Rep. Tom Kuhn, the representative who introduced the Chaldean American Month bill, said Michigan’s recognition is a historic first that highlights the vital economic, cultural, and community contributions of Chaldean, Assyrian, and Syriac Americans. He emphasized that the designation is about ensuring these communities are seen, valued, and celebrated, while encouraging other states to follow Michigan’s lead.
Read MoreSanan Atou never imagined he would one day be stranded in Iraq — a country he left as a child and barely remembers. But today, the former Macomb Township resident is living in hiding in Baghdad after being deported from the United States earlier this year, just before conflict erupted between the U.S. and Iran.
Read MoreAfter months of political deadlock, Iraq has taken a key step forward with the appointment of a new prime minister-designate. President Nizar Amidi has tasked businessman Ali Al-Zaidi with forming the next government, following an agreement among major Shia political factions to move past the stalemate.
Read MoreThe election of Nizar Amidi—a Kurdish politician nominated by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)—has formally ended Iraq’s months-long political deadlock but also exposed deep divisions. Amidi, now the country’s sixth president since 2003, won 227 votes and has positioned himself as a consensus figure, pledging to govern under an “Iraq First” approach and work across political lines.
Read MoreIn a message to bishops of the Chaldean Catholic Church gathered in Rome, Pope Francis emphasized that “nothing can justify the shedding of innocent blood,” underscoring the Church’s role as a witness to peace amid violence and instability. His remarks came as the bishops convened ahead of the Synod to elect a new patriarch, a pivotal moment of leadership for the Church.
Read MoreA pivotal moment is unfolding for the Chaldean Catholic Church as its bishops convene in Rome to elect a new patriarch following the unexpected resignation of Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako. His departure, amid a series of controversies and internal tensions, has opened the door for what many see as a needed reset for the global Church.
Read MoreA local investment group led by Saber Ammori, Kevin Denha, and Andrew Dickow has acquired Buddy’s Pizza from private equity firm CapitalSpring, though the purchase price was not disclosed. The new owners—who say the brand holds personal significance—plan to strengthen customer experience, improve product quality, and expand Buddy’s presence nationally, particularly in the frozen pizza market. The deal, financed by First Merchants Bank with legal support from Varnum and Taft, comes after years of limited expansion outside metro Detroit and several recent store closures in west Michigan. Founded in 1946 and credited with creating Detroit-style pizza, Buddy’s remains a longstanding staple with multiple locations across Michigan.
Read MoreDetroit’s creative pulse is getting a bold new signature — and it’s coming from a Chaldean American artist making her mark on one of the city’s biggest stages. Juliana Rabban, known professionally as Just By Juliana, has landed a major collaboration with Big Sean and the Detroit Pistons, placing her work at the center of a high-profile celebration of Detroit culture.
Read MoreAuthorities in southeastern Turkey have apprehended the main suspect in a six-year-old case involving the murder of Şmuni Diril and the disappearance of her husband, Hurmuz Diril, a Chaldean couple who had returned to their ancestral village of Mehri in Şırnak Province in 2020. The couple vanished from their home in January 2020, prompting extensive searches by local authorities and community members. Weeks later, Şmuni’s body was discovered near the Hezil River, but Hurmuz has never been found, leaving his fate uncertain.
Read MoreLouis Raphaël I Sako warned that escalating violence between Iran and its adversaries risks dragging Iraq into a wider regional conflict, stressing that war will only deepen instability in the Middle East. Speaking to Vatican News amid recent Iranian strikes across Iraq following Israeli-American attacks on Iran, the patriarch said he is “deeply concerned” about where the conflict could lead, especially for a country that has already endured decades of violence and upheaval.
Read MoreIran has launched missile and drone strikes against U.S. military assets across the Gulf following a major joint attack on Iran by the United States and Israel. According to Iranian officials and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, American and Israeli targets throughout the region are now considered legitimate targets, and operations will continue until what Tehran calls “aggression” ends.
Read MoreThe Chaldean language initiative at Oakland University (OU) continues to build momentum as it expands both in-person and online learning opportunities. In recognition of International Mother Language Day, the College of Arts & Sciences / Linguistics program will host a presentation highlighting the history, structure, and cultural significance of languages, including the Chaldean language.
Read MoreA senior Republican lawmaker is urging President Trump to prioritize the rights and political future of Iraq’s Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Christians, calling it both a moral obligation and a strategic U.S. interest. In a February 16 letter, Rep. Darin LaHood asked the White House to press Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government to enforce Article 125 of Iraq’s Constitution, which guarantees administrative, political, and cultural rights for the indigenous Christian community but has gone largely unimplemented for nearly two decades. He also called for restoring electoral quota protections and diaspora voting, arguing that enforcing existing laws would strengthen security and help stem emigration.
Read MoreThe Chaldean Hockey League hosted its Charity Night on Feb. 15 at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, bringing the community together for an evening of competition and generosity. The event raised $25,000 for the Chaldean Community Foundation, supporting its vital programs and services. With the championship games set for next week, the league now looks ahead to an exciting finish to the season both on and off the ice.
Read MoreRudy’s Prime Steakhouse in downtown Clarkston has been named Hour Detroit magazine’s 2026 Restaurant of the Year — a milestone moment for a restaurant rooted as deeply in history as it is in hospitality.
Read MoreIraq’s parliament has postponed the vote to elect a new president to allow further talks between the country’s two main Kurdish parties, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), amid an unusual dispute over the Kurdish nominee for the largely ceremonial post. Under Iraq’s post-2003 power-sharing system—well known to Iraqis and Chaldeans alike—the presidency is reserved for a Kurd, the prime ministership for a Shia Muslim, and the speaker of parliament for a Sunni Muslim, a balance meant to reflect Iraq’s diverse communities.
Read MoreRepublican President Donald Trump is returning to Michigan on Tuesday to speak at the Detroit Economic Club in Detroit. The event will be held at 2 p.m. at the MotorCity Casino Sound Board theatre and is limited to club members and their guests. This marks Trump’s third appearance before the Detroit Economic Club and his first visit to Michigan in 2026. His speech will coincide with the start of the Detroit Auto Show. It’s not yet clear whether he’ll make any other stops in the state. Trump has frequently visited Michigan for campaign events and presidential visits in recent years.
Read MoreLaunched in 2023 by a group of young Syriac (Chaldean-Assyrian-Aramean) activists in Germany, Syriac-History is a digital archive and media initiative dedicated to restoring an often-marginalized history to today’s online public square.
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