Daily media briefing
Stay informed with our daily media briefing newsletter. Every weekday morning we'll bring you the most relevant news and updates related to secularism directly to your inbox.
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Thu, 4 Jan 2024
US: Kim Davis handed new legal bill in gay marriage licence case
She said she did not comply with the couple's request for a marriage licence because she believes marriage is between a man and woman, citing her religious beliefs as an evangelical Christian.
BBC
How religion and politics will mix in 2024 – three trends to track
Religion is likely to play a big role in voters' choices in the 2024 presidential election – much as it did in previous years.
The Conversation
‘In Modi’s India, Gandhi has become irrelevant’
"Seventy-five years after his assassination, Gandhi — the man who led India out of British rule, revered in the West as the exemplar of nonviolent protest — has become a casualty of India's lurch toward Hindu nationalism", writes Rana Ayyub.
The Washington Post*
Bomb blasts near Iranian commander’s grave kill nearly 100
Soleimani was Iran's most powerful military figure before he was assassinated in Iraq, and is revered as a national hero by the Islamic regime and its supporters.
Financial Times*
Wed, 3 Jan 2024
Muslim Association of Britain director calls Hamas hostage-taking ‘an important act of resistance’
UK-based Islamist who was part of Armistice Day walk dismisses reports that terror group committed rape in attacks as 'a lie'.
The Telegraph*
AI chatbot tried to recruit government terrorism advisor to Islamic State
Jonathan Hall KC tested a number of chatbots online and found one was described as a senior leader of Islamic State.
Metro
Actress Susan Hampshire calls for assisted dying law change
Forsyte Saga star says 'democratic, civilised' country would allow conscientious clinicians to provide compassionate care at end of life.
The Telegraph*
26 East Devon churches benefit from government cash grants
Nearly 5,000 religious buildings in the United Kingdom have received a share of up to £42 million in public funding.
Midweek Herald
Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri killed in Beirut blast
Israel has insisted the assassination of a Hamas leader in Beirut was not an attack on Lebanon, as its enemies warned of "punishment" for his death.
BBC
Claudine Gay resigns as Harvard University president
Harvard University's president has resigned after facing allegations of plagiarism and criticism over her comments about antisemitism on campus.
BBC
Texas can ban emergency abortions despite federal guidance, court rules
The ruling by a unanimous panel of fifth US circuit court of appeals comes amid a wave of lawsuits focusing on abortion exceptions.
The Guardian
Trial of Salman Rushdie attacker could be delayed by memoir release
Hadi Matar's lawyer has insisted he is entitled to a copy of the book.
The Times*
BJP win in India’s 2024 general election ‘almost an inevitability’
Concerns raised over what a third term for Narendra Modi would mean for the country amid rising Hindu-Muslim tension.
The Guardian
French bishop denies promoting banned gay conversion therapies
The Catholic leader invited the priests of the diocese to give their blessing to homosexual couples if requested, but with certain conditions.
RFI
Tue, 2 Jan 2024
The Commons would be lessened without its daily prayers, says Speaker’s chaplain
Opponents have argued against prayers in parliament, with the likes of the National Secular Society and Humanists UK calling for it to be ditched or replaced with a "time for reflection".
Express and Star
Year in review: 2023
With a general election on the cards for 2024, Stephen Evans of the National Secular Society discussed where the political parties stand on faith schools.
The Freethinker
King honours Archbishop of Canterbury for key role in Coronation
The King has personally honoured the Archbishop of Canterbury by making him a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order.
The Telegraph*
Assisted dying is gaining support, MSP says before Holyrood vote
A bid to allow assisted dying in Scotland appears to have enough support to pass its first crucial hurdle at Holyrood, according to the politicians pushing the new law.
The Times*
Huge poll will ask 175,000 people why royals exist
One possible choice is "to be the Supreme Governor of the Church of England".
The Mirror
'Deeply worrying' police data shows sharp rise in religious hate crimes after Israel-Gaza war
The number of antisemitic hate crimes recorded by many of the UK's largest police forces jumped sharply in the weeks following the outbreak of the Hamas-Israel conflict, new figures reveal.
ITV
Ireland: ‘Church hides its assets rather than pay the survivors’
Victims of mother and baby scandal still waiting for money from congregations, says campaigner Catherine Corless.
The Times*
US: LGBT+ teacher alleges he was fired by school ‘for not living a Catholic lifestyle’
More than 100 people attended a rally to reinstate Michael Califano as a teacher at Maria Regina Catholic School.
Independent
Israel supreme court strikes down Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul law
The judges ruled on Monday by a slim majority of eight to seven to throw out a law that curtailed the court's own powers, saying it would severely damage Israel's democracy.
The Guardian
Fri, 22 Dec 2023
Sir Keir Starmer supports assisted dying law change
Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer has said there are "grounds for changing the law" on assisted dying.
BBC
‘Our ridiculous assisted dying laws need to be brought into the 21st century’
In an exclusive poll conducted by the Telegraph, 68 per cent of over 17,000 readers backed the legalisation of assisted dying.
The Telegraph*
London school shuts amid 'threats towards staff' after pupils 'warned' about support for Palestinians
A Department for Education spokesman said: "Intimidation of teachers and staff is unacceptable, and we are working with Barclay Primary School to support them."
The Standard
Government scheme gave £42m to help restore UK churches in 2023
Listed places of worship grants were awarded to almost 5,000 religious buildings for essential work to roofs, masonry and monuments.
The Guardian
‘No doctor in the country will touch you’: how the NHS is failing FGM survivors
At least 137,000 women in the UK live with the painful and traumatic consequences of cutting, but there is no provision for reconstructive surgery.
The Guardian
'Spate of Iranian executions cannot go unchallenged'
"The surge in executions is intended as a show of strength by the regime, instilling fear in the wider population. The reality is that it merely underlines the increasing desperation of the ruling mullahs", writes Jawad Iqbal.
The Times*
Italy’s ruling party drafts law to ‘safeguard’ school nativity scenes
Italy's ruling far-right party has identified a new battleground in its war to protect the country's "cultural roots": the school nativity scene.
The Guardian
The Sikh separatist at the centre of US murder plot allegation
The US has accused Delhi of plotting to assassinate an American citizen who advocates for Khalistan - an independent Sikh state carved out of India.
BBC
Thu, 21 Dec 2023
Bill halted for public consultation on bishop's future in Tynwald
A private members' bill to remove the bishop's right to vote in Tynwald has been adjourned while a public consultation is carried out.
BBC
I would welcome assisted dying law debate, says cabinet minister
Mel Stride said the government did not have plans to bring the law back to parliament but he would not be resistant to discussions if it did
The Times*
Leaked Iran hijab documents call for mobile courts and jail terms for celebrities
"Highly confidential" documents obtained by BBC Persian outline how Iran's government is trying to crack down on women who do not wear a hijab.
BBC
German court convicts man inspired by IS of two knife attacks
A Syrian man has been convicted of murder, attempted murder and bodily harm over two knife attacks in Germany this year.
ABC News
China wields Mazu 'peace goddess' religion as weapon in Taiwan election
CCP is ramping up exchanges with folk religious groups in Taiwan to manipulate political opinion, say Taiwanese officials.
Reuters
India ‘ready to look into’ alleged plot to kill Sikh separatist in the US, says Modi
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said India was concerned about 'extremist groups' based overseas after US charges Nikhil Gupta.
The Guardian
Many Trump supporters believe God has chosen him to rule
Some liken him to Cyrus, a heathen emperor who did God's will.
The Economist*
Wed, 20 Dec 2023
Islamic charity worker shared video defending October 7 attack – NSS quoted
Stephen Evans, the chief executive of the National Secular Society, said it was "alarming" to see charities involved in the dissemination of "divisive rhetoric".
The Telegraph*
Archbishop of York calls for public consultation before bishop vote changes
"I realise it is not really my place to interfere in these matters but I would urge you to consider carefully making constitutional changes", wrote archbishop Stephen Cottrell.
Manx Radio
Isle of Man: Bid for citizens jury to consider bishop's vote
MHK Chris Thomas wants a panel of 24 people to consider a number of elements relating to the potential change in law.
BBC
Family of Sikh activist call for new UK investigation into his death
Family of Avtar Singh Khanda, 35, say Home Office decision could allay fears of Sikhs in UK of being targeted by India.
The Guardian
Italy court jails parents for life over 'honour killing' of Pakistani teen
Following Saman Abbas's disappearance, the country's union of Islamic communities issued a fatwa rejecting forced marriages.
BBC
India: Hindus get boost to change mosque into temple
Hindu nationalists assert that Islamic invaders and rulers destroyed temples over several centuries and are compiling a list of 3,000 mosques to target.
The Times*
US: With a deadline looming, the United Methodist Church breaks up
A quarter of the denomination's churches have left, as the faith divides over LGBTQ policies.
The New York Times*
Tue, 19 Dec 2023
Church of England faces disestablishment bill in Parliament
Establishment has long been a target of the National Secular Society who think 26 bishops in the House of Lords is 26 too many.
Religion News Service
Vatican gives conditional approval to blessings for same-sex couples
In 2021, said the Vatican said the Catholic church could not bless same-sex couples as God "does not bless sin".
The Guardian
Edward Little jailed over Hyde Park gun attack plot
In May, Muslim convert Little admitted preparing to commit acts of terrorism.
BBC
‘We live with a gun to our heads’: how Iran is targeting protesters in Britain
As David Cameron says the Iranian regime threatens people on UK soil, Iranians talk about the threats, harassment and intimidation they experience for organising British protests.
The Guardian
Abortion: PSNI investigate safe access zone protest law breaches
The police are investigating up to 50 potential breaches of laws providing safe access zones (SAZs) outside abortion clinics in Northern Ireland.
BBC
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