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: Pompeo warns Turkey against reverting Hagia Sophia to mosque US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo waded into the Turkish debate today over whether the historic Hagia Sophia museum should be made back into a mosque. Turkey
Intel: Congress urges UN to reopen humanitarian aid crossings into Syria A bipartisan group of US lawmakers urged the United Nations to reopen a key border crossing into Syria, which Russia shut down in January using its veto power at the Security Council. Syria
Intel: AOC incurs AIPAC’s wrath with anti-annexation letter Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and the powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) are facing off over a letter the progressive firebrand sent Tuesday warning against Israeli efforts to annex parts of the West Bank. Palestine
Egyptian company strikes gold in Eastern Desert Egypt has sought to attract gold mining investment recently. Egypt
IMF official: Gulf economies to contract by 7.6% in 2020 The International Monetary Fund official's predictions are worse than earlier ones as the Gulf deals with oil price drops and the COVID-19 pandemic. Legacy: Gulf
Iran sentences dissident journalist to death Iran sees Rouhollah Zam as an enemy of the state in part as a result of his controversial coverage of anti-government protests in Iran; Iranian Supreme Court also upholds a five-year sentence for French-Iranian researcher Fariba Adelkhah. Iran
Intel: US pledges nearly $700M in humanitarian assistance for Syrians The US State Department announced it would be providing an additional $696 million in humanitarian assistance to Syrians. Syria
Ethiopia, Egypt, Sudan discuss Nile River dam at UN Security Council Ethiopia said the Security Council is not an appropriate place to discuss the dispute, while Egypt said filling the dam threatens its "survival." Egypt
Emirates Airlines to resume flights to Cairo, Tunis The Dubai-based airline is continuing to rebuild its flight network after resuming international passenger services in May. Originals
Israel’s Gantz warns Hamas on retaliating against annexation A spokesperson for the militant group said Israel's planned West Bank annexation would be seen as a "declaration of war." Israel
Intel: Democrats try to stymie Trump’s 'secure the oil' mission in Syria Democrats are turning up the heat on President Donald Trump’s “secure the oil” mission in northeast Syria. Originals
Negative virus test required to enter UAE As the oil-rich Gulf country announced more than 400 new cases of the virus, it rolled out new movement restrictions in the capital. United Arab Emirates
