Christian Science Monitor

With US and Ukraine at odds, Russia cautiously tries to take advantage

With Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy publicly feuding over U.S. support for Ukraine, Russia is wondering whether the…

A broken peace deal is reigniting war in Ethiopia’s Tigray region

Issues left unresolved in the peace agreement that ended fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray region in 2022 are pushing the…

Securing a military victory is not easy. What Iran is teaching America.

The Iran and Ukraine wars raise a question about victory: Winning battles is one thing, but ending wars requires…

Russia’s gray shadow over the Black Sea

Deadly drone attacks on merchant ships off the coast of two NATO countries hint that the Kremlin has opened a new front…

Give ’em pumpkin to talk about: New England gourd growers vie for bragging rights

Pumpkin growers keep coming back year after year to the Topsfield Fair, vying for ever-heavier weights.

Perseverance drives Angel Reese – and WNBA – into the 2026 championship

As the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries prepare to face each other Saturday for the WNBA championship, Dream…

‘Music Against the Night’ plays like a major literary composition

Yiyun Li’s new historical novel chronicles the intertwined lives of two musicians. It examines the nature of ambition…

US intel pause, Starlink outages leave Ukraine vulnerable to Russian attack

When U.S. warnings and Starlink support shut off this week, Ukraine was left exposed to Russian drones. Kyiv has few…

Why the US is tightening the flow of highly skilled foreign workers

The federal government’s effort to limit tech companies’ access to visas for highly skilled foreign workers carries…

A simple (golden) rule to counter homelessness

Neighborly connection and care provide the vital glue to sheltering those in need.

Democrats plan investigations, affordability efforts if they reclaim Congress

Democratic Party leaders are outlining priorities should the party retake one or both chambers of Congress come…

Transactional politics once defined Mexican elections. It still creeps into governance.

As U.S. leaders become increasingly open about patronage-style politics, Mexico is trying to shed its longtime system…

A blessed childhood – without indoor plumbing

Adding fuel to the fire: Trump’s diesel deal stokes European concerns

The U.S.-Russia agreement is leading to deepening worries for Europe about the long-term future of its partnership with…

What is behind the raid on Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar?

The FBI’s search of Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home raises concerns about political interference and could impact Minnesota’s…

At Jerusalem site holy to Jews and Muslims, a fragile status quo is being erased

A delicate understanding at the Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa Mosque compound has held for decades. But now, that’s changing.

The backlash against livestreaming an execution

The reported doubts in the White House about a Pentagon plan to air an execution of an ex-soldier hint at a long and…

Trying to curb soaring fuel costs, Trump finds his hands mostly tied

From a controversial diesel deal with Russia to tapping the strategic reserve, President Donald Trump is trying to ease…

New York considers changing its sexual assault law. Minnesota could serve as an example.

New York could look to other states as it considers changes to its sexual assault statutes in the wake of the Cornell…

How does a country defend itself without a military?

As more nations look to the Arctic for resources, Iceland becomes increasingly vital as a strategic base. But it relies…

Her onstage singing voice advanced offstage racial reform

Trump sent the military to Memphis to fight crime. Here’s what happened.

A federal surge cut Memphis crime, but a one-year review shows a complex reality: prior local wins, added resources,…

As Houthi attacks undermine Saudi security, a cautious kingdom recalibrates

Weekend attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militia have largely cut Saudi Arabia off from the world. The normally cautious…

In France, student protests bring echoes of the past

Demonstrations about the country’s education system are drawing parallels with the country’s pivotal May 1968 student…

How soaring bond yields pressure big economies like the US, France

Interest rates on U.S. Treasury bonds are at their highest levels in more than 20 years, with borrowing costs also…

Europe’s intrinsic strengths in innovation

More than half of the top 25 countries in a world index on innovation are in Europe. A few big factors: social and…

As Canada pivots from the US, a city reclaims its past

Once an economic hinge connecting eastern and western Canada, Thunder Bay is again emerging as a symbol of the…

Yiyun Li reveals life lessons in her new symphonic novel

New editor named

Out of Orbán’s shadow, Hungary tries to reset how the public gets its news

Under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Hungary hollowed out many public media outlets. Journalists are now rebuilding to…

Some AI safety advocates are calling for an AI kill switch. Would it work?

An artificial intelligence “kill switch” is seen as a potential safeguard, but the technology makes the concept more…

Reporters on the Job: From New York to Hargeisa, Somalia

Every week, a selection of Monitor staffers and contributors share their challenges and insights from reporting around…

Our World: The week of Oct. 12, 2026

Our World is a roundup from our weekly print edition of noteworthy happenings, from our global correspondents and…

Houthis, Saudis exchange strikes on airports as Mideast conflict intensifies

The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen accuse Saudi Arabia of striking the rebel-held airport in Sanaa. This accusation comes…

Botched execution and talk of livestream reignite death penalty debate

A failed execution in Tennessee and plans to livestream a firing squad are recharging America’s death penalty debate,…

A most precious possession

A liberal arts education led the way to careers, books, art, relationships – and writing lives well lived.