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
Israel prepares to resume air travel in mid-August Israel’s coronavirus cabinet has decided to reopen Israeli skies on Aug. 16. Israel
Tel Aviv outlines plan to face climate crisis The Tel Aviv-Yafo municipality has unveiled an ambitious plan to meet the challenges of climate change, a first for Israeli cities. Israel
Turkish lira slides 2% amid reserves concerns Turkey’s currency slumped 2% against the dollar Wednesday as concerns linger over Central Bank policies and depleted reserves. Turkey
Turkish health officials watch for COVID-19 cases to rise after holiday Turkish health officials are calling for increased precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19 as citizens conclude festivities for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. Turkey
Addis Ababa rejoices over GERD progress as talks drag on Ethiopia is celebrating its progress on filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, no experts are expressing hope for a binding agreement to emerge from the latest round of tripartite talks. Egypt
Egypt promotes local projects to mitigate GERD effects As Ethiopia continues to fill the reservoir of its controversial dam on the Nile River, Egypt is churning out ideas and projects to conserve water. Egypt
Turkey’s lira slides as Central Bank raises inflation forecast Despite state bank efforts to bolster Turkey’s currency, the lira fell to its lowest point since May against the dollar this week, prompting fears of a renewed currency crisis. Turkey
Bahrain to allow private employers to hire foreigners after four-month suspension Beginning Aug. 9, employers in the private sector can resume hiring workers from abroad. Bahrain
Turkey, Italy talk economic ties in videoconference The latest sign of friendship between Turkey and Italy comes amid otherwise tense Turkey-Europe relations, largely due to Turkey's plan to drill in Greek and Cypriot waters. Turkey
Egyptian designer creates virtual runway for fashionistas at home COVID-19 restrictions led Egyptian fashion designer Farida Temraz told put on an online fashion show July 20, a first for Egypt. Egypt
Qatari investments continued in Egypt despite political tensions The Qatari Diar Company managed to open the St. Regis Hotel on the banks of the Nile River in Cairo, but the future of Qatari investments in the Egyptian market seems to be marred by tensions between the two countries. Qatar
Turkish gas exploration to continue in Cypriot waters as Ankara, Athens discuss Shortly after pausing gas-exploration activities near Greek islands to facilitate Ankara-Athens negotiations on disputed maritime boundaries, Turkey sent a NAVTEX message indicating another research vessel would seek gas near Cyprus. Turkey