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
Iran’s supreme leader ridicules US over election ‘spectacle’ Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has previously said Iran is not concerned about who wins the election. United States
Assad blames Syria’s economic turmoil on Lebanon, not sanctions Syrian President Bashar al-Assad estimates that Syrians hold between $20 billion and $42 billion in Lebanon's banks. Syria
Biden win means war with Iran, warns Israeli minister Israel's settlements minister is one of the many officials who want Donald Trump to retain the US presidency, in large part because of his Iran policies. Israel
Jordan reaches record COVID-19 death count Jordan reported 62 deaths from the virus on Wednesday, raising the death toll to 1,029. Jordan
Dubai-based airline announces daily flights to Tel Aviv The budget carrier flydubai will start flying to Israel's largest city later this month in the latest sign of deepening economic ties between Israel and the Emirates. United Arab Emirates
Palestinian who fired at Israeli troops fatally shot, IDF says The Palestinians describe Bilal Rawajba's death as an "extrajudicial execution." Palestine
Saudi Arabia to ease restrictions on foreign workers The labor overhaul will allow foreign workers to leave the country without their employers' approval. Saudi Arabia
Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq accuses PKK of attacks The Kurdistan Regional Government condemned an apparent Kurdistan Workers Party attack on peshmerga soldiers in Dahuk province; the KRG and the PKK had a turf dispute earlier this year. Iraq
Lindsey Graham, vocal senator on Syria policy, wins reelection The South Carolina Republican and member of the Foreign Relations Committee has both praised and criticized Trump's policies on Syria, Israel and other places. Syria
Dozens of Palestinian prisoners in Israel test positive for COVID-19 As of Tuesday evening, more than 80 prisoners at the Gilboa prison in central Israel had contracted the coronavirus, according to the Palestinian Committee of Prisoners' Affairs. Palestine
Malawi to open embassy in Jerusalem The southeastern African state follows several other countries in placing its embassy to Israel in the holy city. Originals
Algeria's president hospitalized in Germany for COVID-19 Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune flew to Germany last week after several of his aides tested positive for coronavirus. Algeria
