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8 hours ago
- Politics
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Coptic Church mourns 20 Syrians martyred at Damascus church in suicide bombing
The Coptic Orthodox Church issued a statement on 22 June mourning the 20 martyrs who lost their lives earlier that day in a suicide bombing in the church of Saint Elias in Damascus,Syria. The statement read: 'The Coptic Orthodox Church, led by Pope Tawadros II, bids farewell to the martyrs of Syria as they march towards the paradise of eternal joy. These martyrs fell as a result of the treacherous suicide bombing that took place inside the church of Saint Elias in the Douilaa in Damascus, Syria on Sunday 22 June 2025. 'We condemn the heinous bombing and all similar forms of violence, intimidation, and the stripping of any human being of their natural right to live in safety. The blood of the righteous Abel continues to cry out, bearing witness to human injustice towards fellow humans when evil takes control and the scale of righteousness is upset, so as to leading to a belief that killing is a good deed that pleases God. 'We pray that the comfort of the Holy Spirit fills the heart of our brother, His Beatitude Patriarch John X Yazigi, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East for the Greek Orthodox Church, as well as the hearts of the martyrs' families. May the Lord grant a swift recovery to the wounded, and may He bestow peace and calm upon beloved Syria, our region, and the entire world.' According to Reuters, at least 20 people were killed and dozens injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up at Mar-Elias Church in the Dweila neighbourhood of Syria's capital Damascus on Sunday 22 June. Syria's Interior Ministry said the suicide bomber was a member of IS, Islamic State. He entered the church, opened fire and then detonated his explosive vest. Syria's Health Ministry reported that 52 persons were also injured in the blast. Scenes from inside the church showed destruction, a bloodied floor, and shattered pews and masonry. Local Church sources say the church included between 350 and 400 worshippers that day. Islamic State has been behind several attempted attacks on churches in Syria since Assad's fall. The Syria martyrs have been mourned by Churches in Egypt and all throughout the region, also by the Councils of Egypt and Middle East Churches. They unanimously expressed pain, dubbing the bombing 'a wound in our heart', and expressed fears for Christian presence in the Middle East. The news impacted Copts in Egypt especially hard, since it brought to mind painful memories of a suicide bombing that had occurred in Cairo's Boutrossiya Church on 11 November 2016, also during Sunday Mass, in which 29 lost their lives, and 48 were wounded. But in the Cairo bombing, Egypt's Armed Forces rebuilt the damage in the church and fully renovated it, reopening it for worship by New Year 2017. Blast in Cairo church kills 27, injures 65 Watani International 23 June 2025 Comments comments
Watani
8 hours ago
- Health
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Sponsored by Egypt Armed Forces.. genome study on rare kidney disease makes headlines
In a significant milestone for the advancement of diagnostic and precision medicine, and genome research, a study sponsored by the Egyptian Armed Forces Medical Research and Regenerative Medicine Centre was published in Human Genetics, one of the world's leading genetics journals, published by Springer International. The study, which is the first comprehensive Egyptian research in the field of genomics, focuses on a rare kidney disease that can lead to kidney failure. According to the Armed Forces spokesperson, this is a landmark scientific breakthrough. This pioneering research, he said, is the first of its kind in Egypt, and the second globally, to sequence a complete human genome related to immune disorders. The study, which was conducted entirely in Egypt, was led by the Centre's scientific team in collaboration with Cairo University, using state-of-the-art biotechnology and artificial intelligence tools. The Medical Research and Regenerative Medicine Center affiliated to the Armed forces has spearheaded the Egyptian and Ancient Egyptian Reference Genome Project, an ambitious national and regional initiative that reflects Egypt's growing leadership in this critical scientific field. Worth noting is that the Centre is home to Egypt's most advanced genome laboratory, and houses the largest automated biobank in Egypt and Africa—placing it among the world's foremost institutions in genomic medicine. These achievements have led to the publication of numerous studies in prestigious scientific journals, underscoring the scale and impact of Egypt's evolving research infrastructure. Watani International 23 June 2025 Comments comments Tags: Lucy Awad_Egypt Armed Forces study on kidney disease
Watani
8 hours ago
- General
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In pictures: New Coptic Orthodox church opens in Fort Worth, Texas
On the evening of 21 June, Anba Youssef, Metropolitan of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Texas, Florida, and Southern United States presided over the opening and consecration of the Church of Mar-Mina in Fort Worth, Texas. The joyful event was attended by Bishops-General Basil and Gregory, also by the priests of the church and a large congregation. The celebration began with Bishop Youssef cutting the ribbon to officially open the new church, amid scenes of great spiritual joy and thanksgiving. Following the inauguration, the Metropolitan led the consecration ritual which was followed by a night of prayer, readings, and hymns that extended through the night, and concluded with celebration of the Divine Liturgy on the morning of Sunday 22 June which coincided with the feast of Mar-Mina. Watani International Comments comments Tags: Ashraf HelmyTags: New Coptic church in Fort Worth Texas
Watani
8 hours ago
- Politics
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US strikes on Iran: Point of no return?
The early hours of 22 June carried news and photographs of an arrogant, jubilant President Trump announcing that the U.S. had offered Israel the logistic and military support that enabled it to strike three nuclear reactor sites in Iran. Mr Trump praised the strike and lauded its masterful execution by Israel, sarcastically saying that that would not be a standalone operation, but would be followed by others if needs be. Other operations, he said, would naturally be easier given that Iran's claws have been clipped by the first strike and its nuclear capabilities curtailed. The American-led strike took many by surprise since Mr Trump had, just on the eve of the strike, talked of giving Israel and Iran 15-days to negotiate in Muscat, Oman, an agreement on Iran's nuclear programme. Yet I say it was no surprise, given that lies have recently gained ground as a modern means of strategic deception in conflict management, and promises of peace are made while preparing for stabs in the back. I see no excuse for the Iranians to have swallowed the US bait a second time, following the initial strike by Israel on 12 June. Now, with the second strike on Iran that targeted three nuclear sites, have we reached the point of no return? Does Iran have any power to avenge itself against Israel? And will any other country rush to support Iran just as the US supported Israel? As I write this, I see the coming days bringing on severe hazards that do not point at any peace between Iran and Israel. There are fears that Iran might, in desperation, execute some irrational retaliatory action; it brings to mind the saying: the hero is the one who's lost everything.. who has nothing left to lose. Today, I bring to my readers excerpts from a rich dialogue that, even if it took place prior to the US strike on Iran, introduced arguments that are still valid. The dialogue, which was broadcast on 20 June on Judge Andrew Napolitano's podcast 'Judging Freedom' under the title 'What if the US does attack Iran', took place with John Mearsheimer, 77, American political scientist and international relations scholar, R. Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor at University of Chicago. Judge Napolitano started by asking: Is Israel prevailing in its war against Iran, as the mainstream in the West claims? In reply, Prof Mearsheimer said: 'No, Israel is in serious trouble… President Trump said Israel is winning… but the question is: what does winning mean?' To win, the Professor said, is to have a goal and the strategy to achieve it. Israel, he explained, has three stated goals: to eliminate the nuclear capability of Iran, to bring about a regime change and, as articulated by President Trump himself, unconditional surrender by Iran. The first goal cannot be achieved by Israel without US support, and even then Irans's nuclear programme, the uranium enrichment cannot be eliminated. As to the second goal, he said, regime change can never be achieved without invading Iran, something no one in his right mind would do. The third goal of unconditional surrender is laughable, because Iranians will fight till the last person before that happens. So Israelis have no way of achieving the goals they set out to do. Do any serious players actually believe that Iran has nuclear weapons? 'There's no evidence now that Iran has nuclear weapons… but there's no question that Iran has significant nuclear enrichment capabilities that takes them close to having a bomb… but they're a good distance from that now. But you can't tell that to Trump and Netanyahu.' Do you foresee a circumstance under which the Russians or the Chinese will get involved militarily? 'If you're talking about them getting directly involved in the fight, absolutely not. If you're talking about diplomatic, economic, or military support, the answer is certainly yes.' He explained that there is a vested interest for Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran to stick together against the US, Israel and Ukraine. So they will support one another but not get into the fight. Shouldn't there be in America a great debate about the nature and extent of our involvement in a war that could be disastrous? Why should a person who changes his mind every 10 minutes meet with five people who tell him what he wants to hear make this decision rather than great debates in the House and the Senate on America's role in the world? 'Oh it's very simple. You can't have a great debate on any issue involving Israel. It's just impermissible; the lobby won't allow it. And the reason is that if you have a debate it won't come out in Israel's favour, and this cannot be allowed.' The Professor joined Judge Napolitano in decrying the state of freedom and democracy in the US, and the manner in which decisions are taken. It all ran against the elevated principles that once prevailed in the West, they said, but which are now never upheld, even as the Israeli lobby wields authority over politicians and mainstream media, and as wars, destruction, and genocide are unashamedly promoted under false pretexts. This, they agreed is how the wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran, are explained off. Watani International 27 June 2025 Comments comments
Watani
8 hours ago
- General
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'Discover': Egypt museums interact with persons with disabilities
Under the slogan 'Discover', Egyptian museums are launching their summer school for persons with disabilities, for the second year in a row. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), is sponsoring the summer schools in the various museums affiliated with it. The schools are open to all age groups with the objective of familiarising persons with disabilities with heritage and raising their awareness of antiquities and archeology through participation in interactive and artistic activities at the museums. Secretary-General of the SCA Muhammad Ismail said the summer schools serve to improve the quality of museum experience for all, a major objective of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Moemen Othman, Head of the Ministry's Museums Sector, explained that the summer school extends from mid-June to mid-September, and includes interactive activities and workshops supervised by the museums' educational departments. The school runs two main programmes: the first aimed at children and visitors with disabilities; the second focuses on training a volunteer team of university students and graduates to support visitors with disabilities and the elderly during their visits to museums and their participation in various museum activities. For her part, Heba Abdel-Aziz, Director-General of the Department of People with Special Needs in the Museums Sector, explained that this year's programme highlights the use of modern technology and artificial intelligence to serve persons with disabilities, through workshops and applications, in addition to organising workshops of heritage crafts and interactive theatre, human development lectures, and awareness provided by specialists. Once the summer schools conclude, an art exhibition of the work produced by the students will be held, and a ceremony to honour the participants and hand them certificates of appreciation. Watani International 24 June 2025 Comments comments Tags: Egypt museums for persons with disabilitiesSanaa' Farouk
