of the RCRC Eng. Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al-Sultan explained that this achievement reflects the continued support and ambitious vision of the Kingdom’s leadership, which has enabled Riyadh to make significant progress in improving quality-of-life indicators across the city, in line with the targets of Saudi Vision 2030, SPA reported.

Eng. Al-Sultan expressed appreciation to the main partners, Ministry of Sport and Saudi Sports for All Federation, whose active contributions played a vital role in securing this international recognition. He also acknowledged the efforts of relevant entities, noting that their collaboration highlights the Kingdom’s regional and global leadership in enhancing quality of life.

The release added that the Active Well-being Initiative, founded by Association for International Sport for All (TAFISA) and Evaleo Organization, and supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), awards the Global Active City certification to cities that excel in creating active living opportunities and implementing targeted systems and standards aimed at encouraging physical activity across all segments of society.

This achievement reaffirms RCRC’s commitment to transforming the capital into a city that enables residents and visitors to live healthier, more active lifestyles. This approach aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Quality of Life Program through an integrated, citywide strategy that expands access to public spaces, walking and cycling paths, sports facilities, and community programs that inspire active living.

Riyadh’s approach brings together the sport, health, transport, education, and urban planning sectors to build a supportive urban environment that enhances well-being and ensures inclusivity for all members of the community.

The certification process was led by RCRC, with the support and participation of Ministry of Sport, Saudi Sports for All Federation, and more than 20 relevant entities. This collaborative effort has made physical activity an essential and accessible part of Riyadh’s urban vision.

The Global Active City classification reflects Riyadh’s progress in infrastructure, programs, governance systems, and policy frameworks dedicated to improving quality of life, strengthening community participation, and supporting sustainable well-being. It also recognizes the city’s measurable advancements in promoting physical activity and public health.

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Saudi Arabia: National Wildlife Center Releases 124 Endangered Species in Imam Turki Royal Reserve

The National Center for Wildlife (NCW) logo
The National Center for Wildlife (NCW) logo
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Saudi Arabia: National Wildlife Center Releases 124 Endangered Species in Imam Turki Royal Reserve

The National Center for Wildlife (NCW) logo
The National Center for Wildlife (NCW) logo

The National Center for Wildlife (NCW), in cooperation with the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve Development Authority, has released 124 endangered wildlife species into the reserve as part of programs to breed and reintroduce them into their natural habitats.

The release included 100 rhim gazelles, 10 idmi gazelles, and 14 Arabian oryx, within the center’s efforts to reintroduce native species into their natural environments, restore ecosystems, and enrich biodiversity in natural reserves, thereby enhancing ecological balance and promoting environmental sustainability.

NCW CEO Dr. Mohammed Qurban noted that the release is part of the center’s ongoing efforts to reintroduce endangered native species into their natural habitats and to strengthen ecosystem stability within protected areas.

He added that this step builds on a series of releases carried out by the center in several natural reserves under its dedicated program for breeding and reintroducing endangered species, contributing to one of the key objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and Saudi Vision 2030, which aim to create an attractive environment that improves quality of life and promotes sustainability.

Since its establishment, the NCW has been implementing strategic plans to protect wildlife, restore ecosystems, and enhance sustainability, while aiming to become a global leader in reintroducing endangered species into their natural habitats through advanced technologies and specialized scientific research.

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Snow Cripples Air, Train and Road Traffic in the Netherlands

People walk through a winter shower with umbrellas in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 04 January 2026. (EPA)
People walk through a winter shower with umbrellas in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 04 January 2026. (EPA)
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Snow Cripples Air, Train and Road Traffic in the Netherlands

People walk through a winter shower with umbrellas in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 04 January 2026. (EPA)
People walk through a winter shower with umbrellas in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 04 January 2026. (EPA)

Snowfall disrupted air, train and road traffic in the Netherlands on Monday, as hundreds of flights were cancelled and all trains around Amsterdam came to a standstill.

Amsterdam Schiphol ‌airport, one ‌of Europe's ‌busiest ⁠hubs, cancelled almost ‌500 flights on Monday morning and expected that number to rise throughout the day.

The airport had already been forced to scrap hundreds of flights ⁠a day since Friday, due ‌to snow and ‍icy temperatures.

The ‍snow which covered large ‍parts of the Netherlands on Monday morning also crippled traffic, as no trains were operating in the region around Amsterdam and public transport was severely affected ⁠in many places across the country.

Ice and snow caused many delays and accidents on the roads, even as authorities had advised people to stay at home whenever possible.

Snowfall is expected to continue in the Netherlands throughout ‌the week.

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UK Starts Ban on Junk Food Ads on Daytime TV and Online

This photo illustration taken on December 18, 2025 shows a venison burger at a popular market in London. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)
This photo illustration taken on December 18, 2025 shows a venison burger at a popular market in London. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)
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UK Starts Ban on Junk Food Ads on Daytime TV and Online

This photo illustration taken on December 18, 2025 shows a venison burger at a popular market in London. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)
This photo illustration taken on December 18, 2025 shows a venison burger at a popular market in London. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)

New regulations come into force Monday in Britain banning daytime TV and online adverts for so-called junk foods, in what the government calls a "world-leading action" to tackle childhood obesity.

The ban -- targeting ads for products high in fat, salt or sugar -- is expected to remove up to 7.2 billion calories from children's diets each year, according to the health ministry.

Impacting ads airing before the 9:00pm watershed and anytime online, it will reduce the number of children living with obesity by 20,000 and deliver around £2 billion ($2.7 bln) in health benefits, the ministry added.

The implementation of the measure -- first announced in December 2024 -- follows other recent steps, including an extended sugar tax on pre-packaged items like milkshakes, ready-to-go coffees and sweetened yoghurt drinks, AFP reported.

Local authorities have also been given the power to stop fast food shops setting up outside schools.

The government argues evidence shows advertising influences what and when children eat, shaping preferences from a young age and increasing the risk of obesity and related illnesses.

It notes 22 percent of children starting primary schooling in England -- typically aged around five -- are overweight or obese, rising to more than a third by the time they progress to secondary schools aged 11.

Tooth decay is the leading cause of UK hospital admissions for young children, typically aged five to nine, according to officials.

"By restricting adverts for junk food before 9pm and banning paid adverts online, we can remove excessive exposure to unhealthy foods," health minister Ashley Dalton said in a statement.

He added the move was part of a strategy to make the state-funded National Health Service (NHS) focus on preventing as well as treating sickness, "so people can lead healthier lives".

Katharine Jenner, executive director of the Obesity Health Alliance, said it was "a welcome and long-awaited step towards better protecting children from unhealthy food and drink advertising that can harm their health and wellbeing".

The charity Diabetes UK also welcomed the ads ban, with its chief executive, Colette Marshall, noting that type 2 diabetes is on the rise in young people.

"Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and the condition can lead to more severe consequences in young people -- leaving them at risk of serious complications like kidney failure and heart disease," she added.