MENA Now Morning Briefing, February 11, 2021

*This daily morning briefing covers news as presented by the media, and does not present the views of MENA Now.

* All sources were drawn from publicly available online news sources

Lebanon Today

Lebanon records 3,157 new COVID cases, 66 virus-related deaths; http://bit.ly/3p8eQnP

IDF trains for fighting Hezbollah on Lebanese border in large two-day drill; http://bit.ly/3d2X4jc

Hariri Expected to Meet Macron Wednesday Night; http://bit.ly/3rX4uZR

Regional Overview

IAEA: Iran has started producing uranium metal; http://bit.ly/3qeEwQP

Plane Ablaze in Houthi Drone Attack on Saudi Airport; http://bit.ly/3qgXK8G

Saudi Activist al-Hathloul Released After 1,000 Days in Prison; http://bit.ly/3qgKm4f

MENA Now Morning Briefing, February 10, 2021

*This daily morning briefing covers news as presented by the media, and does not present the views of MENA Now.

* All sources were drawn from publicly available online news sources

Lebanon Today

Abiad Raises Vigilance over Covid Complacency; https://bit.ly/3a3KZZc

Lebanon to start COVID-19 vaccination campaign Feb. 14; http://bit.ly/3d83rBV

Hariri set for talks with Macron before returning to Beirut; http://bit.ly/2ZahtuO

Qatar Says Support for Lebanon Hinges on Govt Formation; http://bit.ly/3rENUNS

Qatar says ready to help Lebanon when new govt formed; http://bit.ly/3acS5L7

Regional Overview

Blinken stops short of endorsing Trump recognition of Golan Heights as Israel; http://reut.rs/3jHHvyF

Egypt reopens Gaza Strip crossing amid faction talks; http://bit.ly/375h94V

Saudi Arabia announces major legal reforms, paving the way for codified law; http://cnb.cx/3jE8fAn

MENA Now Morning Briefing, February 9, 2021

*This daily morning briefing covers news as presented by the media, and does not present the views of MENA Now.

* All sources were drawn from publicly available online news sources

Lebanon Today

Prosecutor in Lebanon’s port blast summons former army chief; https://bit.ly/3d0Vqic 

German Firm Just Removed What They Called “A Second Bomb” From Beirut Port; http://bit.ly/370bGw7

MP Jean Obeid dies from coronavirus at 81; http://bit.ly/2MN5WPv 

Poll Finds Only 31% of Lebanese Want to be Vaccinated; https://bit.ly/3jtsbpu 

Regional Overview

Iran says French mediation on nuclear deal unnecessary; http://bit.ly/2LI3V6B

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pleads not guilty to corruption charges; http://cnn.it/3jDY2Uz

Syria 'finds body of archaeologist Khaled al-Asaad beheaded by IS'; http://bbc.in/2Z55Jtm

MENA Now Morning Briefing, February 8, 2021

*This daily morning briefing covers news as presented by the media, and does not present the views of MENA Now.

* All sources were drawn from publicly available online news sources

Lebanon Today

Hariri’s return this week set to revive talks on Cabinet formation impasse; http://bit.ly/3aG9nzq

Al-Rahi Calls for U.N.-Sponsored Conference on Lebanon; http://bit.ly/3qcGuS1

Lawyer Says Unconfirmed Slim was Tortured, Phone with Security Agencies; http://bit.ly/3pZ7ggh

Slim's Sister Doesn't Want Int'l Probe, Says Murder Came in Transitional Period; http://bit.ly/2YXTqyS

Protesters Block Two Roads in Beirut; http://bit.ly/3aM59WH

Regional Overview

Russia searches for remains of 2 Israelis in Syria; http://bit.ly/3oTK1mA

UN envoy, Iran's Zarif discuss how to end war in Yemen; http://bit.ly/3aUGb7U 

Gantz slams Netanyahu for trial remarks alongside Greek PM; http://bit.ly/2NjxuLY 

MENA Now Morning Briefing, February 3, 2021

*This daily morning briefing covers news as presented by the media, and does not present the views of MENA Now.

* All sources were drawn from publicly available online news sources

Lebanon Today

Lebanon registers record virus deaths, but cases appear to be declining; http://bit.ly/36HlfQv

Lebanon headed toward gradual reopening: Bizri; http://bit.ly/2YKtyXd

Berri’s veto power declaration coordinated with Macron: Future MP; http://bit.ly/2YKzEXF

Salameh to be questioned for subsidized dollar scheme; http://bit.ly/2MZEAVN

Judge Ghassan Oueidat requested Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh; https://bit.ly/2O8Hto3

Regional Overview

Biden will end US support for Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen; http://bit.ly/36GfL8k

Iranian President says 'no' to expanding nuclear deal; http://bit.ly/2YJeedg

MENA Now Morning Briefing, February 2, 2021

*This daily morning briefing covers news as presented by the media, and does not present the views of MENA Now.

* All sources were drawn from publicly available online news sources

Lebanon Today

Lockdown stabilized Lebanon's COVID-19 crisis: Abiad; http://bit.ly/2MW5lL3

Zeina Kanjo Domestic Violence; https://bit.ly/3oT80Cm

Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi resorted to the “infiltrators” narrative to justify security forces’; https://bit.ly/3rtlxT3

Police State in Tripoli; https://bit.ly/3cLbyUP

Crisis-Hit Lebanon Hikes Subsidized Bread Price by a Fifth; http://bit.ly/39OlRWv

Regional Overview

Egypt journalist's life in danger after torture; http://bit.ly/39NWuE4

Biden extends deportation protection for Syrians in US; http://bit.ly/2YI1zaE

UAE confident F-35 jets sale will go through despite Biden review, says ambassador; http://bit.ly/2Lnbgby

MENA Now Morning Briefing, February 1, 2021

*This daily morning briefing covers news as presented by the media, and does not present the views of MENA Now.

* All sources were drawn from publicly available online news sources

Lebanon Today

Amid Aoun-Hariri tensions, hopes pinned on Macron to break Cabinet impasse; http://bit.ly/2L7LYOz

Lebanon Launches Support Program With $246 Million World Bank Loan; http://bit.ly/3r69HxV

Protesters from across Lebanon Flock to Tripoli in Solidarity; http://bit.ly/3agFh5e

Mikati: I will protect myself if Army can't contain situation; http://bit.ly/3r742aM

Amnesty International Wants France To Stop Selling Weapons Used Against Lebanese Protesters; http://bit.ly/3aBlI83

Regional Overview

Iran rejects new talks or parties in nuclear deal; http://bit.ly/3j3w7Nx

Look away now, hawks: Biden’s pick for Iran envoy underlines change in Washington; http://bit.ly/3cqVbN6

Biden adviser: Iran, Afghanistan, China are key areas of focus; http://bit.ly/3raHhme

Libya: UN announces candidates for new transitional government; http://bit.ly/2Yuxqvv

String of car bombs kills 20 people in Turkish-held north Syria; http://bit.ly/39BrnLL

MENA Now Morning Briefing, January 28, 2021

*This daily morning briefing covers news as presented by the media, and does not present the views of MENA Now.

* All sources were drawn from publicly available online news sources

Lebanon Today

Macron plans to send envoy to Beirut to revive French initiative; http://bit.ly/3j27znS

Lebanon Just Launched Its Vaccination Plan; http://bit.ly/2McmUXj

Lockdown slowing down COVID-19 spread: Diab; http://bit.ly/3j0ioac

Diab Says Govt. Can't be Formed through Tripoli's 'Burning Tires'; http://bit.ly/39xBQYx

Hariri Says Tripoli Demos May be Politicized but Urges Aid for the Poor; http://bit.ly/3r8DZQq

Regional Overview

Israel military revising operational plans against Iran: General; http://bit.ly/3tkRpLp

‘Psychological war’: Iran dismisses Israel military action threat; http://bit.ly/3aj93q7

Yemen steps up diplomatic drive for Houthi terrorist designation; http://bit.ly/3pyVskI

MENA Now Morning Briefing, January 27, 2021

*This daily morning briefing covers news as presented by the media, and does not present the views of MENA Now.

* All sources were drawn from publicly available online news sources

Lebanon Today

Dozens injured in lockdown protests in Lebanon's Tripoli; http://bit.ly/2Mchvzv

France wants more U.S. 'realism' in dealing with Lebanon's Hezbollah; http://yhoo.it/3tcUg8Y

Report: Hariri Likely to Visit Paris as Govt Deadlock Persists; http://bit.ly/3j2CznT

Lebanese lawyers seek to halt liquidation of UK-registered firm possibly linked to Beirut blast; http://reut.rs/36KirlJ

Lebanese luminaries seek to acquire COVID-19 vaccines; http://bit.ly/3j1EBVc

Regional Overview

Iran blocks Signal messaging app after WhatsApp exodus; http://bit.ly/3j1cXYF

At U.N., Washington assures support for two-state solution in Middle East; http://reut.rs/2NSD8oQ

Clashes break out in Tunisia after protester dies of injuries; http://bit.ly/3tby7YA

Blast shakes Riyadh three days after projectile intercepted; http://bit.ly/39z6nFJ

MENA Now Morning Briefing, January 26, 2021

*This daily morning briefing covers news as presented by the media, and does not present the views of MENA Now.

* All sources were drawn from publicly available online news sources