The Arab American News
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Robert Ficano: There are no sweetheart deals
When asked whether he would resign in the wake of new reports surfacing on additional county employees receiving sweetheart deals, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano said, "there are no sweetheart deals. People participated in buyout programs that were offered to over 200 employees." He says other companies are offering similar...
Russia says it will stand firm with China on Syria
January 20th, 20120 Russia will offer Washington no explanation for arms deliveries to Syria and together with China will prevent the UN Security Council from approving any military intervention in the conflict-torn nation, its foreign minister said on Wednesday. Lavrov says nation will stand firm with China on Syria, warns Western attack on Iran would be...U.S obesity rates unchanged
The prevalence of obesity in America seems to have plateaued, according to data released Tuesday. The numbers show 35.7% of U.S. adults and almost 17% of U.S. children and teens are obese. "There's been no change in the prevalence of obesity in recent years in children or adults," says Cynthia L Ogden, Ph.D, an epidemiologist with...Obama sued over indefinite detention and torture of Americans act
In the past, journalist Chris Hedges has worked for NPR, The New York Times and The Christian Science Monitor. In his latest endeavor, however, he is teaming up with an unlikely pair: a couple of attorneys that will help him take on the president. U.S. President Barack Obama is the target of a suit filed by Pulitzer Prize-winner Hedges,...Egypt’s Brotherhood nominates its secretary general as parliament speaker
CAIRO — The Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party, which won a crushing victory in Egyptian legislative elections, on Monday nominated its secretary general to head the new parliament. Saad al-Katatni, secretary general of the the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party, attends a news conference at the headquarters of...Will Obama resist push for Iran war?
Neocons in Israel and the United States are escalating their rhetoric to prepare us for war with Iran. Even the infamous John Yoo, architect of President George W. Bush’s illegal torture and spying programs, is calling on the Republican presidential candidates to “begin preparing the case for a military strike to destroy Iran’s...
Dearborn father fatally shot in Highland Park as armed robbery trend escalates
January 20th, 20120 HIGHLAND PARK — The overnight shift at the Citgo station on Hamilton Avenue in the city is usually a quiet one, and safe for the most part according to owner Mohammed Bazzi. But things took a tragic turn on the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 18, as a robbery ended in a fatal shooting of the store's clerk. The Citgo station in Highland...Voter registration deadline is Jan. 30 for presidential primary
LANSING – Residents have until Jan. 30 in Michigan to register for the Feb. 28 presidential primary, during which polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.Applicants must be at least 18 years by Election Day and be U.S. citizens as well as residents of Michigan. Voters may register by mail, at their county, city or township clerk’s...Mentally disabled man may be sent to Iraq after conviction
CLINTON TWP. — Muwafak Zaya, a 40-year-old Clinton Township man, may be sent to Iraq because of a 2005 criminal conviction according to local reports. Muwafak Zaya, right, with his brother and guardian, Mazin Abro.The man has the mental capacity of a young child but is facing deportation because of his 2005 guilty plea to...Dearborn School board member Berry wins national award for service to youth
Hussein BerryNEW YORK — The National Child Labor Committee (NCLC) announced that Hussein Berry, the co-founder and president of the Dearborn Youth Football Association and also a member of the Dearborn School Board, will be honored for his decade-long work as a mentor and advocate in his community on behalf of area youth.Berry is one...Ambassador Bridge owner Moroun released from jail
DETROIT – Billionaire and Ambassador Bridge owner Manuel (Matty) Moroun was released from Wayne County Jail on Friday night of last week after a motion was granted to release him through the Michigan Court of Appeals. Dan Stamper, his top aide, was also freed. The appeals court Thursday denied their motion to overturn the main...
Snyder praises immigrants in State of the State address
January 20th, 20120 Rick SnyderLANSING — Michigan Governor Rick Snyder's State of the State speech this week included nods to immigrants, keeping up the drumbeat for immigrants as job creators and innovators. Governor Snyder has repeatedly called for preserving high-level science, tech, engineering and math talent in Michigan by enacting...Fakih to stand trial for DUI in March
HIGHLAND PARK — A judge has ordered former Miss USA Rima Fakih of Dearborn to stand trial on a misdemeanor drunken driving charge after a pre-trial hearing on Wednesday.The hearing was held in the city's 30th District court, and a bench trial was set for March 14 by Judge Brigette Officer. Fakih was arrested on Dec. 3 after she...Somers, supporters collecting signatures for 2012 Third Circuit Court run
DEARBORN — Judge Mark Somers of the 19th District Court has been on the bench for over nine years, but now the longtime city resident is preparing to make a run for Wayne County's Third Circuit Court in the 2012 election. Judge Mark SomersSomers said he came to the decision over the holiday break at the end of 2011 after...Ficano comments on Elder lawsuit at MLK rally
DETROIT — Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano is being sued by former Deputy Executive Azzam Elder for $25 million following Elder's dismissal for his role in November 2011's severance package controversy surrounding former Metro Airport CEO Turkia Mullin.Ficano spoke on Monday about Elder's suit, saying at Romulus High School during......
Outbreak of protests: Disillusioned Tunisians rise up against new government?
Women run during clashes with riot police in downtown of the capital Tunis January 14, 2011. A year after the ouster of Tunisian strongman Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali triggered pro-democracy protests in more than a dozen Arab countries, trading links remain damaged, billions of dollars in investments are frozen, and tens of thousands of...MADD Michigan to host free program about keeping families safe on the road
TROY — Mothers Against Drunk Driving of Michigan invite the media and the public to attend a free presentation designed to inform people of their legal rights after being involved in an auto accident. It will address Michigan's no-fault laws; what type of insurance coverage is best to purchase to protect victims of drunk......
ACC receives grant to provide medical services to refugees
The Arab American and Chaldean Council has received a grant from the State of Michigan Department of Human Services that will be used to provide medical services to newly arrived refugees in Macomb, Oakland or Wayne county.According to Kimberly Hassan of the ACC the grant is a three year contract that will serve refugees until Sep. 2014....
The Mother of All Immigrants: 111-year-old Chaldean woman becomes U.S. citizen
January 20th, 20120 Before passing away Warina Bashou’s husband wished her a long life. That wish came true beyond his greatest expectations. Bashou, 111, often tells others she hopes they live to be 100. Receiving a U.S. citizenship is something Bashou has wanted to accomplish since arriving in America. She’s enjoyed the U.S., but...
October football scuffle leads to questionable assault charges for four teens
January 20th, 20120 Motion to dismiss expected to be filed as parents, officials attempt to grasp situation DEARBORN — The physical, competitive nature of football leads to several on-field confrontations between players in most games, from the professional level on down to high school action. Hamadeh Educational Services Founder and CEO Nawal...
Russia warns against attack as Israel contemplates military action
January 20th, 20120 The Russian foreign minister has warned that a Western military strike against Iran would be "a catastrophe.”Sergei Lavrov said an attack would lead to "large flows" of refugees from Iran and would "fan the flames" of sectarian tension in the Middle East.Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak earlier said any decision on an Israeli attack......
Freight forwarder company ‘Seastar’ implements unique business model
January 20th, 20120 Fida Mourtada and his wife Zainab have been married almost as long as they have been in the transportation business together. Today, Mourtada and his wife run Seastar, a freight forwarding company that specializes in ocean, inland & air transportation. While the couple has been able to successfully manage their own business, the road...
Occupy Detroit meets local Arab leaders to discuss Jan. 25 Egyptian solidarity protest
January 20th, 20120 Occupy Detroit organizers discussing the upcoming rally. PHOTO: Nafeh AbuNabDEARBORN - On Thursday Jan. 19 members of the Occupy Detroit movement and Arab community met at the Lebanese American Heritage Club to discuss plans for a protest expected to take place Jan. 25 starting 4:30 p.m. at Grand Circus Park in downtown......
“Largest online protest in history” held against Internet censorship bills nets favorable results
January 20th, 20120 A massive online protest extending from various social media platforms into some of the web's most popular sites against the pending Stop Online Piracy Act (HR 3261), and the Protect IP Act (SB 968) bills is being called the largest such protest in history and has reportedly caused numerous Congresspeople to rethink or change their...
NYPD and Pentagon to place mobile scanners on NYC streets
January 20th, 20120 New York City’s war on freedom could be adding a new weapon to its arsenal, especially if NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly has his say. The head of the New York Police Department is working with the Pentagon to secure body scanners to be used throughout the Big Apple. Terahertz Imagining Detection scanners can measure the energy that is......
