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
Intel: Russian naval exercises could fuel Greece-Turkey standoff in EastMed A planned Russian drill could worsen an already tense standoff between Greece and Turkey in the energy-rich and disputed eastern Mediterranean Sea. Turkey
US seizes websites of Iraqi militia-affiliated news outlet The US Justice Department says the domain names of Aletejah TV's websites were owned and operated by a US company and affiliated with the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia. Iraq
Serbia, Kosovo to open embassies in Jerusalem Serbia plans to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem next year, and Kosovo also has agreed to open an embassy in the holy city. Israel
Dog sparks hope in Beirut of possible miracle survivor under rubble A dog alerted Chilean rescuers to a possible sign of life near downtown Beirut and the search has provided hope to people in the city one month after the deadly explosion. Lebanon
Emirates to resume flights to Amman Beginning Sept. 8, the Dubai-owned carrier will operate daily flights between Dubai and the Jordanian capital. United Arab Emirates
Intel: Netanyahu knew of US proposal to sell arms to UAE, says NYT Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was aware of a US proposal to sell the advanced F-35 fighter jet to the United Arab Emirates amid negotiations with the Gulf country over normalizing ties with Israel, the New York Times reported Thursday. United Arab Emirates
UN chief urges Libya to shut migrant detention centers Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary-general, said 22% of those detained in Libya's holding facilities for migrants are children. Libya
Bahrain to allow Israeli flights to UAE over its airspace There was speculation that Bahrain would follow the UAE in recognizing Israel, but the country has not signaled a willingness to do so yet. United Arab Emirates
Lebanon’s army finds more ammonium nitrate near Beirut port A month after the blast that ripped through the Lebanese capital, the army has discovered an additional 4.35 tons of the same explosive chemical that caused the blast. Lebanon
Intel: House Democrats want answers from Saudi ambassador over jailed female activists A group of seven congressional Democrats laid into Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States on Wednesday for failing to respond to their repeated requests to discuss the kingdom’s continued detention of female rights activists. Saudi Arabia
Russia increased Wagner deployments as Hifter’s offensive faltered, UN report says A new UN report backs US claims that Russia sent more fighters to Libya as Turkey intervened against Hifter. Libya
Israel's El Al will operate first cargo plane from Israeli airline to Dubai Israel and the United Arab Emirates continue to work on flights between the two states following their decision to normalize relations. United Arab Emirates
