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
US state of Florida blacklists Ben & Jerry's The popular ice cream maker decided in July to stop selling its products in the Palestinian territories in opposition to the Israeli occupation, which prompted criticism from Israeli and American politicians. News Brief
Blinken vows ‘collective response’ for ship attack blamed on Iran Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States is confident that Iran carried out the attack on the Israeli-linked oil tanker. Iran
Saudi Aramco denies rumors it will produce bitcoins The Saudi state-owned oil company said reports it will engage in the process of creating cryptocurrency are "false." DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
Qatari, Italian athletes praised for sharing gold medal at Olympics Entities in both Qatar and Italy praised high jumpers Mutaz Barshim and Gianmarco Tamberi for opting to share an Olympic gold medal, though one commentator said such a deal was unbecoming of elite athletes. News Brief
Israeli gold medalist Artem Dolgopyat can't get married in own country Artem Dolgopyat won Israel’s second-ever gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in men’s gymnastics, but isn’t considered Jewish by religious authorities. News Brief
UK, Romania summon Iranian ambassadors over ship attack Iran, which has denied involvement in the attack on the Israeli-linked oil tanker, responded by summoning the British chargé d'affaires in Tehran. Iran
Saudi judoka earns praise for facing Israeli opponent at Tokyo Olympics Tahani Alqahtani is the first Saudi woman to compete in judo at the Olympics, bucking the trend of Middle Eastern and North African athletes refusing to face Israelis at the games. News Brief
Palestinian killed by Israeli troops during funeral of boy shot by IDF Shawkat Khalil Awad was shot during clashes that erupted between Palestinian mourners and Israeli troops. Palestine
Tunisia's president names new interior minister as critics slam 'coup' Ridha Gharsallaoui's appointment as interior minister comes days after the Tunisian president suspended parliament and fired his prime minister. Tunisia
Poll finds Americans split on Biden's handling of Gaza war A University of Maryland poll finds that Americans are also split on whether Israelis and Palestinians were responsible. News Brief
Forest fires rage in Lebanon, Syria and Turkey At least four people were killed in the fires. Lebanon
Palestinian municipal employee killed by Israeli gunfire in contentious West Bank town Beita has been the site of regular protests against an unsanctioned Israeli settler outpost in the area. Palestine
