The Arab American News
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Iran sanctions bill: Big test of Israel lobby power
WASHINGTON - This week’s introduction by a bipartisan group of 26 senators of a new sanctions bill against Iran could result in the biggest test of the political clout of the Israel lobby here in decades.The White House, which says the bill could well derail ongoing negotiations between Iran and the U.S. and five other powers over...2013: Assessing the conflict in Syria and Egypt
2013 has expectedly been a terrible year for several Arab nations. It has been terrible because the promise of greater freedoms and political reforms has been reversed, most violently in some instances, by taking a few countries down the path of anarchy and complete chaos. Syria and Egypt are two cases in point.Syria has been hit the...
Year-end review: The top international, national and local stories of 2013
December 27th, 20130 20 13The Arab American News (TAAN) experienced deep grief this year after the passing of its co-founder and longtime executive editor M. Kay Siblani, who lost her battle with cancer Jan. 1, 2013. At the same time, TAAN had a lot to be proud and excited about. Its publisher, Osama Siblani, was inducted into the Michigan Journalism...
International charity raises funds for medical center, rehab facility in Lebanon
December 27th, 20130 DEARBORN - Medrar Foundation, an international charity organization, is raising funds for a medical center in Lebanon, which will include a rehabilitation program for drug addicts,.The organization has started building the Medrar Medical Complex in Shokeen, a town near Nabatiyeh in south Lebanon. President of the Medrar Foundation...
Beirut car bomb kills former minister and four others, dozens injured
December 27th, 20130 BEIRUT- A strong explosion ripped through the heart of Beirut on the morning of Friday, Dec. 27. The blast targeted former Lebanese minister of finance Mohamad Chatah.The former minister died at age 62.The blast killed at least five people and injured 21. The number of casualties is expected to rise as we go to press. The explosion hit...
Arab American News report initiates changes, improvements at local Secretary of State branch
December 27th, 20130 DEARBORN - A report published by The Arab American News (TAAN) last September regarding concerns raised at a local Secretary of State (SOS) branch has prompted some changes at the office.When TAAN randomly visited the SOS Dearborn location at 5094 Schaefer Rd. last August, we documented troubling issues that included an absence in Arabic...Drug busts, murder rate drop in 2013 attributed to new policies at Detroit Police Department
DETROIT - The Detroit Police Department appears to be ending the year on a positive note with a turnaround that has seen the arrests of hundreds of drug dealers and decreased murder rates across the City in 2013. After a decade long battle concerning unconstitutional conduct that landed the department under federal monitoring with...A history of false fear
Despite the deep embarrassment and outrage caused by continuing revelations of the National Security Agency’s abuse of power, meaningful reform is unlikely because at heart the Edward Snowden story is about money – and political power. And Snowden has threatened both.President Obama is considering adopting some NSA reforms...Blind student inspires peers, family and friends
DEARBORN - Henry Ford Community College student Khodr Farhat is blind but still manages to academically perform better than his peers. “It has never stopped me. Nothing can stop me. I don’t know the meaning of failure, to be honest. Whether it is in class or on a test, I really don’t know the meaning of failing and not...Detroit appraises priceless art collection
DETROIT - For decades, visitors to the Detroit Institute of Arts have been amused, inspired and perhaps warned of the dangers of overindulgence by the peasant revelers of 16th century painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder.Now, as a result of Detroit's bankruptcy filing, "The Wedding Dance," considered priceless by lovers of the world-famous...Holidays celebrated at Dearborn City Hall
Last week The Arab American News mistakenly stated in a story titled "The Muslim Christmas," that the City Of Dearborn displayed a "Seasons Greetings" sign instead of a "Merry Christmas" sign for the first time ever. However, according to the City, the Seasons Greeting sign, along with a "Happy Holidays" sign have been displayed there...
Thirty years of commitment to chasing and reporting the truth
December 27th, 20130 Another year in the history of our community has passed. The past twelve months were filled with success, headache and heartbreak. Our community witnessed the election of qualified individuals to office, withstood the emergence of controversies and attacks, and endured the loss of some beloved members.As the Arab American News seals its...Tactical Paramedics Join Dearborn SWAT Team
DEARBORN - Dearborn Police in conjunction with the Dearborn Fire Department announce the addition of two paramedics to the Dearborn Police Special Weapons and Tactics Team.The two added SWAT Team paramedics are part of a Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) initiative. TEMS is also supplemented by an Oakwood Hospital...Dearborn resident arrested for possession of child pornography
DEARBORN - On December 18, 2013 the Dearborn Police in conjunction with the Michigan State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force arrested Edward Bak of Dearborn for possession of Child Sexually Abusive Material.Bak was arrested on 12 separate charges including Child Sexually Abusive Material – Possession, Child Sexually...Detroit reaches deal to end interest-rate swaps
DETROIT - The city of Detroit reached an agreement on Tuesday with two banks to end a costly interest-rate swap agreement, a significant step as the city negotiates with creditors to put together a plan to exit the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.Detroit will pay $165 million, plus up to $4.2 million in costs, to end the......
Snow shoveling tips as Winter looms
Shoveling snow can increase your risk of heart attack, and you should take precautions to protect yourself, an expert says."When the temperature outside drops, our blood vessels narrow to prevent our bodies from losing heat," Dr. Holly Andersen, director of education and outreach at the Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute of...Five common New Year’s resolution mistakes and how to fix them
Every new year we make a list of resolutions, hoping to better ourselves and our lives, only to abandon our efforts entirely by Feb. 1 (if not by Jan. 2). Such failures are not mere disappointments, as they can create emotional wounds that impact our psychological well-being. Indeed, too often the annual ritual that is meant to......
Law corner: Healthcare fraud criminal prosecutions are on the rise
Last week, I presented a general overview of the meaning of the word “fraud.” This week, I explore a certain type of fraud commonly known as “healthcare fraud.”In general, healthcare fraud involves the filing of false claims by medical practitioners, with private or government payers, for the purpose of obtaining money....Dearborn inauguration ceremony for newly elected officials scheduled for Jan. 2, public invited
DEARBORN - The public is invited to attend the inauguration ceremony at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 2 for the City of Dearborn elected officials who will serve January 2014-December 2017 The ceremony will be inside the Michael A. Guido Theater at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave. A dessert reception...Poetry corner: Strangers
As a part of its continuing effort to share a portion of the literary wealth of Arabic poetry with the English reader, The Arab American News translates a poem by Syrian poet Muhammad Maghout.Maghout was a poet, playwright and essayist, who spent a lifetime advocating for political freedom in an Arab World run by totalitarian regimes. He...BCBSM extends enrollment deadline for off marketplace individual health plans
DETROIT - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) is extending the enrollment deadline for some of its individual health plans to Dec. 31, giving Michigan consumers more time to enroll in a health plan and ensure uninterrupted coverage into the New Year.Deadline extended to December 31 for off-marketplace plans – for consumers who......
Christmas bombings kill 34 in Iraq
BAGHDAD - At least 34 people were killed in three bombings in Christian areas of Baghdad on Wednesday, Dec. 25, including a car bomb that exploded as worshipers were leaving a Christmas service, Iraqi police and medics said.Elsewhere in Iraq, at least 10 people were killed in three attacks that targeted police and Shi'a pilgrims.The...Saudi Arabia restored as defendant in suit by 9/11 families
NEW YORK -- A New York federal appeals court has restored Saudi Arabia as a defendant in a lawsuit brought by thousands of people affected by the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.Former Florida Sen. Bob Graham, who co-chaired a joint congressional inquiry into the attacks, called the ruling a "very significant breakthrough," BrowardBulldog.org......
Egypt designates Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist group
CAIRO - The Egyptian government intensified its crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood on Wednesday, Dec. 25, formally listing the group as a terrorist organization after accusing it of carrying out a suicide bomb attack on a police station that killed 16 people.The move marked a major escalation in the army-backed government's campaign to...Arab American honored for work with homeless community
Jabbar.DEARBORN - Nawal Jabbar of the Arab American Community Center for Economic and Social Services Department’s Emergency Service Team was recognized by the Out Wayne County Homeless Services Coalition during its recent Homeless Awareness Week Recognition Luncheon. Jabbar has helped clients by providing translation services,......