News that the Scouts are to consult on revising their oath so that atheists can join has been welcomed by the National Secular Society.

The Presidents of the European Council and European Commission today heard a plea today for greater protection for pregnant women's right to life following the death of Savita Halappanavar in Ireland. Mrs Halappanavar died in October after suffering a miscarriage after reportedly being denied a termination.

The Supreme Court has today ruled on a dispute between two Catholic organisations about who is responsible for paying compensation to over 170 victims of alleged physical and sexual abuse at a Yorkshire children's home.

The Government has announced that it has no intention of changing the law on chancel repair liability – leaving tens of thousands of home-owners with houses that are potentially unsaleable.

Four controversial British religious discrimination cases are due to be heard at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on Tuesday 4 September 2012. The outcome will have a huge impact on how future equality cases involving religion are determined.

The National Secular Society has welcomed an announcement from Edinburgh City Council that new ten minute "Pause for Reflection" sessions will be held before council meetings in place of prayers during them.

The Church of England's failure to distinguish between social, religious and legal institutions of marriage "confuses the issues" according to a legal opinion obtained by the National Secular Society about the Church's controversial response to the Government's consultation on equal marriage.

Following the General Medical Council determination on Thursday June 14th against Dr Richard Alexander Scott of Bethesda Medical Centre in Margate, the National Secular Society has written to NHS Eastern and Coastal to question the appropriateness of GPs identifying their practice as being of a particular religion.

We welcome the GMC's determination making it clear that doctors – whether religious or not – must set aside their own personal beliefs and not evangelise when treating patients, far less suggest that they adopt a different belief. Doing so needlessly puts patients in a difficult position.

The Catholic Education Service (CES) is accused today of abusing its authority by contacting Catholic schools asking them to tell pupils about a political campaign aimed at thwarting equal marriage legislation for LGBT people.