The Arab American News
Author's Posts
Dearborn Public Schools avoids teacher layoffs
DEARBORN — At Monday's Board of Education Meeting, Dearborn Public Schools Superintendent Brian Whiston announced that a planned mid year layoff that would have seen over 20 teachers let go from the district was scrapped, after enough funding was allocated to cover costs in the district.The announcement of the expected layoff was made...
Digging for water, but striking oil
January 18th, 20130 ABU DHABI (IPS) — The volatile politics of the Middle East have long been dominated by the fluctuating fortunes of a single commodity: oil.But when the oil-blessed region runs out of water, there could be a change in the political landscape, triggering potential conflicts. The world’s future wars, experts predict, will be over water,...Former assistant secretary of defense under Regan Administration to speak in Dearborn
DEARBORN — The Democracy Institute at Henry Ford Community College (HFCC) will host Dr. Larry Korb, who will present “How Much for Defense? Foreign Policy and National Security on a Budget” in Room L-14 of the Liberal Arts Building, located on the main campus on Thursday, Jan. 24, from 11:10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.It is free and open to...
Hamtramck doctor raided for prescription abuse, next door pharmacist speaks out
January 18th, 20131 HAMTRAMCK — On Wednesday, Doctor Basil Qandil of Hamtramck was arrested and charged for writing more prescriptions of controlled substances than any other doctor in the state. Only the University of Michigan had written more prescriptions, according to reports.The Qandil Family Medical & Urgent Care Center, where the doctor...Kay Siblani: A mentor, dedicated editor and passionate caregiver
Kay Siblani, the late editor of The Arab American News who succumbed to cancer Jan. 1, 2013 was widely known for her work with the paper, but she wore many other hats throughout her life. To her family, she was a passionate caregiver, who everyone could depend on when a health issue emerged. Siblani always went out of her way to...Saudi clerics protest female Shura Council appointments
RIYADH — A group of hardline clerics protested outside the royal palace in Riyadh against the king's decision to appoint 30 women to the kingdom's top advisory body, a YouTube video posted on Wednesday showed.The footage of Tuesday's demonstration showed clerics protesting what they said were "dangerous changes in the country and these...NEI transforming region, embracing diverse communities
Since its inception in 2008, The New Economy Initiative (NEI) has sought to leverage $100 million pooled from 10 leading philanthropic organizations and businesses to reshape and redefine the economic landscape of Detroit and Southeast Michigan. This unique collaboration, aligning the expertise and resources of The Community Foundation...Obama’s Op-ed on Netanyahu angers Israeli MPs
JERUSALEM — Israeli MPs on Wednesday accused U.S. President Barack Obama of meddling in Israel's upcoming elections over an opinion piece purporting to outline his view of Benjamin Netanyahu's "self-defeating" policies.The piece, which was published by the prominent Bloomberg columnist Jeffery Goldberg, made headlines across the...Arab American takes on leadership position at Ford
DEARBORN — In Nov. 2012, Dr. Mazen Hammoud took on a leadership position with Ford Motor Company as its Electrified Powertrain Systems Chief Engineer. He leads system sizing, supplier strategy, controls, and calibration for all HEV, PHEV, and BEV programs globally to deliver cost effective best in class fuel economy and superior...Hagel nomination: Stakes are high, but far from over
In the lead up to President Obama's announcement, there was an intense debate over former Senator Chuck Hagel's potential nomination as Secretary of Defense. At times Hagel's opponents became a touch hysterical, indulging in excessively harsh rhetorical attacks. At first, they charged that he was not sufficiently pro-Israel or hawkish...Aging Arab Americans: The invisible elders
The decision to apply for the MetLife Foundation Journalists in Aging Fellowship last summer was not difficult. As an Arab American journalist with a keen interest in community affairs and empowerment, I know that the elderly segment of the Arab American population is, like the entire community, in need of more resources, services...U.S. health worse than nearly all other industrialized countries
WASHINGTON (IPS)— U.S. citizens suffer from poorer health than nearly all other industrialized countries, according to the first comprehensive government analysis on the subject, released Wednesday.Of 17 high-income countries looked at by a committee of experts sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, the United States is at or...The depressing ‘Zero Dark Thirty’
When I watched the get-bin-Laden movie Zero Dark Thirty at a theater just outside Washington D.C., I was struck by how silent the audience was from beginning to end with almost no reaction to the climatic killing of the terrorist leader or to the film’s lame stabs at humor.For instance, the screenwriters apparently thought they had...
Arab American charged with alleged criminal enterprise
January 18th, 20130 WAYNE COUNTY — In a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Wayne County Prosecutors Office with state, county and federal agencies, an Arab American man has been arrested for an alleged real estate fraud scheme. 32-year-old Samer Salami, a licensed agent for Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, has been charged with conducting an...The Pentagon as a global NRA
Given these last weeks, who doesn’t know what an AR-15 is? Who hasn’t seen the mind-boggling stats on the way assault rifles have flooded this country, or tabulations of accumulating Newtown-style mass killings, or noted that there are barely more gas stations nationwide than federally licensed firearms dealers, or heard the renewed......
New Arab owned businesses look to boost local economy
January 18th, 20130 DEARBORN/DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Arab American entrepreneurs are offering new and exciting options for residents who are looking to dine out or order take out in the nearby area. Below are three locations that have recently opened or are under new ownership (Lava Java). Each has created a positive buzz and strong word-of-mouth, hoping...Once strong Syria industry is crumbling
ALEPPO, Syria — Once cogs in a dynamic industrial engine that helped power Syria's economy, the factories in a sprawling zone in the heart of battle-ravaged Aleppo now stand largely silent, the workers mostly fled.In their place, thousands of people sheltering from the violence that has swept Syria's northern commercial capital since......
Saudi clerics protest female Shura Council appointments
RIYADH — A group of hardline clerics protested outside the royal palace in Riyadh against the king's decision to appoint 30 women to the kingdom's top advisory body, a YouTube video posted on Wednesday showed.The footage of Tuesday's demonstration showed clerics protesting what they said were "dangerous changes in the country and these...Group collects clothes for needy families
DEARBORN — If you have additional clothing items you’re not planning to wear again, there’s a fast and easy way to get them to needy families. The Lebanese American Heritage Club located here is continuing to collect clothing items for needy families in the region as part of its Winter Clothing Drive. Donations are being sent to...Iraqis reject divisiveness among religious sects in their homeland
DEARBORN — More than 50 Iraqi Americans rallied outside city hall on Saturday, Jan. 12 in support of the country they trace their roots to. The demonstrators called for unity among all religious sects in the Iraq, and rejected the idea of division among Iraqi civilians. They held up signs in support of Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri Al...State Department denies Syria’s use of chemical weapons despite media reports
A classified State Department cable relayed US officials’ beliefs that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons against opposition rebels but an investigation on Monday concluded that Assad was in fact using riot-control gas.Foreign Policy’s “The Cable” reported Tuesday that a secret diplomatic cable provided......
Number of low-income working families increases Michigan ranks 26th in the number of low-income working families
MICHIGAN — The number of low-income working families continues to grow, with nearly a third of all working families in the United States now struggling to earn enough money to meet basic needs, a new report by the Working Poor Families Project shows.In Michigan, the data found there were 308,000 low-income working families in 2011,...
A peaceful but difficult farewell
January 12th, 20130 It was an extraordinary Monday morning by all measures. The sun was shining and there wasn't a single cloud in the crisp, bright sky. At the same time, it was a day that I never wanted to come. It was 10 in the morning and time for the countdown for Kay Siblani's funeral services, then to the grave site where she would be laid to......
Dearborn Police seek help finding missing woman
Dynasty MylesDEARBORN — Dearborn Police are requesting the assistance of the community in locating a missing person. Twenty-three-year-old Detroit resident, Dynasty Myles has been missing since approximately 10 p.m. on Jan. 1. She was last seen near Fairlane Town Center in Dearborn. Dynasty left her young child...Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano ordered to give deposition
DETROIT — On Wednesday, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano was ordered to give a deposition in connection to a lawsuit filed by his former aide, James Wallace, a graphic artist for the county who was let go last year, and claims he was fired for refusing to do political work. Ficano must answer questions under oath about the......