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
Bahrain urges citizens to leave Lebanon Several Gulf states have taken action against Lebanon recently following comments by a Lebanese minister that were critical of the Saudi intervention in Yemen. News Brief
Assyrian discoveries in northern Iraq unearth new challenges For the first time in more than 150 years, archaeologists found large Assyrian rock reliefs in Iraq, but protecting the discoveries unveils new challenges. Iraq
Iran's foreign minister contracts COVID-19 Iran’s foreign minister is the latest high-profile case, though daily reported coronavirus infections are dropping and the country has made progress with its vaccination campaign. News Brief
Four Gulf states recall diplomats from Beirut Bahrain, the UAE and Kuwait have joined Saudi Arabia in taking diplomatic action in response to remarks from a Lebanese minister about the situation in Yemen. News Brief
US flies B-1 bomber over Middle East amid tensions with Iran The Pentagon is renewing show-of-strength flights over the Persian Gulf as the US waits for talks over Iran's nuclear program to resume. United States
Iraq sentences confessed killer of two journalists to death Local television reporter Ahmad Abdessamad and his cameraman, Safaa Ghali, were killed in Iraq's southern city of Basra last year. Iraq
Turkey's Erdogan backs out of Glasgow climate summit Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erodgan made the last-minute decision to skip the UN climate summit on Monday, saying British authorities failed to meet his security demands. Turkey
Japan opens tourism office in Dubai Both Japan and the United Arab Emirates see opportunity to expand tourism, trade and investment in one another. News Brief
Iraq arrests alleged Islamic State fighters after deadly attack The Islamic State killed two Kurdistan Region soldiers and 12 civilians in recent attacks in northern Iraq. News Brief
Houthi missile attack in Marib kills, injures 29 The Iran-backed Houthi group did not claim responsibility for the attack, which the Yemeni information minister said killed women and children. Yemen
Pence endorses controversial Iranian opposition group Former US Vice President Mike Pence spoke at event held by Mujahedeen-e Khalq, which is widely described as a cult. News Brief
US unveils sanctions targeting Iran's drone program The Treasury Department issued fresh sanctions on Friday targeting individuals and companies the United States says are supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ drone program. Iran
