Pinned against the Chinese border, the isolated Kachin people fear a bloody end to a long conflict

Education Secretary Michael Gove is being urged to publish guidance on how to broach the subject of abortion in schools following claims that groups campaigning against it are giving children false information.

Stonewall's awareness-raising campaign has been running for a few years now. It states, in bold letters, "Some people are gay. Get over it". That's easy to say: persuading people into a position of tolerance, or not caring either way, might take a little longer.

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Outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury and Catholic leaders take on highly charged political subjects

Pope Benedict XVI used his Easter Sunday message to urge the Syrian regime to heed international calls to end bloodshed and commit to dialogue.

Young people's hostility towards faith is not as extreme as society perceives with many taking the issue of religion seriously, the Archbishop of Canterbury will say in his Easter sermon.

How did an instrument of Roman torture end up becoming a club badge for pious Christians? The cross was supposed to inspire terror, and those crucified made into a public spectacle of Roman imperial power. Crucifixion sent a message: we, the Romans, are in control. Defy us and die a horrible death.

Having gained overdue reward in the Champion Hurdle last month, one of the most respected veterans on the circuit has now been given the chance to complete his fulfilment in the John Smith's Grand National itself. If Noel Fehily happens to win on State Of Play at Aintree on Saturday week, however, it would be no less a triumph of patience for the owners and trainer of his mount.

Pro-choice advocates concerned that we're turning the clock back on abortion

Did you remember? Of course you did – the flowers, the chocolate and, why not, the mouse mat with the least-worst snapshot of the grandchildren printed on it. Because Mother's Day is nothing if not an opportunity to make a few ill-judged purchases in the name of family harmony. As for your mum, she's just glad you've all turned up, for once – even if she's still got to do the cooking (and ignore your lot trampling over the bulbs in the garden).

Even a cursory glance at the global map of gay marriages throws up a pressing question for the Catholic Church. Staunchly Catholic countries such as Brazil, Austria and Poland all permit some form of civil partnership between same-sex couples. And several countries with overwhelmingly Catholic populations, including Spain, Portugal and Argentina, have gone a step further by legalising homosexual partnerships on the same basis as heterosexual ones.

Secularists hit back yesterday at the Roman Catholic church's drive against plans to legalise gay marriage, following the publication of a letter from the Archbishop of Westminster calling on Catholics to oppose same-sex weddings.

Britain's equality laws have disadvantaged Christians and increased community tensions, according to a cross-party committee of Christian MPs and Peers published today.