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News Brief

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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.

Passengers from Iran arrive to Najaf airport after it reopened on July 16, 2018.

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.

Dubai expo

Saudi Arabia building support for Expo 2030 bid

The kingdom wants to host the international cultural forum, which is currently being held in Dubai.

Saudi tech

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.

Latest News

Turkish technology fair comes to Azerbaijan

A Turkish boy uses a Turkish unmanned aircraft (ANKA) simulation unit on Sept. 20, 2018 at the Istanbul's new international airport, during the Teknofest aviation, space and technology fair.

US voices concern after Tunisia's Saied disbands judicial watchdog

Tunisia court

World Bank gives Palestinian Authority new grant to fight COVID-19

MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images

Iran talks to resume Tuesday as negotiations enter final phase

ALEX HALADA/AFP via Getty Images

US rejects Russian proposal at UN on new Gulf security mechanism

The US ambassador to the UN said the endeavor would not work until Iran meets its international obligations.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - JULY 03: Hatice Cengiz, the fiancee of murdered Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, speaks to the media after the first session of the murder trial outside the Caglayan Court House on July 03, 2020 in Istanbul, Turkey. Twenty Saudi nationals went on trial in absentia over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi who was killed inside the Saudi Consulate in 2018. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancee sues Mohammed bin Salman in US court

More than two dozen Saudis are named in the lawsuit seeking accountability for Jamal Khashoggi's "ruthless torture and murder."

This picture taken on October 19, 2020 shows a view of the entrance of the shock and trauma unit at the emergency medicine centre of Israeli Hadassah University Hospital Ein Kerem in Jerusalem. - Long-time chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat was in "critical" condition and in a medically induced coma, said the Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem treating him for coronavirus complications. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP) (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat in Israeli hospital with COVID-19

The veteran Palestinian official's condition worsened on Monday, and he was placed on a ventilator.

Armenian-Americans hold signs and flags as they protest against the conflict between Azerbaijan and the Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh and Turkey's support for Azerbaijan in front of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on October 15, 2020. - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo voiced hope Thursday that Armenia would "defend" itself against Azerbaijan, appearing to show sympathy to one side over the fierce clashes. (Photo by Nicholas Kamm / AFP) (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)

Armenian-Americans send aid via Qatar Airways during war with Azerbaijan

The Los Angeles-based Armenia Fund sent aid via the Gulf airline. Armenia and Azerbaijan are fighting over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

A member of security forces affiliated with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA)'s Interior Ministry takes a picture as he stands at the reported site of a mass grave in the town of Tarhuna, about 65 kilometres southeast of the capital Tripoli on June 11, 2020. - The United Nations mission to Libya on June 11 voiced "horror" over the reported discovery of at least eight mass graves in an area evacuated this month by strongman Khalifa Haftar's forces. "UNSMIL notes with horror reports on the discov

12 bodies discovered in new mass graves in Libya

At least 100 bodies have been discovered since the retreat of Khalifa Hifter's forces from the area earlier this year.

This picture taken on July 8, 2020 shows an aerial view of the Sheikh Zayed Road section of the E 11 highway and the Dubai Metro flyover in the Gulf emirate of Dubai, during a government-organised helicopter tour, with the Burj Khalifa skyscraper seen in the background. - Dubai reopened its doors to international visitors on July 7 in the hope of reviving its tourism industry after a nearly four-month closure. (Photo by KARIM SAHIB / AFP) (Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)

UAE cabinet ratifies normalization accord with Israel

The cabinet's approval came a day before an Emirati delegation is scheduled to make a first official visit to Israel.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a news conference to announce the Trump administration's restoration of sanctions on Iran, on September 21, 2020, at the US State Department in Washington,DC, as US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin looks on. - The United States said Monday it was imposing sanctions on Iran's defense ministry and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro under a UN authority which is widely contested. "For nearly two years corrupt officials in Tehran have worked with the illegitimate

Iran arms embargo ends with warnings from Washington

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has threatened to sanction countries that engage in weapons trade with Iran.

First commercial flight from UAE to Israel lands in Tel Aviv

Etihad Airways flew to Tel Aviv to bring an Israeli delegation back to Abu Dhabi for trade and tourism talks. Israel and the UAE continue to further ties after normalizing relations in September.

Iraq's Kadhimi kicks off European tour in Paris

Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Khadimi is also slated to visit Germany and the United Kingdom as he looks to deepen economic and security cooperation.

A handout picture provided by the Iranian Army official website on September 10, 2020, shows an Iranian Shalamcheh missile being fired during a military exercise in the Gulf, near the strategic strait of Hormuz in southern Iran. - The Iranian navy began a three-day exercise in the Sea of Oman near the strategic Strait of Hormuz today, deploying an array of warships, drones and missiles. One of the exercise's objectives is to devise "tactical offensive and defensive strategies for safeguarding the country's

With expiration of UN embargo, Iran makes pitch for arms sales

The UN embargo on Iranian arms sales expired Sunday, and Iranian officials are ready to export weapons.

Debra Tice, the mother of missing journalist Austin Tice, addresses a press conference January 27, 2020 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. - Tice, who spent 83 days in Syria looking for her son, reiterated the belief that he remains alive and is being held, and advocated for his release. Austin, disappeared in Syria in 2012. (Photo by EVA HAMBACH / AFP) (Photo by EVA HAMBACH/AFP via Getty Images)

White House official traveled to Syria for secret hostage talks

The Wall Street Journal first reported that Kash Patel traveled to Damascus in an effort to secure the release of Americans hostages including Austin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz.

Intel: Congress urges Egypt’s president to release political prisoners

More than 50 US members of the US Congress called for Egyptian journalists, lawyers and rights activists to be released in a letter addressed directly to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.