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 teachers union to vote on support for ‘heroic struggle’ of Palestinians The National Education Association will vote this week on motions that call for backing the Palestinian cause as well as an end to US military support for Israel and Saudi Arabia. News Brief
Islamic State exploits economic downturn in Iraq, Syria, US envoy says John Godfrey said the thousands of suspected Islamic State fighters held in northeast Syria constitute a security threat to the region. Syria
Israel records highest daily coronavirus cases in three months The number of COVID-19 infections in Israel, which includes those of the delta variant, is still relatively low in the country. News Brief
Turkey's virus-related curfew ends Turkey's COVID-19 cases have dropped considerably, and the percentage of people who have received a vaccine dose more than doubled in June. News Brief
Etihad, El Al to offer joint flight booking The flagship airlines of Israel and the UAE agreed to establish a joint codeshare network last year after the two states' normalization agreement. News Brief
Lebanon's parliament backs $556M cash subsidy As Lebanon grapples with an economic crisis, qualifying families would receive up to $137 per month to help cover basic goods. News Brief
Explosion at Baghdad's Sadr City injures at least 15 At least 15 people were injured in an explosion at a crowded market in Baghdad's Sadr City. News Brief
Several dead following Houthi missile attack on Yemen's Marib A Houthi statement on the strike contradicted a report by The Associated Press, which said a child was killed in the war-torn city. Gulf
Saudi Arabia plans second national airline in tourism push The additional airline would help position the Gulf state as a global logistics hub, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman said. Saudi Arabia
Lebanese government raises fuel price The World Bank said this month that the crisis is one of the worst in modern history. News Brief
UN's Iran investigator calls for inquiry on Raisi's role in 1988 executions The UN’s special rapporteur on human rights in Iran told Reuters that his office had collected evidence of the mass executions to share with the UN Human Rights Council. Iran
Israeli military sends rescue team after Miami building collapse Rescuers from Mexico also joined the massive effort to locate more than 150 people after a condo partially collapsed in the southeastern United States. News Brief
