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 closer to rolling out new oil project contracts Despite ongoing quarreling over Iran’s long-delayed new oil and gas model contracts, the issue finally seems set for a resolution. Iran
Why the PA wants to stay on good terms with Qatar The Qatari ambassador to Palestine stayed in the Gaza Strip for three weeks, holding banquets, visiting various institutions and making donations, with mixed reactions from Palestinian factions. Qatar
Is North Korea supplying arms to Palestinian factions? The Palestinian resistance factions are seeking to conclude weapons deals with Russia, North Korea and China through the black market, yet some say a recent display of weapons was merely for propaganda purposes. Palestine
Why were 3,000 Gazans excluded from Qatari grant to pay salaries? Hamas is accusing the Ramallah government of tampering with the list of Gazan government workers who were supposed to receive payment as part of a recent grant from Qatar. Qatar
Egypt’s state TV under fire after suspending anchorwomen until they shed pounds Despite once being a victim of discrimination herself, the head of an Egyptian broadcasters' union has forced eight female public employees off the air, demanding they lose weight. Egypt
Can Turkey-Russia trade reach $100 billion target? The two countries have been after this target since 2013, but until now have only reached $38 billion. Turkey
Gentrification glitter fades into dust in Istanbul’s heart Istanbul’s most famous avenue falling into urban decay is a sign of economic hardship awaiting Turkey in the near future. Turkey
11 years on, have Gazans failed to invest in liberated areas? More than a decade after Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip, the liberated lands remain mostly empty, with analysts urging the Palestinian Land Authority to optimize the use and cultivation of these lands. Palestine
Gaza takes pineapple test Gaza's Union of Agricultural Work Committees announced that it will try to grow pineapples for the first time in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, within the scope of the project to promote sustainable development through the most profitable crops. Palestine
Iraq sinks further into debt Despite nominal moves to diversify its sources of revenue, the Iraqi government's dependence on falling oil prices and the cost of its war against the Islamic State mean the Iraqi economy is drowning in debt. Iraq
Israelis split over floating harbor off Gaza Israeli officials announced their opposition to building a floating harbor off the Gaza coast, which Hamas condemned and considered to be another measure to tighten the siege on the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Why are so few Arabs interviewed on Israeli TV? Published ratings tracking the number of Israeli Arab interviewees on Israeli TV has got the media's attention. Israel