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
Qatar coronavirus cases top 100,000 as restrictions ease The Gulf state announced 546 new cases and five more deaths from the virus on Monday. Qatar
Israel approves exploration, bidding on disputed offshore field Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz announced June 23 the opening of bidding for drilling in Block 72, off Israel’s northern shores, which Lebanon says is adjacent to its own fields. Israel
China’s 'Belt and Road' push brings risks, rewards to Mideast China's digital and satellite advances offer new regional opportunities and challenges for the United States in countering Beijing's economic influence in the region. Saudi Arabia
How Caesar Act could hurt Lebanon's Tripoli With residents of Tripoli already suffering shortages under Lebanon’s mounting system-wide collapse, the US Caesar Act promises to both hinder investment in Tripoli and increase cross-border smuggling. Lebanon
Egypt to resume poultry exports after 14-year struggle with bird flu Certain Egyptian poultry facilities have finally won accreditation as bird flu-free. Egypt
Chinese automaker to produce electric cars in Egypt Egypt’s oldest automotive manufacturing company has signed a deal with China’s Dongfeng Motor to produce electric cars for the first time in the country. Egypt
Turkish unions threaten general strike over severance pay cuts Turkish unions are denouncing proposed severance pay cuts that would impact 3.5 million workers, threatening a mass strike if the government does not change course. Turkey
Syrian refugees hopeful as Egypt eases coronavirus restrictions Syrian refugees in Egypt have arguably suffered the most from the restrictions imposed to stem the spread of the coronavirus, but with the recent lifting some of those measures, they may get a chance at economic recovery. Egypt
Individual initiatives breathe life back into Gaza’s old houses Some businessmen and heritage institutions have taken it upon themselves to restore the ancient homes of the Gaza Strip, some dating back hundreds of years, amid limited government funding and external support to preserve Gaza’s heritage. Palestine
Battle rages over Israel's plan for industrial zone in unique West Bank landscape Environmental and anti-occupation activists are campaigning against plans to establish an industrial zone near the settlement town Beitar illit, a project they say threatens traditional agriculture and a world heritage site. Palestine
Israel grants 700 Jordanians permits to work in Eilat hotels Israel authorized 700 Jordanians to enter the country and work at hotels in Eilat and another 800 are expected to follow, but some hotels will still remain understaffed. Israel
Jordan government takes on tax evasion, abuse of public office Jordanians have welcomed the government’s latest push to prosecute officials and businessmen accused of tax evasion and money laundering, but wonder if the effort will be sustainable. Jordan
