The Republican-led Senate voted 25-6 in favour of the law on Tuesday, which will need to be approved by the state governor, Kay Ivey, before being put into practice.

The Senate is made up of 27 Republicans and eight Democrats currently and if signed into law by Republican Ms Ivey, the bill would take effect in six months.

It would mean that any doctor who supplies and performs an abortion would be punishable with a sentence of between 10 and 99 years in prison. The mother would not be punished.

Pro-life campaigners are hoping that it will be challenged and taken to the Supreme Court to potentially overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that made abortion a legal right in the US in 1973. 

Katie Brookfield, a Christian and researcher on sexual ethics in the church told Premier she disagreed with the Alabama law change, saying: “The reality is that making abortion illegal does not end abortion, it only drives it underground where it’s extremely dangerous and therefore it’s only going to end safe abortions.

“The places that have the strictest laws on abortion actually have the highest abortion rate. So, for example, in El Salvador, it’s completely illegal and it’s got higher rates than in the US and I think, as a Christian as well, I find that abortion and unplanned pregnancy is a reality of an imperfect and broken world.

“I don’t believe that any woman wishes to be…

A number have added their names to those from other religious organisations in an open letter to home secretary Sajid Javid.

The definition, which has been proposed by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims is: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”

It’s been adopted by the Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats Federal board, Plaid Cymru and the Mayor of London and the government will soon decide whether to take it on board.

The main concern is whether those who criticise Islam could fall foul of the new definition.

The letter, which has been signed by former chaplain to the Queen Rt Rev Dr Gavin Ashenden and former Bishop of Rochester Rt Rev Michael Nazir Ali, states: “This vague and expansive definition is being taken on without an adequate scrutiny or proper consideration of its negative consequences for freedom of expression, and academic and journalistic freedom.

“The definition will also undermine social cohesion – fueling the very bigotry against Muslims which it is designed to prevent.

“We are concerned that allegations of Islamophobia will be, indeed already are being, used to effectively shield Islamic beliefs and even extremists from criticism, and that formalising this definition will result in it being employed effectively as something of a backdoor…

With 1 in 4 children in Oxford thought to be living below the poverty line, the charity’s works in groups called Thrive Teams across the county to identify and train young leaders to help tackle issues of health, crime and education.

Prince Harry spent time with graduates of their mentoring programme and heard stories from those who have benefited from the project’s support. 

 Innovista’s founder and International Director, Jason Lane said; “The visit of His Royal Highness, to Thrive Teams today has brought inspiration and encouragement to young people who have been disadvantaged all their lives and who face a daily struggle to reach their potential.

“The Duke’s obvious commitment to young people will help propel them on the road of personal and community transformation”.

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Made up of female staff plus wives and daughter of men working at the Holy See, the team is set to take on AS Roma before a trip to Vienna for a game there.

The Vatican men’s team has been competing for almost 50 years.

Speaking about the Pope’s backing, organiser of the new team Susan Volpini said: “He reminded us that women can adapt to any situation when they put their minds to it.”

The team will be captained by office worker Eugene Tcheugoue from Cameroon.

At the moment no nuns have signed up but the team has issued an open invitation.

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Jeremy Hunt was asked by Conservative MP Luke Hall what he learned from trips to countries like Nigeria about what more we can do, as a Government, to tackle the appalling persecution of Christians in the region.

Responding, Mr Hunt said: “I had a roundtable of faith leaders at the British high commissioner’s residence in Nigeria, and we had a very good discussion on this issue.

“The main thing that I took away from that discussion is the immensely important role that politicians have in developing countries in not fanning populism and hatred between religions in election campaigns, which is a very easy route to go down but can have immensely damaging consequences.”

He also agreed with Conservative MP Sir David Anthony Evennett that following the Bishop of Truro’s interim report on the persecution of Christians, the Government needs to be “even more public and more forceful in calling out persecution where it is identified”.

Thank you Bishop @pmounstephen for your hard-hitting interim report on Christian persecution across the globe. It comes as the world is reeling after horrific attacks on churches in #SriLanka. Look forward to next stage as you examine what more #FCO can dohttps://t.co/UyRDCkuBEX

— Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) May 3, 2019

“We will obviously await the bishop’s final report,” Mr Hunt said.

“The concern we had, and the reason that we commissioned…

Sarah Mullally will take over from Richard Chartres who previously held the role of Dean of Her Majesty’s Chapels Royal.

Alongside her current diocesan roles, Bishop Sarah will officiate at major church services attended by the royal family and will likely take part in events such as weddings and christenings.

The role of dean is normally held by the Bishop of London but Lord Chartres held onto the role after his retirement in 2017.

After serving in the role since 1995, he’ll step down after his 72nd birthday in July.

Speaking about her appointment, Bishop Sarah said: “It is an honour and a privilege to be appointed as Dean of the Chapels Royal. The role is one of great historical significance, playing an important role to this day, supporting Her Majesty and the Royal Family.”

Lord Chartres said: “It has been a privilege to serve the Queen as Dean. I have hugely enjoyed the partnership with other members of the Royal Household and the superlative team in Her Majesty’s Chapels Royal.”

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