Mohamed Ibrahim, Egypt’s Interior Minister, sent a congratulatory message to Pope Tawadros II and Rev. Dr. Safwat Bayadi wishing them a Happy New Year and Merry Christmas.

Abba Paula, bishop of Tanta, said that Copts are committing suicide when they travel to Libya, even for work. He said that both Egypt and Libya are not able to secure the Copts in Libya with the state of chaos there.

Ambassador Badr Abdul Ati, spokesperson of ministry of foreign affairs, met with families of the kidnapped Copts in Libya.

Masked gunmen in central Libya kidnapped 13 Coptic Christians on Saturday after seven were abducted days earlier, said a witness and a priest, in a new wave of assaults against Egypt’s Christians working in the war-torn North African nation plagued with Islamic extremists.

Libyan authorities detained an Egyptian fishing boat in the city of Benghazi and arrested 14 fishermen on board, accusing them of breaking into international waters without permission.

Abdul Hakim Mohammed, the father of Young businessman who was killed at Obor, East Cairo after exchanging 2 million LE from the bank, accused the bank crew of being responsible for such crime.

Major General Tariq Gazar, Suez Security Chief, visited the churches of Suez to check the security services as well as to congratulate the Copts on the new year.

The Egyptian Armed Forces issued a statement to congratulate the Egyptian people on Christmas and the New Year.

Extremists in Libya continued their brutal attacks against Egyptians in Libya, a few hours after killing a Coptic doctor and his wife and daughter.

Maspero Youth Union celebrated the fourth anniversary of Maspero martyrs considering them one key to liberate the country and ignite the revolution.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, visits Luxor next February. Source in the church said that such visit was postponed from earlier. The Pope will also hold meeting with priests of the diocese and the congregation.

The terrorist organization of the Muslim Brotherhood planned to disturb the Egyptians celebrating the year new by blowing up electricity utility next to St. Mary Church in Fayyoum.

Army and police are securing churches and vital installations at the New Year’s eve. This also applies at churches and other places where Christmas services are going to be held. Strict orders were issued to immediately remove unattended vehicles next to churches to prevent terrorist attacks unsung car bombs.

Funeral of Coptic family who were killed in Libya was held today in Tanta in the presence of many church leaders and officials.

Abba Pachom, Bishop of Sohag, told Copts United that the year 2014 was so painful for Coptic Christians and for Egypt in general that witnessed many terrorist attacks and sad events.

Copts of Nag Shenouda in Sohag complained they have no church to pray or celebrate Christmas. The village has more than 500 Coptic families who donated a piece of land dedicated to build the church, but the permits are hindered since 1971.

Potential electoral nominees have started their campaigns by congratulating the Copts on Christmas hoping to win their votes in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Pope Tawadros II, the head of Egypt’s Coptic Church described the Maspero clashes of 2011 as a horrifying incident that cannot be denied on Monday during his visit to Alexandria, insisting that victims focus on legal recourse to restore the rights of their rights.

Though still giving an ocassional breath of life into the region’s dying tourism, officials have never thought of making use of the St. Catherine Airport in South Sinai since Israel handed it over to Egypt on 1982.

Abba Moussa, bishop of youth, visited England to attend the annual conference for families and young people.

Diocese of Netherlands has organized a spiritual conference for families and children for 4 days East of the Netherlands.