The Arab American News
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Syrian army ups campaign to retake Damascus suburb
DAMASCUS — Syrian forces carried out their fiercest assault on the rebel stronghold of Jobar in Damascus since the start of the three-year war, conducting at least 27 air strikes on Tuesday, according to activists and rights groups.The government is trying to retake Jobar after the capture of several rebel-held areas around the...Tunisian deputy survives assassination attempt
TUNIS — A deputy in Tunisia's transitional parliament survived an assassination attempt in the city of Kasserine, near the Algerian border, where security forces have been hunting Islamist militants for months.Mohamed Ali Nasri told reporters in hospital that about five gunmen attacked his house late on Monday, Sept. 1. He threw...Houthi protests continue in Sanaa despite government conssession
SANAA — Yemen's Houthi Shi'a activists are continuing to protest in the capital Sanaa, a day after the country's president reached out to them by dismissing the government and rolling back a disputed fuel price hike. On Wednesday, Sept. 3, Houthi supporters brandished arms and batons while using tires and cement blocks to divert...Egyptians militants kill 11 soldiers in Sinai attack
CAIRO — An attack on a convoy killed 11 members of the Egyptian security forces in the Sinai Peninsula on Tuesday, Sept. 3, security and medical sources said.Two were killed by a roadside bomb and the others were shot as they tried to flee, the security sources said. An Egyptian jihadist group behind some of the deadliest...
Lebanese cabinet rules out negotiating with militants after soldier beheaded
September 5th, 20140 BEIRUT — The Lebanese cabinet gave the army the permission to use force at its own discretion to free hostages held by "Islamic State" and Nusra Front militants in east Lebanon, rejecting the kidnappers demands to exchange the captives from the Lebanese armed forces with Islamist prisoners. The cabinet meeting on Thursday, Sept....Gaza reconstruction to cost $7.8 billion
GAZA — Rebuilding Gaza will cost $7.8 billion, the Palestinian Authority said on Thursday, Sept. 4, in the most comprehensive assessment yet of damage from the seven-week Israeli assault during which whole neighborhoods and vital infrastructure were flattened.The cost of rebuilding 17,000 Gazan homes razed by Israeli bombings would...Israel sentences former MP to jail for visiting Syria
Israel sentenced a former member of parliament to 18 months in prison on Thursday, Sept. 4, for traveling to Syria and making contact with a "foreign agent," the justice ministry said.Said Naffa travelled in 2007 to Syria, with which Israel is technically still at war, as part of a delegation of 300 Druze religious leaders, the charge...Saudi court jails 24 for “terrorism”
RIYADH — A Saudi court on Wednesday, Sept. 3, sentenced 22 Saudi citizens, an American and a Yemeni to jail terms of between two and 27 years on terrorism charges, according to the official news agency SPA.The court said charges ranged from "the establishment of a terrorist cell planning to targeting oil pipelines", having...Federal court names new magistrates
DETROIT — Chief Judge Gerald E. Rosen announced Thursday that the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan has selected Anthony P. Patti and Elizabeth A. Stafford for appointment as United States Magistrate Judges for the Eastern District of Michigan. Patti is a resident of Ann Arbor. He obtained his undergraduate...Jordan to sign $15 Bil deal with Israel
AMMAN — Israel will sign a deal to supply natural gas from its Leviathan field to Jordan for 15 years, Israeli Energy Minister Silvan Shalom said on Wednesday, Sept. 3.Shalom said the agreement comes after many meetings with Jordanian officials but gave no other details.An industry official who asked not to be identified said the deal...
Dearborn in distress: Tuesday’s storm adds to residents’ woes
August 29th, 20140 Firefighters respond to an emergency at a house on Oakman Blvd.DEARBORN — On Tuesday night, a severe thunderstorm left more than 2,000 homes without electricity and tree limbs strewn on homes, sidewalks and streets. That eyesore of a scene only serves to add more gloom to the thousands of residents who are still feeling the...
100 trash trucks set for city blitz Saturday, Aug. 30 to collect flood-damaged materials
August 29th, 20140 Flood damaged furniture piles up on a front lawn in east Dearborn.DEARBORN — On Thursday, the city announced that 100 trash trucks will be picking up and carting away flood damaged materials at curbs across the city during a comprehensive sweep on Saturday Aug. 30. Residents with flood damaged materials should have their items at the...Doctor deliberately misdiagnosed patients; planned on building $3M home in Lebanon
DETROIT — According to the FBI, Dr. Farid Fata, who was charged last year with misdiagnosing patients and recommending the wrong treatments, was interested in investing in luxury apartments overseas. Fata, 48, was charged with fraudulently billing Medicare millions of dollars in the process and enriching himself. Fata...
Muslim organizations urge state department to ensure Americans’ safety during Hajj
August 29th, 20140 Arab American pilgrims waiting for the bus outside the tent area in Mina after being assaulted.DEARBORN — A coalition of 28 American Muslim organizations signed a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry urging him to ensure the safety of U.S. citizens who will be performing the Islamic pilgrimage, the Hajj, in Saudi Arabia in October....
Bishop Francis calls for end to terrorism worldwide
August 29th, 20140 DETROIT — More than 1,000 Iraqi Christians gathered for a peaceful rally and prayer vigil at Hart Plaza on Friday, Aug. 22. The crowd demanded an end to the violence plaguing Iraq’s religious minorities. Demonstrators also walked to the Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building holding signs that read, “Save the Christians......
Local Iraqi Christians lobby for humanitarian intervention in Iraq
August 29th, 20140 AFPD Chairman and CEO Audey Arabo, community activists Afaf Konja and Sam Yono, Chaldean Bishop Frank Kalabat, Bishop Sarhad Jammo among others stand with United Nations Deputy Security-General H.E. Jan Eliasson at the UN headquarters in New York.DETROIT — A delegation of American Iraqi Christians has been meeting with federal and...
500 new market-rate apartments to be built in Detroit
August 29th, 20140 DETROIT — The state of Michigan approved plans to construct 500 new apartments in Detroit on Tuesday. The three projects that were approved by state development officials include the 23-unit El Moore redevelopment in midtown; The 290 unit Orleans Landing on the near-east riverfront and the 185-unit DuCharme Place in Lafayette......
Cost of governor’s race could exceed $40 million, Schauer leads Snyder
August 29th, 20140 LANSING — The gubernatorial election could cost more than $40 million, with much of that money spent on attack ads. Gov. Snyder’s election campaign is expected to launch television ads this month. The governor’s campaign has already paid more than $2 million in statewide airtime. Snyder’s opponent, democratic candidate Mark...New program to empower youth through science, technology, engineering and math
DETROIT — The Michigan Youth Appreciation Foundation, which works to inspire youth to succeed, is launching a new program designed to empower young people through the dynamics of music while emphasizing science, technology, engineering and math (S.T.E.M.).The program, called “Uniting Detroit”, officially kicked off on Tuesday, Aug....Police apprehend suspects who shot and injured three people in Warren
WARREN — After an investigation was launched into the shootings that occurred in Warren on Sunday, Aug. 24. police apprehended the suspects involved in the crime that left three people severely injured. Warren Police say robbery was the motive behind the shootings. According to reports, one of the victims had just received...New minimum wage for Michigan employees
DETROIT — Beginning Sept. 1, Michigan workers will see an increase in the minimum wage rate from $7.40 to $8.15, the first rate increase in six years. This new change to state law marks the beginning of a gradual 25 percent increase in the minimum wage resulting in $9.25 per hour by 2018. On May 27, the Workforce Opportunity Wage......
Youth helps needy through LAHC Feeding our Neighbors program
August 29th, 20140 DEARBORN — On Saturday, Aug. 23 the Lebanese American Heritage Club’s Youth Leadership Committee distributed bags filled with food and nutritional supplies to the needy.The effort, which has been ongoing at the LAHC, is part the group’s “Feeding our Neighbors” program. Through the program, LAHC members provide the less...
Detroit water shutoffs resumed Tuesday
August 29th, 20140 DETROIT — City water shutoffs resumed Tuesday, the same day a moratorium issued by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) ended. This week the Detroit Water Brigade requested that the city permanently extend the moratorium, which was initially given to allow residents more time to make payment arrangements. The Detroit......
Rasmea Odeh attorneys file motion to dismiss charge
August 29th, 20140 DETROIT – Attorneys representing Chicago’s Palestinian American community organizer, Rasmea Odeh, have filed a motion and brief in Detroit’s U.S. District Court to dismiss the indictment against her. The defense attorneys are saying the charges are the product of an illegal investigation targeting Palestine solidarity...
Oxford University Press publishes new Oxford Arabic Dictionary
August 29th, 20140 New modern standard Arabic dictionary features over 130,000 words and phrases, 200,000 translations, 70,000 real example phrases On Thursday Aug. 28 Oxford University Press will celebrate the print and digital publication of the Oxford Arabic Dictionary. Produced by an international team of expert translators and advisors......
