Report: Egypt Declares State Of Emergency After Church Bombings

After two bombings in Tanta and Alexandria Sunday morning that have reportedly killed 45 people, Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi declared a three month long state of emergency. The attacks were carried out on two Coptic Orthodox Churches, which account for 10% of Egypt's population. The attacks happened on Palm Sunday, one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar. According to a report by The BBC, the Islamic State has claimed credit for the attacks.

In Egypt, a state of emergency allows for the government to make arrests and search homes without a warrant. This is the first time Egypt has declared a state of emergency since 2013. For more on the situation follow The BBC and The New York Times for up-to-date information.