iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 15/01/2026

Unpacking some old boxes and found these two issues of Newsweek’s Arabic edition from more 20 years ago on the eve of the American invasion of Iraq.

Cover of Newsweek Arabic magazine from 18 March 2003

Cover of Newsweek Arabic magazine from 25 March 2003

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 25/12/2025

🚨 Saudi Arabia calls moves by Yemen’s STC “unjustified escalation”, urges the group to withdraw forces from seized provinces —foreign ministry statement.

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 24/12/2025

“While Saudi’s reinvention has left scars, in the form of budget overruns and scaled-back projects, the country has breezed through its own 2030 target and is set to generate an estimated 57 per cent of economic output from non-oil activities this year.”

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 14/12/2025

Saudi writer Ahmed Abodehman dies at age 76. He was known for his semi-autobiographical novel “La Ceinture”, first published in French by Gallimard in 2000.

Black and white photo of Saudi write Ahmed Abodehman who died 14 December 2025.

Cover of the book “La Ceinture” by Saudi writer Ahmed Abodehman.

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 22/10/2025

🚨 Saudi king appoints Sheikh Salih al-Fawzan as the kingdom’s Grand Mufti —royal decree

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 31/07/2025

📈 Saudi GDP up 3.9% in Q2, driven by steady growth of non-oil sector and increased crude output —government flash estimates

Chart of Saudi GDP performance over the last six quarters

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 31/07/2025

📉 Saudi stock market has been one of the worst performing in the world this year. Failure of new listings to match the stellar performance of debuts in 2023 and 2024 is raising doubts about the progress of economic diversification plans.

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 22/07/2025

🚨 US tech giant Apple launches direct-to-consumer online sales in Saudi Arabia today. The company is expected to open its first physical store in the kingdom next year.

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 07/01/2025

Rainy weather across the kingdom this week (SPA)

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 22/12/2024

Qatar will stop EU gas sales if fined under due diligence law.

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 09/12/2024

Front pages of Saudi newspapers today leading with the fall of the Assad regime in Syria.

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 30/11/2024

Saudi Arabia has lifted a moratorium on drug-related executions as the kingdom dials up its “war on drugs”.

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 21/11/2024

The term “sugar daddy” appears on the front page of Saudi daily Okaz. Probably a first?

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 15/11/2024

Scenes from a falconry competition held this week in Hafr al-Batin, northeastern Saudi Arabia —SPA

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 17/10/2024

Obituary of pioneering Saudi female artist Safeya Binzagr.

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 11/09/2024

My latest: The rise of MBS saw a relaxation of the Saudi dress code, but we are now seeing a pushback towards more formality as social change fault lines are becoming increasingly blurred.

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 25/08/2024

Weekend in al-Baha, southwest Saudi Arabia.

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 29/07/2024

Saudi Arabia is set to officially submit its bid book for the 2034 World Cup in an event hosted by Fifa in Paris this week. The crown prince endorsed the bid ahead of its submission.

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 28/07/2024

17-year-old Saudi swimmer Mashael Alayed finishes 6th in the W 200m freestyle H1. She leaves the games with a new personal record.

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 03/03/2024

Shares of Al Rajhi Bank are up nearly 270% since Saudi Arabia unveiled plans to diversify the economy away from oil eight years ago.

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 12/01/2024

Qatar dedicates the last part of the Asian Cup opening to Gaza: host nation captain handed over the oath of tournament to captain of Palestine NT, and Palestinian music to conclude the ceremony

Captain of Palestinian national team takes the oath of tournament

Palestinian dancers during the Asian Cup opening ceremony

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 28/12/2023

Apple has acquired MLS rights for $2.5 billion but the executive responsible for that deal does not seem to know how soccer works or is typically shown on TV. (Same applies to the journalist who interviewed him too)

Screenshot from interview with Apple executive Eddy Cue

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 14/11/2023

Gold Street in Al-Balad, Jeddah.

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 10/11/2023

SPL want us to believe it is a serious league but apparently nobody there ever heard of the term “kit clash”

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 07/11/2023

You don’t see that type of hand lettering often these days

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 05/11/2023

Half-way to Vision 2030: PwC report card on Saudi Arabia’s progress towards key reform goals.

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Ahmed Al Omran @alomran.me · 31/10/2023

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino confirms on Instagram that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup after what he described as “constructive dialogue and extensive consultation.”