http://www.mail.com/locations/1520-middle-east.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.20/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/locations/1520-middle-east.html http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763714-opec-concerned-us-pickup-oil-output.html VIENNA (AP) — OPEC does not see increased U.S. oil output as a threat to its interests but is skeptical about current forecasts on the boom of American shale oil production, a senior official of the 12-nation cartel said Thursday. OPEC Secretary General Abdullah Al-Badry also said that figures supplied by Iran show it producing around 3.7 million barrels ... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 14:16:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763714-opec-concerned-us-pickup-oil-output.html 2012-12-13T14:16:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1763722-carter-center-wont-monitor-egypts-vote.html CAIRO (AP) — Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's center says it will not deploy monitors for the referendum on draft constitution because of the government's late release of regulations for witnesses. The decision reflects concerns that the rushed process leading to Saturday's vote has undermined the legitimacy of the disputed charter backed by President... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 14:05:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1763722-carter-center-wont-monitor-egypts-vote.html 2012-12-13T14:05:00Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1763056-lincoln-leads-golden-globes-with-7-nominations.html BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Steven Spielberg's Civil War epic "Lincoln" led the Golden Globes on Thursday with seven nominations, among them best drama, best director for Spielberg and acting honors for Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones. Tied for second-place with five nominations each, including best drama are Ben Affleck's Iran hostage-... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:59:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1763056-lincoln-leads-golden-globes-with-7-nominations.html 2012-12-13T13:59:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1763340-russia-assad-losing-control-rebels-win.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syria's most powerful ally, Russia, said Thursday that President Bashar Assad is losing control of his country and the rebels might win the civil war, the first time Moscow has acknowledged the regime is cracking under the force of a powerful rebellion. NATO also predicted Assad's fall, with Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen saying the... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:53:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1763340-russia-assad-losing-control-rebels-win.html 2012-12-13T13:53:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1764006-israeli-fm-charged-with-breach-trust.html JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's attorney general has indicted the country's powerful foreign minister for alleged breach of trust, but decided not to file a number of more serious charges in a fraud and money-laundering case. While Avigdor Lieberman escaped the most serious accusations against him, Thursday's decision could still jeopardize his political career... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:37:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1764006-israeli-fm-charged-with-breach-trust.html 2012-12-13T13:37:00Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1763188-un-group-nod-greater-internet-oversight.html DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A U.N. conference weighing possible Internet rules shifted into a high-stakes showdown on Thursday after advancing a proposal for greater government oversight. The proposal was a blow to U.S.-led efforts to keep new regulations from touching the Net. The move frames the ideological divide at the 193-nation gathering in D... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:35:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1763188-un-group-nod-greater-internet-oversight.html 2012-12-13T13:35:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763578-us-airlines-to-lead-industry-recovery-profits.html GENEVA (AP) — U.S. airlines will lead a recovery in the global sector's profits next year, mainly thanks to cost cuts and restructuring measures taken to address weak economic growth, the industry's trade group forecast Thursday. Carriers in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America will also enjoy an improvement in earnings, while those in Europe are expec... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:25:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763578-us-airlines-to-lead-industry-recovery-profits.html 2012-12-13T13:25:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1763920-protesters-slam-turkish-coup-plot-trial.html ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkish police on Thursday used pepper spray and water cannons to push back hundreds of protesters trying to enter a courthouse where prosecutors were to deliver final arguments in a trial against nearly 300 people accused of plotting to overthrow the government, Turkish media reported. Inside the courthouse, a panel of judges was forced t... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:07:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1763920-protesters-slam-turkish-coup-plot-trial.html 2012-12-13T13:07:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1763368-israeli-troops-clash-with-palestinian-protesters.html HEBRON, West Bank (AP) — Thousands of Palestinians marched through the streets of Hebron on Thursday, chanting anti-Israel slogans and waving green Hamas flags during a funeral procession for a teenager killed by Israeli troops in this volatile West Bank city. Dozens of youths clashed with Israeli soldiers throughout the day, throwing stones and bottles w... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 12:50:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1763368-israeli-troops-clash-with-palestinian-protesters.html 2012-12-13T12:50:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1763234-un-nuke-inspectors-renew-efforts-to-engage-iran.html TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Envoys from the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency opened talks with Iranian officials on Thursday, seeking ways to restart negotiations with world powers and gain access to a site with suspected links to past atomic tests. The mission by the International Atomic Energy Agency underscores the stalemate atmosphere over Tehran's nuclear progra... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:37:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1763234-un-nuke-inspectors-renew-efforts-to-engage-iran.html 2012-12-13T11:37:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1763426-russia-acknowledges-assad-losing-control.html MOSCOW (AP) — Syria's most powerful ally, Russia, said for the first time Thursday that President Bashar Assad is losing control of his country and the rebels might win the civil war, dramatically shifting the diplomatic landscape at a time of enormous momentum for the opposition. While Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov gave no immediate signal tha... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:20:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1763426-russia-acknowledges-assad-losing-control.html 2012-12-13T11:20:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1761806-official-syria-fires-scud-missiles-rebels.html KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Syrian government forces have fired Scud missiles at insurgents in recent days, escalating the 2-year-old conflict against rebels seeking to overthrow the regime, U.S. officials said Wednesday. Speaking on condition of anonymity, two officials said forces of President Bashar Assad have fired the missiles from the Damascus area in... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 05:24:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1761806-official-syria-fires-scud-missiles-rebels.html 2012-12-13T05:24:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1760524-us-hesitant-condemning-north-korean-launch.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is drawing no "red line" for North Korea after a successful long-range rocket test, tempering the public condemnation to avoid raising tensions or possibly rewarding the reclusive communist nation with too much time in the global spotlight. The U.S. has told the world that it won't tolerate Iran's acquisition of ... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 01:11:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1760524-us-hesitant-condemning-north-korean-launch.html 2012-12-13T01:11:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1762776-egypts-opposition-urges-no-vote-referendum.html CAIRO (AP) — Egypt's opposition called on its followers Wednesday to vote "no" in a crucial referendum on a disputed constitution drafted by Islamist supporters of President Mohammed Morsi. The decision came as Morsi's government forged ahead with its own plan, starting overseas voting in diplomatic missions for expatriates. The moves reinforced the atmos... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:44:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1762776-egypts-opposition-urges-no-vote-referendum.html 2012-12-12T23:44:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1760466-us-syria-opposition-disagree-terrorist-label.html MARRAKECH, Morocco (AP) — The U.S. and the head of the new Syrian opposition coalition being feted at a conference in Morocco Wednesday publicly disagreed over designating a rebel group as terrorist, highlighting a key dilemma in overthrowing President Bashar Assad's regime. Even as the U.S., Europe and its allies recognized the new opposition of the sole... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:00:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1760466-us-syria-opposition-disagree-terrorist-label.html 2012-12-12T21:00:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1760880-un-international-efforts-to-engage-iran.html VIENNA (AP) — International officials pursued a two-pronged effort Wednesday to engage Iran over concerns the country may have worked on nuclear weapons, with a U.N. team seeking access to a site linked to such suspected activity and European Union negotiators looking to restart talks with Tehran meant to ease such fears. Preparing to depart Vienna for Te... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 20:35:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1760880-un-international-efforts-to-engage-iran.html 2012-12-12T20:35:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1760602-iraq-stays-execution-man-allegedly-held-16.html BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq has suspended the execution of a Yemeni prisoner whose family claims was 16 years old when he was taken into custody, an Iraqi official and human rights advocates said Wednesday. Iraqi officials dispute that he was a minor at the time of his arrest. Human Rights Watch earlier this week urged authorities in Baghdad to stay the execution... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 20:09:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1760602-iraq-stays-execution-man-allegedly-held-16.html 2012-12-12T20:09:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1761934-virgin-galactic-future-spaceport-uncertain.html ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The deal was sold to New Mexicans in classic Richard Branson fashion. If taxpayers would build the colorful British businessman a $209 million futuristic spaceport, he would make New Mexico the launching point for a space tourism business catering to the rich and famous. Now, with Spaceport America nearly complete but still mostly... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:51:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1761934-virgin-galactic-future-spaceport-uncertain.html 2012-12-12T19:51:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1762234-egypt-political-crisis-threatens-to-worsen-economy.html CAIRO (AP) — Egypt's political crisis is threatening to plunge its ailing economy even deeper into distress after the government delayed a request for a $4.8 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund that would have eased a ballooning budget deficit and reassured foreign investors. Fear of stoking the street unrest over a disputed Islamist-oriente... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:45:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1762234-egypt-political-crisis-threatens-to-worsen-economy.html 2012-12-12T19:45:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1761244-blast-syrian-regime-building-capital-kills-5.html BEIRUT (AP) — Three bombs collapsed walls in the Syrian Interior Ministry building Wednesday in Damascus, killing at least five people, as rebels fighting to overthrow President Bashar Assad edged closer to the capital, the symbol of his power. The blast came as more than 100 countries recognized the opposition umbrella group as the legitimate representat... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:33:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1761244-blast-syrian-regime-building-capital-kills-5.html 2012-12-12T19:33:00Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/1762014-autopsy-turkish-leader-inconclusive.html ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Authorities investigating former President Turgut Ozal's death in office in April 1993 found traces of toxic material in samples from his exhumed body but could not conclude he died of poisoning, Turkey's state-run news agency said Wednesday. Forensic experts exhumed Ozal's body in October and tested samples for possible poisoning af... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 18:40:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/1762014-autopsy-turkish-leader-inconclusive.html 2012-12-12T18:40:00Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1761906-civil-war-splits-syrias-artists.html BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian filmmaker Joud Said was planning to attend the world premiere of his latest work at the Dubai International Film Festival when the bad news came: his movie had been yanked from the program. "I knew right away it was for political reasons," he said. The film wasn't overtly political, but it was produced with help from the regime of Bas... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 18:07:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/lifestyle/1761906-civil-war-splits-syrias-artists.html 2012-12-12T18:07:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1761848-highlights-egypts-draft-constitution.html CAIRO (AP) — Egypt's draft constitution, set for a referendum on Dec. 15 and 22, is made up of an introduction, an 11-part preamble and 236 articles. Critics have raised concerns over issues including Islamic law and women's rights: — Shariah (Islamic) law Like a previous constitution, the draft states, "Principles of Islamic Shariah are the principal sou... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 18:04:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1761848-highlights-egypts-draft-constitution.html 2012-12-12T18:04:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1761816-israeli-police-palestinian-shot-dead-attack.html JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli police spokesman says a Palestinian was killed after he threatened officers near a holy site in the West Bank. Spokesman Micky Rosenfeld says a group of police officers were on guard near the site in Hebron when a Palestinian approached, pulled out a handgun and aimed it at them in a threatening way. Rosenfeld says the officers... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 17:43:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1761816-israeli-police-palestinian-shot-dead-attack.html 2012-12-12T17:43:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1761818-bomb-blast-eastern-libyan-city-wounds-4.html TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — Libyan police officials say a bomb blast outside a police station in the eastern city of Benghazi has wounded four people, two of them seriously. There was no immediate indication on who was behind Wednesday's blast in an upscale Benghazi district. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk ... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 17:34:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1761818-bomb-blast-eastern-libyan-city-wounds-4.html 2012-12-12T17:34:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1761586-egypt-court-christian-3-years-blasphemy.html CAIRO (AP) — A Cairo court on Wednesday convicted a Coptic Christian blogger who shared an anti-Islam film on social networking sites and sentenced him to three years in prison for blasphemy and contempt of religion. The case of Alber Saber is one of several seen by rights advocates as a campaign led by Egypt's ultraconservative Islamists to curb free exp... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 16:33:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1761586-egypt-court-christian-3-years-blasphemy.html 2012-12-12T16:33:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1760446-egypt-opposition-urges-no-vote-constitution.html CAIRO (AP) — Egypt's main opposition alliance called for a "No" vote in the referendum on a disputed constitution rather than a boycott, hours after Islamist President Mohammed Morsi's government forged ahead by starting overseas voting in diplomatic missions for expatriates. The opposition's decision did not dispel the atmosphere of a nation in crisis, d... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 16:23:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1760446-egypt-opposition-urges-no-vote-constitution.html 2012-12-12T16:23:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1761496-opec-output-target-hold-amid-weak-economy.html VIENNA (AP) — OPEC ministers agreed to keep their daily crude production target unchanged at a meeting Wednesday. But in a sign of internal rivalries, they failed to reach consensus on a new secretary general, a post sought by Saudi Arabia, Iran and resurgent oil-power Iraq. The agreement to leave the production ceiling at 30 million barrels a day was exp... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 16:17:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1761496-opec-output-target-hold-amid-weak-economy.html 2012-12-12T16:17:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1760526-kuwait-names-government-with-major-changes.html KUWAIT CITY (AP) — Kuwait's ruler has named a new Cabinet that makes no major changes in membership and reinstates the finance minister who resigned earlier this year under pressure from opposition lawmakers. The failure to make even nominal changes is seen as a slap at the opposition. It comes less than two weeks after parliamentary elections boycotted b... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 15:16:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1760526-kuwait-names-government-with-major-changes.html 2012-12-12T15:16:00Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1761232-un-group-to-pick-global-emergency-number.html DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Negotiators at a conference on U.N. telecommunications regulations say they've found one bit of common ground — how to call for help. Envoys from 193 nations will decide between 911 or 112 as a standard global emergency number for new generations of mobile phones and other devices. Wednesday's announcement marks a rare s... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:48:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1761232-un-group-to-pick-global-emergency-number.html 2012-12-12T14:48:00Z