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
Qatar announces new aid grant to Palestinians in Gaza New assistance will help with electricity and alleviating poverty and will be delivered with Israeli coordination. Originals
Twitter adds warning label to Turkish minister's anti-LGBT tweet Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu's tweet accused "LGBT perverts" protesting in Istanbul of disrespecting Islam. Turkey
Iran says crew of seized South Korean ship free to leave Tehran says it made a "humanitarian decision" to release the sailors aboard a Korean ship it seized in the Persian Gulf, though the Hankuk Chemi will remain in Iran as an investigation and talks over oil funds withheld by Seoul continue. Iran
Israel predicts 6-month nuclear breakout time for Iran Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said Iran is close to amassing the fissile material needed to build a nuclear weapon, but it would be a year or two before it could produce a nuclear weapon. Israel
Dubai orders capacity reductions, closes bars as virus cases soar The UAE's largest city remained mostly open as normal until a recent outbreak. Originals
Iran mandates quarantine for European travelers The Iranian government also announced that the first batch of coronavirus vaccines will arrive this week. Iran
Gulf states prepared to support Iraqi sovereignty, fight terrorism: GCC Secretary General Strengthened Iraq-GCC relations could bolster stability in the country and lessen Baghdad's dependence on Iran. Iraq
Report: Israel turned down US request to inspect Haifa port after deal with China Officials warned the US Navy may not visit the Haifa area if a Chinese state-run company takes up management of the city's port. Israel
Pope Francis dismisses uncertainty over upcoming Iraq trip Francis' visit to the country next month will mark the first time a pope has visited Iraq. Iraq
Kushner, Berkowitz nominated for Nobel Peace Prize for Israel-Arab deals The two received the nomination for their work on Israel’s normalization deals with Arab states. An activist from Western Sahara was also nominated. Originals
Israel extends nationwide virus lockdown by five days The cabinet also voted to keep the ban on international flights in place through at least Sunday. Israel
Hezbollah says it took out Israeli drone near border Hezbollah claims to have downed an Israeli drone, but the Israeli military claimed that it crashed. Israel
