The Arab American News
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Duggan optimistic about future in state of the city address
DETROIT — Speaking both of progress and remaining challenges, Mayor Mike Duggan struck an optimistic tone Tuesday night in his third State of the City Address, sharing his own 'five-point' plan to grow the city's economic comeback. During the speech, which was interrupted three times by hecklers, Duggan touted the positive attention...
Hijabi Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad seeks to inspire
February 26th, 20160 Ibtihaj Muhammad "I told her to bring home the gold," President Obama told the crowd during his first visit to a mosque in Baltimore last month. He was talking about hijabi fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, who will represent the United States in Rio De Janeiro this summer, becoming the first American Muslim to compete in the...Greektown Casino will soon be called “Jack”
DETROIT — Greektown Casino will be changing its name to "Jack" by late 2016. Following Dan Gilbert's acquirement of the casino, the $40 million rebranding project aims to unite the business mogul's three other casinos under one theme. The official name, Jack Detroit Casino Hotel Greektown, suggested by one of Gilbert's...Gunman kills up to four in Kansas shooting spree
Cedric FordKANSAS — A man killed up to four people and wounded as many as 20 others on Thursday in a shooting spree in central Kansas that began on roadways and ended at his work site, where authorities shot and killed him, the local sheriff told reporters.The gunman appears to have driven around in a car, opening fire at three...Kurdish special forces rescue Swedish girl from ISIS
ERBIL — A teenage Swedish girl being held by ISIS militants in Iraq was rescued in a raid by Kurdish special forces last week, the autonomous region's security council said in a statement on Tuesday. The 16-year-old traveled from Sweden to Syria last year and later crossed into Iraq, where she was rescued near the ISIS stronghold of...Sisi ends up on eBay after saying he would sell himself
CAIRO — President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has come under withering criticism from Egyptians on social media after delivering a long televised speech on Wednesday. Signs are growing that the former army chief, who seized power in 2013, is losing popularity, though there are no clear indications his rule is under threat. Egyptian media,...Partition could be part of ‘plan B’ if Syria peace talks fail
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State John Kerry said he will move towards a plan B that could involve a partition of Syria if a planned ceasefire due to start in the next few days does not materialize, or if a genuine shift to a transitional government does not take place in the coming months."It may be too late to keep it as a whole...Bloomberg Businessweek highlights contributions of refugees in Detroit
Renan Sadak, who was featured in the article. Photo: Ali Lapetina for Bloomberg BusinessweekDETROIT — A Bloomberg.com article highlighted the economic contributions of Arab refugees to the local economy.The story published on Feb. 18 was titled, "Detroit’s Comeback Has an Arabic Accent." It conveyed the personal stories of Iraqi...CBS names Najah Bazzy among inspirational women impacting Detroit
Najah BazzyDETROIT — CBS named Arab American humanitarian Najah Bazzy as one of five "inspirational women" impacting Metro Detroit in a special dubbed "Eye On The Future: The Power Of Women." GM Chairwoman and CEO Mary Barra heads up the line up of the CBS show, which will air on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. on CBS...N.Y. Magazine taps Rashida Tlaib, 9 others, to be “next Obama”
Rashida TlaibDETROIT — New York Magazine named former State Rep. Rashida Tlaib as one of 10 Democrats who could be a "next Obama" in the Democratic Party.In an article published Thursday, the magazine argued that the Democratic leadership is getting old and named up-and-coming activists who represent the future of the party.Marin...Lebanese band Mashou’ Leila to perform in Detroit
DETROIT — Lebanese band Mashrou' Leila will perform on Saturday, June 4. The acclaimed five-member alternative rock band has a large following of young listeners in the Middle East, despite its unconventional music that does not follow the trends of Arabic pop songs. The band was formed in February 2008 at the American...Internet sensation Noel Kharman back with another Fairuz mashup
Noel KharmanWhen Palestinian artist Noel Kharman made her own cover of Adele's song "Hello" in November 2015, she became an instant Internet sensation. And it's no wonder that the teenage Palestinian's mashup of the British singer's hits with one of Lebanese diva Fairouz's songs titled "Keefak Eta" (How are You?) went viral...Nancy Ajram breaks Arabic YouTube record with 40 million views
BEIRUT — Nancy Ajram's music video for her hit single "Ma Tegi Hena" (Why Don't You Come Over Here) has broken the record for the most-watched Arabic music video on YouTube. With more than a whopping 40 million views, Nancy proved that her music is still relevant and she's on top of her game after more than a decade in the...Oscar nominees urged to skip Israel trip
LOS ANGELES — On Wednesday Oscar-nominated celebrities were urged to skip a $55,000 trip to Israel offered as part of an awards gift bag. Two U.S.-based groups campaigning for an end to Israel's occupation of the Palestinian Territories made the plea in a full-page ad in the Los Angeles Times that appeared five days before the...Local candidate for State Rep. receives hate mail
DEARBORN – Abdullah Hammoud, a Democratic candidate in the 15th District State Representative race, said he received an unlabeled envelope over Valentine’s Day weekend containing his campaign mailer, ripped and defaced with the words “No More Arabs” and “Go Back To Lebanon.”His campaign mailer was sent to thousands of......
Court of appeals’ ruling could overturn Odeh’s conviction
February 25th, 20160 Odeh (R) standing with her supporters outside the federal courthouse, March, 2015CINCINNATI — A federal court of appeals ruled in favor of Palestinian activist Rasmea Odeh, who had been found guilty of immigration fraud for failing to disclose that she was jailed in Israel on her U.S. naturalization application.The Sixth Circuit Court...Beirut’s river of trash captures international attention
A general view shows packed garbage bags in Jdeideh, Beirut, Feb. 23BEIRUT — Lebanon is known for its sandy beaches, majestic mountains and lush rivers. But a new kind of scenery is snaking its way through Beirut. A river of garbage in the country's capital has captured international headlines.An overflown landfill in the Beirut......
Michigan woman has confirmed case of Zika Virus
LANSING. – Michigan health officials have identified the first confirmed case of Zika virus in a Michigan resident. The patient, a female resident of Ingham County, contracted the virus when traveling in a country where Zika virus is being transmitted. The patient, who was not pregnant, experienced...
Where do the candidates stand on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
February 25th, 20160 Arab American voters may disagree on many issues, but the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one area where almost all Arabs would call for a more balanced U.S. approach. The 68-year-old war is at the center of geopolitical and sectarian feuds in the Middle East.But most major candidates seem to be competing over who will be more...Trump’s third straight win has rivals looking for answers
Donald Trump addressing supporters after the Nevada Repulican caucuses. Photo: ReuterWASHINGTON — Businessman Donald Trump inched closer to the U.S. Republican presidential nomination after easily outdistancing his rivals in the Nevada caucuses on Tuesday, giving him his third win in four early nominating contests.Trump won Nevada by...Obama to proceed with court nominee despite Republican defiance
Obama carries a binder containing material on potential Supreme Court nominees WASHINGTON — A day after Senate Republicans ruled out taking action on any Supreme Court nominee he puts forward, President Obama on Wednesday vowed to move ahead with a selection who will possess an "independent mind" and grasp how laws impact people's......
Al-Ameer restaurant receives national award
February 24th, 20160 Co-owners Khalil Ammarand Zaki HashemDEARBORN — If you search "Arabic food in Dearborn on Google," Al-Ameer Restaurant emerges as the top suggestion. The restaurant's reputation has now exceeded the reviews of local food enthusiasts. On Tuesday, Al-Ameer was announced as a recipient of the James Beard Foundation America’s Classics...San Bernardino victims want shooter’s iPhone unlocked
Some victims of the San Bernardino attack will file a legal brief in support of the U.S. government's attempt to force Apple Inc to unlock the encrypted iPhone belonging to one of the shooters, a lawyer representing the victims said on Sunday.Stephen Larson, a former federal judge who is now in private practice, told Reuters that the......
Michigan Uber driver admits role in deadly shooting spree
Jason Dalton, 45KALAMAZOO — A man working as an Uber driver admitted to the fatal weekend shootings of six people in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a police detective testified in a case raising questions about how the car service vets its drivers. Jason Dalton, 45, was denied bail as he made his first court...Minnesota revokes anti-Muslim license plate following firestorm
"FMUSLMS"MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota’s governor ordered the state to take back a license plate he called offensive this week.The plate had the letter "F" before an apparent abbreviation for "Muslims."The person who obtained the license plate has had it since last June. The Department of Public Safety said it never should have issued the......
