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
Two Iranian military advisers killed by IS in Syria The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members died during an ambush near Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria, where the Islamic State remains active. News Brief
Honduras to open Israel embassy in Jerusalem Honduras follows the United States, Guatemala and Kosovo in opening an embassy in the contested holy city. Israel
US lawmakers condemn threats to Palestinian community center in NJ The Palestinian American Community Center said that a caller told them to "go back where you came from" and threatened to sexually assault their staff. News Brief
Turkey’s lira hits record low again The currency’s drop followed comments made by President Erdogan about lowering interest rates. News Brief
Israel finds 'possible link' between second Pfizer jab, heart inflammation The Health Ministry said 275 cases of myocarditis, mostly affecting young men, were recorded among more than 5 million vaccinated people. News Brief
Iran urges countries to be 'cautious' after report of Venezuela-bound ships The US news outlet Politico reported that two Iranian naval vessels may be heading to Venezuela, a close ally of Iran also sanctioned by the United States. News Brief
Biden condemns anti-Semitic attacks against American Jews The United States is facing an uptick on attacks on Jewish people in the wake of the Israel-Gaza conflict. News Brief
Turkey’s currency plummets to historic low The lira’s drop coincided with changes at Turkey’s Central Bank, political tensions and a legal controversy involving a mobster. News Brief
Turkish president unveils new mosque in heart of Istanbul Building the mosque in the center of Turkey’s largest city has symbolic value regarding the struggle between secularism and Islamic conservatism in the country. News Brief
Syria's Assad wins fourth term in election US calls fraudulent By the regime's count, President Bashar al-Assad won 95.1% of the vote, handing him another seven-year term. News Brief
Egypt seeks long-term deal between Israel, Hamas Egypt, which brokered last week's cease-fire that ended hostilities and between Israel and Hamas and also hosted Palestinian reconciliation talks earlier this year, hopes it can help put in place a long-term truce. News Brief
Iran, New Zealand diplomats discuss human rights New Zealand criticized Iran's human rights record in March but also acknowledged progress made in the Islamic Republic regarding the situation for women. News Brief
