https://www.csmonitor.com The Christian Science Monitor is an international news organization that delivers thoughtful, global coverage via its website, weekly magazine, online daily edition, and email newsletters. en-us Christian Science Monitor. All rights reserved. Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:17:05 EDT 300 https://www.csmonitor.com/extension/csm_base/design/csm_design/images/csmlogo_250x30.png https://www.csmonitor.com https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2026/0424/israel-lebanon-ceasefire-disarming-hezbollah-iran-war?icid=rss b0866090fc410a542d4b081614605027 In this latest round of Israel-Hezbollah fighting, Lebanese civilians have once again paid a heavy price. Even as the ceasefire in Lebanon is extended, neither combatant is showing signs of backing down. Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:01:00 -0400 Scott Peterson https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2026/0424/Japan-Takaichi-pacifist-constitution-reform?icid=rss 0e919147a84df44c92a5cd306dc28bb4 Constitutional reform is something Japan’s ruling party has long debated, but never been able to accomplish. Now, the country’s prime minister is using her popularity to push the matter forward. Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:31:21 -0400 Ann Scott Tyson https://www.csmonitor.com/Editorials/the-monitors-view/2026/0424/Scandinavia-s-U-turn-on-book-reading?icid=rss d3b23b57cd6a7d7ccfde956e29a63389 The former pioneers of screen-mediated learning in schools shift back to books to better cultivate purpose and judgment in young people. Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:50:53 -0400 the Monitor's Editorial Board https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2026/0424/gaza-elections-hamas-palestinian-unity-democracy?icid=rss 06a252a4ae9401b049ed9d68e555191a Municipal elections are being held Saturday in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, coinciding with voting in the West Bank. It’s the first time since 2005 that Gazans are able to vote. Water and sanitation are on the ballot, as is, symbolically, Palestinian national unity. Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:06:47 -0400 Ghada Abdulfattah Taylor Luck https://www.csmonitor.com/The-Home-Forum/2026/0424/Fix-my-watch-tell-me-a-story?icid=rss 554162bd9c4346a844c373abecb5af89 Who even has cause to utter the word “watchmaker” anymore? I, for one, haven’t worn a watch in many, many years. Nor do most of the people I know. Fri, 24 Apr 2026 11:09:16 -0400 Robert Klose https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0424/marijuana-trump-reclassification-cannabis?icid=rss db0b571d3e31b41224d1b07f160caf37 Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order reclassifying state-licensed medical marijuana as a less-dangerous drug, following President Donald Trump’s call for a more “common sense” policy. But many Americans have been growing more skeptical of the drug’s effects on users and on U.S. society. Fri, 24 Apr 2026 05:00:10 -0400 Stephen Humphries https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Foreign-Policy/2026/0423/iran-war-trump-obama-jcpoa-nuclear-deal?icid=rss ec246215056fe9312346e70103606779 In the absence of renewed talks, the U.S. and Iran are wrangling over the Strait of Hormuz. But the main dispute between the two is still Iran’s nuclear program. Here’s a look at the 2015 JCPOA. Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:52:00 -0400 Howard LaFranchi https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2026/0423/India-voter-purge-West-Bengal-elections?icid=rss a30a2cca7520bd2c5e6590a253f521ad How does a government balance its responsibility to guarantee fair and secure elections with the need to protect citizens’ fundamental right to vote? A voter-roll clean-up in India is sparking allegations of suppression. Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:21:43 -0400 Aakash Hassan https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0423/spirit-airlines-bailout-500-million?icid=rss 2e1f32603f886bca9e60776568ffecab The $500 million bailout for Spirit Airlines could save thousands of jobs. But the deal, which could give the government a 90% stake, is sparking criticism over “quasi-nationalization” and federal interference in private industry. Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:12:00 -0400 Laurent Belsie https://www.csmonitor.com/Editorials/the-monitors-view/2026/0423/A-judicious-way-to-free-Iran?icid=rss 3752a0514c452fd0cb4a03ed944919d4 A plan by exiled Iranians to form a truth-finding commission and offer other types of “transitional justice” provides a moral alternative that might encourage regime supporters in new directions. Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:51:35 -0400 the Monitor's Editorial Board