Your daily media briefing - Friday 17 April

In the Media is our daily collection of news and commentary related to secularism, available delivered to your inbox. You can also read the latest news and opinion and listen to our podcasts on our website.

Secularism in the media

Poland lawmakers defer final vote on divisive abortion bill

Polish lawmakers on Thursday postponed a final decision on controversial proposals to impose a near-total ban on abortion and criminalize school sex education in the predominantly Catholic country.

Mail Online

German bishops criticise decision to maintain church service ban

Germany's Catholic bishops' have voiced disappointment at Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision not to lift the ban on public church services.

Catholic Herald

Half of Americans say Bible should influence U.S. laws

Today, about half of Americans (49%) say the Bible should have at least "some" influence on U.S. laws, including nearly a quarter (23%) who say it should have "a great deal" of influence.

Pew Research Center

Netflix slammed as ‘Islam’s enemy’ over rumours of gay character in Turkish teen drama

New Turkish drama Love 101 unleashed a torrent of fury over unconfirmed rumours that it will feature a gay character.

Pink News

Jewish News and Jewish Chronicle merger planned

The Kessler Foundation, owner of the Jewish Chronicle, has submitted an offer to the proposed liquidators of both the Jewish Chronicle and Jewish News for the assets of both titles.

Jewish News

Opportunity or threat? How Islamic extremists are reacting to coronavirus

Groups such as Isis plan to exploit pandemic, but even it has acknowledged danger posed by virus.

The Guardian

'As coronavirus spreads around the world, so too do the quack cures'

Politicians, faith leaders and other authority figures have been touting dubious remedies.

The Guardian

'In Modi's India, virus fallout inflames divisions between Muslims and Hindus'

The coronavirus has also exacerbated festering divisions between the country's Hindus and its sizable Muslim minority, many of whom have seen their livelihoods threatened by the establishment of quarantine zones.

Reuters

'Like Esty in Unorthodox, I left my Chasidic community. This is what the show doesn't tell you'

'The process is a lot messier than the series would have you think.'

The Independent

Listen to our latest podcast

Ep 23: The NSS at the UN - interview with Josephine Macintosh

In this week's episode, Emma Park speaks to Josephine Macintosh, a solicitor and vice president of the NSS, about her work representing the NSS at the United Nations.

Josephine discusses her recent presentations on behalf of the NSS at the UN Human Rights Council. She also talks about the constraints that the coronavirus is likely to place on the UN's human rights work.

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