The Arab American News
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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...
Michigan Senate approves $30 million to help pay Flint water bills
February 23rd, 20160 FLINT - Residents of Flint one of the poorest cities in the United States, will get $30 million to help pay their water bills after a lead contamination crisis, under a bill unanimously approved by the Michigan Senate on Tuesday.Gov. Rick Snyder plans to sign the bill, which had been passed unanimously by the state's...Tech, business leaders protest ‘discriminatory’ U.S. visa waiver changes
More than 30 U.S. business leaders urged Congress on Tuesday to undo visa restrictions that make it harder for citizens of some countries to visit, saying they were discriminatory and made U.S. companies less competitive.A law passed after last year's Paris attacks by Islamic State requires citizens of 38 countries to obtain a visa to......
The “meta-issues” behind the Sanders-Clinton contest
The Democratic presidential primary race is shaping up to be a fascinating contest between the voters' views of two distinct political personalities. Some find this state of affairs confounding, believing that the election should have been a "slam-dunk" for Hillary Clinton—the former First Lady, twice elected Senator from New York,...Violence rages in Syria as Kerry and Lavrov reach provisional deal on ceasefire
A woman carries an injured boy inside a hospital after multiple bomb blasts hit a southern district of Damascus, Feb. 21AMMAN — Secretary of State John Kerry said on Sunday he and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, had reached a provisional agreement on terms of a cessation of hostilities in Syria and the sides were closer to a......
Uber driver arrested for shooting rampage that killed 6 in Kalamazoo
February 21st, 20160 Jason Dalton.KALAMAZOO - A gunman killed six people and wounded two in apparently random shootings in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, before being arrested early on Sunday, a prosecutor said. A television station reported the suspect was an Uber driver who took fares between shootings. The 45-year-old suspect, Jason Dalton, was believed to...Tainted Flint water pipes being located and replaced
FLINT ― Work has begun to survey and replace the city’s network of underground lead-contaminated water pipes following a budget resolution of $25 million last month to replace the water infrastructure.In collaboration with Rowe Professional Services, a Flint-based engineering firm, the state legislature passed an agreement to update...Warren man awarded as hero for saving stabbing victim’s life
Didarul Sarder.WARREN ― The Hamtramck resident and General Motors Tech Center valet supervisor who saved a women’s life after being stabbed outside the building last Wednesday was honored.On Thursday, Didarul Sarder was given a proclamation by Warren Mayor Jim Fouts and a $1,000 gift certificate to a Shelby Township jewelry...State Rep. candidate Brian Stone advocates for Arab and Muslim Americans
Brian Stone. DEARBORN — Dearbornites can be particularly picky about their state representative – and for good reason. This past year, the city’s Arab and Muslim Americans have endured racist and Islamophobia attacks by presidential candidates, far right-wing groups and by both the federal and state government. For many, Brian......
SOS suspends Detroit auto dealer for alleged stolen vehicles
LANSING — Secretary of State Ruth Johnson announced this week that she has suspended the license of an auto dealership in Detroit after the dealer was unable to provide records to department investigators for inspection. Michigan Department of State investigators conducted an inspection of Detroit Scale & Cars, 14301 W. Chicago...
Are Chaldeans Arab?
February 19th, 20169 A girl holds up a sign that reads, "I am an Iraqi, I am a Christian" at Mar Girgis Church in Baghdad, July 20, 2014. Photo: ReutersDEARBORN — Are Chaldeans Arab?It depends.It depends on whom you ask. It depends on your definition of Arab. And it depends on the answer of individual Chaldeans.Anthropologists say a Chaldean would fit the......
Saudi Arabia and Turkey destined to lose in Syria
Residents make repairs after an airstrike on the rebel held al-Fardous neighbourhood of Aleppo, Feb. 18The battle of Aleppo is upon us and the game is about to be over. Syria is at a historic crossroads. The Turkish-Saudi camp is nervous and angry at its inability to change the balance of power that was tilted by the Russian...How Antonin Scalia’s death reshapes the 2016 election
The U.S. Supreme Court is supposed to be the solution to gridlock. But as the death of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia makes painfully apparent, gridlock is now overtaking the court. When the political system threatens to break down in gridlock — as it did during the recount following the 2000 presidential election — the Supreme......