Daily media briefing

A London council has scrapped plans to erect a Hanukkah menorah due to "rising tensions" amid the Israel-Hamas war.

Sky News

A foiled plot to assassinate a prominent Sikh separatist leader in New York, just days after another activist's killing, was meant to precede a string of other politically motivated murders in the United States and Canada, according to U.S. prosecutors.

Associated Press

Prominent Democratic party leaders in California, as well as pro-Israel Jewish groups in the Bay Area, have condemned expressions of support for Hamas and conspiracy theories questioning the 7 October attacks aired at a heated Oakland city council debate on Monday.

The Guardian

Rising numbers of Rohingya refugees are fleeing from camps in Bangladesh by boat, taking entire families, including children, with them, as they despair of ever returning home to Myanmar, the United Nations reports

Church Times*

The destruction of Babri Masjid in 1992, which sparked riots in which some 2,000 people died, was the culmination of a years-long campaign by bjp leaders to replace the mosque with a Ram temple. It galvanised the Hindu-nationalist movement.

The Economist*

A preacher found guilty of fraud for selling a fake cure for Covid-19 has lost a Court of Appeal challenge against his conviction.

BBC

Pope Francis is evicting US Cardinal Raymond Burke, an outspoken critic, from his Vatican apartment and revoking his salary.

BBC

The US has said it foiled an alleged plot to assassinate an American citizen in New York who advocated for a Sikh separatist state.

BBC

US congresswoman Rashida Tlaib has been accused of associating with Hamas supporters, including Rafeeq Jaber – whose defunct charity was found legally liable for financing the Hamas murder of an American.

Daily Mail

The damages payout for a sexual assault victim of former Albury priest and convicted paedophile Vincent Kiss has risen to more than $4 million after the Catholic church failed in its appeal of a jury verdict.

Canberra Times

Religious beliefs among Māori have shifted significantly over the past two decades, with those identifying as having "no religion" in the census between 2006 and 2018 increasing from 36.5% to 53.5%. Māori affiliation with Christianity has fallen from 46.2% to 29.9%.

The Conversation

The fallout from the October 7^th attacks shows that Muslims stand at a critical juncture in the evolution of their faith. Huge religious, political and social transformations are changing the Middle East and its 400m people. The question is whether Hamas's attack reverses this revolution by stoking Islamism's embers. Anti-Israeli and anti-Western fervour could agitate its grassroots anew.

The Economist*

A Scots pastor who was condemned for comments he made about Humza Yousaf has claimed his words were "twisted" and he was stating "facts".

The National

A London University has refused to host a Gaza fundraiser with British former world boxing champion Amir Khan after it was revealed it would feature a preacher who defended "armed resistance" against Israel two days after Hamas's attack on October 7.

The Jewish Chronicle

Two members of the now disbanded Independent Safeguarding Board say they will not engage with the independent review into the circumstances which led to its closure.

Premier Christian News

The top European Union court has ruled that member states can prohibit their employees from wearing signs of religious belief.

BBC

French police have arrested a fugitive yoga sect leader called Gregorian Bivolaru and 40 of his followers.

BBC

Pakistani police are investigating the so-called "honour killing" of a young woman who appeared in a viral photo that police suspect was doctored.

BBC

There are many Taliban officials who would support reversing the ban on schooling for girls in Afghanistan, according to the country's last education minister before the takeover.

The Guardian

"If we want to see an end to this conflict, we need to elevate the voices of moderates and those demanding a future in which both the Israeli and Palestinian people can live in security, freedom and dignity. We are choosing not to hate. If we, with all the pain and tragedy, can make that choice, others"

The Times*

The charity watchdog has warned that organisations that allow "hate speech" regarding the Israel-Hamas war will be dealt with "robustly." The NSS' letter to the Charity Commission is quoted.

The i

The charity regulator has pledged to crack down on bodies that host anti-Semitic extremists amid "serious concerns" about activities linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The NSS' letter to the Charity Commission is referenced.

The Telegraph*

Medics treating critically ill babies are reportedly quitting their jobs owing to "considerable moral distress" caused by a rightwing Christian group behind a series of end-of-life court cases.

The Guardian

A leading Jewish doctor has expressed concerns that an NHS colleague known to be a leading member of extremist organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT) is still free to treat patients in north London.

Jewish News

A teenager whose lies led to the beheading of a teacher by an Islamist terrorist is overwhelmed by guilt, according to court documents.

The Times*

A Christian doomsday cult responsible for the deaths of more than 400 people from starvation and beatings in Kenya was influenced by an Australian religious group, a parliamentary committee report in the east African nation has found.

The Guardian

Homosexuality should not be a criminal offence and people should be helped to understand the issue better, a top cardinal from Ghana has said. His views are at odds with Roman Catholic bishops in Ghana, who say homosexuality is "despicable".

BBC

Victims of Soul Survivor's Mike Pilavachi have raised concerns that an independent review into his abuse could "throw him under the bus and protect those who may have enabled him".

The Telegraph*

Two former Independent Safeguarding Board (ISB) members have announced that they have ceased to co-operate with the independent review of the ISB's demise. They have concerns about the reviewer's remit.

Church Times*

Tens of thousands of people have marched through central London at a demonstration against antisemitism.

BBC

Police are investigating allegations of anti-Semitic hate speech reportedly made in Birmingham. A dossier of leaked footage reportedly showed preachers calling for Jews to be killed and Israel to be destroyed in sermons at mosques in London, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Northampton.

Birmingham Mail

The largest trade union for Oxford University has passed a resolution which recognises 'caste' as a protected characteristic.

Bicester Advertiser

The killing of the teacher, who showed caricatures of the prophet of Islam to his class, led authorities to reaffirm France's cherished rights of expression and secularism.

Associated Press

In what was one of Europe's most religious countries, mass attendance has dropped severely, Irish priests find themselves working far past retirement age, and only a small number of apprentices are committing themselves to the church.

EuroNews

Iran's interior minister denies having authorized hijab enforcers at the capital's subway stations, claiming they are "citizens' groups" carrying out a religious duty.

Iran International

A group of 14 people charged with killing an eight-year-old girl by denying her medical care will stand trial without a jury present due to the "notoriety" and complexity of the case.

The Guardian

Footage of preachers calling for Jews to be slaughtered and Israel to be destroyed has been handed to detectives.

Daily Mail

Concerns have risen among rights groups that the ADF is ramping up spending in an attempt to bring US-style abortion politics to the UK.

EuroNews

The proposed entrance would have been used by a group of Orthodox Jews who will not use the entrance of the Science Museum because it holds human remains in its collection.

London News

The Church of England's investigation into safeguarding failures at Soul Survivor revealed that Croft failed to act on three separate occasions where allegations had been made.

Premier Christian News

'Pilgrims will visit from all over the world' mocks one social media post – but Bristol Airport defends its new facility.

The Telegraph*

Moshe Aryeh Friedman, whom many in Belgian Jewish community consider a gadfly, says that the custom known as 'metzitzah b'peh' is dangerous and unnecessary.

The Times of Israel

Woppa Diallo's work to end FGM and keep girls in school has saved others from being cut.

The Guardian

The protests erupted in September 2022 following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was detained by morality police for allegedly wearing her hijab "improperly".

BBC

Diocesan representatives on the Crown Nominations Commission for the see of Canterbury reduced to three while Anglican Communion representatives increased to five.

Church Times*

The report said current guidelines gave police sufficient powers but further changes could damage free speech.

The Telegraph*

Veteran anti-Islam populist leader Geert Wilders has won a dramatic victory in the Dutch general election, according to the latest results with almost all votes counted.

BBC

"Antisemitism in France has taken a radical new turn", writes David A. Bell.

UnHerd