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. Thu, 16 Jul 2026 10:11:37 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/2026/0715/syrian-security-damascus-bombings-conspiracy-theories?icid=rss 1a612995a9f2e46669a7878ad0e59a0c Despite bombings in Damascus, including when France’s president was in town, Syrians voice confidence in their safety. At the same time, they distrust official information, leaving room for conspiracy theories that reflect the real security issues Syria faces. Wed, 15 Jul 2026 17:36:58 -0400 Taylor Luck https://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2026/0715/utah-bears-ears-grand-staircase-escalante?icid=rss acd2ef63fc0d1efd5f736b28d195bd21 President Donald Trump signed proclamations this week dramatically slashing the size of Utah’s Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments. Wed, 15 Jul 2026 16:26:00 -0400 Story Hinckley https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2026/0715/trump-xi-china-united-states-pew?icid=rss 90a8e1c2d77df19320eb300b9bea4a85 China’s soft power is rising as global views of the U.S. turn negative, and the Trump administration might lack the strategic thinking and empowered China hands to compete with Beijing. Wed, 15 Jul 2026 14:38:20 -0400 Ann Scott Tyson https://www.csmonitor.com/Editorials/the-monitors-view/2026/0715/Shoring-up-US-data-integrity-and-credibility?icid=rss 6f4674264b145971090d92d4d5389010 The U.S. Senate has advanced the nomination for a new head for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Recognizing the agency’s independence and impartiality is a basis from which to further improve reliability of its key economic data. Wed, 15 Jul 2026 14:36:00 -0400 the Monitor's Editorial Board https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0715/trump-nda-federal-workers?icid=rss 0374181097aa5669c7a6eeb009bc8a2b The Trump administration wants 2 million federal workers to be covered by nondisclosure agreements. The proposal is likely to face legal challenges. Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:50:00 -0400 Victoria Hoffmann https://www.csmonitor.com/Arts-Culture/Movies/2026/0715/great-books-great-movies?icid=rss 647e0b42ff60cdca5112757e3ced50f4 From “The Grapes of Wrath” to “The Lady With the Dog,” here’s my brief personal list of best movie adaptations of great literature. Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:04:01 -0400 Peter Rainer https://www.csmonitor.com/Business/2026/0715/inflation-iran-war-oil-hormuz?icid=rss 23b13ceb05984b5450e7a240f5d00175 A U.S.-Iran deal in mid-June caused oil prices – and inflation rates – to plunge globally. What happens next depends on the antagonists vying over the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Wed, 15 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Laurent Belsie https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2026/0715/venezuela-earthquakes-tsunami-rescue-dog-caracas?icid=rss ee9d2c641b2642832037182ab5192502 A black-and-white border collie inspired a nation reeling after twin earthquakes, by rescuing at least 26 people from Venezuela’s rubble. Wed, 15 Jul 2026 05:00:10 -0400 Tibisay Zea https://www.csmonitor.com/Editorials/the-monitors-view/2026/0714/Supporting-a-stable-and-sovereign-Iraq?icid=rss 7c9039822ee49f153887a96d0d382fa2 An Oval Office meeting between U.S. and Iraqi leaders underscores the Gulf nation’s potential to grow into a strategic, stabilizing role in the region. Tue, 14 Jul 2026 16:05:00 -0400 the Monitor's Editorial Board https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0714/mitch-mcconnell-fall-senate?icid=rss eba3b403134819e65cd2868e9db9a8e4 For almost a month, no one knew why Sen. Mitch McConnell was missing from the U.S. Senate. There’s no set way for the Senate – or the states – to respond to such an event. Tue, 14 Jul 2026 15:37:00 -0400 Scott Baldauf