Jesuits provide legal help to refugees stuck in UK’s ailing asylum system
The Roman Catholic Jesuit order has stepped into the breach to provide legal assistance for refugees coming to the UK. Catherine Pepinster reports on the work of the Jesuit Refugee Service, which says people are getting caught in an inefficient system because of a lack of legal advice, a situation it describes as a sign of “a profound moral failure”. Dr Sophie Cartwright, senior policy officer at the JRS, said: “There has been a systematic underfunding of legal aid for this work, and lawyers are often reluctant to take on the most complex cases. It means that some people are living in destitution for a decade or more as they await their appeal hearing.” Read Catherine’s report here
Outrage at Trump’s sharia law jibe against London Mayor
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has accused Donald Trump of being “racist, sexist, misogynist and Islamophobic” after the US president told the United Nations that Sir Sadiq was a terrible mayor who wanted to introduce sharia law. Trump’s exact words were: “I look at London, where you have a terrible mayor, terrible, terrible mayor, and it’s been changed, it’s been so changed. Now they want to go to sharia law. But you are in a different country, you can’t do that.” At first, the Mayor’s office said: “We are not going to dignify his appalling and bigoted comments with a response”. However, yesterday, The Mayor gave an interview to Sky News while travelling on a London bus, saying: “People are wondering what it is about this Muslim mayor who leads a liberal, multicultural, progressive and successful city, that means I appear to be living rent-free inside Donald Trump’s head.” Labour MPs were outraged. The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, defended the Mayor and applauded his work. Emily Thornberry made clear that the sharia law line was baseless, saying Sir Sadiq is “0% interested” in introducing sharia law to London. Rosena Allin-Khan, the MP for Tooting, said the US ambassador to the UK, an ally of Trump, should be called to account for the president’s remarks.
Muslim Impact Forum for global philanthropy launches in London
The former first minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, will give a keynote address tonight at the official London launch of the Muslim Impact Forum, to be held at Palestine House in Central London. The Forum is a global organisation, bringing together Muslim philanthropists, business leaders and changemakers to strengthen Muslim giving and collaborate on projects worldwide. It held its inaugural event earlier this year in Turkey and plans a global event in 2026. Although a new organisation, it grew from the Global Donors Forum, which attracted 2,300 participants from 45 countries, overseeing $200 million in philanthropic funding. Arab News report here
£3k for people affected by data breach in CofE redress scheme
The Church Times reports that people affected by a data breach connected to the Church of England’s redress scheme for safeguarding cases, have been offered £3000 each. The offer came from Kennedys law firm, acting as the administrator of the scheme, which said it was deeply sorry for the “significant error”, has contacted each person individually and will ensure people will “not need to go through any court proceedings or protracted assessment processes in order to accept this redress from Kennedys”. Full statement and story here
US Black Christian leaders “unnerved” by response to Charlie Kirk’s death
Premier Christian News reports that Black Christian leaders in the United States have reacted with “a mix of grief, caution and concern following the death of conservative Christian activist Charlie Kirk”. The report quotes several pastors. One says he was horrified by the death but also “unnerved” by Kirk’s previous statements saying the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a huge mistake, or that if he saw a Black pilot he would say “I hope he’s qualified”. Another warned that this was a critical moment for race relations in the nation, while another feared civil war. The report quotes the Rev Dwight McKissic, a conservative Black pastor from Texas, who said he agreed with Kirk’s theology but not his views on race: “It’s a mystery to Black people how evangelicals can hear all the quotes… and they’re okay with that”. Story is here
How Americans see AI’s impact on society
Pew Research Centre’s latest research into artificial intelligence, suggests most Americans don’t support AI playing a role in personal matters such as religion or matchmaking. 53 per cent say AI will worsen people’s ability to think creatively and the most common concern mentioned was about AI weakening human skills and connections. The majority welcome AI for heavy data analysis, such as for weather forecasting and developing new medicines. A majority also say they want more control over how AI is used in their lives, while at the same time also letting AI assist with day to day tasks. The survey was conducted among 5,023 US adults from 9 – 15 June 2025.
Unification church leader arrested in South Korea
Han Hak-ja, the 82-year-old leader of the Unification Church, also known as The Moonies, who is also the widow of its founder Sun Myung Moon, has been arrested in South Korea, as part of a bribery investigation. She has denied allegations that she directed church officials to bribe the wife of the former president, offering luxury gifts in exchange for business favours, including a Cambodian development project. The former president, Yoon Suk Yeol, faces insurrection and other charges following his imposition of martial law last December, which lasted only a few hours before it was lifted by the legislature. Associated Press report here
Church tower on stilts as new office block built below
The 700-year-old tower All Hallows Staining Church near Fenchurch Street railway station in the city of London, has been suspended 45 feet above ground on stilts, while the earth below is removed for a new office development. The church has had a dramatic history surviving the Great Fire of London in 1666, but collapsing after foundations were weakened by grave digging, then being rebuilt only to be demolished in 1870, But the tower, built in 1320, survived it all and after the building works, will be secured at ground level as part of a new green public space. Pics and article here
