MUST-READS

• Saudi ministry launches culture database

  The cultural database is the first of its kind in the Kingdom. It will be developed in several phases through the electronic platform. The first phase is dedicated to surveying the main occupational and functional data of artists and intellectuals. Detailed phases relating to local artistic and cultural affairs will follow.

• Saudi Austerity Angst Wants to Be Heard Even If No One Listens

  In a recent survey by market research firm YouGov, 91% of Saudis said the VAT increase had affected their finances, with 61% of those saying the impact had been severe. Prior to the virtual conference, rumors had spread rapidly among Saudis that the finance minister would announce a cancellation or amendment of the tax hike.

• Saudi Aramco is rethinking its global ambitions

  Aramco has announced the creation of a new division that will reassess the company's portfolio starting this month, aiming to promote "resilience, agility and ability to respond to changing market dynamics." Nasseri said he expects a large number of projects to be tabled as a result.

• Perspective: Lessons From Three Years in an Iranian Prison

  Shortly after the nuclear deal was concluded, they initiated a relentless campaign against something they called nofuz, or infiltration. The campaign specifically accused tech industry and start-up entrepreneurs of being allied with the West (especially the United States) and seeking to softly subvert the Iranian regime to bring about regime change.

  • NYT (Paywall) - He Was Iran’s Homegrown Tech Star. The Guards Saw a Blackmail Opportunity.
• After Beirut Explosion, Lebanon Sees A Spike In Coronavirus Infections

  Lebanon is seeing a dramatic increase in the spread of the coronavirus since last month's massive explosion at Beirut's port, which damaged much of the capital city. Since the Aug. 4 blast, the number of COVID-19 cases has increased by some 220%, according to an assessment by the International Rescue Committee. "This is on top of everything else that people have to contend with," Matias Meier, the country director for the aid group, said in a statement. After the blast, many people "lost both their home and their source of income in an instant."

• Waves of Russian and Emirati Flights Fuel Libyan War, U.N. Finds

  A confidential report sent to the Security Council details extensive breaches of the international arms embargo on Libya by eight countries since the beginning of the year.

  • Washington Post - After ousting a renegade warlord, Libya’s pro-government forces turn on one another
• Saudi ownership on Tadawul soars $155bln in August

  Saudis’ share ownership value leapt to SAR 8.744 trillion in August, compared to SAR 8.163 trillion a month earlier, accounting for 97.40% of issued shares and 85.21% of free shares.

• UAE-Israel deal step to Middle East peace: Egypt’s El-Sisi

  In a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, El-Sisi voiced his support for “any steps that would bring peace” to the volatile Middle East.

• Saudi Health Ministry Says Pandemic Easing in Kingdom

  Saudi Arabia registered on Wednesday 816 new coronavirus cases, taking its infections to 317,486. In a daily briefing on the outbreak, the Health Ministry confirmed 996 more recoveries, raising the tally to 292,510.

  • Fox News - Saudi Arabia says half of recent coronavirus cases are from 'youth' not following guidelines
• Mideast’s confirmed coronavirus death toll goes over 50,000

  Those numbers still may be an undercount, though, as testing in war-torn nations like Libya and Yemen remains extremely limited. The top U.N. official for Libya on Wednesday warned the coronavirus pandemic in the war-ravaged country appears to be “spiraling out of control.” Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who hold parts of the nation, have refused to release virus statistics.

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