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, 20 Aug 2026 10:05:50 EDT 300 https://www.csmonitor.com/extension/csm_base/design/csm_design/images/csmlogo_250x30.png https://www.csmonitor.com https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0820/political-polls-error-primaries?icid=rss 32d4a20f6b1faa134fb62f669e1ecc6f Polling misses have been common – and sometimes egregious – during the current primary season. This has a real impact on campaigns, as polls shape media coverage, affect fundraising, and give cues to candidates honing their positions. Thu, 20 Aug 2026 05:00:09 -0400 Simon Montlake https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2026/0819/iran-gaza-trump-middle-east?icid=rss 4076eb358aabd83499c1f7cdc03babcb American diplomatic efforts to create “historic” breakthroughs in Iran and Gaza appear to have stalled. Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:06:59 -0400 Ned Temko https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2026/0819/russia-yabloko-ukraine-war-wildberries-drone-strikes?icid=rss 035484b13852c647da4d154ca8a2509d The banning of Russia’s Yabloko party from upcoming elections may hint that public anti-war sentiments are larger than the Kremlin is comfortable with. Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:00:10 -0400 Fred Weir https://www.csmonitor.com/Editorials/the-monitors-view/2026/0819/An-Africa-that-prizes-economic-and-political-freedoms?icid=rss ad7a7a095e9bcff98336c1d23e67f0f9 The landlocked nation of Zambia has worked to strengthen fiscal discipline and foreign investment. Its newly reelected president may need a similar passion for democratic traditions. Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:59:25 -0400 the Monitor's Editorial Board https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2026/0819/west-bank-settler-attack-palestinians-religious-jewish-activists?icid=rss d95cc7f9cfcac5850d4ec12b82cd9d7f Among Israelis engaged in the practice known as “protective presence” to shield West Bank Palestinians from settler attacks, members of the leftist religious group Bnei Avraham are outliers. They are motivated in part, one member said, to display “another face of Judaism.” Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:36:14 -0400 Dina Kraft https://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2026/0819/endangered-species-act-trump?icid=rss 2ed2bc9eafa9b145402a2130bad4184f The Trump administration says changes to Endangered Species Act rules balance costs and benefits. Conservationists see risks for habitats. Wed, 19 Aug 2026 11:56:34 -0400 Medara Udoekong https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2026/0819/michigan-pass-fail-freshman-grades?icid=rss 96e010139730d270f8392040eec3b320 The University of Michigan says its change will help more students acclimate to the demands of college. Some critics complain of eroding rigor. Wed, 19 Aug 2026 05:00:09 -0400 Ira Porter https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Military/2026/0818/cyberattacks-iran-water-utilities?icid=rss 94cf50679eeb7bca24c66bf75a57f1ce A spate of cyberattacks on water utilities across the United States last month were resolved quickly. Yet the incidents, which may be linked to Iranian actors, also reveal weaknesses, particularly in small or rural towns with fewer resources to protect key infrastructure. Tue, 18 Aug 2026 16:16:04 -0400 Henry Gass https://www.csmonitor.com/Editorials/the-monitors-view/2026/0818/Prediction-markets-at-odds-with-US-mood-on-gambling?icid=rss c380b238822ae1b827c6c7f9485eda19 More states are challenging companies that claim predicting a future event is not luck, even as more Americans find betting morally unacceptable. Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:29:49 -0400 the Monitor's Editorial Board https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Foreign-Policy/2026/0818/united-nations-secretary-general-first-woman?icid=rss 81e6754acaaff04d897e8e752c1e4f76 In the United Nations’ 80 years, it has been led by nine secretaries-general, none of them women. But as the U.N. begins the process of electing a successor to António Guterres, pressure is mounting to shatter its glass ceiling. Four top candidates are women. Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:27:42 -0400 Howard LaFranchi