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
Suspected Israeli airstrikes hit near Aleppo The strikes were the first since Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett took office. News Brief
Rocket fire from Lebanon hits Israel, prompting response Neither Israel nor Lebanon reported any casualties from the strikes. News Brief
Morocco sentences journalist Omar Radi in trial slammed by rights groups The court on Monday sentenced Omar Radi to six years in prison on espionage and rape charges he denies. Morocco
Ben & Jerry's to stop selling ice cream in Palestinian territories The US ice cream giant will continue operations in Israel. News Brief
Saudi Arabia to require two vaccine jabs for international travel The Saudi government has made receiving the COVID-19 vaccine a requirement for its citizens to travel and work in the past. News Brief
Biden administration transfers first Guantanamo detainee to Morocco A government panel cleared Abdul Latif Nasir for release in 2016, but the Moroccan detainee remained at the US prison during the Trump administration. United States
Syrian man in Netherlands convicted of war crimes for soldier's execution A court sentenced Ahmad al Khedr to 20 years in prison for his role in the 2012 execution of a regime soldier, which was captured on film. Syria
Turkey opens Democracy Museum to commemorate coup attempt The goal of the museum is to educate the public about the role of the Gulenist movement in the attempted coup, according to Turkish state media. News Brief
Abu Dhabi returns to partial lockdown against COVID-19 variants Beginning Monday, movement will be restricted from midnight to 5 a.m. and public spaces will operate at limited capacity. United Arab Emirates
Tunisia receives medical aid from regional states as virus cases rise Morocco, Egypt, the UAE and others have sent virus-related aid to Tunisia recently. North Africa
Iraq's Kurdistan Region detects first case of Delta variant Several Middle Eastern governments have instituted measures aimed at mitigating the spread of COVID-19 variants recently. Iraq
