MENA Now Morning Briefing, February 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 Lebanon Today Al-Rahi Discusses Govt. Crisis with Hariri, Ibrahim,Meets Patriarch; http://bit.ly/3qX50GN;http://bit.ly/2PdAY3Q Unfazed by Hezbollah opposition, Rai presses ahead with int’l conference;http://bit.ly/3ks29mM 52 new coronavirus deaths, 3,469 cases;http://bit.ly/3dOHYhG Health Ministry grants 20 companies permission to access COVID-19 vaccines;http://bit.ly/3dOFIaj Regional Overview Biden approves US air strike on Iran-backed militias in Syria; http://bbc.in/37OY72N ICC must investigate Israeli war crimes, human rights groups say; http://bit.ly/3kwpmof Russia unmoved as Security Council again warned of Syrian children’s plight; http://bit.ly/3uEbixw

MENA Now Morning Briefing, February 25, 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 After Uproar, President’s Health Adviser Says Aoun Had to Get Vaccinated; http://bit.ly/3sAILHa Health minister fuels Lebanese anger over vaccine line-jumping; http://bit.ly/37WJvyv Lebanon Says Allowed 20 Firms to Import Vaccine but Manufacturers Reluctant; https://bit.ly/3aRIwl5 Updates From Lebanon’s Vaccine Scandal: New Names, World Bank Gets Threatened, Outgoing Minister Received Vaccine & More; http://bit.ly/3b2JRWi Lebanon's Cabinet formation awaits regional players; http://bit.ly/3aZ3Gh8 Deadline looms for resident and overseas voters to ensure they are eligible to cast a ballot in the 2022 elections; http://bit.ly/3pZx5vR Regional Overview Germany convicts former Assad regime agent in historic Syria torture verdict; http://bit.ly/3r4hv3p U.S. report on Khashoggi death expected to single out Saudi crown prince: sources; http://reut.rs/3aZTsNr Egypt backs call to internationalize Ethiopia dam dispute; http://bit.ly/3q48beJ

MENA Now Morning Briefing, February 24, 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’s vaccination program is thrown into question as MPs appear to bypass rules to get inoculated; http://bit.ly/37LZnE1 The logic of the lira: The Lebanese currency is back trading above LL9,000 to the dollar. Here’s why; http://bit.ly/2Mtq3SC Regional Overview Covid-19: Israel donates vaccines to countries that moved embassies to Jerusalem; http://bit.ly/2ZReZla Egypt's Sisi faces backlash against removal of the Quran from school textbooks; http://bit.ly/2P31Tiy

MENA Now Morning Briefing, February 23, 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 Bassil’s proposal for expanded Cabinet fails to evoke interest; http://bit.ly/3dFfF5k Franjieh Says No Need to ‘Waste Time’ Listening to Bassil’s Speech; http://bit.ly/37HjdA6 Rahi Discusses Int’l Conference for Lebanon with UN Deputy Special Coordinator; http://bit.ly/3pGAdg1 Families of Port Victims Say Bitar Told Them 'All Immunities Will Fall'; http://bit.ly/3kcmw7E LF MPs Hand U.N. Petition Urging Int'l Probe in Port Case; http://bit.ly/2ZHSYW0 Lebanon registers 47 new coronavirus deaths, 1,541 more cases; http://bit.ly/2NoGDDK Slow start to Lebanon vaccination raises concerns; http://bit.ly/2ZJ26d4 Says Pfizer Covid Vaccine ‘Safe and Effective’; http://bit.ly/3bAssU9 Regional Overview Iran could boost uranium enrichment to 60 percent: Khamenei; http://bit.ly/3dF06e3 Iran talks 'avert' impact of nuclear inspection deadline; http://bbc.in/3bwJIt9 COVID-19: Gaza starts inoculation drive amid vaccine shortage; http://bit.ly/3pHtlPC Libya: Over 150 migrants freed in raid on traffickers; https://arab.news/6b6kn Libya: More than 150 migrants freed in raid on traffickers; http://bit.ly/3bqqw04

MENA Now Morning Briefing, February 22, 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 Bassil blasts Hariri, calls for raising Cabinet members; http://bit.ly/3qS782I Bassil blasts Hariri, calls for raising Cabinet members; http://bit.ly/3buZNQd Report: Foreign Calls to Speed Formation Blocked by Local Hurdles; https://bit.ly/2ONKKt7 Relatives of Port Explosion Rally Again Demanding Justice; http://bit.ly/3aIfJiS Breaking: Judge Tarek Bitar Was Just Appointed As The Lead Investigator In Beirut Blast Investigation; http://bit.ly/3qZLJEE Lebanon appoints new lead investigator in port blast probe; http://bit.ly/3qOCIhV Lebanon to start phase two of easing lockdown; http://bit.ly/2Nz1TGD LF to Hand U.N. Petition Demanding Int'l Probe in Port Blast; https://bit.ly/3dAXAFm Al-Rahi Again Clarifies His Call for Int'l Conference on Lebanon; http://bit.ly/37EXrgD Lebanon receives second Pfizer vaccine shipment; http://bit.ly/3us8naY Regional Overview Israel buys vaccines for Syria in prisoner deal, says report; http://bit.ly/2ZJVmeM As Palestinians plan vote, Jerusalem looms as possible obstacle — or pretext; http://bit.ly/3ujJSg6 US Seeks Fallback Saudi Bases to Protect Troops Amid Iran Tensions; http://bit.ly/3shABDB Yemen risks worst famine on planet in 'decades', say UN officials; http://bit.ly/3keQoQG

MENA Now Morning Briefing, February 18, 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 Nasrallah’s proposal for expanded Cabinet fails to break gridlock; https://bit.ly/3pwP0Km Reflecting his frustration, Macron delays sending envoy to Lebanon; https://bit.ly/2ZqFgqd Palestinian refugees in Lebanon three times more likely to die with COVID-19; http://bit.ly/3dpqU1C Regional Overview UAE Dubai Princess Latifa UK Calls Proof Alive; http://bit.ly/2OFEIuv Israel: Election of new ICC prosecutor raises questions for war crimes probe; http://bit.ly/3qxRI3n Syria and Israel to swap prisoners in Russia-mediated deal; http://bit.ly/3pGvU4F

MENA Now Morning Briefing, February 17, 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 Nasrallah Warns against Chapter 7, Criticizes Hariri’s 'Insistence' on 18-Seat Govt.; http://bit.ly/3aveXWf Russia 'Ready' to Donate Sputnik V Covid Vaccine to Lebanon; https://bit.ly/3s0FbWv 535,000 People Registered to Get the Vaccine to Date; https://bit.ly/3s0VbIi Regional Overview Israel Air Force Simulates Strikes on 3,000 Hezbollah Targets a Day in Widespread Drill; http://bit.ly/2N8X72I Biden plans to ‘recalibrate’ relations with Saudi Arabia, conduct diplomacy through King Salman: White House; http://tgam.ca/3bklz96 Iran to Tightly Restrict Inspectors’ Access if U.S. Sanctions Not Lifted; http://on.wsj.com/3dnvL3f Election Poll: Anti-Netanyahu Bloc Gains Majority as Likud Loses Seat; http://bit.ly/3jZd3QU Turkey Vows to Expand Anti-PKK Operations in Northern Iraq; http://bit.ly/2NxrIXo

MENA Now Morning Briefing, February 16, 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 leaves door open to Cabinet solution: Future MP;http://bit.ly/2LSgqMO Ain el-Tineh Says[...]about Political Disputes;http://bit.ly/2N3Kmq6 Mustaqbal Reacts after Jreissati Slams Hariri;http://bit.ly/3jSLhW5 Amal Says Berri's Initiative Still Represents an Exit to Break Impasse;http://bit.ly/3rXvZlL Bogdanov Stresses Need for 'Mission-Driven Govt.';http://bit.ly/3jS38MZ Nasrallah’s Speech to 'Dial Down' Govt;http://bit.ly/3u2eKBA Regional Overview 

MENA Now Morning Briefing, February 15, 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 says Aoun’s veto power demand blocking Cabinet formation; http://bit.ly/2ZnkV5i FPM criticizes Hariri's 'approach' to govt formation; http://bit.ly/2N3CqFn Lebanon kicks off its COVID-19 inoculation drive; http://bit.ly/3puQftf Lebanon working on COVID-19 vaccine plan for migrant workers; http://bit.ly/3u1175M World Bank and IFRC Support Independent Monitoring of COVID-19 Vaccine Campaign in Lebanon; http://bit.ly/3jUN4Kz BDL Did Not Officially Commit To Lift Bank Secrecy As It Claimed; http://bit.ly/3qsOJZY Lebanon’s Central Bank Finally Agrees To Lift Banking Secrecy; http://bit.ly/3b4lfLu Beirut Blast Victims Will Be Taxed For The Donations They Received; http://bit.ly/3qpSJuw A New Measure Was Just Implemented In Lebanon To Protect Domestic Workers; http://bit.ly/3draSEi Regional Overview France, Germany, UK condemn Iran's production of uranium metal; http://reut.rs/3qpNOtm Minister says Qatar working for return to Iran nuclear accord: report; http://reut.rs/3s1PLNg Heavy Clashes Rage in Central Yemen; Dozens Killed; http://bit.ly/3rRh4ts Turkey says it finds bodies of 13 killed by militants in Iraq; http://bit.ly/3dnlzrB Fresh Tunisia protests break out in southern region; http://bit.ly/3jUlfSo

MENA Now Morning Briefing, February 12, 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-Hariri talks fuel speculation on Cabinet progress; http://bit.ly/3jItHUD Multi-Faith Service for Lokman Slim Sparks Social Media Row; http://bit.ly/3tQehlU U.S. Ambassador Says Slim's Assassination 'Barbaric'; http://bit.ly/3jOJgKD Lebanon registers 63 COVID-19 deaths, 3,136 new cases; http://bit.ly/2OmXdDQ Lebanon working on COVID-19 vaccine plan for migrant workers; http://bit.ly/3aWAUN8 Regional Overview  Iran begins Covid-19 vaccination campaign, says state media; http://bit.ly/3jHeQdk Covid-19: Positive test results are the new VIP party pass in Iran; http://bit.ly/3afv2PV Palestinian citizens of Israel protest against police failure to tackle gun violence; http://bit.ly/3d8ESov