With the Syrian government now flaunting its total control over Damascus – the "final battle" trumpeted by the rebels having been, for the moment, won by their antagonists – Damascus may at least be spared the cultural destruction visited upon much of the rest of Syria. Krak des Chevaliers has been shelled after rebels sought sanctuary in this most glorious of Crusader castles, Syrian troops have taken over the castle at Palmyra and bombarded the Citadel of al-Mudiq, looters have used bulldozers to carry away the great Roman mosaics of Apamea. But the treasures of Damascus remain intact.

Long View: We may reflect how 'the battle for Syria's history' has been fought many times before

Religious figures who support gay marriage will today launch a fightback against church leaders who have come out against same-sex marriage.

The test taken by foreign nationals who wish to become British citizens is to be rewritten by the Government, according to reports.

An engaging morality tale about a TV crew's manipulation of life in an open prison in India.

Mike Tyson wants his next knockout to be on Broadway. The former boxer will team up with the film director Spike Lee to bring his show Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth to New York for six nights in July and August.

In the beginning, there was Bideford. In February 2012 the High Court ruled council meeting prayers in the Devon town unlawful, and reignited a row about encroaching secularisation that’s been rumbling in the background of British public life for over a century.

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.

Book now – 90 performances only. Limited season from 19 April

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.