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, 18 Apr 2026 04:43:46 EDT 300 https://www.csmonitor.com/extension/csm_base/design/csm_design/images/csmlogo_250x30.png https://www.csmonitor.com https://www.csmonitor.com/Perspectives/From-the-Editors/2026/0417/affordability-cost-of-living-election?icid=rss e105a7b820035aab62d6b55861526cf8 Voters regularly cite cost of living as their top concern, and political analysts say it will likely be a central topic in this year’s midterms. Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:00:10 -0400 Stephanie Hanes https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2026/0417/israel-trump-lebanon-ceasefire-hezbollah-iran?icid=rss 13859e1d81675ef416170eca2b641fb8 The ceasefire in Lebanon left northern Israeli residents saying they felt betrayed, and that Hezbollah was still a threat. Opposition leaders blamed the Netanyahu government for the lack of a clear strategy that meant decisions were taken out of Israel’s hands. Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:16:00 -0400 Shoshanna Solomon https://www.csmonitor.com/Books/Book-Reviews/2026/0417/best-books-april-2026?icid=rss 37468d585a2a090f9071494adb6915e5 April’s top nonfiction titles include a revelatory take on Lewis and Clark’s expedition, while fiction favorites cover the latest from Tana French and Ben Lerner. Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:54:53 -0400 Monitor reviewers https://www.csmonitor.com/The-Home-Forum/2026/0417/Hope-in-the-soil-and-stones?icid=rss 90ee72641b87183284233fd599b5a152 Down the street a ways, there is a parking strip by a soccer field. A half-block long and about 2 feet wide, a wedge of life bounded by concrete, i Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:28:00 -0400 Murr Brewster https://www.csmonitor.com/Editorials/the-monitors-view/2026/0417/How-women-s-digital-lives-change-China?icid=rss 9b1b3fb707c0c2a4170054b04154c4be Chinese women not only excel over men in the use of artificial intelligence, but also bring qualities of online engagement that are a model for trusted, empathetic activism in a controlled society. Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:00:00 -0400 the Monitor's Editorial Board https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Foreign-Policy/2026/0417/iran-war-trump-american-power-perceptions?icid=rss 6484c217872dc3a7a5a545fb2e07a91a For decades, perceptions of U.S. power did not rely on the use of America’s unrivaled military might. In the Iran war, a militarily inferior adversary used asymmetric warfare to resist that might, and America’s allies are voicing concern over the state of U.S. strategic thinking and planning. Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:42:37 -0400 Howard LaFranchi https://www.csmonitor.com/Arts-Culture/Movies/2026/0417/lorne-michaels-documentary-snl?icid=rss 653a4421a8f3e9ccce61520672409313 Lorne Michaels, the creator and longtime producer of “Saturday Night Live,” is the subject of a new documentary promising unprecedented access. Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:33:00 -0400 Peter Rainer https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2026/0417/The-wages-are-subminimum.-But-is-the-offer-of-something-more-video?icid=rss 87a885b217dcdf8251a36e0511e44ef0 “Sheltered workshops” are often charged with exploiting workers diagnosed with intellectual disabilities. But many workers and their caregivers support such workshops and the sense of purpose and community they can bring. Our multimedia reporter spoke to people in both camps and visited workers at three sites for this short documentary. Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:14:00 -0400 Jingnan Peng https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0417/fisa-congress-surveillance-privacy-security?icid=rss 8db26c62f24738e1252603e60e5051ad A section of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, designed to help head off terrorist attacks, is also seen as a threat to civil liberties if misused. Members of Congress have been split across party lines as they wrestle with what to do ahead of a Monday deadline. Fri, 17 Apr 2026 05:32:00 -0400 Ross Herbert https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2026/0416/iran-strait-of-hormuz-news-passage?icid=rss 0141b9001aaf2b33e0ddbe933d71d500 Washington and Tehran are testing the boundaries of international laws that have managed the seas remarkably well, protecting freedom of navigation and facilitating a global economy. Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:01:48 -0400 Mark Sappenfield Matthew Bell