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Qiddiya Reveals First Look at Saudi ‘Capital of Entertainment, Sports and Arts’

The Qiddiya Investment Company unveils the much-anticipated Master Plan for Qiddiya. (SPA)
The Qiddiya Investment Company unveils the much-anticipated Master Plan for Qiddiya. (SPA)
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Qiddiya Reveals First Look at Saudi ‘Capital of Entertainment, Sports and Arts’

The Qiddiya Investment Company unveils the much-anticipated Master Plan for Qiddiya. (SPA)
The Qiddiya Investment Company unveils the much-anticipated Master Plan for Qiddiya. (SPA)

The Qiddiya Investment Company has unveiled the much-anticipated Master Plan for Qiddiya, the “Giga-Project” being constructed on the doorstep of Riyadh that will deliver on many of the goals of the Vision 2030. Qiddiya is set to become the Kingdom’s “Capital of Entertainment, Sports and the Arts”, with facilities and experiences that will bring together new opportunities and exposure at a scale and format never before seen.

By bringing together the elements for an active, healthy and ambitious lifestyle, Qiddiya will generate enormous economic opportunities, and thousands of new jobs that will prompt the development of new sectors, contributing to a diversified and prosperous economy.

“The people of Saudi Arabia share the universal desire for enriching experiences, and our plan allows Qiddiya to unlock access to these experiences in a new and culturally relevant way, encouraging personal and professional pursuits that foster enrichment,” said Michael Reininger, Chief Executive Officer of Qiddiya Investment Company.

The Master Plan, created in conjunction with Bjarke Ingles Group, a Denmark-based company, was constructed with careful consideration to the natural patterns that have been etched on the site throughout history, giving rise to a green-belt network carrying visitors throughout the property on roads, bike paths and walkways built within an enhanced landscape environment.

Located just 45 km from Riyadh, the 334 square kilometer site envisions development covering only 30 percent of the land leaving the majority of the majestic site dedicated for natural conservation.

“This project sets a new global standard for the seamless integration of visitor-focused experiences and an innovative mix of program pieces, delivering an unparalleled entertainment destination,” said Bob Ward, Chairman of the Qiddiya Advisory Board.

The site is organized around five primary attractions.

The Resort Core represents the heart of Qiddiya, where four gated-attractions surround a central specialty retail, dining, resort hotel and entertainment district. Adjacent to this 15-hectare lies is a major outdoor entertainment venue that can host events of a capacity of 5,000 to 40,000 visitors.

The 2022 opening phase features Six Flags Qiddiya, a family-oriented park filled with rides and attractions distributed throughout six themed lands. A second feature park is a water-oriented sports and entertainment attraction, which includes an integrated resort hotel.

The third feature is the “Speed Park” which brings together events and experiences from the world of motor sports in a venue that places equal emphasis on spectator and driver. The Speed Park includes tracks, showrooms, retail, a driver’s club and a luxury hotel within its gates.

Overlooking the Resort Core from its perch 200m above on the edge of the Tuwaiq escarpment, the City Center is a mixed-use village dedicated to sports and the arts. Coupled to the entertainment core below by a funicular transportation system, residential, retail and workplace environments are organized around two intersecting pedestrian circulation spines linking a portfolio of feature facilities.

The City Center is home to a collection of sports venues including a 20,000 seat cliff-top stadium, an 18,000 seat multi-purpose indoor arena, an aquatic center and a sports hub capable of hosting a cross-section of individual sports activities and events.

Arts and entertainment create a buzz throughout the city as they emerge from an innovative arts center, a signature 2,000 seat performing arts theater and a premier multiplex cinema that dot the central walkways as primary destinations.

A creative campus offers workspace, media production and education facilities. A grand mosque anchors one end of the city with a place for worship and community gathering. A private school, a sports medicine hospital, and beautiful private villas along a biking/walking path on the Cliff’s Edge complete the composition.

To the northwest of the Resort Core sits the Eco Core designed around a series of nature and wildlife encounters, an ecologically-sensitive golf course, outdoor sporting adventures and several unique hospitality offerings that take advantage of the picturesque desert environment.

The Motion Core, to the southeast of the Resort Core, will be home to events, experiences, residential and hospitality offerings that are driven by the science and technology of people in motion.

Along with a Race Resort, where homes and club facilities provide access to a beautiful and challenging 15 km performance driving course, facilities for both on-road and off-road driving experiences, driver education and destination motor sports events will be constructed within a landscape surrounded by a mountain side backdrop.

A Golf and Residential Neighborhood sits near the center of the property where panoramic vistas of the project are available from an array of residential and resort offerings that include a championship 18-hole golf course and club house facilities, a luxurious resort hotel and spa and equestrian facilities—all accessed from villas, townhomes and private retreats.

A range of additional retail, residential, community services and commercial support facilities are distributed throughout the property for ease of access and utility that support the modern lifestyle Qiddiya is designed to deliver.

Qiddiya brings together an expansive range of attractions and opportunities in a singular and easily accessible destination, delivered to “best-in-class” standards and allows Saudis to enjoy the entertainment and professional experiences that inspire them without having to leave the Kingdom to fulfill their ambitions.

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Best Time to Take Vitamin D for Muscle Strength

Vitamin D tablets (file photo – AP)
Vitamin D tablets (file photo – AP)
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Best Time to Take Vitamin D for Muscle Strength

Vitamin D tablets (file photo – AP)
Vitamin D tablets (file photo – AP)

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that plays a central role in both bone and muscle health.

With growing interest in dietary supplements, a key question arises: what is the best time to take vitamin D to support muscle strength?

This article reviews the latest scientific evidence on vitamin D timing and its impact on muscle health, offering practical recommendations based on recent research.

The optimal time to take vitamin D is with or after a meal that contains fat- preferably in the morning or at lunchtime. Taking it with food enhances absorption, supporting bone health and contributing more effectively to muscle strength. It is also advisable to take it at the same time each day for best results.

How Vitamin D Works in Muscles

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning its absorption in the intestine depends heavily on dietary fat. When taken with a fat-containing meal, micelles form, facilitating its transport across the intestinal wall into the bloodstream. It then reaches muscle cells, where it helps promote muscle protein synthesis and improve muscle fiber function.

Scientific Evidence on Timing

A randomized controlled trial published in Nutrients (2022) found that taking a combination of whey protein and vitamin D3 either before sleep or after waking led to beneficial increases in muscle mass in young men undergoing resistance training.

Importantly, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups in terms of muscle gains, suggesting that vitamin D’s benefits for muscle health are not dependent on a specific time of day, but rather on consistent intake.

Effects on Sleep and Melatonin

Some research indicates a link between vitamin D levels and sleep quality, with low levels associated with a higher risk of sleep disorders.

Certain recommendations suggest that taking vitamin D in the evening may interfere with melatonin production—the hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. For this reason, experts generally recommend taking vitamin D in the morning or at midday to avoid potential sleep disruption.

Vitamin D and Athletic Performance

A systematic review published in the Journal of Human Sport and Exercise (2025), analyzing 13 studies on vitamin D and athletic performance, found:

  • Vitamin D supplementation consistently increases blood levels in athletes
  • Noticeable improvements in performance among those initially deficient
  • Mixed effects on muscle recovery and blood markers across studies
  • Seasonal fluctuations in vitamin D levels highlight the importance of supplementation timing

Taking vitamin D with main meals and maintaining daily consistency are key to maximizing its benefits for muscle health. Consulting a healthcare provider is recommended to determine the appropriate dosage based on individual health status and blood levels.

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Taif Rose Harvest Season Produces over 550 Million Roses

Rose farms are spread across the highlands of Al-Hada and Al-Shafa - SPA
Rose farms are spread across the highlands of Al-Hada and Al-Shafa - SPA
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Taif Rose Harvest Season Produces over 550 Million Roses

Rose farms are spread across the highlands of Al-Hada and Al-Shafa - SPA
Rose farms are spread across the highlands of Al-Hada and Al-Shafa - SPA

Taif rose farms are witnessing a notable abundance of production during the current harvest season, amid favorable climatic conditions that have contributed to improved crop quality and increased quantities. Taif Governorate is home to more than 910 farms, comprising around 1.14 million rose shrubs, which produce approximately 550 million roses annually during a season lasting around 45 days.

Rose farms are spread across the highlands of Al-Hada and Al-Shafa, between the slopes of the Sarawat Mountains, in a natural setting characterized by moderate temperatures and abundant water, with fertile valleys that create an ideal environment for Taif roses, SPA reported.

Farmer Khalaf Jaber Al Tuwairqi stated that moderate weather and the availability of irrigation sources contributed to increased flower density and quality this season, thereby positively impacting harvesting and production. He noted that farms produce thousands of roses daily during peak periods, with around 12,000 roses required to produce one unit of rose oil, one of the world's most precious aromatic oils.

Tourism guide Abdullah Al Zahrani affirmed that the abundant rose production has boosted tourism activity in Taif, as rose farms in Al-Hada and Al-Shafa attract growing numbers of visitors during the harvest season to witness harvesting and distillation stages and learn about this traditional craft that forms part of the governorate's agricultural identity.

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Artemis Astronauts to Study the Moon’s Surface Using Mainly Their Eyes

This photo provided by NASA shows the moon seen from a window on the Orion spacecraft Integrity during the Artemis II mission on Friday, April 3, 2026. (NASA via AP)
This photo provided by NASA shows the moon seen from a window on the Orion spacecraft Integrity during the Artemis II mission on Friday, April 3, 2026. (NASA via AP)
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Artemis Astronauts to Study the Moon’s Surface Using Mainly Their Eyes

This photo provided by NASA shows the moon seen from a window on the Orion spacecraft Integrity during the Artemis II mission on Friday, April 3, 2026. (NASA via AP)
This photo provided by NASA shows the moon seen from a window on the Orion spacecraft Integrity during the Artemis II mission on Friday, April 3, 2026. (NASA via AP)

More than 50 years after humans first flew around the Moon, Artemis astronauts will repeat the feat on Monday and use the most basic instrument to study it: their eyes.

Despite the technological advancements since the Apollo missions, NASA still relies on the eyesight of its astronauts to learn more about the Moon.

"The human eye is basically the best camera that could ever or will ever exist," Kelsey Young, the lead scientist for the Artemis 2 mission, told AFP.

"The number of receptors in the human eye far outweighs what a camera is able to do."

Although modern cameras may be superior to human eyesight in some respects, "the human eye is really good at color, and it's really good at context, and it's also really good at photometric observations," Young said.

Humans can understand how lighting changes surface details, like how angled lighting reveals texture but reduces visible color.

In just the blink of an eye, humans can detect a subtle color shift and understand how lighting changes the contours of a landscape like the Moon's surface, details which are scientifically useful but difficult to ascertain from photos or videos.

Artemis 2 astronaut Victor Glover, who pilots the Orion spacecraft, said before liftoff this week that eyes were a "magical instrument."

- Field scientists -

To ensure they made the most of their proximity to the Moon, the four Artemis 2 crew members underwent more than two years of training.

Young said the goal was to turn the astronauts into "field scientists" via a combination of classroom lessons, geological expeditions to Iceland and Canada, and multiple simulated flybys of the Moon, just like the mission they are on.

The three American astronauts -- commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Glover and mission specialist Christina Koch -- along with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, all had to memorize the Moon's "Big 15," or the 15 features of the Moon that will allow them to orient themselves.

Using an inflatable Moon globe, they practiced seeing how the angle of the sun changed the colors and textures of the lunar surface, honing their observation and note-taking skills for the big moment.

"I can tell you, they are excited and they are ready," Young said with a smile.

- 'About the size of a basketball' -

The Artemis astronauts' mission is to study certain lunar sites and phenomena as part of 10 objectives chosen by NASA and ranked in priority order based on scientific interest.

During the Moon flyby, which will last for several hours, the crew will have to observe the celestial body with their naked eyes, along with cameras they have on board.

Noah Petro, head of NASA's planetary geology lab, told AFP that the Moon will look to the astronauts "about the size of a basketball held at arm's length."

"The question I'm most interested in is, are they going to be able to see color on the lunar surface," Petro said.

"I don't mean rainbow colors, but you know, dark browns or tan colors because that tells us something about the composition, and that tells us something about the history of the Moon."

David Kring of the Lunar and Planetary Institute told AFP he is not expecting any earth-shattering discoveries because of the multiple lunar probes and high-resolution images of the Moon taken since the Apollo missions.

Nevertheless, "having astronauts describing what they're seeing... That is an occurrence that at least two generations of people on Earth have never heard before," he said.

The Artemis 2 flyby will be broadcast live by NASA, save for a period for when the spacecraft is behind the moon.

"Just listening to their practice descriptions in the mission simulations... It brings chills up my arms," Young said.

"I am absolutely confident that these four people are going to deliver some incredible descriptions."