The Arab American News
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Violence kills 86 in Baghdad in one day
BAGHDAD — A series of car bombings and other attacks across Baghdad on Wednesday, Aug. 28, killed 86 people and wounded 263, police and medical sources said, extending the worst wave of sectarian bloodshed in Iraq for at least five years.It was not immediately clear who carried out the attacks, which appeared coordinated, but Sunni...Massive wildfire prompts road blockage in California national park
SAN FRANCISCO — Firefighters, determined to keep a massive blaze from raging into the heart of California's Yosemite National Park, have shut down half of its main east-west corridor, just days before a holiday weekend, marking the end of the peak summer tourist season.A long stretch of Tioga Road through the western half of the park...Federal government allocates $2.5 million for Sandy Hook massacre costs
WASHINGTON — The federal government will give Connecticut $2.5 million to offset costs related to the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, Attorney General Eric Holder said Wednesday, Aug. 28.Holder said the money from the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Assistance will go to the Connecticut State Police, the Newtown,...Fort Hood shooter sentenced to death for 2009 killings
FORT HOOD, Texas — A military jury on Wednesday, Aug. 28, sentenced a U.S. Army psychiatrist to death for the 2009 mass murder of 13 people, mostly unarmed soldiers, at Fort Hood, Texas. The convicted gunman said he carried on the killings in retaliation for U.S. wars in the Muslim world.Major Nidal Hasan, who said he wanted to...Fast food workers protest across U.S. over wages
NEW YORK — Fast-food workers staged strikes at McDonald's and Burger Kings and demonstrated at other stores in sixty U.S. cities on Thursday, Aug. 29, in their latest action in a nearly year-long campaign to raise wages in the service sector. The strikes spread quickly across the country and have shut down restaurants in New...Garage ordinance is a safety issue, not an Arab issue
Controversy over the City of Dearborn’s newly proposed garage ordinance is growing, as the measure could be approved at the next City Council meeting Sep. 10. Many Arab Americans plan on attending the meeting and voicing their opposition to the ordinance. The Arab American News, however, would urge these residents not to take that...Arab Americans: Mr. Obama, stop wars, make peace
Representatives of Arab American organizations, faith leaders and activists met at the Lebanese Heritage Club on Wednesday, Aug. 28, and issued the following statement: DEARBORN — The Arab American community in Metro Detroit is concerned about the recent developments surrounding a possible, imminent U.S.-led attack on Syria,...Local protestors reject Obama Administration’s military intervention in Syria
DEARBORN - Demonstrators at a rally here Thursday criticized President Barack Obama’s Administration for its involvement in the Syrian crisis. Speaking, Osama Siblani, publisher of The Arab American News said, “We tell Obama, instead of spending our money and our energy to destroy Damascus, why don’t you do something about...Saudi Arabia criminalizes domestic violence
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has passed landmark legislation, aimed at protecting women, children and domestic workers against domestic abuse, a human rights official said on Thursday, Aug. 29, in a move aimed at reducing hidden violence against women in the kingdom.The "Protection from Abuse" law is the first of its kind in the...Tunisia Interior Ministry: Islamist radicals planned murders, Islamic state
TUNIS — The freshly banned jihadist group Ansar al-Sharia was planning a series of political assassinations in Tunisia in its effort to establish an Islamic emirate in North Africa, the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday, Aug. 28.The ministry disclosed Ansar's plans one day after Prime Minister Ali Larayedh declared it a terrorist...SOS Ruth Johnson: Expanded online services, other tools improving customer service
Like so many working parents, I know it takes a lot to balance work with the demands of family life, whether it’s paying bills, school conferences, soccer games, doctor appointments, or the challenges of helping out with our own parents.As your Secretary of State, I am committed to making it easier, faster and better for you to do...Algeria takes two Gitmo detainees
Algiera — Two Algerian detainees at the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have been transferred to Algeria, the U.S. Defense Department said Thursday, Aug. 29.The Algeria's News Agency said the detainees have undergone preliminary interrogation by Algerian prosecution, awaiting their arraignment in front of a judge....Egyptian soldiers will no longer swear loyalty to president
Egyptian soldiers will no longer swear loyalty directly to the president of the republic, according to a published decree, a symbolic change analysts said underlined the military's independence from any civilian control.Officers will vow to "execute the orders of my leadership," according to the amended oath of allegiance, that removes...Allegations of tax delinquency and ballot fraud in Hamtramck election race
HAMTRAMCK — Reports of tax delinquency and voter fraud could change who is facing off in Hamtramck’s upcoming mayoral race during the November general election. Both the Hamtramck Police and Wayne County Prosecutors Office are investigating both issues. Hamtramck City Council member, Dr. Abdul Algazali’s chances of...IRS: Michael Jackson estate owes $702 million in taxes
WASHINGTON — The estate of pop music legend Michael Jackson owes $702 million in federal taxes and penalties, according to the Internal Revenue Service, which accused the estate of undervaluing some of the star's assets by hundreds of millions of dollars.The dollar amounts in dispute had not been previously disclosed in the court......
Fairlane Fuddruckers starts serving halal meat
DEARBORN — In an unprecedented move, the Fuddruckers at Fairlane Town Center began serving halal meat last week.The international, Huston-based, hamburger franchise now provides halal burgers and chicken, upon request, at its Dearborn location. It is the first Fuddruckers to offer such options in the United States."We would love for...Tow companies are overcharging Dearborn violators
DEARBORN — A Dearborn woman was charged $585 to recover her car from a private impound, after it was towed away from the parking lot of a business the previous night.Rasmia Barakat, a Lebanese American woman in her 50's, was attending a wedding at Greenfield Manor, but she did not have cash on her to pay for valet parking at the...Northville woman lands in dance show final
Amy Yakima, 19, of Northville, qualified on Tuesday, Aug. 27, to the last round of “So You Think You Can Dance” on Fox TV. Amy YakimaYamika will face Jasmine Harper, of Rochester, N.Y. next week, and if she wins, she will receive $100,000, along with the title of “America’s Best Dancer.” On Tuesday, Sept. 3, the competing...Back to school: Dearborn prepares for new academy, extended hours and increased security
DEARBORN — With schools back in session on Tuesday, September 3, the Dearborn Public School District is preparing for the 2013-2014 school year with plenty of changes, including a new academy program for high school students, extended hours and increased security systems at certain schools. The Henry Ford Collegiate Academy will......
Law corner: The government can seize property used to commit a crime unless the owner is innocent
The government may seize property that is used in the commission of a crime, or was used to facilitate a crime. For example, if a house is used as a drug house, the government can, literally, take the house from the owner. The process by which the government obtains such property is called forfeiture. In a suit or action...Protect your privacy and prevent utility fraud
MICHIGAN — The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) recently released information on how consumers can protect their privacy and prevent utility fraud. According to LARA, consumers should never give out personal information, including financial account numbers or social security numbers, over the phone or......
Wayne County officials ask for jail audit to be released
WAYNE COUNTY — Officials in Wayne County are asking that the audit into the costly and controversial jail project here is released. However, County Prosecutor Kim Worthy doesn’t want details of the audit to be made public, until her investigation into it is complete. Worthy is investigating whether information on the...Michigan Senate approves bill expanding Medicaid
LANSING — The Michigan State Senate on Tuesday, Aug. 27, voted 20-18, to approve a bill to expand Medicaid, under President Barack Obama's healthcare reform law.The expansion will cover an additional 470,000 low-income Michigan residents.Governor Rick Snyder expressed support for Medicaid expansion this year through the federal......