Cairo's 'Christian Soldiers' face Crusader Coptic Calamity

Armed with 'bibles' and 'crucifixes, how did the Coptic protest of death to their community end in a slaughter of more Christian Arab blood? Lebanon's latest film by Lebanon's director Nadine Labaki; and Lebanon's Blog-artist with a fiendish cartoon streak uncovered.

This latest spree of army-led Coptic killings leaves the Christian Egyptian community feeling persecuted.

Inanities [3]

Marching from Shubra to deaths at Maspero

'This is my account of what I saw yesterday at Maspero, originally published here. The march from the Cairo district of Shubra was huge, like the numbers on 28 January. In the front row was a group of men in long white bibs, “martyr upon demand” written on their chests. A tiny old lady walked among them, waving a large wooden cross: “God protect you my children, God protect you.”'

A Sense of Belonging [4]

Clashes, Deaths at Coptic Protest in Maspero

"Egyptian State TV confirms [24] dead and over 170 injured in clashes between largely Coptic protestors, unknown assailants, and Egyptian military police on October 9, 2011. Protestors began their march from the heavily Christian neighborhood of Shubra at 5pm, culminating at the Egyptian Radio and TV Building in Maspero in downtown Cairo. The peaceful march was scheduled to end at 8pm, but was attacked at various stages along the route by unknown opposition."

Observation of a Lost Soul Blog [5]

Kifaya

"a few hrs ago 20 or maybe more when this post is read Egyptians were shot in front of Maspero – Egyptian State TV building-. The majority of those shot and killed happens to be Copts protesting against the demolish of a church in Aswan. The army said that 3 of the soldiers were killed by the protesters thus they fired back.. the protesters say they had no weapons what so ever, just their bibles and crucifixes."

Lama Thinks [6]

Labaki's Ou Hala La Wein: Form without content?

"Is it finally here? The film that will get the international recognition that Lebanon has been waiting for? Ou Hala La Wein (Where Do We Go Now) has it all. It's got a rustic feel with a modern look."

Jordan Events [7]

Jordan to invest in USD 3 billion oil shale market

"Trade Arabia reported that Jordan is set to invest in the revolutionary global oil shale market, worth an estimated USD 2.88 billion in 2011."

Hot news events [8]

Deaths After Egypt Church Protest

"At least [24] people have been killed and scores injured in the worst violence since Egypt's former President Hosni Mubarak was ousted in February. Clashes broke out after a protest in Cairo against an attack on a church in Aswan province last week which Coptic Christians blame on Muslim radicals. Egyptian TV showed protesters clashing with security forces as army vehicles burned outside the state TV building. Sectarian tensions have increased in recent months."

Catholic Herald [9]

Church in Egypt blames army and police after violence leaves dozens dead

"A spokesman for the Catholic Church in Egypt has blamed the army and police for the deaths of 25 people – most of them Copts – in the worst spate of violence since the downfall of Mubarak."

Australian Coptic Movement [10]

ACM Media Statement/Video on Overnight Coptic Massacre – Calls for Expulsion of Egyptian Govt Reps from Australia

"Yhe fall of President Hosni Mubarak’s Regime post the Egyptian Revolution of 25 January 2011 can hardly be said to have “liberated” the estimated 15 million Coptic Christians of Egypt. Yet again, peaceful and unarmed Coptic protestors have been met with a force of unprecedented brutality."

Huffington Post [11]

Maya Zankoul: Lebanon's Media Wunderkind

A post about our favorite Lebanese blog-artist- a blog on a blog! The blogosphere is awash with layers! Celebrating this Lebanese Blog-lette, an interview discovers the therapeutic nature of Maya's blogging on Lebanon that leaves her 'less frustrated'. It's been tough for the 25-year-old Lebanese who grew up in Saudi Arabia and came to college to major in graphic design in a Lebanon she'd only known during vacations. Zankoul first worked as a designer for a Saudi-based offshore company in Beirut.