The Christian Science Monitor | All stories 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. Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:28:42 EDT 300 The Christian Science Monitor | All stories https://www.csmonitor.com/extension/csm_base/design/csm_design/images/csmlogo_250x30.png https://www.csmonitor.com Hormuz workarounds and arms deals: Gulf states seek to ‘Iran-proof’ their future https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2026/0415/saudi-gulf-oil-avoiding-hormuz-iran-threat?icid=rss 336c593af1b45e8384e0434f826ad476 Iran’s missile attacks and its closing of the Strait of Hormuz have cost the oil-producing Gulf Arab states untold billions. In response, they are moving to arm themselves against a military threat that hasn’t been erased, and construct workarounds to the Hormuz choke point. Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:20:47 -0400 Taylor Luck Beyond Jesus memes: Trump’s Christian supporters also fret about abortion, inflation https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0415/trump-jesus-leo-catholic-bishops?icid=rss 57bf2bbed8bebe04979079470a5ef290 President Donald Trump’s broadsides against the pope, alongside controversial memes, reveal cracks in his support from religious conservatives. That discontent is amplified by some policy disappointments, particularly around abortion. Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:57:00 -0400 Linda Feldmann Sophie Hills In Bangladesh, an ancient art form weaves new opportunities https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2026/0415/Bangladesh-handwoven-rugs-shataranji?icid=rss 02c7e85379350d4b86be1e2fbfb704b3 Dhaka is the beating heart of Bangladesh’s textile industry. But beyond the capital, women are meeting a demand for traditional, handwoven rugs. Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:43:55 -0400 Simon Montlake High-minded help for nations low on fuel https://www.csmonitor.com/Editorials/the-monitors-view/2026/0415/High-minded-help-for-nations-low-on-fuel?icid=rss 170cc201a3451889ed0ab91a673376af Asia’s dependency on Gulf petroleum has led to a cooperative spirit in the region to endure the Strait of Hormuz crisis. “We must work together,” said a Singapore envoy. Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:27:20 -0400 the Monitor's Editorial Board How fired USAID staffers are keeping the agency’s work going https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2026/0415/usaid-shutdown-project-resource-optimization?icid=rss 4b146f59411351cad88c64c954105329 Project Resource Optimization matches defunded USAID projects with new donors, allowing the lights to stay on as American foreign aid retreats. Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:48:56 -0400 Ogar Monday Wildfires already active in Florida and US put focus on managed burns https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2026/0415/wildfires-florida-california-controlled-burns?icid=rss b18f000adeeb002fbedc1bb7d303d10d More than 1.7 million acres have burned across the United States so far this year – more than double the 10-year average for the same period. Wed, 15 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Harry Bruinius After 3 years of war, Sudanese civilians pay the price https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2026/0415/sudan-civil-war-three-years-kordofan-nuba-mountains?icid=rss 15510ce29e97632604bd8cf6269ed1fd Three years of fighting have carved Sudan into two halves. The fight is now for the country’s center, where civilians are paying a devastating price. Wed, 15 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Sophie Neiman The IRS has shrunk. So has public trust in tax fairness. https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0414/tax-day-irs-cuts-rich?icid=rss 0a8bb6735950e20a29e253642e74760f While many Americans are enjoying new tax breaks, the Internal Revenue Service has fewer people to collect taxes. And most people say wealthy citizens aren’t paying their fair share. Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:57:51 -0400 Mark Trumbull Jacob Turcotte A soothsaying servant girl, an unstable king, and the modern-day scholars on their trail https://www.csmonitor.com/Books/Book-Reviews/2026/0414/the-lost-book-of-elizabeth-barton-jennifer-brown?icid=rss e96783deb774ebc1477b73a0afa7ad53 Hailed as a prophet, Elizabeth Barton railed against King Henry VIII and his plan to break with the pope in Rome and form his own church. Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:32:50 -0400 Elizabeth Toohey Better #MeToo scrutiny on Capitol Hill https://www.csmonitor.com/Editorials/the-monitors-view/2026/0414/Better-MeToo-scrutiny-on-Capitol-Hill?icid=rss a6209268cd41a04adb6d52edb6ba0a33 In the seat of American electoral power, women in Congress are leading the charge for politicians to uphold workplace ethics, transparency, and respectful treatment. Their efforts reflect society’s higher expectations for elected representatives. Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:45:23 -0400 the Monitor's Editorial Board