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. Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:22:09 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/2026/0417/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 https://www.csmonitor.com/Editorials/the-monitors-view/2026/0416/South-Africa-s-reconciliation-efforts-at-home-and-with-the-US?icid=rss 2d24508584ea00949e3d590e3f118f43 The United States alleges that South Africa is persecuting white minority Afrikaners, so it’s granting them privileged refugee status. Meanwhile, Pretoria has named a new ambassador to Washington – an Afrikaner who helped end decades of white rule. Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:01:39 -0400 the Monitor's Editorial Board https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2026/0416/boston-marathon-bobbi-gibb-statue?icid=rss d5bb8b82ad826a319d462d90597ebc14 When Bobbi Gibb sprang out of the bushes and into the Boston Marathon, she proved women could run 26.2 miles. A new sculpture she crafted at the race start marks her legacy. Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:00:10 -0400 Kendra Nordin Beato https://www.csmonitor.com/Perspectives/Making-a-difference/2026/0416/sudan-war-orphanage-nuba-mountains?icid=rss cf6789b107ef5d7209f8aa9be42a57bd Large numbers of children began arriving at Our Father’s Cleft after Sudan’s third civil war erupted in April 2023. Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:55:09 -0400 Sophie Neiman https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2026/0416/cameroon-anglophone-crisis-soccer-bamenda-pope-leo?icid=rss 2eb285b94cd26a08e208784cc3349fd7 The return of professional soccer to one of Cameroon’s Anglophone regions reflects a cautious optimism about the future in a place upended by war. Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:12:00 -0400 Mboh Promise https://www.csmonitor.com/Perspectives/From-the-Editors/2026/0416/guns-democrats-second-amendment?icid=rss 82a67d8a4fdd7a91c9fad48457810aa2 A new twist in what has become one of this country’s most emotional, and debated, issues: a growing liberal embrace of guns. Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:07:00 -0400 Stephanie Hanes https://www.csmonitor.com/Perspectives/Essays/2026/0416/orban-trump-europe-far-right?icid=rss a12d23f673a8cff9d3922c73d9345fe7 Viktor Orbán’s landslide loss happened despite full-throated backing from the Trump administration. Now, even far-right populists in Europe are beginning to see support from the U.S. president as a political liability. Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:01:34 -0400 Ned Temko https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Military/2026/0416/iran-navy-blockade-strait-hormuz-war?icid=rss 3c45e707155ae6dc08f9c96c686612c0 America’s military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has choked off shipping – a move to force Iran to negotiate. The strategy could escalate tensions. Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:56:00 -0400 Anna Mulrine Grobe https://www.csmonitor.com/Books/Book-Reviews/2026/0416/seydou-keita-tactile-lens-photographer-african-gaze?icid=rss a4066b514ff87b89cb78356f6e0abe00 Self-taught portraitist Seydou Keïta introduced “the African gaze” during a time of transition for the continent. A catalog celebrates his artistry. Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:02:11 -0400 Carol Strickland