Fortress Europe hasn’t deterred refugees – they just take more dangerous routes
As Greece has tightened its borders, many migrants make perilous journeys through the Balkans, writes Apostolis Fotiadis
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Historic medical discovery could help treat Alzheimer’s, and other stories – our morning round-up
Discovery “could hold key to Alzheimer’s treatment” Scientists at the University of Leicester have discovered a chemical that prevents the death of brain tissue, which they are claiming is a…
Pope Francis calls extraordinary synod, and other stories – our morning round-up
Pope Francis calls extraordinary synod on family and marriage Pope Francis will host an Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to discuss the topic, “The Pastoral Challenges of…
Scouts unveil new secular pledge
Starting next year, non-religious scouts can recite their Scout Promise without mention to God. But, the Scouting Association will also be holding on to its religious pledge.
Leaders of the far-right English Defence League announce they are quitting the group (but not islamophobia)
This morning, the Quilliam Foundation announced that the leaders of the far-right English Defence League, which holds anti-Muslim street protests, are quitting the group. The anti-racist organisation Hope not Hate…
Over half of schools failing in religious education, and other stories – our morning round-up
More than half of England’s schools are failing in religious education A new Ofsted report highlights low standards, weak teaching, weak examination provision and confusion about the purpose of RE.…
Pakistan bombings are an attack on everyday life
This morning's explosion near an anti-polio vaccination drive in Peshawar is the latest high-profile attack in Pakistan. The targets of the attacks may vary but the goal is always the…
LSE ‘Jesus & Mo’ t-shirt incident raises questions about free speech on campus
Students' Union and college security accused of heavy-handed approach in row over 'offensive' atheist clothing
Dozens killed in Egypt clashes, and other stories – our morning round-up
Dozens of protesters killed as rival factions tear Cairo apart At least 51 people have died in clashes between opponents and supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, as rival…
Mission Accomplished? Syria, the antiwar movement, and the spirit of internationalism
The American peace movement have claimed a major victory following the US decision not to pursue military intervention in Syria. This is to be welcomed, but activists must not sidestep…
European Council condemns male circumcision, and other stories – our morning round-up
European Council condemns male circumcision as human rights violation A report by the Council said male circumcision for religious reasons was “particularly worrisome”, with the procedure being “increasingly questioned”. Religious…
Time to end blasphemy laws in Europe
Humanist representatives at Europe's largest human rights conference call on the continent's states to remove their blasphemy laws, and condemn Russia's recent clampdown on gay rights
A flawed contribution to the faith schools debate
We should welcome any call for an evidence-based approach to the increasingly polarised debate on religious schools. But the Christian think tank Theos fails to deliver with its partial and…
Bogus bomb detectors still in use in Iraq, and other stories – our morning round-up
Iraq still using bogus bomb detectors Bomb detectors with no scientific basis, sold by convicted British fraudster James McCormick, are still in use in Iraq, where 979 were killed by…
The trouble with free schools
The closure of the Al-Madinah school in Derby suggests that the English free school system has a lot to learn from its Swedish role model.