MENA Now Morning Briefing, November 26, 2020

*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

Contacts to be intensified in bid to break Cabinet deadlock; https://bit.ly/3fDb56M 

ISG urges Lebanese leaders to form govt, implement reforms; https://bit.ly/39iW3Su

Lebanon’s outgoing PM ‘fears for life’ after political fight; https://bit.ly/3m7bdxK

Sectarian tensions rise over forensic audit, election law proposals; https://bit.ly/2VacIPz

Lebanon judge wants ministers investigated over port blast; https://bit.ly/3l8C0bm

Syndicate warns of gas shortages this winter; https://bit.ly/3nWZhir

Iraqi Flour gone bad; https://bit.ly/32EjUaS 

Regional Ovierview

Rouhani: Iran and US can return to time before Trump; https://bit.ly/378WJai 

Netanyahu, UAE Crown Prince nominated for Nobel Peace Prize; https://bit.ly/3nXZySl

Pakistan ‘categorically’ rejects reports about recognising Israel; https://bit.ly/3771iSx 

Jailed Saudi activist’s trial transferred to terrorism court; https://bit.ly/374mmsM

MENA Now Morning Briefing, November 25, 2020

*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

Tensions escalate in Bcharri following shooting; https://bit.ly/39fEnHo

MPs to discuss Aoun call for BDL forensic audit Friday; https://bit.ly/2V1XlJ0

Judge issues indictment against Nancy Ajram's husband; https://bit.ly/364mA3P

Regional Overview 

Egypt adds leading activist, politician to terror watch list; https://bit.ly/361IHYt

Israel’s Netanyahu says he will visit Bahrain soon; https://bit.ly/33fgICO

Trump agrees transition to Biden administration can begin; https://bit.ly/363bKLy

MENA Now Morning Briefing, November 24, 2020

*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

Beirut's Justice Palace Witnesses Launching Of National Rescue Initiative; https://bit.ly/3nR3yUK

Pfizer vaccine to arrive mid-February, rate of positive tests still high, says Hassan; https://bit.ly/3l02v31

Steinitz to Lebanese president: Let’s negotiate maritime border; https://bit.ly/39bEtQ0

Regional Overview

UAE allows 100 pct foreign ownership of companies without need for Emirati partner; https://bit.ly/35WWcc0

Saudi Arabia denies Israel's Netanyahu visited Kingdom; https://bit.ly/379mhEm

Israeli Delegation Visits Sudan for Talks on Agriculture, Health Care Cooperation; https://bit.ly/3fuH6hi

Biden picks Iran deal negotiator as national security adviser; https://bit.ly/374z6Qc

MENA Now Morning Briefing, November 23, 2020

*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

Forensic auditor pulls out of Lebanon central bank probe; https://bit.ly/3kZv2p6

Aoun pledges to revive forensic audit of Central Bank; https://bit.ly/2Hrdjt0

Beirut begins clearance of dangerous port containers; https://bit.ly/2J8BdKA

Over 40 Baabda prison escapees still at large; https://bit.ly/3kZh7j5

Thirty-five escaped prisoners still at large after Baabda prison break; https://bit.ly/3pU6vW9

Regional Overview

G20 Saudi Arabia

G20 leaders back ‘equitable’ global access to COVID-19 vaccines; https://bit.ly/3nJnsAO

Saudi Arabia and Human Rights Activists Fight Over Kingdom’s Image at G-20; https://nyti.ms/2URW8ns

Israel Normalization & Pompeo

Pompeo visits Abu Dhabi to build on momentum from Abraham Accords; https://bit.ly/2ISpH6j

Pompeo to visit UAE to discuss arms sale, Israel normalization; https://bit.ly/36Z6iIR

Israel air raids

Israeli army launches air raids on besieged Gaza Strip; https://bit.ly/36ZAFyN

Attack in Baghdad by ISIL

Mourning after deadly new Daesh attack north of Baghdad; https://bit.ly/33d87AR

Executions in Iraq

UN says 50 face possible execution in Iraq after unfair trials; https://bit.ly/2UQnU41

MENA Now Morning Briefing, November 20, 2020

*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 to expose govt formation obstructors if impasse persists: Future MP; https://bit.ly/3nFhJMn

Pound drops further, trading at LL8,450; https://bit.ly/2KpNWcl

Aoun urges Del Col to correct Blue Line; https://bit.ly/33imVOL

Regional Overview

US to label Israel boycott movement as ‘anti-Semitic’: Pompeo; https://bit.ly/3lSC4xi

Iran slams UN human rights resolution on anniversary of protests; https://bit.ly/2IRnPKw

G20 leaders must urge Saudi Arabia to release prisoners: Amnesty; https://bit.ly/3nG3pmL

Poverty in Iraq's Basra rises to record 40%; https://bit.ly/35K0C63

MENA Now Morning Briefing, November 19, 2020

*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

Security Council urges swift Cabinet formation to enact reforms; https://bit.ly/2KnNfAj

Lebanon Independence Day festivities cancelled; https://bit.ly/3kMjeXj

Garbage piles up in Sidon, workers on strike; https://bit.ly/2HfYObB

Regional Overview

US imposes fresh Iran-related sanctions, targets Khamenei-linked foundation; https://bit.ly/36PmImT

Bahrain FM arrives in Israel on first official visit; https://bit.ly/2IOe5kA

French bill makes intimidation on religious grounds a crime; https://bit.ly/3lOb1Da

Iraq, Saudi Arabia reopen Arar border crossing after 30 years; https://bit.ly/3fbFWXE

MENA Now Morning Briefing, November 18, 2020

*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

Govt formation at standstill in absence of contacts to overcome hurdles; https://bit.ly/35CQYlJ

As Cabinet gridlock persists, Lebanon inches closer to collapse; https://bit.ly/370FojV

Fahmi says lockdown could ease from Friday; https://bit.ly/35GoXcN

Lebanese Aoun: 'There is no One in My Family...Involved in Corruption'; https://bit.ly/38T1dUX

Intelligence probe into Beirut explosion lays out liabilities; https://bit.ly/35DHwyi

Regional Overview

Palestinian Authority to resume coordination with Israel; https://bit.ly/38RPplL

Iran vows ‘crushing’ response after NYT says Trump mulled attack; https://bit.ly/3pDstfY

Saudi minister says nuclear armament against Iran ‘an option’; https://bit.ly/36GM5r0

Saudi activists give evidence of human rights violations to British MPs; https://bit.ly/3kExEJ6

MENA Now Morning Briefing, November 17, 2020

*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

Govt formation at standstill in absence of contacts to overcome hurdles; https://bit.ly/35CQYlJ

Macron’s envoy delivers ultimatum for quick govt formation; https://bit.ly/3pwxYxf

Macron’s envoy delivers ultimatum for quick govt formation; https://bit.ly/3pwxYxf

Caretaker FM asks US for evidence justifying sanctions; https://bit.ly/3kzlkd7

Regional Overview

Turkey moves motion on troop deployment in Azerbaijan; https://bit.ly/3nAO07r

Pakistan under pressure to recognise Israel, says Imran Khan; https://bit.ly/2KatwUp

Khashoggi's fiancee calls on world leaders to boycott G20 summit; https://bit.ly/3lyPiPA

McConnell opposes removing US troops from Middle East, saying terrorists 'would love' it; https://cnn.it/32TxVld

MENA Now Morning Briefing, November 16, 2020

*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

French envoy maintains talks with local leaders; https://bit.ly/3nrHVdk

Lebanon enters first day of two-week lockdown; https://bit.ly/35BsSaS

New lockdown will hit Lebanese who live 'from day to day'; https://bit.ly/3lF21Aj

Ibrahim disregards reports of possible US sanctions; https://bit.ly/35y9QSE

Civil Defense controls pipeline fire in Akkar; https://bit.ly/3kFjs2m

Protesters in Tripoli denounce Jbeil mosque attack; https://bit.ly/38OBSeO

AUB Secular Club wins biggest bloc in student elections; https://bit.ly/2Ha8gx8

MP Hobeish banned from practicing law for three months; https://bit.ly/2UDe7Ol

Regional Overview

Al- Qaeda No. 2 Death:

Israeli agents killed al-Qaeda’s No. 2 in Iran in August: Report; https://bit.ly/3pAcWOc

Iran denies claims al-Qaeda member killed in Tehran; https://bit.ly/3lONlil

Pompeo visit to Palestine settlement:

Pompeo visit to Palestine settlement 'dangerous'; https://bit.ly/32OvFvG

Israel settlements & Biden:

Israel advances plans for new Jerusalem settler homes; http://dailym.ai/2H9hucY

Israel to accelerate settlement building fearing possible freeze by Biden; https://bit.ly/36K5VS8

Egyptian man sets himself on fire:

Egyptian man sets himself on fire in Cairo’s Tahrir Square; https://bit.ly/3lCZzdw

MENA Now Morning Briefing, November 13, 2020

*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

Durel: Lebanon must speed up Cabinet formation; https://bit.ly/3pjDrr3

Lebanon aiming to secure COVID-19 vaccine: Hasan; https://bit.ly/35tIjC5

Lebanon extends curfew for lockdown, license plate rule imposed; https://bit.ly/3eWdSr7

Regional Overview

UK report calls out Saudi Arabia over women’s rights abuses; https://bit.ly/35sV7Z6

Saudi king urges world to take ‘decisive stance’ against Iran; https://bit.ly/2IvskKQ

Iran moves nuclear centrifuges underground, exceeds limit by 12 times; https://bit.ly/3eTrvay

Women, Islamists suffer setbacks in election in Jordan; https://bit.ly/3lyGKbG

Jordan elects 100 new MPs; https://bit.ly/35tzbgO