The Arab American News
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‘Palestine Papers’: It could be too late for two states
January 30th, 20110 The 'Palestine Papers' followed by Wikileaks data suggest that the PA has been engaged in extensive cooperation with the Israelis. RAMALLAH (IPS) - The credibility of the Palestinian Authority (PA) on the Arab street has been further weakened by the release of the 'Palestine Papers', but ironically the release of the explosive...The Ansara dynasty: An immigrant success story
Lebanese brothers' strong work ethic pays off "The business landscape is a little risky right now but if you're willing to work hard in everything you will succeed; it's not going to stay this way forever, things will get better, I'm sure." — Andrew AnsaraMost immigrant success stories start with a...A new truth dawns on the Arab world
Riot police clash with protesters in Cairo January 26, 2011. Thousands of Egyptians defied a ban on protests by returning to Egypt's streets on Wednesday and calling for President Hosni Mubarak to leave office, and some scuffled with police.REUTERS/Goran TomasevicLeaked Palestinian files have put a region in revolutionary...Arab revolt: Tunisia issues arrest warrant for ousted Ben Ali
TUNIS — An international arrest warrant was issued for ousted president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali as more protestors against the government engaged in clashes in the capital city with riot police. Ben Ali and his wife Leila Trabelsi along with other members of his formerly all-powerful family have been accused of illegally acquiring...
The crisis candidate: Najib Mikati
January 29th, 20110 Lebanese tycoon Najib Mikati a former prime minister, has a reputation as a moderate who enjoys good ties with neighboring Syria, Lebanon's former power-broker that is steadily regaining its influence. Najib Mikati Fifty-five-year-old Mikati first broke into the local political scene in 1998 and was last elected to parliament...
Dearborn mayor on city finances: Budget cuts, layoffs and potential tax hikes
January 28th, 20110 DEARBORN - Mayor Jack O’Reilly presented a financial plan that is expected to reduce expenditures to match the city’s declined revenue. The plan was announced at a forum that was held on Jan. 27 at the Henry Ford Centennial Library. Mayor Jack O’ReillyO’Reilly announced potential millage rate changes. The current rate is...
U.S. Ambassador to Yemen visits Dearborn, Wayne State, hears community concerns
January 28th, 20110 Feierstein visited Wayne State University and Dearborn. He says elections are expected to occur later this year in Yemen and negotiated resolutions on issues of its constitution need to be addressed. He said the U.S. will not intervene in the election process and believes it should be transparent and administered strictly by Yemen...
Lebanon should reject Hariri tribunal
January 28th, 20110 A supporter of Lebanon's outgoing premier Saad al-Hariri prays at the grave of assassinated former prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri, during a protest against the appointment of Najib Mikati as Prime Minister, in Beirut January 26, 2011. Hundreds of angry protesters burnt tyres and blocked roads across Lebanon on Tuesday after Mikati,...Arab revolt: Tunisian uprising inspires Jordanian protesters
Retired colonel Mohammed al-Btoush is not a natural rebel. For nearly two decades he served loyally in the Jordanian armed forces. He is a fierce patriot and supporter of the Hashemite monarchy. He never expected to be involved in politics. But now he is part of a committee of retired officers that is publicly urging Jordan's rulers...Local performer Naim Homaidan dies at 68
Naim Homaidan, age 68, of the famed local area duo Rana and Naim, passed away on January 23, 2011 after falling in his home which led to fatal internal injuries. He is survived by his wife, Rana, daughter Nagham and his brother Bahij Homaidan. He will be buried in California, per his wishes. The family will accept...Westland residents must boil water before drinking
Water main breaks have caused the City of Westland and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to issue a mandatory boil water notice to residents in the Norwayne area of the city. The water main breaks have left the area with low or no water pressure, according to an alert issued this afternoon. The boil water notice is...Baby-making: Another struggling Michigan industry
The Michigan economy seems to have taken its toll on the child-birth rate in the state. Just 117,309 babies were born in 2009 in Michigan, the smallest supply of newborns since the end of World War II. The birthrate is just 11.8 per 1,000 Michiganders, the lowest since the 1870's; the state's all-time high was 27.6. Many young residents...Demand for Arabic teachers spurs MSU programs
East Lansing— A rising demand for teachers of Arabic in the state considered the capital of Arab America has led Michigan State University to launch new undergraduate and graduate programs. The East Lansing school says the moves will help fill the shortage of those who can teach the language. About 300,000 people in southeastern...Darany pledges to fight for Dearborn schools in Lansing
DEARBORN — House State Representative George Darany (D-Dearborn) is now on the Education, Health Policy, Military and Veteran Affairs and Homeland Security House committees for the 2011-2012 legislation session. Darany has participated on committees and projects related to the Dearborn school system in the past. He is looking...Trial set for first of three lawsuits against local judge
DEARBORN — A jury trial for the first of three lawsuits against Chief Judge Mark Somers of the 19th District Court is scheduled to begin January 31 in the Wayne County Circuit Court. Former Probation Officer Simone Calvas, former Deputy Court Administrator Julie Pucci, and former court clerk Sharon Langen are alleging that Somers......
Local fundraiser to help Lebanese child fight leukemia
DEARBORN — A fundraiser will be held on Thursday, February 3 at Bint Jebail on behalf of Amir Samhat, a one-year-old in Tyr, Lebanon who is suffering from leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant. Amir, who is called “the little prince’’ by his family, was diagnosed with leukemia in October of 2010. The family of five owns a...
WSU president says he pulled Helen Thomas award, admits decision was made too abruptly
January 27th, 20110 Wayne State University President Allan Gilmour said the decision to remove the Helen Thomas Spirit of Diversity Award was made solely by him. “I take accountability fully. The buck stops here,” Gilmour told The Arab American News after a WSU Board of Governors meeting earlier today. He admits the decision to remove the award......
Dearborn, Dearborn Heights residents could get library-sharing option
A decision is expected by March 1 on a new plan that will allow Dearborn and Dearborn Heights residents to check out books and use computers and other services at each other's libraries. The city councils must approve the agreement first, however. There would be no cost involved if the plan goes through. ...Former MI Gov. Granholm has new job on west coast
Former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm is heading to the West Coast for a new job at the University of Cal-Berkeley, her alma-mater, to teach a joint course along with former First Gentleman Dan Mulhern. Granholm will also be a paid consultant for NBC's "Meet the Press," and has booked a speaking tour with her husband as well. In...
Al Jazeera releases Wikileaks-style “Palestine Papers”
January 23rd, 20110 Landmark new documents released by Al Jazeera show that the Palestinian Authority (PA), led by chief negotiator Saeb Erekat, offered "The biggest Yerushalayim" ever in conceding key parts of East Jerusalem during U.S.-brokered negotiations. More of the 1,600 documents obtained describing the inner workings of a decade of...
The Arab world must face its demons
January 19th, 20110 Attacks on Christians are a wake-up call for fragmented Arab societies where disenfranchisement breeds bigotry.In the wake of the recent attack on Coptic Christians in Egypt, Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, warned that Christians face a campaign of "religious cleansing in the Middle East". But, given Western governments'......
SPJ votes to remove the Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award
The Society of Professional Journalist’s board of directors voted to remove the Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award on Jan. 14. SPJ will no longer offer a award for lifetime achievement. The action does not rename the award or remove Thomas’ name. A statement from the group following the...Zahra replaces Corrigan on Supreme Court, Corrigan replaces Ahmed at DHS
Brian Zahra, a former Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC) endorsee and Michigan First District Court of Appeals Judge since 1998, was appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court by new governor Rick Snyder on Monday, Jan. 10. The appointment of the Republican Zahra means that the party will have a 4-3 majority on the court over......
Yale law student group helps Iraqi refugees
The Ibrahims are a family seeking asylum in the west as refugees. They fled their home in Iraq after their son, Ibrahim, was blinded by a car bomb, their daughter, Tuhama, nearly died while trying to reach a hospital after they were repeatedly stopped by checkpoints and when the family’s life was threatened when the father...Judge Hultgren takes oath one last time
DEARBORN—Nearly a century of public service was highlighted Dec. 15 when William C. Hultgren chose State Rep. Gino H. Polidori to swear him in for a fourth six-year-term as judge of Dearborn’s 19th District Court. The November election saw Hultgren run unopposed for the third consecutive time. Prior to becoming judge, Hultgren served......