Raisi: Iran 'never has hope' in Vienna talks Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has struck a pessimistic tone commenting on the nuclear talks between Iran and world powers. Iran
Iraq receives 145% more foreign visitors in 2021 Iraq waived the visa requirements for citizens of many economically powerful countries last year in a bid to attract tourists and businesspeople. News Brief
Saudi Arabia building support for Expo 2030 bid The kingdom wants to host the international cultural forum, which is currently being held in Dubai. News Brief
Saudi IT industry to work with German software firm SAP on cloud technology The memorandum of understanding is the latest to come out of the LEAP technology forum in Riyadh, and reflects the kingdom’s diversification efforts. News Brief
Israel to offer fourth COVID-19 booster dose Israel was one of the first countries in the world to begin offering booster doses to vaccinated individuals. News Brief
UAE top destination for tourists from India The UAE is looking to enhance its trade ties with India and recently sent a delegation to the country. News Brief
Syrian Airlines adds more flights to Dubai The United Arab Emirates and Syria continue to improve their relationship after years of Gulf states shunning the Assad government. News Brief
Turkish telecommunications satellite launches into space Turkey's President thanked SpaceX founder Elon Musk, who launched the rocket, for not succumbing to “pressure of the anti-Turkey lobbies" News Brief
Saudi-led coalition bombs airport in Yemen's capital The Riyadh-led coalition said it acted in accordance with international law to attack "legitimate military targets." News Brief
UN secretary-general says Lebanese politicians ‘paralyze' country, demands ‘truth' about Beirut blast United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited Lebanon to meet with the country’s leaders amid the economic crisis. News Brief
Egypt sentences blogger Alaa Abdel Fattah to five years in prison Lawyer Mohamed el-Baqer and blogger Mohamed “Oxygen” Ibrahim were also each sentenced to four years in the same case for spreading false news and undermining state security. News Brief
Iraqi air force strikes Islamic State targets Iraq has bombed Islamic State targets in the eastern Diyala province for the second month in a row. News Brief
Israel bans travel to US as omicron variant spreads Israeli citizens are barred from traveling to the United States and more than 50 other countries without explicit permission. News Brief
Eight dead after flooding in Iraqi Kurdistan A heavy rainstorm hit the regional capital of Erbil. News Brief
Vienna talks to pause after 'good progress,' Iran negotiator says Iran's top negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani said "good progress" was made during talks this week. News Brief
Middle East sees most hostage-taking of journalists in 2021, report says Reporters Without Borders said of the 65 journalists held by nonstate actors worldwide, nearly all were abducted in Syria, Yemen and Iraq. News Brief
