The Arab American News
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President Obama’s approval rating climbs to about 50 percent
WASHINGTON - After a historic week of victories on health care and same-sex marriage, along with a searing tragedy, President Barack Obama’s approval rating has climbed to 50 percent.The result came in a CNN/ORC tracking poll released Tuesday. Overall, 50 percent of respondents expressed approval of the president, compared with 47...U.S. charges fifth man in alleged N.Y.-N.J. Islamic State plot
WASHINGTON - A New Jersey man was arrested on Monday on charges of conspiring to provide support to the militant group Islamic State, the fifth man to be arrested in recent weeks as part of a broader probe in the New York City region.Alaa Saadeh, 23, of West New York, New Jersey, was expected to appear in Newark federal court...U.S. court rules NSA can temporarily resume bulk phone data collection
WASHINGTON - A U.S. court has ruled that the eavesdropping National Security Agency can temporarily resume its bulk collection of Americans' telephone records, according to documents made public on Tuesday.The controversial program, exposed by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, was rocked in May by an appeals court ruling that...Obama signs anti-BDS bill into law
WASHINGTON — After a grueling legislative battle, US President Barack Obama signed into law a controversial trade measure that also contains landmark legislation combating the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement in Europe.The broader legislation faced an uphill battle after Obama’s usual allies — Democrats in the House...
Proposed smoking ban at Dearborn parks stirs controversy
July 2nd, 20150 DEARBORN — An ordinance that would ban smoking at parks in Dearborn caused outrage among Arab Americans who say the proposed ban specifically targets hookah smokers.The City Council tabled the ordinance last week in order to discuss a memo that would exempt golf courses from the ban. The ordinance had passed the first reading...Baltimore to put cameras in police vans, review riot gear
BALTIMORE - Cameras that can record will be installed in Baltimore police vans like the one in which Freddie Gray suffered a fatal injury, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said on Wednesday.She said the cameras were among steps the city was taking after protests and rioting following Gray's death in April."We're working through a process...
U.S., Cuba restoring diplomatic ties after 54 years
July 1st, 20150 HAVANA/WASHINGTON - The United States and Cuba formally agreed on Wednesday to restore diplomatic relations on July 20, setting up a trip to Havana by John Kerry, who would become the first U.S. secretary of state to visit the country in 70 years.Sealed by an exchange of letters between U.S. President Barack...
Residents ignore Arizona pastor’s visit to “save” Muslims in Dearborn
July 1st, 20150 DEARBORN— Arizona Pastor Steven Anderson's visit on Friday, June 26, with members of the Faithful Word Baptist Church, fell well under the radar. The church had used social media to announced that it would be coming to Dearborn in an attempt to "save" Muslims by going door-to-door and grabbing their attention with "Free...
Muslim woman competes in Runner’s World magazine cover contest
July 1st, 20150 Rahaf Khatib.FARMINGTON— In a marathon with hundreds of runners dashing to the finish line, Rahaf Khatib is sure to stick out like a sore thumb. The 31-year-old mother of three proudly wears the hijab and participates in national marathons. She recently entered a nationwide contest to be featured on the cover of...
Mom who stored dead children in freezer has “no remorse”
July 1st, 20150 DETROIT—This week Mitchelle Blair, 36, plead guilty to killing her two children and storing their bodies in a freezer. While in court Monday Blair, a Detroit resident told Judge Dana Hathaway, “I don’t feel any remorse for the death of those demons.” Blair faces life in prison with no parole. Authorities are seeking...
Arab women prepare meals for Detroit’s needy everyday this Ramadan
July 1st, 20150 DEARBORN—Throughout the holy month of Ramadan, the charitable group Project Dignity has been collecting food donations from local Arab women who are eager to help feed Detroit's needy. Nahid Ayoub, the founder of Project Dignity has been picking up the food donations and dropping them off to the homeless in front of the...
Attorney wants hospital to be accountable for doctor’s criminal behavior
July 1st, 20150 Farid, right, pictured with his wife Summer DETROIT—Brian McKeen, managing partner of McKeen & Associates and an attorney representing several of the Dr. Farid Fata’s patients issued a statement this week that said the hospital and corporate institutions that allowed the disgraced physician’s behavior to continue should be...
Lawsuit filed against Dearborn Police for forcing woman to remove hijab
July 1st, 20150 ADC-MI Director Fatina Abdrabboh holds a press conference outside the Dearborn Police station. DEARBORN - The American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee of Michigan (ADC-MI) filed a lawsuit in federal court this week against the city of Dearborn and its police department for forcing a Muslim woman to remove her hijab after she was...15-percent gas hike for roads approved by State Senate
LANSING—On Tuesday a Republican led senate panel approved a $1.5 billion road funding plan that would raise the state gasoline tax. The plan would raise gas and diesel taxes by 15 percent over the next three years. Opponents of the measure say it would lead to future cuts in other areas. According to reports annually $700 million...GM to add 300 new jobs at Oakland County plant
ORION TOWNSHIP—General Motors will invest $245 million and add 300 new jobs at its Orion Assembly plant to support launching an all-new vehicle program.“Orion Assembly is a breeding ground for manufacturing innovation,” said Cathy Clegg, GM North America vice president of Manufacturing and Labor Relations. “It serves as a model......
Dearborn Board of Education president resigns after accepting new job in Ohio
June 30th, 20150 DEARBORN— Aimee Schoelles, the president of the Dearborn Board of Education resigned from her position after accepting a new job in Ohio. Her resignation is effective June 30. The Dearborn Public School District issued a statement announcing her resignation that said she made a difference in the lives of thousands of...
Summer fasting a challenge for laborers
June 29th, 20150 Physical work without food or water and can pose severe health risks. However, despite the hardships, some Muslim workers opt to endure the difficulty of fasting. To them, giving up on observing the holy month is not an option. Landscape worker Mohamad Alabadi, who is known as Abu Ali, said the difficulty of fasting while...
Ramadan in Dearborn: A community that never sleeps
June 29th, 20150 Customers eat in the early morning at Golden BakeryDEARBORN — Each year, Ramadan brings both traditional and new festivities that unites the Muslim people in communities all over the world. Ramadan has often been called “Christmas time for Muslims.” That’s very true in Dearborn, where “Christmas lights” have dominated...
Ramadan an opportunity to unite and celebrate
June 29th, 20150 Ramadan arrives this year at a critical time for Arabs and Muslims, both around the world and in the United States. Muslims are suffering from divisions and violence in the Middle East, while Muslim Americans are facing a frightening wave of hatred and bigotry. The holy month is a festive occasion. We can use Ramadan to rise above our......
ISIS suicide bomber kills 27 in Kuwait mosque
KUWAIT CITY — A suicide bomber killed 27 people when he blew himself up inside a packed Shi'a Muslim mosque in Kuwait city during Friday prayers, the health ministry and witnesses said, the first attack of its kind in the major oil-exporting state.ISIS militant group claimed responsibility for the attack, which also wounded 227...U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling legalizes gay marriage nationwide
The Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the U.S. Constitution provides same-sex couples the right to marry, handing a historic triumph to the American gay rights movement. The court ruled 5-4 that the Constitution's guarantees of due process and equal protection under the law mean that states cannot......
ISIS reenters Kobani, captures parts of Hasaka
DAMASCUS — "Islamic State" fighters have launched simultaneous attacks against Syrian government and Kurdish militia forces, moving back onto the offensive after losing ground in recent days to Kurdish-led forces near the capital of their "caliphate." ISIS sought to retake the initiative with incursions into the Kurdish-held town of...Saudi cables highlight “checkbook diplomacy”
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah (R) chats with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.CAIRO — The Gulf States were willing to pay $10 billion for the release of deposed Egyptian President Mubarak, according to the so-called 'Saudi Cables' released by WikiLeaks. The whistleblowing site has published 60,000 top-secret documents from these......