Daily media briefing
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Wed, 30 Aug 2023
‘Despair is settling in’: female suicides on rise in Taliban’s Afghanistan
Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in the summer of 2021, there has been a disturbing surge in the number of women taking their own lives or attempting to do so, data collected from public hospitals and mental health clinics across a third of Afghanistan's provinces shows.
The Guardian
A year since Mahsa Amini’s death, what’s changed for women in Iran?
After the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, women in Iran risked death, rape and blinding when they removed their headscarves and took to the streets in protest. After being brutally crushed, they're now changing tactics.
The Times*
Tue, 29 Aug 2023
Government funding to charity halted after problematic videos emerge – NSS quoted
Recently announced government funding for an Islamic charity in Birmingham has been pulled after concerns were raised over videos appearing to express "misogynistic, homophobic and antisemitic views".
Civil Society
‘Why Prof Jay must impose an external Safeguarding Regulator on the CofE’
"So this is what Jay needs to do: recommend a truly independent Regulator, and recommend that parliament intervenes to create it. And that in respect of safeguarding at least, the CofE becomes subject to the Human Rights Act, freedom of information laws and the Nolan principles– the mechanisms which underpin accountability and transparency in other public bodies…"
Surviving Church
Tory councillor arrested for ‘hate crime’ after sharing video criticising police
A Conservative councillor was arrested for an alleged hate crime after re-tweeting a video criticising how the police treated a Christian street preacher.
The Telegraph*
Man arrested over damaged gravestones in Jewish cemetery in Kent
A man has been arrested after gravestones were damaged in a Jewish cemetery in Kent. Officers have been investigating the incident as a hate crime, with the damage believed to total about £19,000.
The Guardian
Two-thirds of Britons support legalising assisted dying, poll shows
More people believe it is acceptable to break the law to help a friend or loved who wants to die than believe it is wrong, a snapshot of UK public opinion on assisted dying has revealed.
The Guardian
Denmark bans ‘unsympathetic’ Koran burnings to protect national security
Denmark on Friday said that it plans to ban Koran burnings after a string of desecrations of Islam's holy book in the Scandinavian nation sparked anger in Muslim countries.
The Telegraph*
France to ban female students from wearing abayas in state schools
Pupils will be banned from wearing abayas, loose-fitting full-length robes worn by some Muslim women, in France's state-run schools, the education minister has said.
BBC
Taliban ban women from national park in Afghanistan
The Taliban have banned women from visiting one of Afghanistan's most popular national parks, adding to a long list of restrictions aimed at shrinking women's access to public places.
The Guardian
Fri, 25 Aug 2023
Muslim group accused of antisemitism allowed to register as charity by watchdog – NSS quoted
The Cricklewood Muslim Youth Trust (CMYT) posted a tweet in December 2021 warning Muslims: 'Keep away from the enemies of Allaah the Jews and Christians'
The Jewish Chronicle
Letters: Defence of seal needs more rigour
"Any discussion, however, must take place in full acknowledgement of the catastrophic safeguarding failures of the Church and its chronic poor performance in incorporating learning from external reviews or inquiries."
Church Times*
‘Is the Church of England giving up on Sunday worship?’
"An unfortunate conflict of timings meant that just as the England women's football team were limbering up to kick the first ball in Australia, church services in England were launching into their first hymn", writes Marcus Walker.
The Spectator*
Catholic church can be sued by family of George Pell’s accuser
Melbourne archdiocese loses legal bid to block choirboy's father from suing for damages.
The Guardian
Reforms needed after ‘horrendous’ Catholic church approach in paedophile priest cases, lawyers say
Lawyers say strategy a 'matter of continuing concern' after church succeeds in permanently blocking claim by two Indigenous men.
The Guardian
Pastor is among those indicted with Donald Trump
Thousands of people have signed a petition calling for the expulsion from the ministry of a Lutheran pastor who has been named as a co-defendant, with Donald Trump, in the latest indictment relating to attempted electoral fraud.
Church Times*
Rights groups oppose Texas law that lets chaplains work as school counsellors
Opponents argue it is a violation of religious freedom and the separation of church and state guaranteed by the US constitution. Lawmakers against the bill called it a "Trojan horse" to evangelise children.
The Guardian
US: Bishop threatens nuns with excommunication after they banned him from convent over his claim Mother Superior 'sexted with a priest'
A Catholic bishop in Texas has threatened to excommunicate a group of nuns, after they banned him from their convent over his allegations that their Mother Superior sexted with a priest.
Daily Mail
Thu, 24 Aug 2023
Paedophile priest's victim receives record £400k settlement
A man from Northern Ireland who was abused by Malachy Finnegan as a child has received a £400,000 settlement – thought to be the largest payout in the Finnegan case to date.
Premier Christian News
US Republican debate: Who were the winners and losers?
Mike Pence offered a passionate, religion-based call for nationwide abortion limits. That likely won't play well in next year's general election. But it could help him win over evangelical Republicans.
BBC
‘America is losing religious faith’
"While much of the rest of the industrialized world has become more secular over the last half-century, the United States has appeared to be an exception", writes Nicholas Kristof.
New York Times*
Australia: Ex-principal jailed for sexually abusing students at Jewish school
An Israeli former principal will spend up to 15 years in jail for sexually assaulting two students at an ultra-Orthodox Jewish school in Australia.
BBC
Nepal gay marriage 'victory' hits legal roadblock
On 13 July, the district court in Nepal's capital Kathmandu, refused to register their marriage, arguing that lower courts were not bound to follow the interim order as it was only directed at the government.
BBC
Magdalene Laundries: Uncovering the gaslighting and shame
A new BBC drama examines the impact of the abuse which took place at some of these notorious institutions.
BBC
‘Escaping Eden’
"For those who leave the Exclusive Brethren sect, separation comes at great personal cost", writes Pippa Bailey.
New Statesman
Wed, 23 Aug 2023
4,300 Jewish children at London state primary schools to receive free kosher meals
New figures released by City Hall confirm impact of Sadiq Khan's free school meals funding at 25 Jewish primary schools in the capital.
Jewish News
Islamic charity probed after event celebrating sanctioned general raises concerns
The Charity Commission has opened a compliance case into the Al-Tawheed Charitable Trust, after it conducted an event celebrating a deceased Iranian general.
Civil Society
Pakistani-Christians protest in Manchester as thousands flee violence
Following allegations of blasphemy, Imams in Jaranwala encouraged Muslims to seek revenge against Christians.
Premier Christian News
Sydney Anglicans say same-sex desire ‘an inclination toward evil’
The Sydney Anglican Diocese has produced a new doctrinal statement on homosexuality that says the mere desire for same-sex sexual intimacy is contrary to God's will.
The Age
NSW court rules Catholic church can’t get a fair trial in civil case over paedophile priest
The Catholic church has successfully used the death of a known paedophile priest to permanently halt a civil claim by two Indigenous survivors, one of whom is dying of cancer.
The Guardian
China officials hit by US sanctions over ‘forced assimilation’ of children in Tibet
Antony Blinken criticises China's state boarding schools that 'seek to eliminate Tibet's distinct linguistic, cultural and religious traditions'
The Guardian
Tue, 22 Aug 2023
Regulator criticised as charity registered after antisemitism complaint – NSS quoted
"The Charity Commission's reaction to complaints about antisemitism at this organisation was to request it to officially register as a charity. This demonstrates something is wrong at the heart of charity law."
Civil Society
Civil servants are losing faith in Christianity
Civil servants are less likely to be Christian than Britain as a whole, with central Whitehall departments some of the least religious parts of government.
The Times*
‘No congregation, no church’: how Scotland lost the faith
The Kirk now largely lacks the ability to unite a single moral community: the evangelicals step up to fill the gap.
The Financial Times*
‘Orphaned by decree’: Italy’s same-sex parents react to losing their rights
Giorgia Meloni – a hardline traditionalist who has long reiterated her view that a child should only be raised by heterosexual parents – began demanding that councils register only the biological parent.
The Guardian
Pakistan hands out cash to Christians who lost homes in 'blasphemy' rioting
The government said each household was getting 2 million rupees ($6,800) in compensation on Monday.
Washington Times*
US: Archdiocese declares bankruptcy amid hundreds sexual abuse lawsuits
The Chapter 11 protection filing will stop all legal actions against the archdiocese and thus allow it to develop a settlement plan with abuse survivors, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone said in a statement.
AP News
US: Mother superior accused of 'sexting' priest is backed by her nuns
A group of nuns in Texas have ostracised a bishop amid a bitter feud over claims their wheelchair-bound mother superior broke her chastity vow by "sexting" a priest.
The Telegraph*
Mon, 21 Aug 2023
Regulator probes Jewish education charities amid misconduct concerns
The Charity Commission has announced statutory inquiries into two connected charities.
Third Sector*
The Apprentice star blasted over homophobic rant
'I'm Muslim and Islam does not condone the (act of) homosexuality. It is seen as unnatural and immoral.' she wrote.
Metro
Religious Studies numbers at A level drop again, especially in Wales
The number of students taking Religious Studies at A level has decreased by 3.5 per cent in England, and by 24 per cent in Wales.
Church Times*
Wellbeing of non-religious Australian Defence Force personnel at risk, former recruiter warns
Defence must recruit secular alternatives to religious chaplains or face increasing risks to its members' health and wellbeing, according to a former top military recruiter.
The Guardian
Australia: Muslim preacher goes on homophobic rant about the Matildas
Two influential Muslim preachers have shared vile rants about the Matildas soccer team, with hateful messages directed at players in same-sex relationships.
Daily Mail
US: Jewish governor vetoes law requiring public services to serve kosher meals
The proposed law would apply to schools, prisons and hospitals across the US state.
The Jewish Chronicle
Alabama priest ‘groomed young girls’ before fleeing to Italy with 18-year-old
Alex Crow was previously accused of acting inappropriately with students and remains under orders by archdiocese to return home.
The Guardian
Protests at Tel Aviv light rail stations because train won’t run on Shabbat
Demanding 'freedom of movement, even on the Sabbath,' some demonstrators handcuff themselves inside final train of new line's first day of operation.
Times of Israel
Muslim couple killed in India over son’s relationship with Hindu girl
An elderly Muslim couple was beaten to death in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh over their son's relationship with a Hindu woman, it was reported.
Independent
Mosques probed over protest call in Pakistan blasphemy riots
A Muslim cleric is among a dozen people being investigated for using mosque loudspeakers to order protests against alleged blasphemy by Christians which erupted into mob violence.
France 24
Fri, 18 Aug 2023
Will the Church of England split over same-sex marriage?
A decade after same-sex marriage was legalised in England and Wales, the Church of England still refuses to allow LGBTQ+ couples to celebrate with a traditional church wedding. Now, internal splits over proposed reforms threaten to rip it apart.
Sky
Former church youth leader accused of seven counts of sexual abuse
A church leader from Hove is appearing in court charged with seven counts of historic sexual abuse. Daniel Reed is said to have plied teenagers with alcohol before indecently assaulting them on separate occasions at his home in Hove in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Premier Christian News
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