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
Rita Ora apologizes after breaking quarantine following Cairo concert The British singer threw herself a birthday party in London upon her return. There are disputed reports Egyptian President Sisi was at her private performance in the Egyptian capital. Egypt
France won’t condition weapons sales to Egypt on human rights, Macron says French President Emmanuel Macron also said he spoke "frankly" about human rights with his Egyptian counterpart. Egypt
Slovenia designates Hezbollah as terrorist organization Slovenia has followed other European states in designating Hezbollah as a terror group, including both its political and its military wings. Lebanon
European powers call Iran’s enrichment plans 'deeply worrying' The governments of France, Germany and the United Kingdom expressed concerns over Iran's reported plan to install additional centrifuges at its Natanz nuclear facility. Iran
Israel issues travel warning involving several Middle Eastern states The Israeli government wants Israelis to avoid travel to the UAE, Turkey and other countries following the killing of an Iranian nuclear scientist. Israel
Biden: 'Hard to tell' how scientist’s killing would impact Iran negotiations The recent assassination of Iranian scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh could complicate Biden's pledge to rejoin the nuclear agreement. United States
Trump administration imposes new sanctions on Iranian company The administration is continuing to add sanctions on Iranian entities ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's taking office. Biden could remove some of the sanctions. United States
Iranian-Swedish scientist's execution on hold for 'next few days' Amnesty International said Ahmadreza Djalali's execution has been halted for now, but his fate is unclear. The rights group, Sweden and the UN are protesting Iran's treatment of him. Iran
Egypt releases human rights workers after international outcry Gasser Abdel-Razek, Mohamed Basheer and Karim Ennarah left Tora Prison on Thursday, their organization confirmed. Egypt
OPEC and Russia agree to boost production in 2021 The agreement follows recent increases in global oil prices. The COVID-19 pandemic has hurt oil markets and, subsequently, the economies of several Middle Eastern states. Originals
Bahraini minister comments on Israeli settlements products label controversy Commerce Minister Zayed bin Rashid al-Zayani said Bahrain "has no issue with labeling or origin" of Israeli products during a visit to Israel, which angered Palestinian officials. Bahrain
Hunger crisis in Yemen should be a ‘wake up call,’ UN warns The number of Yemenis experiencing “catastrophic food insecurity” could triple by the end of June 2021. Yemen
![Rafael Grossi (R), Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), listens to Iran's Atomic Energy Vice-President Ali Akbar Salehi, who attends virtually the 64th General Conference of the IAEA at the agency's headquarters in Vienna, Austria on September 21, 2020. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP) / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by JOE KLAMAR has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [Ali Akbar Salehi] instead of [Zarif]. Please immediately rem](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2020/12/GettyImages-1228631637.jpg/GettyImages-1228631637.jpg?h=ab741efc&itok=y-Hl7_5_)
