School protests banned
Protests outside a Birmingham school were banned after a High Court judge ruled in favour of an exclusion zone to remain around Anderton Park. The demonstrations, against alleged inappropriate sex education, had been conducted by Muslims.
Twenty-one staff members had been treated for stress, and the children were often unable to use the playground due to the protests, which were led by Shakeel Afsar, an uncle of a child at the school.
USA: Willow Creek leaders resign
Heather Larson, lead pastor of one of the largest evangelical churches in the US, announced in early August that she is stepping down, along with the entire Board of Elders, after a string of sexual harassment allegations against its founder, Bill Hybels.
In April, Hybels stepped down as senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, the Chicago church he founded over 40 years ago. He strongly denied the accusations made by former staff members. He said: ‘I’ve been accused of many things I simply did not do. But let me acknowledge things I have done. I confess to anger at the accusations. … I sincerely wish my initial response had been listening and humble reflection.’