The Arab American News Staff
Author's Posts
Pandemic relief funding available to restaurants, bars: Here’s what to know
April 30th, 20210 Restaurants, bars and other food and drink establishments across Michigan hard hit by COVID-19 can now apply for funds from the $28.6 billion in federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund direct relief being provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the American Rescue Plan. “Restaurant owners and other food...
Biden marks first 100 days, gives first speech to joint session of Congress
April 30th, 20210 WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Biden marked his first 100 days in office on Thursday, a day after giving his first speech to a joint session of the U.S. Congress. The first 100 days have been marked by significant moves, many to dismantle policies enacted by former President Trump. Significant among those are the delivery of 200...
Well-known Lebanese composer Samir Sfeir believed to be detained in Saudi Arabia for unknown reasons
April 28th, 20210 BEIRUT — Samir Sfeir, a well-known Lebanese music composer, is believed to be detained in Saudi Arabia for unknown reasons, according to local media and international news sources. Sfeir has sung about Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun and is said to be close to the president’s party. He is from Ajaltoun, Lebanon. The Lebanese...
U.S. lifts outdoor mask guidelines for fully vaccinated people
April 27th, 20210 WASHINGTON, D.C. — With more than half of all adults in the U.S. now having received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, the U.S. government is allowing fully vaccinated people to safely engage in outdoor activities like walking and gathering without wearing masks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data...
Dingell, Tlaib introduce Arab American Heritage Month resolution in U.S. House
April 26th, 20210 WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Monday, U.S. Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) and Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn), introduced a resolution honoring Arab American Heritage Month, a celebration held in April to recognize the incredible contributions Arab Americans have made in the country. "As a strong, proud and unapologetically Arab American...
Syria receives 200,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine
April 23rd, 20210 DAMASCUS — Thanks to a global initiative, Syria received the first 200,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, U.N. officials announced on Thursday. The doses were delivered through the global COVAX initiative, which has also delivered the badly needed vaccine to Yemen. Another 54,000 vaccines were delivered to the northwest...
Hamtramck man charged in sexual assault of Detroit girl
April 22nd, 20210 DETROIT — According to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, a Hamtramck man has been charged with the sexual assault of a young Detroit girl. Prosecutor Kym Worthy charged Fsle Saoeh, 38, of Hamtramck, with two counts of criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree on Tuesday. A fourth degree criminal sexual conduct charge has a...
Michigan city and state income tax filing and payment deadline extended to May 17
April 22nd, 20210 LANSING — To match the federal government extension of tax return filing and payment deadline, Governor Whitmer signed two bills on Wednesday that update state and city income tax filing and payment deadlines. The new federal tax deadline is Monday, May 17. One bill extends the April 15 or April 30 city income tax return or...
Dearborn vaccination center accepting walk-ins through Thursday
April 20th, 20210 DEARBORN — No appointment is needed to get a COVID-19 vaccination shot at Dearborn’s vaccination center Tuesday through Thursday, April 22. The city of Dearborn is informing residents how easy it is for people 18 and older who live in Wayne County to get the shot in a convenient, quick way. Most people are out within 25 minutes,...
No appointment necessary walk-ups accepted at all Wayne County vaccine clinics
April 18th, 20210 WAYNE COUNTY — All Wayne County vaccine sites will now accept walk-up COVID-19 vaccinations appointments during regular clinic hours from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents and workers may still schedule a vaccination appointment with the Wayne County Health Department by calling toll-free 1-866-610-3885. All County sites will accept...
Michigan extends mask requirement to children ages 2 to 4
April 16th, 20210 MICHIGAN - On Friday, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) extended its "Gatherings and Mask" epidemic order, which includes expansion of mask requirements to children ages 2 to 4. The order takes effect April 26 and is effective through May 24. The department says implementing the mask rule to children ages...
Former Dearborn employee accused of embezzlement, faces four felony charges
April 16th, 20210 DEARBORN — Cheryl Salwa, a former employee of the city of Dearborn Engineering Division, is facing four felony charges stemming from accusations of embezzlement. The division is part of the city’s Public Works Department. According to information available to The Arab American News, Salwa was accused of embezzlement approximately...
Funeral assistance available to those who’ve lost loved ones to COVID-19
April 15th, 20210 DETROIT — U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) announced on Thursday that FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has begun accepting applications for funeral assistance for Michiganders who’ve lost loved ones to COVID-19. Tlaib helped pass the funeral assistance program as part of the American Rescue Plan last...
Metro Detroit COVID units 75 to 100 percent full, Beaumont urges residents to take personal steps
April 15th, 20210 One of the state’s biggest hospital networks is warning Michiganders that hospitals and staff have hit critical capacity levels. Health care workers are now pleading for Michiganders to personally take immediate steps to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Michigan’s COVID-19 surge is the worst in the country, with even...
Biden announces plan to end America’s 20-year military presence in Afghanistan
April 14th, 20210 WASHINGTON D.C. — In an address to the nation on Wednesday, President Biden announced his decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11. "It is time to end America’s longest war," he said. "It is time for American troops to come home." By doing so, this will end America’s military involvement in the country on......
Egypt impounds ship that got stuck in Suez Canal, wants $900 million in compensation
April 14th, 20210 EGYPT — An Egyptian court has ordered the Japanese owner of the massive "Ever Given" cargo ship that got stuck in the Suez Canal last month to pay $900 million in compensation for the impact on economic transit it caused. The ship is now impounded and its cargo seized by Egyptian authorities. The authorities say the...
More than 12,000 Michigan employees have alleged COVID hazards at workplaces since last year
April 13th, 20210 LANSING — The state’s occupational health and safety administration has promised to address the spread of the COVID-19 virus in workplaces. The effort is part of the state’s attempt to clamp down on community spread, given that Michigan's latest surge is the worst in the country. The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity......
Dr. Maya Hammoud elected at-large member of NBME Executive Board
April 10th, 20210 Dr. Maya Hammoud has been elected as an at-large member of the National Board of Medical Examiners' Executive Board. Hammoud, originally from Dearborn, has chaired the NBME’s International Foundations of Medicine® (IFOM®) Committee since 2016 and currently serves on the International Oversight Committee. The NBME is a leading...
As cases surge, Whitmer urges virtual high school, avoiding indoor dining
April 9th, 20210 LANSING - Governor Whitmer showed increased concern for the surge in cases of COVID-19 in Michigan, and asked Michiganders to make some temporary changes, at a press conference on Friday. Due to tracked outbreaks associated with youth sports, Whitmer is urging youth sports on both school-sponsored and non-school sponsored teams to...
Royal rift, economic hardship shake Jordan’s stability
April 8th, 20210 AMMAN — Unprecedented public criticism of Jordan’s monarchy by a senior royal who has been placed under house arrest has shaken the country’s image as an island of stability in the Middle East. On April 3, Jordan’s military told King Abdullah’s half brother, Prince Hamza bin Hussein, 41, to halt actions targeting...
More mobile vaccine clinics coming to Detroit, Hamtramck; doses at universities
April 8th, 20210 MICHIGAN — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced on Thursday it is expanding its COVID-19 vaccination efforts by increasing mobile vaccine clinics and bringing vaccines to participating vaccines. Starting April 14, expanded mobile clinics in Detroit and Hamtramck will offer vaccine......
Dingell calls on Biden administration to press Saudi Arabia to end Yemeni blockade
April 6th, 20210 WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) joined Reps. Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) in leading 76 of their congressional colleagues to call for the Biden administration to publicly increase pressure on Saudi Arabia to lift the blockade on Yemen immediately, unilaterally and...
Governor receives first COVID vaccine dose as Michiganders 16 and older become eligible
April 6th, 20210 LANSING — On Tuesday, Governor Whitmer received her first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Whitmer became eligible for the dose on April 5, along with all Michiganders age 16 years or older. The governor was by joined her daughter and seven Metro Detroit teens, who received their vaccinations from Dr. Joneigh Khaldun,......
Operation Next seeking 100 Metro Detroiters for free advanced manufacturing training
April 5th, 20210 DETROIT - A no-cost skills training program is now open to Metro Detroiters that are considering a career in advanced manufacturing, and companies looking to to provide valuable skills training to employees. Previously available to returning military vets, the Workforce Intelligence Network for Southeast Michigan (WIN) is now seeking...
Yemen receives first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines
April 2nd, 20210 Yemen received a shipment of COVID-19 vaccines this week, after the country’s internationally recognized government declared a national health emergency. Though the actual figures are believed to be much higher, Yemen’s emergency coronavirus committee has recorded more than 4,100 coronavirus infections and 864 deaths so far. The......
