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"This month, the Guardian launched a campaign in conjunction with Change.org (the petition is here) to end "female genital mutilation" (FGM) in the UK-see Dominic Wilkinson's recent analysis on this blog. I support this campaign and I believe that FGM is impermissible. Indeed, I think that all children, whether male, female, or intersex, should be protected from having parts of their genitals removed unless there is a pressing medical indication; I think this is so regardless of the cultural or religious affiliations of the child's parents; and I have given some arguments for this view here, here, here, here, and here. But note that some commentators are loath to accept so broadly applied an ethical principle: to discuss FGM in the same breath as male circumcision, they think, is to "trivialize" the former and to cause all manner of moral confusion."

"Before his untimely death in 1987 at age 45, Cecil Youngfox had established himself as one of Canada's leading native artists, renowned for his vivid, sensitive images of native cultural traditions. Today, his strong, imaginative vision remains as strong as ever, drawing the respect and interest of private and public collectors throughout the world. Mr. Youngfox was born in 1942 in Blind River, Ontario of Ojibway and Metis parents. Among the many honours bestowed on him, Mr. Youngfox received the Aboriginal Order of Canada for his work in preserving his native heritage."

"Autism is a poorly-understood neurological disorder that can impair an individual's ability to engage in various social interactions. But little 5-year-old Iris Grace in the UK is an excellent example of the unexpected gifts that autism can also grant - her exceptional focus and attention to detail have helped her create incredibly beautiful paintings that many of her fans (and buyers) have likened to Monet's works. Little Iris is slowly learning to speak, whereas most children have already begun to speak at least a few words by age 2. Along with speech therapy, her parents gradually introduced her to painting, which is when they discovered her amazing talent."

"Speaking to the BBC, he said that the telling of fairytales had pros and cons. "On the one hand you might expect it would inculcate supernaturalism as real." But at the same time it might have a "beneficial effect" as the child learns there are stories which are not true and which one grows out of. "A degree of magical content supports imaginative development," says Prof Yvonne Kelly of University College London, "and the transmission of the story is important as it creates intimacy, routine and a bonding experience. "Children who listen to stories show better results in measures such as literacy tests and SATs - but also in terms of social and emotional development.""