MENA Now

MENA Now Morning Briefing, November 12, 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

Lebanon faces prolonged Cabinet standoff if French envoy’s mission fails; https://bit.ly/36skCZV

Lebanon holds ‘productive’ sea border talks with Israel, joins conference on Syrian refugees; https://bit.ly/3ls3WIn

Wehbe urges international community to help return refugees; https://bit.ly/2UlLMMp

Parents of Aug 4 victims; https://bit.ly/32EjUaS

Regional Overview

Joe Biden names former Ebola tsar Ron Klain as chief of staff – as it happened; https://bit.ly/3nfpCrz

Bahrain's Prince Khalifa, world's longest serving prime minister, dies; https://bbc.in/32xK8vK

Saudi Arabia: Several wounded in blast at WWI memorial in Jeddah; https://bit.ly/38yqL9A

MENA Now Morning Briefing, November 11, 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

Lockdown

Lebanon to go under full lockdown from Saturday; https://bit.ly/38vCCoZ

Draft law on sexual harassment

L'Orient TodayTwitter; https://bit.ly/3khS9Ld

Influencing Policy through Research: The case of sexual harassment law in Lebanon; https://bit.ly/35gq7LX

STL & Ayyash

STL prosecutors seek life term for Hezbollah member; https://bit.ly/3pjuXQI

Regional Overview

Healthcare & Supreme Court

‘Obamacare’ likely to survive, high court arguments indicate; https://bit.ly/32u7pi8

Biden vows to ‘get right to work’ despite Trump resistance; https://bit.ly/3eLbun9

Supreme Court appears ready to uphold Affordable Care Act over latest challenge from Trump, GOP; https://wapo.st/3pc1b0d

Saeb Erekat

Saeb Erekat: Palestinian politician who believed talk was the way to a deal; https://bit.ly/3piiU68

Nagorno-Karabakh

Nagorno-Karabakh: Russia deploys peacekeeping troops to region; https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54885906

Jordan Elections

Jordan votes in election clouded by pandemic; https://bit.ly/38wKbfe

MENA Now Morning Briefing, November 10, 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

Shea: Bassil expressed willingness to break with Hezbollah on certain conditions; https://bit.ly/3eQSQKE

Lebanon to Begin Lockdown Saturday, Qatar Donates Field Hospitals; https://bit.ly/2GKx9PE

Regional Overview

Everything you need to know about Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine; https://bit.ly/2UdHpDi

Deal Struck to End Nagorno-Karabakh War; https://bit.ly/3lsPbF2

Russian Foreign Ministry ‘appreciates’ Azerbaijan’s admission of guilt & promise of probe into helicopter downing over Armenia; https://bit.ly/3eKaWhb

UN Agency Says Lacks Funds to Pay Full Palestinian Salaries; https://bit.ly/32u32U9

MENA Now Morning Briefing, November 9, 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

Bassil Sanctions

The US sanctions Bassil in the first blacklisting of a Lebanese politician under the Magnitsky act; https://bit.ly/38lTxud

More Lebanese officials to face sanctions after Gebran Bassil; https://bit.ly/3lc8AtP

US imposes sanctions on Bassil over corruption, Hezbollah ties; https://bit.ly/3k5SYH6

Lebanon's president demands US evidence to justify Bassil sanctions; https://bit.ly/3pa0rse

Aoun-Macron talks

Aoun, Macron discuss Cabinet formation efforts; https://bit.ly/3ka2N6H

Lockdown & COVID

Aoun calls for meeting to decide on lockdown; https://bit.ly/35b3XdU

Regional Overview

US Elections

How Joe Biden won the presidency – a visual guide; https://bit.ly/3kgM5m9

Biden victory sparks massive celebration in US capital; https://bit.ly/3ldmufo

Egypt – Parliamentary Elections

Egypt holds second stage of parliamentary elections; https://bit.ly/32IiJHN

UAE – Relaxing Islamic laws

UAE announces relaxing of Islamic laws for personal freedoms; https://bit.ly/32tigch

MENA Now Morning Briefing, November 6, 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

Horse-trading raises fears of govt formation delays; https://bit.ly/2TYeHGb

Report: Lebanon Advised to 'Deal' with Govt Formation because World is Occupied Elsewhere; https://bit.ly/3k9Wgcw

Franjieh Denies Demands for Ministerial Portfolio; https://bit.ly/32kTcUF

Lebanon Central bank accused of stalling tactics on critical audit; https://bit.ly/2TWUUXA

Lebanon customs chief formally arrested in ‘Captagon Prince’ case; https://bit.ly/3eunHfP

Syrian refugee sets himself on fire; https://bit.ly/352VB8s

Lebanon's daily coronavirus cases surpass 2,000; https://bit.ly/3p2zMO8

Regional Overview

Assad Blames Syria's Current Economic Woes on Lebanese Banks; https://bit.ly/3exkc8g

France condemns Erdogan over Islam row, threatens sanctions; https://bit.ly/2I9mTRL

‘What a spectacle!’: Iran’s Khamenei mocks US democracy in tweet; https://bit.ly/352Wo9q

Iraq ratifies new election law, paving way for early vote; https://bit.ly/366L1wg

Loujain al-Hathloul: UN experts alarmed by jailed Saudi activist's health; https://bbc.in/3exZMMv

Israel rebuked for 'biggest demolition of Palestinian homes in years'; https://bbc.in/352Eqnp

MENA Now Morning Briefing, November 5, 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

US election outcome overshadows Cabinet formation attempts; https://bit.ly/353pWDT

BDL Says Up to State to Lift Secrecy Off Its Accounts; https://bit.ly/38bJeZB

Lebanese authorities fail to ensure protection of women: HRW; https://bit.ly/3k3sfuG

Lebanon records 1,888 new virus cases, govt to discuss full lockdown; https://bit.ly/364Opb4

Regional Overview

Shelling in Syria rebel enclave kills seven, including children; https://bit.ly/369XH5u

Twitter, Facebook Fined by Turkey for Breaching Law Aimed at Curbing Dissent; https://on.wsj.com/34XwXFT

Egypt to negotiate sea border with Palestine; https://bit.ly/2TX8eLD

Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan fail to make progress on disputed dam; https://wapo.st/3mRiGAU

MENA Now Morning Briefing, November 4, 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

Aoun, Hariri agree on 18-member Cabinet, seek to distribute portfolios; https://bit.ly/2I5xgGb

Diab warns against overthrowing BDL audit; https://bit.ly/367R5EC

French probe into Beirut blast remains ‘inconclusive’; https://bit.ly/3kYS54h

Lebanon records 1,512 new coronavirus cases and 15 deaths; https://bit.ly/2Gz6FRe

Regional Overview

Daesh claims responsibility for Vienna attack; https://bit.ly/3oWXafY

Iran's supreme leader, quoting Trump, mocks US election; https://bit.ly/3oWXafY

Dubai ruler joins coronavirus vaccine trial; https://bit.ly/32fyhCl

Turkey pulling back from second Syrian military post: sources; https://bit.ly/2TW3CW5

Qatar emir sets first national election for next October; https://bit.ly/3kXNJdT

Bashir trial defence keeps up fire against Sudan prosecutor; https://bit.ly/2I1uGAO

Saudi Arabia’s Gas Push Pays Off as Production Hits Record; https://bloom.bg/2I4Wpk5

OPEC President Says Saudis, Russia Push to Delay Supply Hike; https://bloom.bg/3l2mOxp

MENA Now Morning Briefing, November 2, 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

Arslan's Party Warns Hariri against 'Tampering with Druze Representation'; https://bit.ly/3jP5Dy7

Rai tells Lebanese politicians to 'step down'; https://bit.ly/3mIA7U5

Protesters clash with security forces over prophet cartoon; https://bit.ly/3oVCQM7

Lebanon under new curfew, 115 towns under lockdown; https://bit.ly/37X2slA

Lebanon confirms 1,699 new coronavirus cases, 12 deaths; https://bit.ly/35XqZ7d

Regional Overview

US claims Iranian hackers accessed voter information; https://bit.ly/35XqZ7d

Iraq clears sit-in square, a year after mass protests began; https://bit.ly/3828e5p

Algeria votes on new constitution amid opposition boycott; https://bit.ly/2GiTvrg

Tunisia to investigate Mahdi Organisation over Nice attack -state media; https://reut.rs/2TLSdrO

Libyan PM al-Serraj takes back resignation; https://bit.ly/3kPKMMl

Sudan, US sign deal to restore sovereign immunity; https://bit.ly/3efRd8Z

Thousands protest in Jerusalem against Israeli PM; https://bit.ly/37ZpnwA

MENA Now Morning Briefing, October 30, 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

Aoun, Hariri putting final touches to draft Cabinet lineup; https://bit.ly/37VdPKK

Lebanon, Israel Hold 'Negative' 3rd Round of Sea Border Talks; https://bit.ly/3jKAg7E

Lebanon's cedar trees burn as wildfires reach record altitudes; https://bit.ly/2TBOxsF

Regional Overview

Biden presidency for Turkey would mean tougher US stance but chance to repair ties; https://bit.ly/3kFzcTO

Gulf OPEC, Iraq question whether to keep deep oil cuts into 2021: sources; https://bit.ly/31T4L56

US plans sales of top-end fighter jets to UAE: lawmaker; https://bit.ly/2GbFADr

Man arrested in Saudi Arabia after alleged knife attack at French consulate; https://bit.ly/3ebFZSF

Algeria to vote on a constitution dismissed by protest movement; https://bit.ly/2HQj2J0

Russia delegation calls for conference on refugees in Syria; https://bit.ly/3jDuyEx

MENA Now Morning Briefing, October 29, 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

New govt within days if positive atmosphere persists: Berri; https://bit.ly/35KICau

Report: Russian Delegation to Arrive Wednesday in Beirut; https://bit.ly/2TpizzX

Beirut Bar Association files almost 700 complaints in name of those affected by Port explosion; https://bit.ly/2HHBeUW

Lebanon, Israel hold second round of maritime demarcation talks; https://bit.ly/2HHBeUW

Record Lebanon coronavirus cases for second consecutive day; https://bit.ly/3e8FUPE

Regional Overview

Qatar Expresses ‘Regrets’ but Defends Invasive Exams of Women on 10 Flights; https://nyti.ms/2JkBudp

Erdogan warns of military action in Syria, decries Russian strike; https://bit.ly/34CN7EI

Arab coalition destroys six Houthi drones, three missiles targeting Saudi Arabia; https://bit.ly/2HMsIEh