Egypt: A plot against the people’s revolution
February 11th, 20110 After decades of setbacks and defeats, the Arab masses are invigorated by the popular uprising in Egypt. Witnessing history in the making, their optimism is at its peak. While the Arab people have celebrated the youth revolution in Egypt, policy makers in Washington have been at first caught off guard and since then have looked at the...Palestinian streets quiet as PA suppresses protests
RAMALLAH (IPS) — The Palestinian Authority (PA) is using brute force and intimidation tactics — similar to those deployed in Cairo — to suppress pro-Egyptian and Tunisian protests in the West Bank. However, despite PA President Mahmoud Abbas and his ruling Fatah party being all too keenly aware of their own tenuous grip on power,...Palestinian streets quiet as PA suppresses protests
RAMALLAH (IPS) — The Palestinian Authority (PA) is using brute force and intimidation tactics — similar to those deployed in Cairo — to suppress pro-Egyptian and Tunisian protests in the West Bank. However, despite PA President Mahmoud Abbas and his ruling Fatah party being all too keenly aware of their own tenuous grip on power,...Egyptians respond to defiant Mubarak
Anti-government protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square wave shoes in dismay as President Hosni Mubarak speaks to the nation February 10, 2011. Protesters also chanted, "down, down with Hosni Mubarak," and "leave, leave," in rage at the speech in which the president did not step down but handed over powers to his vice president....
Egypt’s leaders struggle to regain control as pressure mounts in Tahrir Square
February 4th, 20110 Demonstrators throw rocks to repel an attack launched by pro-Mubarak supporters near Tahrir Square in Cairo February 3, 2011. Anti-government protesters and supporters of Mubarak clashed on Thursday near a central Cairo square in a re-run of overnight violence that killed ten and wounded more than 800 people. REUTERS/Goran...
Yemenis stage ‘day of rage’ against Saleh rule
February 4th, 20110 Tens of thousands of anti-Saleh protesters mass at Sanaa University after partisans take over Al-Tahrir square SANAA— Tens of thousands of protesters massed on Thursday at Sanaa University for a "day of rage" against Ali Abdullah Saleh's rule, while a similar number of loyalists flooded a central square in support of the...
Secular and devout, rich and poor — They marched together with one goal
February 4th, 20110 It was a victory parade – without the victory. They came in their hundreds of thousands, joyful, singing, praying, a great packed mass of Egypt, suburb by suburb, village by village, waiting patiently to pass through the "people's security" checkpoints, draped in the Egyptian flag of red, white and black, its governess eagle a bright...Arab revolt: Thousands of Yemenis call on their president to step down
Protesters march during an anti-government demonstration in Radfan, a district in the southern Yemeni province of Lahej January 27, 2011. Thousands of Yemenis took to the streets of Sanaa on Thursday to demand a change of government, inspired by the unrest that has ousted Tunisia's leader and spread to Egypt this week....
Arab revolt: Public noose tightens around Mubarak
January 30th, 20110 An anti-government protester defaces a picture of Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak in Alexandria, 230 km (140 miles) north of Cairo, January 25, 2011. Thousands of Egyptians demanded an end to President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule and clashed with police on Tuesday, in unprecedented protests inspired by the revolt that brought down...
Turning the tide in Lebanon: Hariri’s out, Mikati to form new government
January 30th, 20110 Berri hints that the Syria-Saudi deal is still alive; initiative not dependent on one person Prime Minister-designate Najib MikatiBEIRUT - Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati promised to form a new government to maintain national unity, offering to cooperate with all parties to confront major challenges facing the country,...
‘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...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...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...
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'...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......
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...Darany sworn in as 15th District State Rep.
DEARBORN—Former Dearborn City Councilman George Darany was sworn in as Michigan's new 15th District Representative on Dec. 28 at 19th District Court in Dearborn by Judge Christopher Dingell. The Democrat will be replaced by David W. Bazzy on city council. ...Syria under the microscope
WASHINGTON — In a step that could be perceived as a challenge to Republican members of Congress, U.S. President Barack Obama has appointed Robert Ford as the new US ambassador to Syria after congressional hearings on the matter were frozen in February 2010. Ford, who will be the first US ambassador to Damascus in six years, was...Gaza’s children dare to dream
GAZA CITY (IPS) - Despite the lingering trauma of living under siege, regular Israeli military attacks and the consequences of a bloody war several years ago, Gaza’s children still dream of happiness and of normal lives. Palestinians gather around a destroyed motorcycle after an Israeli air strike in Khan Younis in the southern......
Government collapse throws Lebanon into worst political turmoil since 2008
January 15th, 20110 Another drawn-out crisis and possible civil unrest is feared in Lebanon following the collapse of its government on Wednesday, Jan. 12 when the powerful Hizbullah and its allies withdrew from the country's coalition government. Analysts believe that Hariri will not be renamed prime minister if he refuses to reach a deal that is...
Tunisian President Ben Ali quits amid protests, flees country
January 15th, 20110 TUNIS – President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has quit today after more than 23 years in the position and has reportedly fled the north African country, with Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi taking over for the time being. The new interim leader called for unity after weeks of protests against the western-backed regime......
Western-backed Ben Ali’s regime on last legs
Embattled Tunisian leader: No more deadly force against protestors TUNIS – A TV announcement was made by Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali on Thursday, Jan. 13, his third since unrest began, ordering his nation's security forces to stop firing on demonstrators as the country's economic turmoil has continued and protests...
Lebanese government collapses
January 12th, 20110 BEIRUT - Lebanon's unity government has collapsed after the Hizbullah movement and its political allies resigned from the cabinet over arguments stemming from a UN probe into the assassination of Rafiq al-Hariri, the former Lebanese prime minister,on February 14, 2005. There has been growing political......