Beshara | The National

Welcome to The National's weekly newsletter Beshara, where we share the most positive stories of the week.

Wellness was never just a trend. While run clubs, high-protein recipes and fitness wearables may be having a moment, they could mark a turning point for many, improving both physical and mental well-being.

For me, fitness has never been about chasing perfection or aesthetics. It's simply out of gratitude for the one thing we so often take for granted: our health and the health of the people we love.

That's why I was genuinely pleased to hear of Abu Dhabi's latest initiative to remove unhealthy foods from prominent supermarket displays. The effect of this small change was immediately clear to me yesterday when I stopped by a store for a post-workout snack. The shelves at the entrance and checkout, once lined with chocolate bars and sugary treats designed to tempt shoppers, had instead been replaced with healthier alternatives.

Don't get me wrong - I firmly believe in balance, not restriction. But making healthier choices the easier choices is a simple shift that can have a meaningful impact. When nutritious options are the most accessible, those small daily decisions gradually become habits, and those habits become a lifestyle.

Whether it's thoughtful public health initiatives or breakthroughs in medicine and science, every step that helps people live healthier lives is worth celebrating. After all, good health is one of life's greatest gifts — and one that is truly priceless.

Don't forget to take care of yourself today.

Yours warmly,

Fatima

Do you have good news you want us to share? Email me at: falmahmoud@thenationalnews.com

Cyclists who biked from Barcelona to Paris for a cancer charity and the Al Jalila Foundation. Photo: Brighton College

A team of 15 cyclists has completed an extraordinary challenge: a 3,333km ride from Barcelona to Paris to support cancer care in the UAE.

The journey, known as Cycle Against Cancer, pushed riders to their limits, with demanding mountain climbs, long days on the road and moments that tested both their physical and mental resilience. But it was also a journey of solidarity, bringing together cancer survivors and cyclists around a shared cause.

For many riders, the mission was deeply personal. Some have faced cancer themselves, while others have supported loved ones through the disease.

"I drew strength from my wife and from knowing what the funds raised will support," said Jimmy Wright, who joined the trek to honour his wife’s cancer diagnosis. "That personal motivation continued to drive me and I believe it helped drive the entire team forwards."

– Fatima Al Awadhi, 19, has become the youngest Arab to reach an elevation of more than 7,000 metres after she reached the summit of Lenin Peak in the Pamir Mountains of Kyrgyzstan.

Sajjad Hasan, 16, is one of the youngest tour guides in Iraq's Unesco-listed wetlands, teaching himself English to share his home with the world before it changes forever. Photo: Azhar Al Rubaie

“I know every channel and every branch in the marsh waters, just as a driver knows his way inside the city.”

Those are the words of 16-year-old Sajjad Hassan, known in Iraq as Fata Al Ahwar or the Marshes Boy.

Sajjad is one of the youngest tour guides in Al Chibayish, a town on the Euphrates River. He introduces visitors from around the world to one of humanity's oldest inhabited landscapes while trying to ensure it has a future.

“I like talking about the nature here. The nature is very beautiful, so many animals here,” he says.

Sajjad started guiding visitors when he was just 10 years old. While most children his age were still in primary school, he was already learning how to introduce strangers to the wetlands he calls home.

The UAE’s humanitarian mission to Gaza passed the 1,000-day milestone this weekend, having delivered more than 126,000 tonnes of food aid, medical support and crucial relief through more than 770 flights, 25 ships, and more than 13,000 trucks since November 2023.

The mission, named Operation Gallant Knight 3, has ensured that the UAE has been at the forefront of aid deliveries and humanitarian assistance to residents of the enclave.