Senate bill passes, paves the way for indefinite military detention of U.S. citizens
December 4th, 20110 WASHINGTON - Senators compromised Thursday on a bill that attempts to spell out the military's right to detain Americans indefinitely, killing a bid to bar the practice but passing an amendment that says current laws on the matter stand. The provision in the National Defense Authorization Act aimed to codify a string of court cases and...
Drones cleared for domestic use across U.S.
December 4th, 20110 WASHINGTON - According to the Los Angeles Times in an article published Tuesday, new unmanned drone planes could be used domestically soon for both law enforcement and agricultural sector officials, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The drones are currently used to fire missiles by the American military in...Amendment to legalize torture appears to be defeated
WASHINGTON - On Wednesday afternoon, Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) took to the Senate floor to defend her amendment revoking President Obama's 2009 executive order restricting American interrogators to the techniques outlined in the Army Field Manual. "Our amendment in no way condones or authorizes torture," Ayotte said, insisting...
Obama administration announces pilot deportation relief projects
November 18th, 20110 According to The New York Times, the Obama administration plans to begin the implementation of long-promised relief from deportation for some "low-priority" immigrants. The pilot projects will begin in early December in Baltimore and Denver, and will test the case-by-case review process outlined by Immigration and Customs...
Authorities foil NY protest bid to shut Wall Street
November 18th, 20110 Scuffles, nearly 200 arrests as Occupy protesters march on NYSE NEW YORK — New York police prevented protesters from shutting down Wall Street on Thursday, Novemeber 17, arresting at least 177 people in repeated clashes with an Occupy Wall Street rally that drew fewer demonstrators than expected. Occupy Wall street demonstrators...
Hypersonic bomb tested as Pentagon seeks ability to hit targets worldwide in one hour
November 18th, 20110 WASHINGTON - On Thursday, Nov. 17, the Pentagon reported that it held a successful test flight of a new flying bomb that travels faster than the speed of sound, giving commanders the ability to hit targets anywhere on the globe in less than an hour, AFP reported. The bomb was launched by rocket from Hawaii before landing on the...Poll: Majority believes U.S. government has too many regulations
UTICA, NY — Just 13 percent of those surveyed think Americans need more government regulations, according to a recent IBOPE Zogby International survey. More than half of adults (55%) say that, in general, they feel the federal government already has too many regulations, while a quarter (25%) say there is just the right amount.The...
Oakland University hosts economy-focused Republican Presidential debate
November 11th, 20110 ROCHESTER — Oakland University had long dreamed of bringing in a national debate, and that dream became reality as the campus welcomed the 2011 Republican debate to its O-Rena complex on Wednesday, Nov. 9. Republican presidential candidates (L-R): former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), former House of...As 2012 polls loom, caution’s the word for Obama foreign policy
U.S. presidents seeking a second term are not known for taking risks in foreign policy in election years.WASHINGTON (IPS) - Ronald Reagan quickly withdrew U.S. troops from Lebanon in 1983, a year before he sought re-election, after the U.S. forces there became the target of bombings by Hizbullah. George W. Bush...
‘Occupy Wall Street’: An ‘American Fall’ follows ‘Arab Spring’
October 22nd, 20110 World intrigued by ‘Occupy Wall Street’ movementTahrir Square in Cairo, Green Square in Tripoli, Syntagma Square in Athens and now Zuccotti Park in New York -- popular anger against entrenching power elites is spreading around the world. A business man walks past Zuccatti Park during heavy rain where Occupy Wall Street protestors...NATIONAL POLL: 9 of 10 voters concerned about another U.S. recession and foreclosures
UTICA, NY – Pessimism about the economy is almost a consensus among voters from both major parties as 95% say they are very or somewhat concerned the U.S. economy is slipping into another recession and 89% are similarly concerned there will be an increase in home foreclosures for the next two years, a new IBOPE Zogby interactive poll...Michigan poverty rate increased according to new data
WASHINGTON — Recent data released by the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau showed that the nation's official poverty rate in 2010 was 15.1 percent, an increase from 14.3 percent in 2009. There were 46.2 million people living in poverty in 2010 and the rate has increased annually for three years in a row. In Michigan, a substantial rate...
Barack Obama’s popularity plummets ahead of key speech
September 11th, 20110 WASHINGTON — Barack Obama's popularity has sunk to a new low, according to two new polls, adding to pressure on him to come up with a radical and workable jobs plan that might reverse his fortunes.Just 43% of people surveyed in a Washington Post/ABC opinion poll published on Tuesday approve of the job the president is doing overall –...U.S. Rep. Dingell receives National Distinguished Advocacy Award
SOUTHFIELD — U.S. Rep. John Dingell, the Dean of the House, has been awarded the National Distinguished Advocacy Award, the most prestigious honor bestowed by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), in gratitude for the Representative’s years of strong commitment to strong public health and cancer policies....
CIA denies helping police spy on New York Muslims
September 3rd, 20110 New York -- The Central Intelligence Agency is denying a news report that it has helped the New York Police Department conduct covert surveillance on Muslims. The agency said suggestions that it engaged in domestic spying were "simply wrong."The spy agency said the report "mischaracterized the nature and scope" of the CIA's support for......
Cynthia McKinney holds panel on Libya conditions
DETROIT— Former U.S. Congresswoman and 2008 Green Party Presidential Candidate, Cynthia McKinney stopped in Detroit Aug. 27 for her 30 city tour which sheds light on the conditions of Libya. At the U-M Detroit Center in Detroit, McKinney discussed the U.S-NATO no-fly zone and airstrikes on the African nation.With a group of...Probe sought on CIA role in Muslim ‘spying’
A US Muslim civil liberties group has called for a federal investigation and Senate hearings into a report alleging that the CIA helped the New York Police Department (NYPD) in spying on minority communities. The report said undercover police were sent in to monitor Muslim and other minority neighborhoods in New YorkThe Council on......
Spying on Muslim Americans
August 27th, 20110 With CIA help, NYPD moves covertly in Muslim areasNEW YORK — In New Brunswick, N.J., a building superintendent opened the door to apartment No. 1076 one balmy Tuesday and discovered an alarming scene: terrorist literature strewn about the table and computer and surveillance equipment set up in the next room. With CIA help, NYPD built...Republicans focus on anti-shari’a style bill while Michigan financial woes mount
DETROIT — Democratic state representatives and civil rights activists on Tuesday in a press conference at the Cadillac Place here, condemned new legislation they say unconstitutionally targets American Muslims. From left: State Representative Harvey Santana (D-Detroit), State Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) and Mary...
Obama spotlights advanced auto technology in west Michigan
August 13th, 20110 HOLLAND – Deep in the heart of Republican West Michigan, President Barack Obama called for an end to partisan gridlock in Washington D.C. today as he toured the Johnson Controls-Saft advanced battery facility here. U.S. President Barack Obama tours an advanced battery facility, Johnson Controls, Inc. in Holland, Michigan, August 11,...
Whole Foods stands by Ramadan campaign
August 12th, 20110 For the last two weeks, Whole Foods promoted frozen products made by Saffron Road, maker of all-natural halal foods, in celebration of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Emphasis on these products, which include famous Indian and Thai dishes, drew the ire of right-wing bloggers like Debbie Schlussel, who in late July blasted the Whole......
Fordson coach Zaban, Conyers among White House Iftar attendees
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama hosted the White House's Annual Iftar dinner celebrating Ramadan at the White House on Wednesday, August 10, a tradition began by former president Bill Clinton that was continued by President George W. Bush. Fordson High School of Dearborn football coach Fouad "Walker" Zaban got the call...State of Michigan says Federal assistance running out for needy families
LANSING — The state's tight budget and changes in policies mean that federal assistance could be running out for nearly 14,000 struggling families in Michigan, according to a report in the Detroit Free Press. With many families' five year period of receiving help having expired, hard times could be on the horizon. The state began......
Dismay expressed over findings in ICE’s investigation on abuse by its agents
DETROIT — After months of waiting, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has finally issued its overdue report on an investigation into abusive enforcement at Hope of Detroit Academy, and throughout the Detroit area. On Monday at the Detroit Hispanic Development Center, community leaders gathered to condemn the...
U.S. Muslims more tolerant, opposed to violence than other faiths
August 6th, 20110 WASHINGTON (IPS) — Muslims in the United States express greater tolerance for members of other faiths than any other major religious group, according to a major new survey and report released here Thursday by the Abu Dhabi Gallup Center.They are also more likely than any other religious group to oppose violent or military attacks......
