Remapped 14th Congressional District: Michigan’s hottest primary race
April 20th, 20120 Democrats square off for a seat in Michigan's remapped 14th Congressional District The four Democrats competing in the primary election for the 14th district include Congressman Hansen Clarke of Michigan's 13th congressional district, Congressman Gary Peters of Michigan's 9th congressional district, Southfield Mayor Brenda...Pro-regime militia attacks Bahraini civilians
Pro-regime supporters wielding knives and sticks attacked residents of Bahrain's villages overnight, witnesses and the opposition said on Wednesday. Dozens of pro-regime thugs nicknamed locally by activists as the Baltajiya appeared at the Alba Roundabout on the outskirts of the capital Manama and entered a number of predominantly Shi'a...Nine years after Saddam’s fall: Iraqis still wait for realization of dreams
After nine years of violence and suffering, some Iraqis say hopes were not realized, believe overthrowing Saddam is ‘big mistake’. BAGHDAD — Iraqis thought a better life was at hand when Saddam Hussein's regime fell in April 2003, but after nine years of violence and suffering, many are still waiting for their dreams to...
Fragile truce in Syria
April 12th, 20120 Syria truce “partly observed” as protests continue, government says “terrorists” sabotaging Annan plans An internationally brokered ceasefire in Syria is only being "partially observed," the opposition says, as state television reported that a roadside bomb had killed an army officer.Heavy weapons and government troops...New leaders in Yemen, same old system
WASHINGTON —A new report released by Human Rights Watch (HRW) Friday contends that the dearth of meaningful reform in the protection of human rights and the rule of law in Yemen threatens political stability as the fledgling transitional government copes with a deteriorating economy and continued violence. A woman flashes a victory...Santorum ends presidential run as Romney nears nomination
Rick Santorum has ended his 2012 U.S. presidential campaign, clearing the way for Mitt Romney to claim the Republican nomination and face incumbent Barack Obama in November's election. Santorum, appearing with his wife and family in his home state of Pennsylvania, told supporters on Wednesday that the race was over, but that the...
Democratic Party endorsement boosts Mosallam in statewide MSU Trustee race
April 12th, 20120 DEARBORN – Winning a spot on the Michigan State University Board of Trustees has been a longtime dream for the city's Brian Mosallam, an area financial adviser and the chairman of the Dearborn Education Foundation, and one that seems more and more possible by the day. Mosallam speaking at the Democratic state convention which was...UN team arrives as Syria grants ICRC aid workers access
UN Security Council wants government to honor peace plan, but what about the rebels? Syria has agreed to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to expand its work in the country as a UN advance team arrived in Damascus on Thursday. The Joint Special Envoy for Syria, Kofi Annan (L) poses with Major-General Robert...Lebanese league basketball player scores record 113 points
Most American basketball fans are familiar with Wilt Chamberlain's record-setting 100 point game in the NBA in 1962, and now, Lebanese league player Mohammed El Akkari has joined him in the exclusive 100-point-game club after he scored 113 points on Tuesday. El Akkari El Akkari a 27-year-old guard for Moutahed of Tripoli who only...Israel war crimes probe blocked by International Criminal Court
A bid for investigation into the Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip has been denied by the International Criminal Court, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and praise from Israel. “I need Palestine recognized as a state because I am not the prosecutor of the world; I am the prosecutor of the...When Europe develops, and Israel destroys
RAMALLAH — The European Commission has released a document that lists projects it funded that were destroyed or damaged by the Israeli army between May 2001 and October 2011.The list documents 82 such instances, amounting to a monetary loss of 49.2 million euro, 30 million of which came directly from European aid. British Member...Creating the ‘Muslim Manchurian Candidate’: The right wing’s election-year Islamophobia
Those who fervently believe that Barack Obama is a Muslim generally practice their furtive religion in obscure recesses of the Internet. Once in a while, they’ll surface in public to remind the news media that no amount of evidence can undermine their convictions. A disconnect between accusation and reality hardly matters in American...Gaza in the ‘heart of darkness’: When reality outdoes fiction
GAZA CITY — In a small room in Gaza City, Lisa Masharawi reads by candlelight, dreaming of being able to study for her upcoming exams by the light that even a small generator could provide.But for now, as Gaza struggles through the worst power crisis residents can remember, the flickering light of a candle is all that is available. A...
Syria dominates Baghdad summit despite absence
March 31st, 20120 Iraq hosts Arab summit, seeking regional role The seat for the Syrian representative is seen empty during the opening session of the Arab League Summit in Baghdad March 29, 2012. REUTERS/Saad ShalashBAGHDAD - Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Thursday hosted the city's first Arab League summit in two decades, a meeting dominated...Hammoud hoping to inspire community with run for Wayne County Sheriff
DEARBORN – Local residents may see a familiar name on the 2012 Democratic ballot for Wayne County Sheriff in the voting booth for the August 7 primary, aside from longtime sheriff Benny Napoleon, that is. Hammoud: “I want to show Arab Americans that they have a voice, and that they can be a part of the politics and governing......
Assad says foreign aid to rebels must stop under peace plan
March 31st, 20120 President Bashar al-Assad said on Thursday Syria would spare no effort to ensure the success of international envoy Kofi Annan's peace mission but warned it would not work without securing an end to foreign funding and arming of rebels opposing him. A Syrian refugee waves a Turkey flag as he sits atop a tent at the Reyhanli refugee camp...
Hunger striker Shalabi freed after deal, but she’s headed back to different prison
March 31st, 20120 BETHLEHEM - A deal to release Palestinian hunger-striker Hana Shalabi to the Gaza Strip temporarily was reached late Thursday, officials with knowledge of the negotiations told Ma'an. Protesters show support for Hana Shalabi (image by mondoweiss)The officials say Shalabi will be sent to Gaza for three years in exchange for...Palestinian hunger striker Shalabi at risk of “imminent death,” hospital transfer reportedly refused
According to Addameer (Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association) and Physicians for Human Rights - Israel (PHR-I), the Israel Prison Service has refused to transfer Hana al-Shalabi to hospital despite her grave medical situation due to more than a month of hunger strike and immediate risk of death, Electronic Intifida reports...Palestinian rights retreat to the backburner
JERUSALEM — The latest tit-for-tat confrontation which earlier this week pitted Israel against Islamist factions operating from the Gaza Strip follows a conditioning pattern which highlights the marginalization in the international arena of the Palestinian aspirations to freedom and independence. The parents of a Palestinian militant......
Syria in crisis one year later
President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron met to discuss Syria and other issues. PHOTO: ReutersPresident Barack Obama has said the prospect of international military intervention in Syria is premature and could lead to a civil war.Speaking at a White House news conference on Wednesday, Obama said military...Rick Santorum sweeps Mississippi and Alabama in blow for Mitt Romney
Rick Santorum has made a clean sweep of the Deep South primaries, taking Mississippi and Alabama in victories that put pressure on Newt Gingrich to bow out and set up a showdown in Illinois next week with the struggling favourite, Mitt Romney. Republican U.S. presidential candidate and former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum gives a thumbs up......
Palestinians prepare to lose the solar panels that provide a lifeline
Israel is planning to demolish 'illegal' solar panels that are the only source of electricity for Palestinians in West Bank villagesTwo large solar panels jut out of the barren landscape near Imneizil in the Hebron hills. The high-tech structures sit incongruously alongside the tents and rough stone buildings of the Palestinian village,...Wag the dog: How to cook up Syrian drama
Some mainstream news channels have been recently caught carrying dubious footage from Syria. It fuels the debate over media's role in legitimizing possible military intervention in the country.‘Danny’ is a Syrian opposition activist who reports from Homs for CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya. He is attached to the opposition......
