Security forces block suicide bomber from attacking church: Security forces prevented a suicide bomber from entering a church in Qalyubiyah, causing the attacker to detonate his suicide vest 250 m away from the church causing no other casualties besides himself, Reuters reports, citing MENA. Coptic Christians had gathered at the church to celebrate the Virgin Mary’s birthday. “Strict security on the road to the Lady Virgin Church in the area of [Mostorod] prevented the would-be attacker from coming too close to the place where hundreds of Coptic Christians were gathering at the annual festival,” police sources said, according to Gulf News. No group has claimed responsibility from the attack. Yesterday’s attempted bombing is the latest in a series of attacks launched by Islamist militants against Coptic Christians, including a gun attack last December at a church and shop in Helwan that left 11 dead and twin bombings on Palm Sunday last year that killed 47.

The story is topping coverage of Egypt in the foreign press this morning, with Xinhua, the Associated Press, RT, and Al Arabiya among those taking note.