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
Tunisian doctors sound alarm on health system collapse Tunisian doctors are emigrating in increasing numbers in search of adequate pay and facilities, training, and good work conditions, threatening the ability of the country's health care system to deliver services. North Africa
Deportation of African migrants angers Israeli restaurateurs Israeli restaurateurs call upon the government to drop its plan of massive deportation of African migrants and offer them residence status. Israel
Questions abound as Iranians claim US Treasury licensing plane sales to Iran The US Treasury Department is reportedly finally moving on issuing the necessary licenses for airplane sales to Iran after a long period of inactivity. United States
Greece sees Turkish 'provocation' in Aegean crash Tempers are flaring between old foes Turkey and Greece after their patrol boats collided in a contested area of the Aegean Sea. Turkey
International pressure on Israeli settlements renews push for US anti-boycott laws Pro-Israel advocates trying to fight boycotts of Israel's settlements face a new urgency as the UN turns its spotlight on the West Bank, but legal challenges to federal and state laws are creating significant hurdles. Palestine
Tempers flare over gas exploration in Mediterranean A power struggle over hydrocarbon reserves in the eastern Mediterranean Sea is becoming increasingly militarized, signaling the potential for a major crisis. Turkey
Egypt imposes travel restrictions on journalists Reporters for state-run newspapers in Egypt will now have to get permission from the government to travel to certain countries. Egypt
Turkey pledges to change terror law to win EU visas Turkey has submitted a position paper to Brussels promising to amend the counterterrorism law to decriminalize journalistic opinions, a long-standing demand from Europe before it will grant Turks visa-free travel. Turkey
Will the Palestinian Authority dump the shekel? Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is taking steps toward complete disengagement from Israel, including examining replacing the Israeli shekel. Palestine
Gaza businesses forced to close The economic and humanitarian crises in the Gaza Strip have left stores with no option but to shut down. Palestine
Solar-powered mosque answers prayers in West Bank Palestinians are making deep inroads into renewable energy and looking forward to much greater independence as more solar power projects pop up all the time. Palestine
Can Tunisia’s economy be saved? Due to financial crisis, Tunisia's foreign currency reserves have hit a record low, and some goods have been banned from importation. Tunisia