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
As dollar rises, Turkey's tourism income suffers Turkey's weak currency means more tourists can afford to travel there, but it doesn’t mean more revenue for the country. Turkey
Why Egypt wants China's Sphinx replica beheaded Egypt’s war on a Chinese replica of the Giza Sphinx has resumed after theme park owners replaced the forbidden statue's head two years after agreeing to remove it. Egypt
Saudi crown prince, Putin boost energy cooperation in Moscow meeting The recent meeting between the Russian president and the Saudi crown prince appears to have moved the two countries closer to a grand bilateral energy deal. Saudi Arabia
Lebanon’s Hariri talks soccer, Syria in Moscow Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri took advantage of the World Cup to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discuss bilateral cooperation and the situation in Syria. Lebanon
How rial's devaluation may boost Iranian economy Excess liquidity in search of higher returns may be causing turmoil in Iran’s foreign exchange, property and gold coin markets, but the money is primed to positively impact capital markets. Iran
Can PA's push for e-payments help ease its cash crunch? The Palestinian Authority has approved a plan to promote the use of electronic payment methods to reduce the need for cash, especially hard currency, and to catch up with international developments in financial transactions. Palestine
Egypt braces for spillover from Turkey’s economic crisis With the Turkish lira hitting a new low against the dollar and Jordan freezing its free trade agreement with Ankara, will Egypt take revenge on Turkey by imposing duties on Turkish imports? Egypt
Rapid spread of gas stations fuels controversy in Gaza Gas stations are increasingly being invested in under the degenerating economic and humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, pointing at conflicting interests between Gaza’s Ministry of Finance and Planning and the Ministry of Local Government. Palestine
Israeli minister offers creative approach to easing Gaza siege Undeterred by objections in the governing coalition, Transportation and Intelligence Affairs Minister Yisrael Katz continues to push his plan to construct an island off Gaza to provide it access to the outside world. Palestine
US recognition of Jerusalem backfires on Israel Argentina's cancellation of a soccer match over the match’s relocation to Jerusalem is a clear sign that most of the world considers large parts of Jerusalem to be occupied land. Palestine
Iran could become collateral damage of OPEC decision If OPEC decides this month to increase oil output, it will probably be the result of a simple economic decision and not any desire by Riyadh and Moscow to cater to the United States. Saudi Arabia
How foreign investors force Ankara to toe the line With nearly $700 billion in various assets in Turkey, foreign investors represent a crucial factor of pressure on Ankara's economic policies. Turkey