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
Egypt cuts exports, exploits domestic raw materials The government of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is adopting a new strategy to minimize exportation activities and exploit Egypt’s wealth locally, despite the negative repercussions these measures could have on the country’s economy. Egypt
Palestinians pay high cost to conceive Infertility and delayed childbearing seem to be on the rise in the Gaza Strip, so families struggle to get expensive treatment while they can barely acquire their most basic needs. Palestine
Turkish corruption suspect awarded business prize Iranian-Turkish businessman Reza Zarrab, who was taken into custody during Turkey’s “17-25 December corruption probe," received top exporter award from a pro-AKP business group. Turkey
New developments grow where Tehran's historic sycamore trees used to stand Tehran's sycamore trees on Valiasr Street are being cut down to make room for businesses and developers; because the trees have a protected status of sorts, it is believed that some are being intentionally dried out in order to kill them. Iran
Ultra-Orthodox now willing to wait tables After years of shunning jobs like waiting tables and sales, traditionally viewed as "undignified" by the ultra-Orthodox in Israel, many members of the community who recently entered the labor market have joined the service industry. Israel
Did Khamenei demand immediate sanctions relief? Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s acknowledgement of the time necessary for the West to uphold its commitments gains great importance when put into the context of what he defines as “signing of the agreement.” Iran
Herzog hangs his hat on natural gas issue During the election campaign, Zionist Camp leader Isaac Herzog concentrated on a diplomatic agenda, but now, following the electoral failure, he tries to position himself at the forefront of the natural gas debate. Israel
Aleppo's fuel prices quadruple As the Islamic State continues to prevent the entry of fuel into rebel-held areas, all vital sectors in northern Syria are deeply affected. Syria
Increased import taxes drive Gaza auto dealers around the bend Auto dealers in the Gaza Strip are facing a double taxation policy that is slashing their profits, amid an already precarious industry and deteriorating living conditions. Palestine
Sense of belonging draws Palestinians to West Bank Growing numbers of Palestinians living in Israel prefer shopping and conducting other business in the West Bank because of a sense of belonging and to bolster the economy. Palestine
Lebanon looks to sustainable agriculture A Lebanese association, SOILS, is working to implement permaculture to help farmers develop sustainable, diversified and environmentally friendly long-term production. Lebanon
Amid crackdown, tunnel smuggling is risky business in Gaza As the Egyptian army intensifies its campaign to destroy the border tunnels from southern Gaza, many still rely on smuggling goods for work, as no better jobs are available. Palestine
