Christian Science Monitor

Buc-ee’s gas stops are beloved. But has its beaver become a ‘trademark bully’?

The roadside oasis Buc-ee’s is known for brisket tacos and immaculate bathrooms. But its aggressive lawsuits alleging…

Supreme Court blocks Trump effort to restrict mail ballots ahead of midterms

Critics said the Trump plan for the U.S. Postal Service could disrupt states’ delivery of ballots to eligible voters as…

Mosquito sightings put Iceland on alert against buggy invaders

The geography and climate of Iceland have prevented mosquitoes from establishing a foothold. But recent discoveries in…

Sobering warning about AI’s potential harm focuses Congress’ attention

A warning from a former Anthropic employee about artificial intelligence’s potential to harm or eliminate humanity has…

A calming corrective to AI concerns

Key leaders in artificial intelligence propose slowing down AI development, while coordinating regulations. But putting…

Brick by BRICS: Where countries in conflict seek common ground

As developing and emerging-market countries met for their annual summit in India, they and other alliances are looking…

Perceptions of US government corruption are soaring. What can be done?

History shows periods of corruption tend to be followed by waves of reform. But legislative or constitutional fixes…

Our world: The week of Sept. 14, 2026

A global news roundup, compiled by the Monitor’s international team

The secret ballot has been an article of faith in U.S. elections. That's being tested in Georgia.

There's a flaw in Georgia’s voting equipment that can allow voters to be matched to their ballots after they’ve been…

In Ceuta, Spain debates: Educate migrant kids or send them home?

Authorities in the Spanish exclave of Ceuta are figuring out what to do with hundreds of recently arrived migrant…

Where have all the Atlantic hurricanes gone? El Nino's might brings record slow storm season

On Saturday, the Atlantic set a record for the longest start to a season without a hurricane since the satellite era…

Trump has prioritized oil and minerals. Lower prices haven’t followed.

President Trump says America should take advantage of its natural resources to grow jobs and cut household energy…

Applying liberal arts learning in a changing world

American higher education is seeking new ways to combine enduring values of the humanities with new economic realities.…

Crossing Israel's Arab-Jewish divide, this former police officer joined an Islamist party

In Israel, the Arab Muslim political party list Ra’am has picked a Jewish ex-police officer as one of its top…

Who runs US elections? Why the Constitution puts states and Congress in charge.

The crafters of the U.S. Constitution, wary of centralizing power, gave states and Congress oversight over national…

One of the last three whaling countries takes steps toward a ban

One of the last countries to allow whaling is taking steps that could lead to a ban, following a shift in public…

Why so many Brazilians distrust their supreme court

Two supreme court justices in Brazil are trading barbs – and allegations of illegal activity. Public faith in the…

Harry Belafonte, a ‘radical before it was chic,’ sang for justice

The new biography “Daylight Come” focuses on the performer’s determination to use his fame to confront discrimination…

In Dallas, Trump leans into a midterm where ‘I’m on the ballot’

With midterm elections for control of Congress drawing closer, a challenge for Republicans is Donald Trump’s deep slump…

Why Saudi Arabia and the Houthis in Yemen are heading toward war

The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen are stepping up attacks against their enemies at home and abroad.

US on the world stage: Americans’ views have diverged in 25 years since 9/11

Americans’ foreign policy views have often been free of influence from partisan politics. Now, 25 years after the Sept.…

From the dark hours of 9/11, choosing light

Twenty-five years after this act of terrorism, memories of courage and unity still glow brightly. Amid growing…

How to maintain ‘an informed citizenry’ in the age of AI

A historian of the U.S. Constitution examines the future of democracy, as artificial intelligence tests the…

Everyone has a 9/11 story. This is mine, from behind the lens.

Why the US appears to have given up on nuclear deal with Iran

As the U.S. and Iran have been trying to reach an agreement to end the war, two nuclear decisions may be prolonging the…

What the far right’s victory in Germany could mean for the war in Ukraine

The victory of Germany’s far-right party in state elections could have implications far beyond its borders. Another…

Nature is forever carving, and recarving, picturesque Upper Antelope Canyon

The site, on Navajo Nation land a few miles south of Page, Arizona, is one of the most photographed slot canyons in the…

‘The Small Stuff’ urges us to value ordinary delights

A video game designer plugs the experience of beauty as a means to ground us in our humanity.

Foraging: Beyond reality TV, some see it as an alternative to rising food prices

More people are turning to foraging some of their food in the face of rising grocery costs.

Rhode Island’s ‘Taylor Swift tax’ on vacation homes aims to boost affordable housing

A new tax on vacation homes in Rhode Island targets pricey beach properties, such as the one owned by pop star Taylor…

In Mexico, dual citizenship is starting to sound like a political liability

A lot more people have dual citizenship today than in the past. But in Mexico, this has once again become a political…

In Germany, a call to create a ‘compelling vision’ for democracy

A convincing regional election win by a far-right party has Germany – and Europe – worried about an extremist drift.…

The ‘Clash’ that never was: How Sept. 11 attacks still shape global relations

After the 2001 attacks, pundits predicted a “clash of civilizations,” a geopolitical theory popular in the 1990s. The…

Inside the process for selecting a new UN secretary-general

Pressure is growing on the world body to prove its effectiveness and relevance. Here’s how its next chief will be…

Homebuyer help programs, new law aim to untie housing affordability knot

A bipartisan housing law that went into effect in June could be part of the answer to America’s housing affordability…

Israel and the UK are suddenly in an escalating diplomatic dispute

The British government took steps to stop importing goods from Israeli settlements, and the Israeli government quickly…