CULTURE

BETH NAHRAIN — In an unprecedented cross-border show of unity, hundreds of Syriac (Chaldean–Assyrian–Aramean) women gathered simultaneously on Saturday in Germany, Syria, and Iraq to launch the Syriac Women’s Conference—a global forum aiming to reclaim women’s historical roles and promote their rights across various communities. Under the slogan, “It is time…

GHOSTA, Lebanon — In the mountains of Ghosta, overlooking the bay of Jounieh, a striking testament to Lebanon’s Syriac Christian heritage rises skyward: a towering 12-meter statue of Jesus Christ, part of a growing spiritual sanctuary known as the Mount of Divine Mercy.  Featured recently in the Suroyo TV Lebanon…

ZALIN (QAMISHLI), North and East Syria — On the morning of Friday, July 11, 2025, the Olaf Taw Association for Syriac Language, along with all institutions of the Bethnahrin National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo d’Bethnahrin, MUB) and members of the Syriac (Chaldean–Assyrian–Aramean) people in Syria and the diaspora, received the news…

SÖDERTÄLJE, Sweden — After years of intensive efforts to improve school results, the Swedish city of Södertälje is now seeing tangible progress. In the spring semester of 2025, ninth-grade students (~age 15-16) achieved record exam scores. In Sweden, ninth grade marks the final exam year of the compulsory education program…

EUROPE/IRAQ/SYRIA — Ninve Rohyo, President of the Beth Nahrain Women’s Union (Huyodo d’Neshe d’Bethnahrin, HNB), gave statements highlighting the significance and goals of this Saturday’s Syriac Women’s Conference, set to take place simultaneously in Europe, Iraq, and Syria. Rohyo stated: “Based on the philosophy of the HNB and after many…

ANKARA — The 13th-century Armenian Surp Minas Church (Սուրբ Մինաս) in the Zara district of Sivas Province has been the target of repeated diggings and associated destructions by illegal treasure hunters. According to a report published by the Armenian Agos newspaper, published in Turkey, the church’s cemetery was recently damaged…

WORLD — At least 21 Christians have been arrested in five different cities in the two weeks since the US brokered ceasefire (22 June) brought an end to the air war between Iran and Israel, Christian advocacy organization Article18 reveals based on reports. The arrests in the cities of Tehran,…

GERMANY/SYRIA/BETH NAHRIN — Christian Syriac women from 3 different parts of the world will unite in a historic conference on Saturday morning, July 12. The conference, organized by the Beth Nahrin Women’s Union (Huyodo d’Neshe d’Bethnahrin, HNB), will take place simultaneously in Germany, Syria and Iraq, respectively in Bürgerhaus in Stadt Pohlheim,…

By Alberto M. Fernandez | retired US diplomat and Vice President of MEMRI Asia is the most populated of continents but the one with the smallest percentage of Christians. There are, of course, more than two hundred million Asian Christians, stretching from the Middle East to the Far East. Two…

NINEVEH PLAINS, Iraq — Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian student Georges Alaa Georges from the Gifted Students School in Nineveh will be representing Iraq in the finals of the upcoming Chemistry Olympiad held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Georges successfully passed the gifted and talented exams, securing first place among gifted students at schools in…