Rubaina Azhar

It’s almost time for my annual kick in the butt. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, in which Muslims fast from shortly before dawn until dusk, this year starts Saturday. Each year, Ramadan serves as a nudge to remember to practice my faith. All the things that I’m supposed to do throughout the year — pray daily, read the Quran, give to charity — I make a special effort to actually do. It’s a perfect opportunity to recharge and hopefully maintain some momentum.

Days before he was charged with plotting a terror attack, Everitt Aaron Jameson went with his father and some friends to an Oakland Raiders game. His father said everything seemed fine and that his son expressed no anger and plans for violence. "It was a great time. It was a great game," Gordon Jameson told the Merced Sun-Star. His family said they cannot believe charges by the FBI that Everitt Jameson planned to launch a suicide attack on Christmas Day at a popular San Francisco tourist attraction.

Days before he was charged with plotting a terror attack, Everitt Aaron Jameson went with his father and some friends to an Oakland Raiders game. His father said everything seemed fine and that his son expressed no anger and plans for violence. "It was a great time. It was a great game," Gordon Jameson told the Merced Sun-Star. His family said they cannot believe charges by the FBI that Everitt Jameson planned to launch a suicide attack on Christmas Day at a popular San Francisco tourist attraction.