Turkey lifts veil on unemployment data, revealing bigger army of jobless A new, broader set of labor statistics has exposed a big gap between Turkey’s official unemployment rate and the actual joblessness in the crisis-hit country. Turkey
Rights group criticizes Jordan over debt imprisonment Human Rights Watch has highlighted the plight of poor Jordanians imprisoned for failing to pay back loans taken out to meet basic needs. Jordan
COVID accelerates evolution of Gulf economies The economic policy response to COVID-19 is an acceleration of specific trends already underway across the Gulf Cooperation Council members, variously affecting tax policy, labor market regulation and immigration policy. Saudi Arabia
Iran receives COVID-19 vaccine from Cuba Iran enjoys warm relations with the Latin American state and the two countries are also developing a coronavirus vaccine together. Iran
Why is Egypt canceling T-bond auctions? For the second time this year, the Egyptian government canceled the sale of treasury bonds after banks demanded higher interest rates. Egypt
Turkey's Central Bank defies Erdogan, hikes interest rates Despite Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's vehement opposition to raising interest rates, the country's Central Bank took the move today that economists say is long overdue to address alarming inflation. Turkey
Erdogan makes himself ‘czar of the economy’ Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s decision to take the helm of Turkey’s sovereign wealth fund compounds misgivings over an institution that holds the country’s key public assets, but is already mired in controversy for lack of transparency and public supervision. Turkey
Turkish-supported public services flourish in Euphrates Shield area The Turkish government has helped the local council in al-Bab to set up a plant to refill propane cylinders and Jarablus to build its first central bus station. Syria
East Jerusalem to get 75 new housing units for Jews Jewish settlers are celebrating the Jerusalem municipality’s decision to build 75 apartments reserved for Jews in the Palestinian neighborhood of Beit Hanina. Palestine
The show must go on: 'Disney Live!' returns to Egypt after hiatus After a four-year break, performances of 'Disney Live!' are returning to the land of the pharaohs with a show celebrating Mickey Mouse’s 90th birthday. Egypt
Iran eyes major role in post-war Syria via reconstruction Iranian involvement in the reconstruction of Syria offers Tehran the opportunity to cement its influence, boost its economy and forge closer ties with China. Syria
Tehran careful to frame steps against money laundering as independent move Iran is moving cautiously forward on legislation to combat money laundering and terror financing, as the steps crucial to the health of Iran's economy must not be seen as concessions to outside pressure. Iran
Iran's Central Bank signals possible interest rate hike While a reversal on current interest rate caps could help the Central Bank of Iran tackle rampant liquidity, the long-term effects of such a policy could unleash far broader crises. Iran
Egypt reaps harvest of Sisi’s visit to China Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi returned a few days ago from a visit to China during which he participated in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in what raised questions about the gains that Egypt will achieve from the visit. Egypt
Erdogan's popularity plunges with lira Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s approval rating has reportedly tanked in line with the country's economy. Turkey
Unemployment pushes Palestinians to work in Israel Many Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, where jobs are scarce and low-paying, enter Israel to find work, and those who are truly desperate end up building the very settlements they seek to end. Palestine