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Your daily media briefing - Monday 4 May

  

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

 

Barbara Smoker obituary

Barbara Smoker, who has died aged 96, was president of the National Secular Society for a quarter of a century and a humanist activist for 70 years.

The Guardian

 

Fears for Nigerian humanist held for blasphemy in sharia state

A prominent Nigerian humanist accused of blasphemy has been arrested and taken to the northern city of Kano, according to figures close to him.

The Guardian

 

Christian fostering agency takes Ofsted to the High Court over policy of only working with evangelical married heterosexual carers

A court battle is set to take place between Ofsted and a Christian fostering agency over the company's policy of only working with straight married couples.

Mail Online

 

Coronavirus could cause rise in witchcraft and possession allegations in UK, police say

Witchcraft accusations against children and vulnerable people could rise in Britain because of the coronavirus outbreak, police have warned.

The Independent

 

Sunday trading laws could be scrapped during lockdown

Sunday trading laws could be scrapped under plans to kick start Britain's economic recovery.

The Sun

 

Quarter of UK adults have tuned into religious services during lockdown, says survey

A quarter of adults in the UK have watched or listened to a religious service since the coronavirus lockdown began, according to a survey commissioned by a Christian aid agency.

The Observer

 

Catholic Church draws up plans to reopen in Scotland

The Catholic Church in Scotland is to approach the Scottish government with plans for the phased reopening of parishes, according to a senior bishop.

Daily Record

 

India cracks down on Muslims under cover of coronavirus

Indian police are arresting high-profile Muslim activists and ordinary civilians under the cover of the coronavirus pandemic in a crackdown that follows anti-government protests and communal riots this year.

Financial Times

 

US states use coronavirus to ban abortions, leaving women desperate

Eight US states have worked to try and halt abortions entirely during the pandemic as clinics report a rise in demand.

The Guardian

 

White supremacists ‘encourage spreading virus to Jews’ in US

White supremacist groups in the United States are encouraging supporters who contract coronavirus to spread the virus on to Jews and police officers, an FBI intelligence report has claimed.

The Jewish Chronicle

 

Israel deems women’s ritual baths essential, leaving some conflicted over virus risk

Even as Israel closed down its public sphere to stem the spread of the coronavirus, the government deemed that some 700 of these ritual baths were essential and permitted them to remain open along with supermarkets and pharmacies.

The Washington Post (£)

  

Latest from the NSS

 

End faith-based selection to promote fairer admissions, NSS says

Religious selection in faith schools undermines efforts to improve the socio-economic diversity of schools' intakes, the NSS has said.

  

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