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
Turkey probes US prosecutor in Zarrab trial twist A top Turkish prosecutor is formally investigating the US prosecutor in the trial of Iranian-Turkish businessman Reza Zarrab, demanding information about the evidence compiled for the gold trader's sanctions-busting activities. Turkey
Inside the world of social media advertising in Iran Entering a new phase, Iranian entrepreneurs turn to social media to boost their brands and sell products. Iran
Rising oil prices add to Turkey’s economic woes The increase in global oil prices and the depreciation of the Turkish lira are a bruising mix for Turkey, which heavily relies on imports to meet its energy needs. Turkey
Turkish defense industry targeting South Asian markets Domestic demand for Turkey's defense products is reaching the saturation point, and Ankara has its eye on South Asia as the most lucrative potential market. Turkey
Palestine to get its own central bank The Palestinian Monetary Authority has announced that it will open the Palestinian Central Bank after fulfilling all necessary requirements, but questions remain about if and when a national currency will be issued. Palestine
Iran's path to becoming an LNG exporter Iran is taking steps to export liquefied natural gas after having previous ambitions to do so scuttled by sanctions. Regional
Turkey's homemade booze boom here to stay The Turkish government’s drive to discourage alcohol consumption through high taxes has led to Turks home brewing as an alternative. Turkey
Ride-sharing app forced off road in West Bank Only five months after the launch of the Dubai-based ride-sharing app Careem in the West Bank, the company announced that the Palestinian Authority had halted its services. Palestine
Trash situation still stinks as Lebanon leans on 'temporary' landfills The Lebanese Cabinet has requested a study on the possibility of expanding the Costa Brava and Bourj Hammoud landfills, which were intended to be temporary but filled before their time. Lebanon
Women's 'digital heels' leaving impression in Turkey Turkey's female bloggers — from sleepless mothers to budding entrepreneurs — are taking to social media to share experiences and influence. Turkey
Israel to lift tight controls over Gaza reconstruction materials Now that the Palestinian Authority has assumed control of the Gaza Strip crossings, the next step is to make it easier for builders to get reconstruction materials across the border and to suspend the current system, which Gaza contractors say is disastrous. Palestine
Iran drawing closer to Azerbaijan Long marred by political tensions largely driven by Iranian suspicions of Azerbaijan’s ties with Israel, relations between Baku and Tehran are beginning to reach new heights. Iran