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
Ice industry in Gaza crystalizes as power cuts increase The worsening power crisis in the Gaza Strip has pushed people and traders to use ice blocks to preserve their food, which explains why demand for ice has risen 600%. Palestine
How to transfer money without financing terror During the Union of Arab Banks conference, officials discussed ways to monitor money transfers, to limit money laundering operations and the financing of terrorism. Egypt
Are reforms in Arab banking sector key to fighting terrorism? The latest Union of Arab Banks conference discussed ways to integrate all citizens in the banking sector’s database, to be able to fight money laundering and terrorism. Egypt
Will boycott campaign put the brakes on Iran's auto industry? On the cusp of no longer facing Western sanctions, Iranian carmakers now face a domestic boycott of their vehicles over price and quality concerns. Iran
Is this Israeli banking's next 'iron lady'? Bank Leumi CEO Rakefet Russak-Aminoach was named one of Fortune Magazine's powerful women of 2015, though in Israel she is perceived as insensitive to social justice issues. Israel
'Ghost apartments' haunt Jerusalem Foreigners from around the globe are buying luxury apartments in Jerusalem to spend the holidays there, and the effect on the local housing market is hard to deny. Israel
Why is Iran's health minister complaining about domestic-made cars? After a social media campaign to boycott Iranian-made cars, Iranian officials weigh in on the matter. Iran
Turkey prepares for G-20 conference, but will it be its last? Turkey, preparing to host G-20 leaders, faces the danger of losing its place in the G-20 because of declining national income. Will its strategic location keep it in? Turkey
IS has big plans for gold currency As the Islamic State challenges the US dollar by rolling out its own currency, some experts say the coinage will not catch on. Egypt
Nile river boat tours often sail Egyptians toward death Boats offering rides on the Nile River are a popular but dangerous attraction due to many security breaches and lax enforcement. Egypt
Netanyahu's double standards on settlement product labels Israel reached agreement in 2005 with the European Union to identify settlement products on export certificates, yet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hints at the Holocaust in objecting to the Europeans' decision to require labeling these products to inform consumers of their origin. Palestine
Land-grabbing captures attention of Iranians Mutual accusations of land-grabbing by two Iranian lawmakers reignite media coverage and public debate about this contentious issue. Iran
