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
Iran signs first energy contract since nuclear deal Iran's first energy deal since the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions on the country is a major breakthrough in the development of the massive South Pars gas field. Iran
Parchment down to last maker in ancient Turkish birthplace Parchment, the game-changer in the ancient library war between Alexandria and Pergamum, is at risk of extinction in modern-day Bergama, where an 85-year-old man is the last surviving craftsman. Turkey
Bonanza for Palestinian businesses as Ramadan travel permits canceled While Israel’s cancellation of travel permits to some 200,000 Palestinians during the end of the month of Ramadan was a setback to the plans of many, it was a blessing in disguise for local entrepreneurs, restaurants and resorts. Palestine
How Cairo plans to solve its street vendor problem Gov. Atef Abdel Hamid supports an innovative idea to deal with the suffocating spread of vendors in Cairo’s streets and the resulting violent clashes with police. Egypt
Financial watchdog drama provides ammunition for Iran's hard-liners While hailed by pro-Reform media outlets, the FATF’s decision to extend its temporary suspension of countermeasures on Iran has provided ammunition for hard-liners in Tehran. Iran
Egypt supplying fuel to rescue Palestinians Egypt has come to the aid of the energy-starved Gaza Strip by delivering diesel fuel to operate the Strip's sole power plant at partial capacity. Palestine
Treasury borrowing aggravates Turkey’s interest rate woes Ankara’s pressure on banks to lower interest rates has taken a menacing tone, but few seem to acknowledge the government’s own role in the increase of the rates. Turkey
Moscow carefully assessing international energy scene Russia’s long-term energy plan relies heavily on gas sectors in the Middle East and Eurasia as it struggles with low prices and sanctions. Saudi Arabia
Trump administration welcomes financial watchdog’s Iran sanctions reprieve Treasury Department experts prevail as the United States endorses the Financial Action Task Force’s decision to indefinitely suspend countermeasures on Iran. United States
Gazan sword-maker sharpens his blade to protect his craft The Abu Wadi family has been making swords for hundreds of years, but will the disappearing trade see the next generation? Palestine
Egypt's economists praise decision to lift caps on money transfers The Central Bank of Egypt is hoping to stabilize the country’s economy with its decision to lift caps on foreign exchange transfers. Egypt
The Turkish economy's mysterious rebound The Turkish economy's surprise 5% growth rate in the first quarter has stirred controversy, fueled mostly by a new calculation method adopted last year. Turkey