The Arab American News
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Iran nominee seen as olive branch to United States
If Iran's president-elect wanted to signal his determination to rebuild relations with the United States and strike a "grand bargain," he could hardly do better than pick Mohammad Javad Zarif as his foreign minister.Iranian news agencies reported on Monday that Zarif, a former ambassador to the United Nations and Tehran's leading...UN: July deadliest month in Iraq since 2008
The UN has released the latest casualty figures and expressed concern about the high number of dead and wounded who were killed in the month of July. According to United Nations Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), 1,057 Iraqis were killed and another 2,326 were wounded in July 2013.The number of civilians, including civilian police, killed was...Iraqi refugee repays Australian government for welfare assistance
AUSTRALIA — Sam Eisho, an Assyrian Iraqi refugee, who first settled in Australia in 1999, after fleeing Saddam Hussein’s regime, repaid the country’s government over $18,000, after becoming a successful businessman. Sam EishoEisho says that he felt it was his obligation to pay the government back the money in welfare assistance he...Assad visits troops in Daraya, assures them of victory
Damascus — State television said Assad visited the town of Daraya, southwest of Damascus, on Thursday, Aug. 1, to meet members of the security forces.A picture posted on the presidency's Facebook page showed Assad, in a suit, shaking the hand of a uniformed soldier. Behind them was a scene of war; wires hanging from electricity pylons...Ex-envoy to Israel to oversee Mideast “peace talks”
WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday named a former ambassador to Israel as the top envoy to negotiate the new round of talks between Israel and officials from the western-backed Palestinian Authority.Just hours before Israeli and Palestinian negotiators were to resume talks frozen for three years, Kerry said...Saudi Arabia sentences secular activist to 600 lashes, seven years prison
RIYADH - A Saudi court sentenced, on Monday, a rights activist to seven years in jail and 600 lashes for setting up a "liberal" network and alleged insults to Islam, activists said."Raef Badawi has been sentenced to seven years in jail and 600 lashes," lawyer Waleed Abualkhair wrote on his Twitter account, adding that the judge ordered...Political developments activate the Mideast peace process
The Palestinians have been urging for peace talks for years. Surprisingly, a new round of negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis starts this week in Washington, DC. What has brought Israel’s hard line Prime Minister Netanyahu to the peace table?Possibly four recent political developments have softened the current Israeli...We must rid our justice system of racial and class bias
In conjunction with the observance of the 85th birthday of the late Martin Luther King, Jr. in January, the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights is organizing a community-wide conversation with the goal of ridding our justice system of racial and class bias.Representatives of police agencies and courts, together with clergy, interested...Egypt’s rulers tell pro-Morsi protesters to clear the squares
Egypt's army-backed government warned supporters of deposed president Mohamed Morsi, on Thursday Aug. 1, to abandon their Cairo protest camps, promising them a safe exit, if they gave up without a fight.The appeal, made by Interior Ministry spokesman Hany Abdel Latif on state television, followed the government's declaration, on July 31,...What you need to know for Election Day
• If you experience any difficulty on Election Day and need assistance, whether it’s regarding getting translation in Arabic, or if you have questions about your ballot, or voting in general, AAPAC volunteers will be at The Arab American News’ office until the polls close, to assist voters. AAPAC members can be reached on Election...
Our Endorsements: They deserve your vote on August 6
August 2nd, 20130 The Arab American News (TAAN) has announced its endorsements for the Aug. 6 primary elections. TAAN is endorsing every candidate who has received endorsements from the Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC). The following candidates were recently endorsed by AAPAC. TAAN is supporting the same candidate endorsements...
Local campaigns gear up for Primary during Ramadan, energize youth
August 2nd, 20130 DEARBORN — This year's municipality race has, without a doubt, generated some hype from the local Arab and Muslim American communities, as three Arab American candidates vie for the mayoral position and four other Arab American candidates look to fill one of seven positions on the city council.However, even with the large Arab American...
Dearborn mayor discusses future plans, sale of City Hall and relations with Arab community
August 2nd, 20130 DEARBORN — After the passing of the late Mayor Michael Guido in 2006, no one could argue that John B. “Jack” O’Reilly, Jr. didn't have the experience and know-how that was needed to take over the post of Mayor of Dearborn. O'Reilly and his family are deeply rooted in the City. Their service dates back to when his father was...Mother creates app to help autistic son better communicate
YPSILANTI — One local mother has created an app to help her autistic son communicate more effectively. Nabeela Jaffer’s son, Salman, 16, has experienced difficulty communicating verbally throughout his life. He was diagnosed with autism at age four. The struggles he faced trying to communicate is what inspired Jaffer to create...Preliminary hearing for suspect in Family Dollar murders postponed
DEARBORN — The preliminary hearing of Lavere Bryant, who is accused of the murder of two Family Dollar store employees in Dearborn, was postponed this week until August 21, upon his state-appointed attorney's request.Judge Sam Salamey of the 19th District Court ordered the postponement of the hearing on Wednesday, July 31, after......
Group welcomes EEOC recommendations for CSD
DEARBORN HEIGHTS — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently found the Crestwood School District in Dearborn Heights in violation of the federal Civil Rights Act for failing to hire Arab-American and minority teachers and discriminating against Arab Americans in its hiring and recruiting. ...Celebrating Eid al-Fitr: Food and fun across Metro Detroit
Although known as the "smaller holiday," Eid al-Fitr is one of the most celebrated occasions in Islamic societies. Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, is a sacred day in Islam. During this holiday, Muslims around the world celebrate, by performing a special prayer, visiting family members, going out and lighting...Dearborn Heights Police step up traffic enforcement on Ford Rd.
DEARBORN HEIGHTS — On Monday, July 29, officers of the Dearborn Heights Police Department (DHPD) began increasing patrols along Ford Road (M-53), in a concentrated effort to curb excessive speeding and other unsafe driving habits. “We have experienced a number of serious accidents along Ford Road over the past few months that,...Swift Aviation settles EEOC discrimination lawsuit
PHOENIX — Swift Aviation Services, Inc., a Phoenix aeronautical services company, will pay $50,000 and furnish other relief, in order to settle a lawsuit, filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The agency announced the decision this week.The EEOC claimed in its suit that Swift Aviation violated federal......
Arrests made across metro-Detroit in nationwide prostitution sting
DETROIT — Arrests were recently made by federal agencies in cities across the country, including Detroit, as part of a nationwide prostitution sting. The FBI, along with other federal agencies, rescued over 100 children and teenagers, during an undercover operation that involved 76 cities across the country. In...Two women found naked, physically assaulted in Detroit fields
DETROIT — The case involving two women, who were found severely assaulted in local fields, is still being investigated by the Detroit Police Department. To date, no arrests have been made in either case. In the first incident, a 37-year-old woman was found physically assaulted, with burn marks on her body, in a field on Eaton......
42nd annual Arab and Chaldean Festival celebrates culture
DETROIT — The 2013 Arab and Chaldean Festival was, once again, a success as it celebrated its 42nd year last week. The annual festival serves as a celebration of Arab and Chaldean culture. It took place during the weekend of July 27th at Hart Plaza and included cultural exhibits, live performances, Middle Eastern food, vendors,...
Syrian Archbishop: Assad is staying
August 2nd, 20130 Archbishop Louka El-Khouri, patriarchal auxiliary of the Syrian Orthodox church, believes that the Syrian regime will not fall and President Bashar Assad will stay in power. Khouri adds that Assad will run in the promised 2014 presidential elections and will win, undoubtedly because the people support him overwhelmingly.The......