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Your daily media briefing - Wednesday 17 February

  

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.

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Secularism in the media

 

Judge grants judicial review into Scottish church closures during lockdown

Scottish ministers are to face a judicial review into the decision to include churches in the current lockdown.

Christian Today

 

Three-quarters of Scots oppose churches lockdown exemption

More than three-quarters of Scots oppose the prospect of churches being exempt from Covid-19 lockdown measures, new polling finds.

The Scotsman

 

Places of worship to be given 'priority' in road map out of lockdown in Scotland

Nicola Sturgeon has said the Scottish government will give the likes of churches and synagogues "priority" when she sets out a strategic framework for easing restrictions next week.

Glasgow Evening Times

 

Vicar accused of naked beatings and ice baths is subject of review assessed by police

An "abusive" vicar accused of administering naked beatings and ice baths is the subject of a review being assessed by police.

The Telegraph

 

Education in NI 'divided and splintered', says Ulster University report

Northern Ireland's education system is "divided, splintered and overly expensive", according to an Ulster University research paper.

BBC

 

Rights groups boycott Prevent review and accuse chair of ‘Islamophobic’ comments

Human rights organisations have boycotted a review of the government's flagship counter-extremism scheme and said they will launch a 'parallel review'.

The Independent

 

Bangladesh sentences five to death for killing blogger

A special tribunal in Bangladesh's capital on Tuesday sentenced five members of a banned militant group to death and a sixth man to life in prison for the 2015 killing of a prominent Bangladeshi-American blogger known for speaking out against religious fundamentalism.

AP News

 

Pakistan police seek arrest of two Christians over blasphemy

Pakistan's police said on Wednesday they were seeking arrest of two Christian men in the eastern city of Lahore, on charges they allegedly used insulting remarks against Islam's holy book and its prophet Muhammad.

The Philadelphia Inquirer

 

Polish musician convicted of blasphemy

Behemoth vocalist and guitarist Adam "Nergal" Darski has been convicted of blasphemy in Poland over a photo of himself from 2019 stepping on an image of the virgin Mary.

Metal Injection

 

South Carolina abortion ban awaits final vote in House

A Republican-backed bill that would likely ban almost all abortions in South Carolina is headed for a crucial vote on Wednesday, having already passed its toughest hurdle last month.

ABC News

 

US House set to vote on Equality Act next week

The US House of Representatives will vote next week on the Equality Act, a comprehensive piece of LGBTQ+ civil rights legislation.

Advocate

  

Latest from the NSS

 

Hate crime bill amendment to protect free speech on religion approved

An amendment to Scotland's current hate crime bill will provide greater protection for freedom of expression on religion.

  

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