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
Turkish chef carves out international markets While Salt Bae, a restaurateur and butcher with 7 million followers on Instagram, prepares to open a steakhouse in New York after opening one in the United Arab Emirates, critics at home chop him to pieces. Turkey
Tomato ban reveals lingering problems between Russia, Turkey Russia is continuing its tomato ban, but its problems with Turkey are rooted elsewhere. Turkey
Gazans hope high-rise reconstruction can boost economy The Ministry of Public Works and Housing signed a series of contracts related to the Italian grant for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, including the reconstruction of the Italian complex that will house, once again, businesses and NGOs. Palestine
Power cuts, cheap imports fray Gaza's handmade carpet industry Handwoven carpets and rugs are an ancient Palestinian tradition, but few craftsmen are still making them in Gaza, where cheaper goods are flooding the market and the power outages narrow their windows to work. Palestine
Is Russia’s planned missile sale to Turkey the real deal? Though some critics claim Turkey has no serious intention of buying defense systems from Russia, some military experts say the proposal is definitely feasible. Turkey
Zarif defends Rouhani’s achievements Iran’s foreign minister responded to the challenges put forth by the conservative presidential candidates about the JCPOA and the government's diplomacy. Iran
What's behind curious gold traffic between Turkey and UAE? Gold of almost similar worth has been traded between Turkey and the United Arab Emirates in the first quarter of the year, raising suspicion that some dubious transactions may be underway. United Arab Emirates
Financial tech gaining steam in Iran In addition to trying to lure foreign investors, Iranian authorities hope to boost the country’s struggling finance sector by jumpstarting the country’s fledgling fintech industry. Iran
Lebanon's budding hashish business brings high returns Cannabis production in Lebanon has soared by more than 30% since 2012, when spillover from the war in Syria led security forces to focus on deadlier threats like car bombs and Islamic militants. Lebanon
Can Syrian refugees become boon to Turkey's economy? The labor shortage in some of Turkey’s economic sectors — especially manufacturing, agriculture, and child and elder care — can offer employment opportunities for tens of thousands of Syrian refugees who are unlikely to return home. Turkey
Rouhani’s rivals are making pledges Iran cannot afford While incumbent Hassan Rouhani’s main challengers in the Iranian presidential race are making grand pledges of bigger cash handouts and more jobs, there is little to suggest that the promises can be realized. Iran
Why Abbas asked Israel to cut power to Gaza The Palestinian Authority has asked Israel to stop providing funding for Gaza's electricity as part of President Mahmoud Abbas’ efforts to pressure Hamas into ceding power. Palestine