News briefs: Local Chaldean nominated for Iraqi parliament seat, Homeland security leader commits to authentic dialogue, Courtroom hijab lawsuit to be settled, more

A Southern California writer explores the efforts of the newest major figure in the "Muslim bashing industry"

The Mideast continues to be plagued by autocratic Arab regimes where human rights, democracy and freedom of speech are a pipe dream for the average citizen. But who is to blame and what can be done?

A new Israeli report defending the military's conduct in the Gaza war was challenged this week after evidence emerged apparently contradicting one of its key findings.

The Israeli movie "Ajami," co-produced by an Israeli Palestinian and an Israeli Jew, was named this week as one of the five Oscar nominees for best foreign-language film. It takes its name from a rough neighborhood in Jaffa, a mostly Arab city just south of Tel Aviv.

Letter from Congress: "The unabated suffering of Gazan civilians highlights the urgency of reaching a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and we ask you to press for immediate relief for the citizens of Gaza as an urgent component of your broader Middle East peace (efforts)."