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KHARTOUM, Sudan (BP) -- A new power-sharing agreement to establish civilian rule in Sudan is potentially good news for persecuted Christians there, according to religious liberty watchdog International Christian Concern.

(RNS) — The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada conducted a March Madness-like tournament to determine “the greatest hymn of all time.” And the winner is

(RNS) — Neil Armstrong's words as he first stepped onto the surface of the moon — “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" — are some of the most memorable in history. But seven months earlier, the astronauts aboard NASA’s first manned mission to orbit the moon, Apollo 8, were at a loss for words.

The number of countries with significant government restrictions on religious liberty declined slightly in 2017, yet levels remain well above those from a decade ago. And the number of nations with high levels of social hostility toward religion increased.

WASHINGTON (RNS) — Trump administration officials announced a new alliance with U.S. partners focused on religious freedom and new sanctions against foreign military officials supporting countries the U.S. considers to be instigators of religious persecution.

African-American novelist and playwright James Baldwin said, “History is not the past. It is the present. We carry our history with us. We are our history. If we pretend otherwise, we literally are criminals.”

(RNS) — Where humans go, faith seems to follow. It's no less true of NASA’s first manned mission to land on the moon. Here are five faith facts about the moon landing, which half a century later still inspires awe and wonder in people of all faiths and no faith.

WASHINGTON (RNS) — A rabbi, Muslim man and Christian spoke at the opening of the State Department's second Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom on Tuesday (July 16). They shared first-person stories of violence against houses of worship — and resilience of survivors.

WASHINGTON (RNS) — Pastor Andrew Brunson, who was detained in Turkey for two years on terrorism and spying charges before being released in October, said he is enjoying the simple things in life.

(RNS) — Americans are less likely to hold clergy in high regard, according to a recent poll, and even regular churchgoers are seeking counsel elsewhere.