The Arab American News
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Syria: A tug-of-war on the ground as world powers search for solutions
July 7th, 20120 Defection cheers anti-Assad coalition ahead of Paris meet Manaf TlasReports of the defection of a general and personal friend of Bashar al-Assad will cheer the Syrian leader's enemies at a meeting in Paris on Friday of the Western and Arab states that want to drive him from power.A source in the exiled opposition said Manaf Tlas, a...A post “Arab Spring” Palestine
Will the Arab Spring serve the cause of Palestine?” is a question that has been repeatedly asked, in various ways, over the last year and a half. Many media discussions have been formulated around this very inquiry, although the answer is far from a simple "yes" or "no."Why should the question be asked in the first place? Hasn't the...New Israeli deputy PM undercuts strategy of pressure on Obama
WASHINGTON — By staking out a policy line on Iran reflecting the views of the Israeli national security leadership, Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz has undercut the Benjamin Netanyahu government's carefully planned strategy to get U.S. President Barack Obama to threaten war against Iran if it doesn't give up its nuclear program.It...Is the P.A. afraid of a third intifada?
The light was still too dim to penetrate the cracks in the shutters when the rooster crowed. For a fraction of a second it felt like a village. But it was the Jenin refugee camp, circa two weeks ago. There, as in other refugee camps, the rooster's wake-up call is something more: nutrition for the unemployed, as well as the longing and...
Tests point to possible Arafat poisoning
July 7th, 20120 DOHA, Qatar — It was a scene that riveted the world for weeks: The ailing Yasser Arafat, first besieged by Israeli tanks in his Ramallah compound, then shuttled to Paris, where he spent his final days undergoing a barrage of medical tests in a French military hospital. More importantly, tests reveal that Arafat’s final personal...
Legal experts weigh in on lack of jury diversity in Metro Detroit, search for ways to increase participation
July 6th, 20120 DETROIT — "It kind of makes you scratch your head," U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan Barbara McQuade said speaking about the absence of minority jurors in southeast Michigan. Left: Chief Federal Defender Miriam Siefer, Pastor and Attorney Bertram Marks and Chief Federal Judge for the Eastern District Gerald...
First-ever home HIV test kit approved in US
July 6th, 20120 OraQuick Advance HIV test (Reuters)Americans will soon be able to find out whether they are HIV positive at home, after an over-the-counter test was approved by the Food and Drug Agency. The test is only available to people aged 17 and above, so ID may be needed to buy one.The OraQuick test, by OraSure Technologies, uses a mouth swab to...Store clerk defends herself against tobacco ticket violation
Two weeks ago we reported that Andy's Party Store in Dearborn was one of four businesses in the city that received tickets from the police department for selling tobacco products to minors. Our report, along with other news agencies, stated that the clerk at the store was aware that the female customer was under-age and the clerk still...Second annual open house to benefit rescued animals with special needs
DEARBORN — The Dearborn Animal Shelter cares for nearly 2,500 homeless animals that pass through its doors each year. The Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter’s Hope’s Heroes program is a fund dedicated for animals that require an extreme level of care. On July 21st, Councilman Robert Abraham and his family are hosting a...
Democratic National Committee member forced to resign after criticizing Israel
July 6th, 20120 Evelyn GarciaPALM BEACH - Another American has lost their job after criticizing Israel. According to a report from The Palm Beach Post, Evelyn Garcia, a member of the Democratic National Committee resigned from the position after emails she had written speaking out against the Israeli occupation were found. One email reads: "The...Wayne State University increases tuition, approves 2013 budget
DETROIT — Wayne State University’s Board of Governors in late June approved a $567 million operating budget for fiscal year 2013 that includes a 3.88 percent tuition increase for resident undergraduate and graduate students. Tuition will increase to $11.20 per credit hour, or $134.40 per semester for students taking 12 credit...
Snyder vetoes three voter restriction measures, signs 11 election reform bills into law
July 6th, 20120 LANSING — On Tuesday Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed a portion of the state's election reform legislation. Snyder vetoed SB 754, which would have required a photo ID for voter registration and implemented new restrictive regulations on voter registration organizations; SB 803 which would have required individuals to attest to...Snyder signs for a reduction in Michigan income tax
LANSING- Governor Rick Snyder signed for a Republican-sponsered cut in the state income tax, dropping the rate to 4.25 percent on Oct.1. An increase in personal exemption will also be implemented. Democrats say the cut is very small, only about 50 cents per week, but most still voted for it. Republicans are saying that Michigan’s...Metro Detroit residents get opportunity to have their stories archived at the Library of Congress
DETROIT-StoryCorps, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to recording, sharing, and preserving the stories of Americans from all backgrounds and beliefs, will record interviews in Detroit from July 9-August 8 on its MobileBooth tour. The StoryCorps’ MobileBooth, an Airstream trailer with a recording system, will be parked...CAIR-MI executive director receives award for promoting diversity
DEARBORN — CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid received an award from the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) for his work in promoting interfaith understanding and cooperation. The award was presented during a conference held June 29-30 at the Islamic Center of America here. Walid was presented the award by ISNA President......
Dearborn Mayor appoints new fire chief
DEARBORN — Joseph Murray's appointment as the city's new fire chief was announced recently in the press. Murray's predecessor Richard Miller resigned to take on a position as the state's fire marshal.According to a report, City Council is expected to vote on whether to approve Murray's appointment soon, and the position has been...Iraqi American announces run in race for West Bloomfield Township trustee
WEST BLOOMFIELD - Al Zara, a Chaldean American is competing for a trustee seat on the West Bloomfield Township board. This is the first time Zara has run for public office. The board is comprised of seven members which include a supervisor, clerk, treasurer and four trustees. He is running as a Democrat in the August 7 primary.......
New group hopes to get Arab American women’s voices heard in nationwide political scene
July 6th, 20120 DEARBORN- A new group is mobilizing Arab American women to get them politically active in the 2012 presidential election. Arab American Women for Obama (AAWO) was formed by Jumana Judeh, president of Judeh and Associates, a real estate appraisal and consulting firm. From left: Debbie Dingell, wife of Democratic Congressman...Snyder bans synthetic marijuana; AFPD pushes products off shelves
LANSING — Last week Governor Rick Snyder officially signed a package of bills banning the sale of synthetic Marijuana, which will go into effect beginning on July 1. The decision comes after months of controversy generated from the substances branded with names such as K2 and Spice, which have caused alarming side effects such as...UM-D alumni Knezek seeks a State Rep. seat for District 11
DEARBORN HEIGHTS — When shuffling through the candidates for State Representatives in District 11, one might take a longer look at candidate David Knezek, the 25-year-old University of Michigan-Dearborn graduate who might be years younger than any of his opponents, but arguably has just as much credentials to take on the job. Knezek...Ford’s speech, comments focused on American interests
It was clear during his appearance before the Syrian-American community that Ambassador Ford was very focused on American interests. He was an American official explaining American policy. It was not a debate or an argument but a statement of policy. And the policy he described was real politic. He seemed sincere in his......
U.S. Ambassador Ford meets with Syrian Americans in Beverly Hills
BEVERLY HILLS, MI — Members of the Syrian American community met with U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford on June 22 in an event that included a question and answer session about the current events in Syria. Ford was introduced by Congressman Gary Peters to a crowd of about 200 people. U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford Ford...Conyers takes a new federal Amer Act to Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Tuesday, representative John Conyers Jr. introduced the "Rehab and Ahmed Amer Foster Care Improvement Act of 2012," a law that will place foster children in the care of willing and capable relatives. The act was spearheaded by Dearborn residents Rehab Amer and Ahmed Amer, whose children were placed with foster......
The blood of 80 million Iranians
The United States government, the entirety of the Democratic and Republican parties, has killed millions of Iraqis in the most beastly way. No one has objected loudly enough to stop the slaughter.On top of that, virtually every Democratic and Republican politician has voted to give massive support to Israel.So Israel slaughters...In Egypt political Islam has a chance
Let's not be gloomy about Egypt's newly elected, power-orphaned president, Mohammad Mursi. The confrontation between Mursi's Islamism and the military junta may soften both. Mursi needs to widen his outlook and the military should not be immersed with business projects on the side.The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, SCAF,......