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 judiciary: Corruption not limited to high salaries The spokesman for Iran's judiciary announced that a total of four individuals have so far been arrested with a case involving Bank Mellat. Iran
As national pride surges, Turkey's flag sellers struggle to profit Following the coup attempt, Turkey's public squares have turned into a sea of red as supporters of the government wave flags late into the night; yet while business is booming for producers, many flag sellers are struggling to make a profit during Turkey's new festive holiday. Turkey
Thousands apply for short-term jobs program in Gaza In a move to address the unemployment crisis, the Gaza government has created temporary employment projects that aim to provide temporary relief and stimulate the economy. Palestine
Why Iran’s bond market isn’t attracting the money it needs Without reform to existing legislation on foreign currency-denominated government sukuk, Iranian authorities will continue to fail to attract the investment they need. Iran
Sahrawis, EU in standoff over Moroccan trade agreement The Polisario Front criticizes the EU’s farm trade agreement with Morocco because it also applies to the disputed territory of the Western Sahara; by bringing this agreement before the EU’s highest court, the Polisario Front puts its claim for independence back on the agenda. Morocco
Will Turkey succeed in resolving Gaza’s power crisis? Turkey is working to resolve the Gaza Strip's energy crisis as part of an economic projects package included in Turkey's reconciliation deal with Israel. Palestine
Iraqi laborers facing harsh conditions in holy city of Najaf Due to the economic crisis, thousands of workers, including children from southern provinces, come to Najaf to work under difficult circumstances to support their families. Iraq
Was Arabic ad on Israeli TV a clever publicity stunt? An Israeli department store probably anticipated the controversy its prime-time Arabic-language commercial would kick off and is now reaping the benefits of notoriety among large swaths of Israelis. Israel
BDS movement targets Palestinian investors in West Bank mall Pro-Palestinian activists are working with a consumer advocacy group to urge Palestinian investors to back out of a new shopping mall in northern Jerusalem, warning that not only will the project harm the Palestinian economy, the investors themselves could face legal action. Palestine
Will Egypt impose taxes on Facebook ads? Egypt's parliament is considering a bill to levy taxes on social media ads, with some questioning if such a measure could even be applied. Egypt
Why Iran shouldn’t get too excited about Brexit Some Iranians believe Brexit will positively affect trade relations between Britain and Iran, but economists warn against expecting significant changes. Iran
Israel's plan to keep tech giants from fleeing Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon has announced a plan to slash Israel's 25% corporate tax to just 6% for such internet giants as Google and Facebook in a bid to keep the companies in Israel. Israel