The Arab American News
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Beirut reels from huge blast as death toll climbs to at least 135
August 5th, 20200 BEIRUT — On Wednesday, Lebanese rescue teams pulled out bodies and hunted for missing people in the wreckage caused by a massive warehouse explosion that sent a devastating blast wave across Beirut, killing at least 135. Prime Minister Hassan Diab declared three days of mourning from Thursday as early investigations blamed...
White House seeks deal this week with congressional Democrats on coronavirus bill
August 4th, 20200 WASHINGTON — White House negotiators vowed on Tuesday to work “around the clock” with congressional Democrats to try to reach a deal on coronavirus relief by the end of this week, as the pandemic takes a heavy toll on American life. Following an afternoon meeting of the four main negotiators, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin...
Trump threatens to sue the state of Nevada over mail-in ballots
August 3rd, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — More drama over mail-in ballots on Monday as President Trump threatened to sue the state of Nevada over its mail-in ballot initiative. The threat came after Democratic lawmakers in the state passed a bill on Sunday that ensures every Nevada resident would receive a ballot in the mail ahead of the November...
Lebanese foreign minister quits over slow reforms, Aoun adviser takes over
August 3rd, 20200 BEIRUT (REUTERS) — Lebanon named the president’s diplomatic adviser as new foreign minister on Monday after Nassif Hitti quit the post, blaming a lack of political will to enact reforms to halt a financial meltdown, which he warned could turn Lebanon into a failed state. Foreign donors have...
Congressional Democrats, White House still at impasse over coronavirus bill
August 2nd, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. (REUTERS) — The top Democrats in Congress are not close to a deal with the White House to pump more money into the U.S. economy to ease the coronavirus’ heavy toll, both sides said on Saturday, after an essential lifeline for millions of unemployed Americans expired. “This was...
Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission semifinalist list updated to 180 applicants
August 2nd, 20200 The Michigan Department of State posted the names of the remaining 180 semifinalists for the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, following the removal of 20 applicants struck by the quadrant leaders of the state legislature. The list of the remaining semifinalists and correspondence from the legislative leaders naming the...
Plymouth Township woman charged with filing false absent voter application
July 31st, 20200 LANSING — A Plymouth Township woman is facing a felony charge after the township clerk, who was reviewing applications for absentee voter ballots, discovered the woman’s alleged attempt to obtain a ballot in the name of another person. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has charged Karen Lynne Rotondo,...
The Arab American News endorsements for the August 4 primary election
July 31st, 20200 It is time once again for our election endorsements. There are many important seats and issues at stake on August 4. We present below what we feel are the most qualified candidates and one important non-partisan ballot proposal in a city near and dear to us. Readers might notice that our endorsement list matches, with some...
Henry Ford Health System is looking for people to take part in COVID-19 vaccine trial
July 31st, 20200 DETROIT – Henry Ford Health System will recruit up to 5,000 participants for a phase-three COVID-19 vaccine trial. The vaccine was developed by the company Moderna and the National Institutes of Health. They want to enroll 30,000 participants across the U.S. in two months. Dr. Marcus Zervos is leading the study for Henry Ford. He...
Federal agents headed to Detroit as “Operation Legend” targets violent crime
July 31st, 20200 DETROIT – Federal law enforcement agents and other resources are headed to Detroit to fight a surge in violent crime, according to U.S. government officials. The plan, dubbed Operation Legend, is a Trump administration anti-crime initiative targeting several major cities. Detroit-based U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider said...
Michigan’s August 4 primary: Things you need to know
July 31st, 20200 Michigan holds its primary next Tuesday, Aug. 4, amid an unprecedented pandemic and significant changes in state law that have brought a flood of requests for absentee ballots. Polling places will be open, however, for those who want to vote in person. What is at stake? At stake this fall: All 14 of Michigan's U.S. House seats, one...
State will conduct inspections of Michigan businesses to ensure COVID-19 rules compliance
July 31st, 20200 LANSING – State occupational health safety officials will conduct inspections of Michigan businesses to ensure compliance with state rules governing operations amid the coronavirus pandemic, the state said Monday. The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced a "State Emphasis Program" Monday that will conduct...
Dearborn School Board to discuss three options for a return to school
July 30th, 20200 DEARBORN — The Dearborn School Board of Education will be conducting a special study session on August 6 at 1 p.m. to discuss the three possible options recommended by the district's Reopen Committee for a return to school. The meeting will be held at the Administrative Service Center, 18700 Audette. Indoor gatherings in Michigan...
Herman Cain, ex-presidential candidate who refused to wear mask, dies after COVID-19 diagnosis
July 30th, 20200 ATLANTA, GA— Herman Cain, a former Republican presidential candidate and supporter of President Trump who pointedly refused to wear a mask during the coronavirus pandemic, has died after contracting COVID-19, his website and Facebook page said on Thursday. Cain, 74, learned of his diagnosis on June...
Whitmer limits indoor gatherings once again, Detroit casinos reopen
July 29th, 20200 LANSING — Starting July 31, statewide indoor gatherings will be limited to 10 people and bars will be closed for indoor service across Michigan, including the northern part of the state, according to a new order signed by Governor Whitmer on Wednesday. COVID-19’s resurgence is closely associated with super-spreading events......
Wayne County Public Health Division investigates Southgate banquet hall event with five COVID-19 cases
July 29th, 20200 WAYNE COUNTY — The Wayne County Public Health Division has confirmed a total of five cases of COVID-19 linked to a wedding reception held on Saturday, July 18, at Crystal Gardens Banquet Hall in Southgate. Others may have been at risk of contracting and exposing others to COVID-19 as more than 100 individuals were in attendance for...
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorses Rashida Tlaib for Congress
July 29th, 20200 DETROIT – On Wednesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced her endorsement of U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s (D-Detroit) re-election bid for Michigan’s 13th Congressional District. “Representative Rashida Tlaib is a tireless advocate for the residents of Michigan’s 13th Congressional District," Pelosi said. "Her leadership......
U.S. Republicans, Democrats square off on coronavirus relief as deadline looms
July 28th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. (REUTERS) — U.S. Republicans and Democrats faced difficult talks on Tuesday on how best to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, after Republicans unveiled a relief proposal days before millions of Americans lose federal unemployment benefits. Senate Republicans announced on Monday a $1 trillion coronavirus aid...
Lebanon reimposes COVID-19 restrictions as infections spike
July 27th, 20200 BEIRUT (Reuters) — Lebanon reimposed severe COVID-19 restrictions on Monday for the next two weeks, shutting places of worship, cinemas, bars, nightclubs, sports events and popular markets, after a sharp rise in infections. Shops, private companies, banks and educational institutions would be permitted to open, but only on Tuesdays...
Trump supports extending enhanced unemployment benefits at a reduced level until the end of year
July 26th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump Administration supports extending federal enhanced unemployment benefits until the end of this year, though at a reduced level, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Sunday. Lawmakers have been deep in negotiations over the next federal COVID-19 aid package. The $600 a week unemployment benefit...
Record numbers of coronavirus cases in every global region: Reuters tally
July 26th, 20200 (REUTERS) — Almost 40 countries have reported record single-day increases in coronavirus infections over the past week, around double the number that did so the previous week, according to a Reuters tally showing a pick-up in the pandemic in every region of the world. The rate of cases has been increasing not only in......
AAPAC announces August primary election endorsements
July 24th, 20200 DEARBORN — The Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC) is endorsing a number of candidates in state and municipal elections for the August primary elections. Since 1998, AAPAC has organized Arab Americans to encourage political activity and participation. The organization maintains a thorough endorsement process for...
Two individuals robbed Hak’s Jewelry on Warren Ave., police asking for help identifying suspects
July 23rd, 20200 DEARBORN — Hak’s Jewelry, the jewelry store owned and operated by a member of the Abdel-Hak family, was robbed by two armed men Wednesday evening. According to the Dearborn Police Department, the two men broke into the jewelry store located at 10221 Warren Avenue just before 5:30 p.m. and proceeding to commit armed......
Congress, White House talk coronavirus aid as U.S. infections surge
July 21st, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. (Reuters) — U.S. lawmakers and White House officials headed into a day of negotiations on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, aimed at hammering out an agreement on new coronavirus aid legislation as infections and deaths surged to record levels across the country. The Republican-led Senate and Democratic-controlled House of...
John Lewis, U.S. congressman and sharecropper’s son, was civil rights hero
July 18th, 20200 WASHINGTON (REUTERS) — John Lewis, who died on Friday at age 80, was a hero of the U.S. civil rights movement of the 1960s who endured beatings by White police and mobs and played an outsized role in American politics for 60 years. Lewis, an Alabama sharecropper’s son elected in 1986 as a......
