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
Camels disqualified from Saudi beauty pageant over Botox injections More than 40 "enhanced" camels were barred from competing in the monthlong festival near Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
Iraqi prime minister visits site of Islamic State attack Mustafa al-Kadhimi met with Kurdistan Region security forces in disputed Makhmour. News Brief
Yemen measure stripped from US defense bill as Saudis up bombing Rep. Ro Khanna's amendment would have barred US maintenance support and weapons sales that contribute to Saudi-led offensive strikes in Yemen. Gulf
Turkey and Qatar sign cooperation agreements Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cemented his country’s alliance with Qatar during a visit to Doha, signing agreements on disaster management, banking and more. News Brief
UAE switches to Saturday-Sunday weekend, shorter workweek The move means the United Arab Emirates will share a weekend with the Americas, Europe, and much of Africa and Asia. Many Middle Eastern states retain the Islamic workweek. News Brief
Intel: US announces Iran, Syria sanctions ahead of democracy summit The US Treasury Department announced new sanctions on Iranian and Syrian targets in the run-up to the administration’s virtual gathering of the world's democracies. United States
Saudi Arabia seeks support as Yemen war heats up again The kingdom is asking allies to resupply its Patriot missile munitions as Riyadh and Yemen's Houthis trade bombardments. Yemen
Israel strikes Syrian port used by Iran Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett appeared to make a rare admission that Israel was behind the strike. News Brief
Three children dead after building collapse in Egypt Building collapses are a major problem in Egypt, where unsafe construction practices are common. News Brief
UAE security official meets Iranian president in Tehran Both Emirati and Iranian officials have signaled a desire in recent months to reduce tensions and improve relations between the two. News Brief
CENTCOM investigating latest Syria drone strike for civilian harm The admission of potential civilian harm comes after the US defense secretary ordered a new review of a separate lethal strike in Syria. Syria
Erdogan says Turkey seeks to clear up 'misunderstandings' with Gulf states President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the remarks ahead of a two-day visit to Qatar. Turkey
