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
Is Oman next in line to normalize relations with Israel? On the backdrop of the recent agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and Oman Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah discussed on the phone strengthening bilateral ties. Israel
Kushner: US won’t sign off on West Bank annexation 'for some time' Top US presidential adviser Jared Kushner has said the focus will be implementing the agreement reached last week between Israel and United Arab Emirates. United Arab Emirates
Intel: Iran paid bounties to Taliban for US soldiers, influencing Soleimani strike US officials tell CNN the administration took no action against the Taliban in order to preserve its peace deal with the insurgents. United States
Turkey takes aim at Biden after old comments on Erdogan resurface Turkish politicians are expressing outrage over presumptive US presidential candidate Joe Biden calling for the Turkish president's ouster back in December, likely because Recep Tayyip Erdogan is using them to whip up nationalist fervor against the United States. Turkey
Pope Francis urges Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan to resume Nile dam talks The pope urged the three Nile states to "continue on the path of dialogue." Egypt
Surge in coronavirus cases continues in Lebanon following explosion COVID-19 cases have increased dramatically following the blast in Beirut's port on Aug. 4, when hospitals filled and people took to the streets. Lebanon
UAE, Israel continue normalizing ties The two countries are working on direct flights and now allow phone calls to one another. Israel
Israel's president invites UAE crown prince to Jerusalem President Reuven Rivlin said Monday he extended a formal invite to Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. United Arab Emirates
Intel: Unpaid salaries fuel protests in Iraqi Kurdistan Ongoing budget disputes with Baghdad have fueled salary delays and a lack of business bailouts in the Kurdistan Region as KRG debt swells to $27 billion. Iraq
UN Security Council rejects US-sought extension on Iran arms embargo The resolution failed by a 2-2 vote with 11 abstentions. United States
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham arrests US citizen Bilal Abdul Kareem in Syria’s Idlib The State Department has yet to publicly acknowledge the activist's disappearance Syria
