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
With $550M in agricultural losses, Gazans going hungry Israel’s destruction of Gaza’s agricultural sector has resulted in a drop in food supplied to local markets, inflating prices that are out of reach for the impoverished population. Palestine
Rawabi still controversial among Palestinians Rawabi, the new Palestinian city under construction in the West Bank, has faced criticism from Palestinians, ranging from the involvement of Israeli companies to its design, which largely mimics an Israeli settlement. Palestine
IRGC announces improved economic relations with Rouhani The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that despite initial doubts, relations between the organization and the administration of President Hassan Rouhani have improved. Iran
Turkish villages smuggle IS oil through makeshift pipelines In the village of Hacipasa, almost every house is connected to an illegal oil pipeline smuggling IS oil into Turkey. Syria
A new era for Israeli beer Israel’s recent beer festival proved that despite the high alcohol tax nd steep price, Israel’s boutique beer market is developing, offering dozens of selections from microbreweries all over the country. Israel
Gaza fishermen say Israel not honoring cease-fire terms The cease-fire to end the Gaza war included a provision to extend Gaza’s fishing zone, but local fishermen say Israel has yet to implement the new arrangement. Palestine
Jews suffer from Israeli policy, regardless of political affiliation Jews abroad, regardless of their stance toward Israel, are made to bear responsibility for its policies, as some protesters do not differentiate anti-Semitism and criticism of Israel's occupation policy, nor do some right-wing Israeli politicians. Israel
Drought triggers protests in Iran Climate change, drought and decades of mismanagement have led to serious water shortages in Iran, leading to protests in a number of cities. Iran
Turkish workers face perilous conditions Turkey's workplace is the most dangerous in Europe, and critics blame the Justice and Development Party's brand of crony capitalism. Turkey
Lebanese Central Bank pushes start-up investments Lebanon's Central Bank is encouraging commercial banks to invest in small business start-ups to spur economic growth — but with limited success so far. Lebanon
Egypt faces power cuts, potential drought Egypt discharges extra water from the Nile to help its power shortages, yet this policy might lead to a drought if it's not properly executed. Egypt
Modern-day 'cultural Sinbad' spreads literature across Iraq Star Mohsen Ali is unique in his travels across Iraq's provinces to sell and promote books to a generation increasingly thirsty for literature. Iraq
![Some of 200 French Jews queue at Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport before emigrating to Israel July 28, 2004. Some 2,500 Jews leave France for Israel each year but Wednesday's departure comes less than two weeks after [Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon] sparked a controversial call on French Jews to emigrate to Israel to escape what he called the 'wildest anti-Semitism'. Sign at rear reads: "I have two loves: Jerusalem and Paris". ??? NOTE: Some of the people in background may have been accompanying rel](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2014/09/RTXMSYC.jpg/RTXMSYC.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=bTGegQyp)
