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
Iranian lawmakers block cuts to cash handouts Iran's parliament has dramatically weakened the administration's proposed plan to end cash subsidy payments in a politically motivated backlash against the cost-saving effort. Iran
Turkish-Iranian trade revived amid growing cooperation in Syria Turkey and Iran have reversed a four-year downturn in bilateral trade as collaboration in Syria increases, but the possibility of a setback remains real. Syria
Iraq increases taxes amid public discontent The Iraqi government has increased non-oil revenues by imposing a sales tax to get $1.8 billion this year. Iraq
How Sisi is trying to win votes of informal sector workers As presidential elections approach, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called for an initiative to provide insurance for irregular workers who have no social security, pensions or health coverage. Egypt
Price hikes alone won't fix Egypt's ailing rail system A deadly train wreck this week spurred calls for improvements to Egypt's poorly maintained railway system and renewed discussion about a delayed increase in ticket prices. Egypt
Iran prepares to boost jobs, clean air by revamping auto fleet The vast fleet of dilapidated vehicles on Iranian roads may disappear sooner than thought, though not everyone is optimistic about Tehran's latest attempt to get it done. Iran
Turkey’s sugar privatization faces bitter opposition The Turkish government’s plan to privatize 14 sugar plants has sparked nationwide protests, irking not only factory workers and local communities but also Turkish consumers in general. Turkey
Graduates of Gaza universities demand jobs, degree recognition Gaza university students and graduates are calling on the Ramallah government to restore the accreditation of their schools while a committee sounds the alarm about soaring unemployment rates. Palestine
Egypt launches renewable energy curriculum to boost promising sector In anticipation of the expected increase in employment opportunities in the solar and wind power sectors, the Egyptian government has launched training programs in renewable energy for students at technical schools in various governorates. Egypt
Egypt sends news editors to military academy for 'training' An agreement that calls for top editors of Egyptian newspapers and websites to take mandatory training sessions in media and national security at the Nasser Military Academy has stirred controversy. Egypt
Turkey props up industrial zone in Syria's al-Bab Turkey is helping set up a commercial hub in northern Syria to boost economic development in areas liberated from the Islamic State. Syria
Egypt faces public backlash after signing $15 billion gas deal with Israel While President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Egypt "scored a goal" with a new gas deal with Israel, many citizens remain skeptical. Egypt