Daily media briefing

Lawrence Hecker will face court on kidnapping and rape charges in September pending a final competency ruling.

The Guardian

Bolivia's top prosecutor's office said on Thursday it is launching an investigation against three Jesuit priests accused of covering up child abuse in the city of La Paz, the latest development in a string of pedophilia scandals that have shaken the South American country.

Premier Christian News

The chair of the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) has blamed "Zionist financiers abroad" for the far-right riots which have swept across England.

The Jewish Chronicle

Two Muslim "interfaith" charities openly support Iran-backed terror groups including Hezbollah and Hamas, a JC investigation has revealed.

The Jewish Chronicle

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of public order offences – including using threatening words or behaviour "intended to stir up religious hatred"

ITV

Robert Jenrick has been criticised by a rival for the Conservative leadership and Muslim parliamentarians for saying police should "immediately arrest" any protesters shouting "Allahu Akbar", the Arabic phrase that means God is great.

The Guardian

Counter-demo against planned far-right gathering outside Finchley immigration centre marred by circulation of 'antisemitic' leaflet by group named Finchley Against Fascism

Jewish News

Shehraz Sarwar, aged 46, from Saltley, has denied a charge of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place following a gathering in Bordesley Green, Birmingham, on Monday in response to a purported EDL rally

Birmingham Live

Three sold-out Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna have been cancelled after three men were arrested on suspicion of plotting an Islamist terrorist attack, but police were said to be searching for potential accomplices.

The Times*

In Thailand, it can seem like barely a week goes by without reports of monks being charged with drug possession, drunk driving, corruption, violent crimes, even rape and murder.

ABC News

Moves by two Republican-governed states have taken aim at the Constitution's "establishment clause," long understood by courts as separating church and state.

Reuters

There were fears violence on Britain's streets could escalate after a counter-protesting gang of Asian men attacked a man at a pub in Birmingham.

The Times*

A Sky News presenter was forced off air after being surrounded by masked protesters and sworn at following reports of a 'far-right march' in Birmingham on Monday (August 5).

Manchester Evening News

The National Education Union (NEU) has claimed its head, Daniel Kebede, "did not know" about the controversial views of an activist with whom he was photographed at a recent conference.

The Jewish Chronicle

The Government should define Islamophobia to combat "the racism and vitriol we are seeing by a minority of far-right activists on Britain's streets", a Labour MP has said.

ITV

Increasing numbers of secular schools are adding chaplains to their ranks to provide pupils with pastoral support amid a mental health epidemic

The Times*

A DUP councillor in Co Down has raised concerns over Catholic councillors not declaring their faith as a potential conflict of interest.

The Irish News

Jewish audience members about to see a performance of Fiddler on the Roof on Monday evening came face-to-face with anti-Israel protesters inside Regent's Park cafe.

The Jewish Chronicle

A Muslim shadow minister has criticised her own party leader, Andrew RT Davies, for his social media posts about Halal meat in Welsh schools.

Nation Cymru

Islamists fighting government in long civil war have used garments to hide their identities before carrying out attacks.

The Telegraph*

The government is looking "closely" at the issue of creating a specific definition of Islamophobia, Downing Street has confirmed.

Jewish News

A hate crime investigation has begun after gravestones in the Muslim section of a cemetery in a town were vandalised.

BBC

Hundreds of men wearing masks and balaclavas gathered near a McDonald's after speculation of far-Right demonstration.

The Telegraph*

A London rabbi has been arrested and charged by a court in Dublin over accusations that he carried out illegal circumcisions on non-Jewish children in Ireland.

Jewish Chronicle

Days before the Paris Olympics began, French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla was stuck in a row with her government over the right to wear a hijab at the opening ceremony. With French competitors bound by secularist laws that stop them donning the Islamic headscarf, rights advocates saw Sylla's case as perpetuating discrimination against Muslims, though some saw it as authorities at least tempering their stance.

Reuters*

Nine members of a United Nations refugee agency have been fired after investigators found evidence suggesting that they may have been involved in the October 7 attack on Israel, the UN announced on Monday.

The Times*

Russian Orthodox leaders have heaped praise on President Putin during celebrations of his name-day, as their Church consolidated its hold over occupied regions of war-torn Ukraine.

Church Times*

A group of around 50 Hindu nationalists forced their way into a Catholic school in India and demanded Christian statues were removed.

Catholic Herald

The Home Office said mosques at risk of violent targeting can be provided with additional security personnel as part of a rapid security response to boost the work being done by local police.

Sky News

The surge in extreme rightwing activity in the past week has led to a fivefold increase in threats to Muslims, such as of rape and death, and a threefold increase in hate crime incidents, a national monitoring group said on Sunday.

The Guardian

Labour MPs and Muslim groups have urged Sir Keir Starmer to take a stronger stance on Islamophobia after a far-Right mob attacked a mob in Southport. But opposition backbenchers warned any new legislation would only serve to stifle criticism of religion and freedom of expression.

The Telegraph/MSN

The Jewish Museum has postponed a series of activities scheduled to take place this month at a local library, citing "security "concerns from rising tensions in the Middle East and the stabbing of children at a dance class in Southport earlier in the week.

The JC

The regulator said St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church "failed to follow the code in some respects" while carrying out the Agape Project, a campaign aiming to raise £150,000 to buy a new building within 100 days.

Civil Society

Members of the Jewish LGBT+ community have expressed outrage at the decision of Brighton & Hove Pride to exclude a Jewish LGBT+ group from attending a parade.

The JC

The extent to which Choudary featured on terrestrial TV risked providing him with the respectability of being a Muslim community leader at a time when social tensions were at fever pitch, says Rakib Ehsan.

The Spectator*

In response to the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, the Vatican on Saturday issued a statement denouncing the scene.

Catholic News Agency

Schools in Oklahoma are tearing themselves apart over a new directive ordering teachers to incorporate the Bible into their lessons.

Mail Online*

There are now more than 450 maternity homes in the US; many of them are faith-based. As abortion restrictions increase, anti-abortion advocates want to open more.

Associated Press

Police forces have been urged to step up patrols outside mosques and asylum seeker accommodation amid plans for at least 19 far-right rallies across England in coming days.

The Guardian

Martin Warner was speaking in a House of Lords debate about a cross-party report on secondary education, ahead of a review of the national curriculum instigated by the new Government.

Church Times*

The next generation cannot take forward the peace process if they continue to be subject to segregation and reinforced division that defined previous generations, argues Emma DeSouza.

Byline Times

The Catholic Church has apologised for its treatment of a priest who was sexually abused as a young adult in the 1980s by a fellow member of the clergy.

BBC

A London-based rabbi accused of travelling to Ireland to perform an illegal circumcision on a child has been refused bail.

The Irish Times*

More than 200 people from the TV and film industry have signed a letter to the BBC board calling for an urgent investigation into what it called "systemic problems of antisemitism and bias" at the corporation.

BBC

An extremist who called himself 'TikTok Jihadist' has been jailed for 11 years for plotting to join Islamic State and become a sniper.

Birmingham Live

More than 2,100 under-15s were referred to Prevent in 2022/23 over fears they were being groomed by extremists or at risk of radicalisation. Of them, 462 expressed 'extreme right wing' ideologies compared with 182 'Islamist' referrals.

Mail Online

A mum who had an abortion while taking medication for PTSD has hit out as campaigners continue to target women outside Scots clinics.

Daily Record

Father Calvin Robinson wants to buy Torsa 'for Christendom' as he launched a fundraiser with a target of £1.5million.

Scottish Daily Express