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
Deadly crash sparks calls for railway reform in Egypt After a train crash earlier this month left over 40 Egyptians dead, many are calling for a new approach to addressing the chronic problems facing the country's rail system. Egypt
Turkey's exporters fear extended holiday may devastate their businesses Turkey's tourism operators are overjoyed at the government decision to extend the Eid al-Adha break to 10 days, but exporters are furious at the potential loss in overseas business. Turkey
Turks rediscover love for watermelon Watermelon-loving Turks are discovering new benefits of the fruit, from fighting cancer to reducing impotence, and farmers who are seeing lower demand for their watermelon are hoping this translates to higher profits. Turkey
Turkey-EU tensions spill over to customs union accord Amid mounting bilateral tensions, Germany has ruled out talks on improving Turkey’s customs union accord with the European Union, but such sanctions might have little effect on Ankara in the short term. Turkey
Anti-dumping duties may worsen Egypt's economy Experts examine the possible motivations and consequences behind anti-dumping duties imposed on imported steel by the Egyptian Ministry of Trade and Industry. Egypt
Iranian labor market on path to gender transformation While Iranian women have made advances in recent years, they still face the major challenge of being excluded from the labor market. Iran
Turkey squawks as KRG referendum nears As regional and US pressure ramps up on Iraqi Kurds to postpone the independence referendum, Iraqi Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani seems unlikely to crack. Iraq
Life returns to northern Aleppo region Recreational facilities are being established in the Euphrates Shield region controlled by the Free Syrian Army amid relative stability. Syria
Turkey warns of migrant surge in spat with EU The Turkey-EU migrant deal is largely sticking because both sides have benefited from it, but Ankara is working to leverage the plight of refugees in exchange for cash and visas. Turkey
Two years after Sousse attack, British tourists return to Tunisia Following the Sousse terror attack two years ago, Britain advised its nationals against traveling to Tunisia, but the government has now suspended its warning in a move that Tunisians hope will boost the ailing tourism sector. Tunisia
Iraq’s legendary fashion house revived Despite pressure from conservatives and a lack of funds, the Iraqi House of Fashion revives its glory days with a museum catwalk. Iraq
Erdogan targets Turkish banks over economic crisis Turkey’s president is blasting banks for making what he considers to be unfairly large profits, yet he overlooks his government's role in making it possible. Turkey