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
Turkey readies for 'new normal' after declaring success against coronavirus President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced that a raft of restrictions imposed to curb the outbreak will be lifted next week as the country’s infection and death rates fall sharply. Turkey
Libya says oil blockade has cost $5 billion in lost revenue The Tripoli-based National Oil Corporation said the closure of oil facilities in January has led to billions in losses. Libya
Saudi airlines to start domestic flights again Saudi Arabia has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, but is continuing with plans to reopen despite a significant number of new infections daily. Saudi Arabia
Turkey cautiously reopens after national Eid curfew Mosques, restaurants and stores prepare to gradually reopen with new coronavirus precautions in Turkey after four-day nationwide curfew for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. Turkey
China loses bid to build $1.5 billion desalination plant in Israel Under pressure from the US administration, Israel has chosen a local company over a Chinese one to construct and operate its massive new sewage water desalination plant. Israel
Hezbollah agrees to IMF help, under conditions Lebanon’s powerful Shiite group Hezbollah has agreed to the International Monetary Fund potentially stepping in to help the country deal with its worst economic crisis in decades. Lebanon
Turkey’s seasonal workers caught between virus, poverty Impoverished seasonal agricultural workers in Turkey are riding out the pandemic in squalid tent encampments to earn their living, providing a labor force crucial to the agricultural sector. Turkey
Lebanon’s economic crisis is decimating its middle class The middle class in cash-strapped Lebanon is having a hard time making ends meet as salaries have been slashed and banks are imposing informal capital control, all compounded by the coronavirus-induced lockdown measures. Lebanon
Saudi Arabia quarantines cash to prevent further coronavirus spread Saudi Arabia will isolate coins and banknotes for up to 20 days in sealed containers. Saudi Arabia
Report: Etihad Airways faces debt restructuring or possible legal action The owners of the Emirati airline's debt submitted a restructuring proposal and are waiting to hear back. United Arab Emirates
Qatar triples swap line with Turkey Qatar has offered support to Turkey’s central bank, expanding a currency-swap agreement to $15 billion as Ankara seeks to mitigate economic shocks from the coronavirus pandemic. Qatar
Israeli-Chinese ties scrutinized by US Washington might soon demand that Israel pick a side in the security and trade conflict between the United States and China. Israel
