Religion

Are the Democrats falling into a hypocrisy trap? How did Cuba develop such a strong biotech industry? And will anything reverse religious decline?

And other stories from the stranger side of life

West Yorkshire school closed and teacher in hiding after protests by angry parents

Switzerland becomes latest country to ban the Islamic face veil

Row over allegations of extremism in universities stokes growing culture war

Have you been paying attention to the year’s biggest events?

The song has become a Christmas classic - but here is what the days actually represent

Interior minister says inspections are part of ‘massive action against separatism’

France demands apology for ‘blatant lies’ following Pakistani minister’s ‘Nazi’ allegations

Is religion helping to spread the pandemic? Why are Armenia and Azerbaijan fighting? And are legends and fairytales inevitably non-PC?

Protests break out across the Middle East over French president’s ‘crackdown’ on Islam

Thousands attend marches to honour Samuel Paty following killing on Friday

John Sentamu’s absence from honours list triggered accusations of ‘institutional prejudice’

Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Friday 11 September

And other stories from the stranger side of life

Social media users stage 48-hour ‘walkout’ in protest against platform’s response to anti-Jewish tirade

School says sorry for asking children as young as 11 to research the harmful practice

Followers of the religion make up a quarter of the global population

Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Tuesday 26 May

Jewish leader says last such demand was ‘during the German occupation’

Celebrations for England’s legendary dragon slayer are normally a subdued affair

The holiest month in the Islamic calendar sees Muslims undertake a 30-day fast

Academic has described the allegations as a ‘malicious attempt’ to harm his career

Former Vatican treasurer was serving a six-year sentence for child sex abuse

This year’s Jewish holiday looks set to be unique, with millions of people under lockdown measures

Two million people expected to take part in annual Islamic pilgrimage

Government considers quarantining devout neighbourhoods as infection rate soars

Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Thursday 19 March

Joyous, boozy festival has been dubbed the ‘Jewish Mardi Gras’

From coffee to complaining, Lent offers a unique opportunity to give up our vices

Progressives hoped the pontiff would make an exception to the 1,000-year-old tradition in the Amazon region

Justin Welby says he is “ashamed of our history and our failure”

Group’s controversial ‘two witnesses’ policy has come under fire

Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Tuesday 14 January