The Arab American News
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Analyst: ‘Syrian rebels too weak to target Hizbullah sites’
BEIRUT - The situation in Syria has escalated lately since terror groups are trying to counter any negotiations that could lead to a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict, strategic expert Ameen Hutait told RT Arabic.In a new turn in the nearly two-year-old civil war, Syrian rebels warned the Lebanese political party Hizbullah to...Obama administration reveals deep divisions on Syria policy
WASHINGTON – Though President Barack Obama has been reticent to involve his administration too deeply in the Syrian uprising, recent revelations have shown near-unanimous agreement among the president’s top national security advisers for greater military intervention.A recent New York Times story uncovered a strategy by...
Deadly terrorist attacks rock central Damascus
February 22nd, 20130 DAMASCUS - A powerful car bomb exploded Thursday close to ruling party offices in Damascus, killing over 50 people and causing widespread destruction in the Syrian capital's deadliest attack for more than nine months.The bombing, which rocked the city center and sent thick smoke scudding across the skyline, was followed soon after by a...Majority of U.S. citizens say illegal immigrants should be deported
WASHINGTON - More than half of U.S. citizens believe that most or all of the country's 11 million illegal immigrants should be deported, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Wednesday that highlights the difficulties facing lawmakers trying to reform the U.S. immigration system.The online survey shows resistance to easing...Israel to drill for oil in Syria’s Golan
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM - Israel has authorized drilling for oil on the occupied Golan Heights in a move likely to draw international protest, local media reported on Thursday.Yediot Aharonot daily said that a license to prospect had been issued to U.S.-Israeli energy company Genie, headed by Effie Eitam, a Golan settler and former hardline...Smart tips for your tax refund
Like any sudden in-flow of cash, your tax refund presents an opportunity to spend your money wisely or foolishly.And while it would be easy to blow the cash on fleeting fun, like a shopping spree or a slew of the latest gadgets, experts say the money would be best used to pay down debt and invest in saving plans that can help you grow...Five good reasons to e-file your tax return
If you haven’t tried IRS e-file before, now is the time. Most taxpayers – more than 80 percent – file electronically. The IRS has processed more than 1 billion individual tax returns safely and securely since the nationwide debut of electronic filing in 1990. Fewer people file a paper tax return every year. Here are five good...Controversy brews over former justice’s pension
Former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway resigned recently after admitting to bank fraud, and planning a scheme to eliminate $600,000 in mortgage debt by placing a Florida home in her stepdaughter’s name. Now controversy is brewing over her nearly $99,000 pension she’ll be receiving annually for the rest of her life....Dearborn man faces maximum of 20 years in prison
DEARBORN — Zayd Allebban of Dearborn is facing a maximum of 20 years in prison. Allebban is the former Wayne County technology manager who was convicted on Tuesday of two counts of obstructing justice for allegedlycreating a false document to prevent a federal investigation of the county. His attorney Haytham Faraj says...Joint initiative launched to help school districts implement anti-bullying efforts
Lansing — Following the passage of the Matt’s Safe Schools Law in late 2011, officials from the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) came together to develop a joint initiative designed to ensure school districts have the support they need to implement effective anti-bullying...
Book chronicles challenges of Muslim Americans in post 9/11 era
February 22nd, 20130 The book, In Search of a Base by Jamal Fawaz, M.D. chronicles the challenges facing Muslim Americans in the years following 9/11. Personal and professional views on issues that affect the lives of Muslim immigrants are offered. The book features a clear overview of the obstucles Muslims have faced after emigrating to the U.S. over the...FEMA seeks applicants for national advisory council
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is requesting individuals who are interested in serving on the National Advisory Council (NAC) to apply for appointment. The NAC is an advisory committee established to ensure effective and ongoing coordination of federal preparedness,...CWA clergy in Hamtramack works to enhance interfaith unity
HAMTRAMCK — Clergy leaders of several different faiths met on Feb. 11 to plan future activities of the Common Word Alliance (CWA) interfaith group. Following the successful Thanksgiving Day of Prayer, the group has been meeting monthly. Among issues discussed was working with the police to offer chaplaincy services to families...Louis Raphael I Sako elected new patriarch of Chaldean Catholics worldwide
New Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic church worldwide, Louis Raphael I Sako,64, meets with Pope Benedict XVI Chaldean Americans across metro Detroit have expressed much enthusiasm about Louis Raphael I Sako being named the new patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church. Sako was elected on Feb. 1, 2013, and is succeeding his...Rev. Simon Faddoul of Caritas Lebanon to visit metro Detroit
Rev. Simon FaddoulWARREN — Rev. Simon Faddoul, President of Caritas Lebanon will visit the St. Sharbel Maronite Church Banquet Center here Friday, Mar. 8 from 5-7 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. for a fundraising dinner. Caritas Lebanon is an international organization that provides assistance to people who has fled countries struck by war......
Sex offender registry expansion passed by Michigan House
MICHIGAN — The expansion of the state’s online public sex offender registry to people convicted of certain crimes against children was approved by the Michigan House this week. The crimes covered under the proposal include unlawful imprisonment of a minor, and knowingly possessing child sexually abusive material according to a...CAAP to give away $50,000 to Arab American organizations
The Center for Arab American Philanthropy (CAAP) is seeking proposals for its 2013 grant making. The group plans to award grants of up to $7,000, for a total of $50,000, to Arab American organizations working for social justice and other issues including the fair treatment and portrayal of Arab Americans. The funds can be used for......
Nonprofits can apply for 2013 grants starting at $25,000
DETROIT — Walmart Foundation is accepting applications from Michigan nonprofit organizations for its annual State Giving Program.Prospective grantee organizations must submit applications through the Walmart Foundation State Giving Program’s online grant application, available at www.walmartfoundation.org/stategiving. The deadline to...Dearborn man charged with bank fraud
DEARBORN - Radwan Khazaal (46), of Dearborn was arraigned Monday, Feb. 11 in U.S. District Court in Detroit on a one-count indictment for conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Magistrate Judge Mark Randon ordered the release of Khazaal on a $10,000 unsecured bond with conditions including that he does not act as a fiduciary for a bank...Twelve-year-old from Gaza gets prosthetic leg in Dearborn
DEARBORN — A 12-year-old boy from Gaza who arrived in metro Detroit in November seeking medical attention got a prosthetic leg on Tuesday. The procedure was performed at Dr. Jiab Sulieman’s office here. Dr. Sulieman has partnered up with the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) to provide medical assistance for children...
Judge rejects local attorney’s intervention into McDonald’s non-halal lawsuit
February 15th, 20130 DETROIT-Last Thursday, local attorney Majed Moughni was unsuccessful in a bid to convince Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Macdonald to allow others to join in on the McDonalds non-halal $700,000 class action settlement. The lawsuit stems from Dearborn Heights resident Ahmed Ahmed’s purchasing of a McDonald’s meal from......
Dearborn’s 2013 elections: City Council race attracts early interest
DEARBORN - Last week the announcement of Jack O'Reilly's candidacy to seek a second term as Mayor, as well as the announcement of Attorneys Tarek Baydoun and Susan Dabaja seeking one of seven city council positions kick started the city's Municipality race. The primary elections will be held on August 6, and from there the top vote...
Local man found guilty for resisting arrest at Tim Hortons, claims city purposely delayed his case
February 15th, 20130 DEARBORN - Last Friday, a jury at the 19th District Court reached a verdict on a case involving one local Arab American man who was arrested by two Dearborn Police officers in 2011 at the Tim Hortons/Wendy's location on Greenfield Rd. on September 28, after a disgruntled Wendy's employee contacted the police, claiming the man was being......
Outcast gay Arabs struggle with backlash in a conservative and religious community
DEARBORN — “I’m not afraid. Somebody has to start the conversation,” said Chris Ramazzotti, who’s Lebanese and agreed to reveal his name while discussing homosexuality among Arabs here. Other gay Arabs didn’t disclose their identities citing safety risks as a reason, and to prevent their families...Obama focuses on energy, economy in key address
WASHINGTON - In a major annual address Tuesday night, President Barack Obama offered further details on a broad and ambitious range of policy priorities, taking advantage of perhaps his single most significant opportunity to guide the public conversation on his second-term agenda.Discussing some of the most potent debates currently......