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
Oman says it supports UAE-Israel normalization of ties Israeli officials told the local press they are in talks with Oman to reach a similar normalization in ties. United Arab Emirates
YouTube, Tiktok help low-income families survive in Egypt Low-income Egyptian families have discovered a way to make money via video-steaming platforms like YouTube and Tiktok. Egypt
Turkey’s 'healthy tourism' efforts tested as foreign tourists trickle in Some 40,000 Russian holidaymakers have thrown a life jacket to Turkey’s main touristic hub of Antalya, while other coastal areas count on locals to keep afloat. Turkey
Greek foreign minister talks Turkey, tourism in Israel Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Danidas came to Israel bearing gifts — news that Israeli tourists will be able to enter the country — likely in return for Jerusalem's continued support for Athens in its conflict against Ankara. Israel
Etihad cancels Shanghai flights following positive virus tests Future travelers to the Chinese city will have to comply with stricter regulations from the Abu Dhabi-based airline. United Arab Emirates
Can Malta’s diplomacy tip balance in Libya toward Turkey? The diplomatic track ongoing between Turkey, Malta and Libya’s Tripoli government has sparked questions whether Valletta’s diplomatic support can serve as a much needed jumping point for Ankara to break the Libya stalemate, but the European country’s only focus in the talks seem to be limited with prevention of illegal immigration. Turkey
Greece calls on Turkey to stop renewed gas exploration activities in East Med As Turkish vessels are dispatched near Greek territorial waters, analysts say tensions in the eastern Mediterranean Sea could quickly escalate if leaders on both sides do not reengage in diplomatic talks. Turkey
Turkey doubles down in eastern Mediterranean after Egypt-Greece deal The flashpoint of the power struggle in the eastern Mediterranean could shift from Libya to the seas in the coming weeks as Turkey begins new seismic research in response to an Egyptian-Greek maritime demarcation deal. Egypt
Egyptian tech startups offer hope for economy in post-COVID world While Egypt's economy faces pressure from several factors, such as coronavirus preventative measures, a sudden stop in tourism and record-high debt levels, one bright spot in the economy is a tech boom that has continued even throughout the global pandemic. Egypt
Egyptians bewitched by new gold investment trend Egyptians are buying gold coins and bars as global prices shoot up amid the coronavirus pandemic. Egypt
Gulf investment woes, COVID economic crisis converge in Egypt Gulf state support to Egypt — whether through official aid, central bank deposits or capital investment flows — has not been consistent in the past, so will investments and aid help Egypt through a coronavirus-induced recession? Gulf
Turkey to use 'all available' tools as currency plunges Turkey’s Central Bank says it's ready to use “all available instruments” to calm the market as the Turkish lira drops to new depths, and an interest rate hike is one of the most obvious. Turkey
