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** Your daily media briefing - Wednesday 8 April
This morning we're deeply saddened to report that Barbara Smoker, one of our longest-serving presidents, has died at the age of 96 after a long illness. We've paid tribute to her in the piece below.
** From the NSS
* Former NSS president Barbara Smoker dies at 96 <[link removed]>
The NSS is deeply saddened to report the death of one of its longest-serving presidents, Barbara Smoker, at the age of 96.
** Secularism in the media
* Veteran UK atheist Barbara Smoker dies aged 96 <[link removed]>
A reflection on Barbara Smoker's life from Barry Duke.
The Freethinker (Patheos)
* Coronavirus: Religious festivities may have proved deadly to community <[link removed]>
For some Jews, the timing of the festival of Purim may have carried a death sentence. And in some religious quarters, a belief that faith will provide protection from coronavirus poses an additional risk.
The Times (£)
* Street preacher fined and taken away by police after ignoring coronavirus order <[link removed]>
A street preacher has been issued with a COVID-19 enforcement notice and told by police to stop preaching in Taunton town centre under the new coronavirus legislation.
Somerset Live
* Anger that some Jewish ritual baths remain open during coronavirus crisis <[link removed]>
A Jewish GP was so angry at mikvaot remaining open that she reported it to the police, while a public health consultant said it was safer to shut them even if they were not high-risk.
The Jewish Chronicle
* Coronavirus: Jewish communities asked to stay apart for Passover <[link removed]>
Jewish families preparing for the traditional festivities have been called on to stick to the guidelines on social distancing.
Sky News
* Coronavirus: Social distancing funerals 'should be banned', says humanist celebrant <[link removed]>
There are calls for funerals to be banned during the coronavirus crisis because of limits on the number of mourners causing distress to families.
BBC
* Pell still faces civil suits over abuse <[link removed]>
Cardinal George Pell's legal battles are far from over, even though he is a free man.
9News
* George Pell: Man who accused cardinal says 'case doesn't define me' <[link removed]>
The Australian man who accused Cardinal George Pell of child sexual abuse says he accepts a court's decision to overturn the cleric's conviction.
BBC
* Abortion rights opponents in several US cities have been cited for violating stay-at-home orders <[link removed]>
In recent weeks, police in several cities have arrested people who continued to engage in anti-abortion rights demonstrations or other advocacy efforts outside reproductive health clinics, despite stay-at-home orders and similar restrictions.
CNN
* ‘Red states in the US are exploiting coronavirus to ban abortion’ <[link removed]>
Governors argue that they're banning abortion to conserve resources for the pandemic, but they're ensuring that more people expose themselves to the coronavirus.
The New York Times (£)
* Egypt to ban Ramadan gatherings to counter coronavirus <[link removed]>
Egypt will ban any public religious gatherings during the holy Muslim fasting month Ramadan starting in around two weeks to counter the spread of the new coronavirus, a government statement said on Tuesday.
Reuters
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