CAPE TOWN, South Africa (RNS) — South Africa’s crown jewel is experiencing its worst drought ever. As government officials threaten apocalyptic comparisons to World War II and 9/11, faith groups offer hope and a way forward.

(RNS) President Trump has called for a report on the number of ‘honor killings’ by foreign nationals in the U.S. Meanwhile, a Muslim member of the U.K.’s Parliament has introduced a bill to prohibit use of the term in official publications.

(RNS) Two Baha’i men in Yemen were unexpectedly released from detention Sunday after months without charge. The men’s wives are still fighting for religious freedom.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (RNS) Queer Muslim activists and allies from around the world gathered here last week to build a movement encouraging inclusive interpretations of Islam that honor and respect their identities in full.

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe (RNS) What started as a social media campaign of flag selfies and hashtags has evolved into a full-fledged citizen movement with “Captain Zimbabwe” as its leader.

Churches attack bike lanes for “burdening” their religious freedom as Saint Barbie leads a plastic revolution in Argentina. Savor every word of this last ever recap as I say “so long” to On Freedom.

The military is harassing and arresting Facebook users, Rohingya Muslims can’t vote, and chief opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains barred from the presidency, even if her party wins.

CAPE TOWN (RNS) This week’s global Shabbos Project features yoga events and picnics in San Diego, a 3,000-person street dinner in downtown Los Angeles, and major events in 560 cities around the world.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (RNS) Inclusive and Affirming Ministries’ LGBTI safe house provides refuge for at-risk sexual minorities and a safe space to integrate “God’s gift of faith with God’s gift of sexuality.”

A new anti-discrimination law is being abused to censor critics, but that doesn’t mean there’s a limit on freedom of expression, say officials who misrepresent the facts.

Celebrity Pope Francis photobombed selfies on his U.S. album launch tour. Conservative “It Girl” Kim Davis sat in jail and won awards for not doing her job. And India threw a “beef party” to celebrate religious tolerance and protest new meat bans.

(RNS) The Bible and “Fifty Shades of Grey” share more than a few raunchy sex scenes. For Banned Books Week and International Blasphemy Rights Day (Sept. 30), these eight titles are still too hot to handle.

The Bible and Fifty Shades of Grey share more than a few raunchy sex scenes. On Banned Books Week and International Blasphemy Rights Day, these eight titles are still too hot to handle.

Thailand’s lèse majesté laws shield a deified king from criticism, an outdated monarchy from reform and a military junta from accountability.

“Black Lives Matter” works. “We’re All Mexicans” does not. Expressing solidarity and support shouldn’t require us to falsely claim identities that have already been claimed.