https://www.csmonitor.comUS national news from The Christian Science Monitor.https://images.csmonitor.com/csm/2024/04/1172291_2_csmlogo_feed_250x30_standard.pnghttps://www.csmonitor.comChristian Science Monitor. All rights reserved.300en-usTue, 19 May 2026 13:05:11 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2026/0519/ufo-secret-file-release-alien-trump?icid=rssb91ca5be0514338d78017ff9a9442415President Trump has released 161 UFO files to the public, citing the need for transparency. But critics view the release as a play to a conspiracy-curious base.Tue, 19 May 2026 05:00:16 EDTPatrik Jonssonhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0518/rubio-trump-foreign-policy?icid=rss4ae0dc33cec7f51521b08e5614ae6ca4Marco Rubio has found ways to execute a Trump foreign policy that shows an evolution in his own positions. It has made him stand out among the president’s close advisers.Mon, 18 May 2026 05:00:10 EDTLinda Feldmannhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2026/0517/Bill-Cassidy-loses-Louisiana-Republican-primary-to-Fleming-and-Trump-backed-Letlow?icid=rss3b50f365bf2d3976bf7c65ef96f9f700U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow and state Treasurer John Fleming have advanced to a runoff in Louisiana’s Republican Senate primary, defeating Sen. Bill Cassidy amid President Donald Trump’s campaign to oust him.Sun, 17 May 2026 08:57:12 EDTThomas Beaumont, Jack Brook, and Stephen Smith https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2026/0517/epstein-files-suicide-prison-guard-testimony?icid=rss783c81b5431200f24d5837e76f57ed43Tova Noel, one of the prison guards who found Jeffrey Epstein deceased, is set to testify before the House Oversight Committee.Sun, 17 May 2026 06:05:09 EDTVictoria Hoffmannhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2026/0516/Trump-says-Islamic-State-group-leader-was-killed-in-a-joint-US-Nigerian-mission?icid=rss3b03cdc2ca35cce7119b409a60a00ed9President Donald Trump says U.S. and Nigerian forces carried out a mission to kill a leader of the Islamic State group. The president announced the joint operation to take out Abu-Bilal al-Mainuki in a late-night social media post Friday that offered few details. Sat, 16 May 2026 13:37:19 EDTMichelle L. Price and Ope Adetayohttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0515/massie-trump-republican-primary-kentucky?icid=rss7b0499f2e9236fdde4ac81a3f83fa58aTuesday’s GOP primary in Kentucky pits President Donald Trump’s power and the pull of party unity against an independent-minded lawmaker with deep ties to his constituents.Fri, 15 May 2026 12:35:43 EDTSophie Hillshttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2026/0514/america-250-library-funding?icid=rss6c834de1a2d47d2042de7a6e922bd99fBudget cuts and declining donations post threats to America’s public libraries. Many are reinventing themselves to expand their traditional roles.Thu, 14 May 2026 05:00:09 EDTScott BaldaufMelanie Stetson Freemanhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0513/david-venturella-ice-immigration-enforcement?icid=rss768188e53349bcfae088dbd0b64641cdICE veteran David Venturella will lead the nation’s main immigration enforcement agency. The move could continue a pivot toward quieter, targeted enforcement to reduce public backlash against immigration policy.Wed, 13 May 2026 15:25:32 EDTSarah Matusekhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0513/louisiana-senate-primary-cassidy-trump?icid=rss668ca1d42f2db18c341397dfde9c0048GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy voted to convict Donald Trump in the 2021 impeachment trial and has pushed back on public health matters. His fate on Saturday will signal the clout of the Make America Healthy Again movement, as well as the president’s hold on his party.Wed, 13 May 2026 10:36:26 EDTStory Hinckleyhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0513/gerrymandering-congressional-maps-midterms-louisiana?icid=rssa35bd02ebc084f80d17738ef239d8d5cDespite predictions that a court ruling would come too late to be actionable this election cycle, states are gerrymandering after the Louisiana v. Callais decision.Wed, 13 May 2026 05:00:22 EDTStory Hinckleyhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2026/0512/college-degree-tuition-costs?icid=rssf11ce1c7a9184dad6cbeb302b459653bThree-year bachelor’s degrees are gaining traction in the United States, as they boost affordability and speed up career entry. But do they bypass traditional education goals?Tue, 12 May 2026 05:00:10 EDTCameron Pughhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2026/0511/womens-sports-investors-soccer-hockey?icid=rssb7bfa5652f7283d4973cca097ff4ec7cThe business of women’s professional sports is booming, thanks in part to female venture capitalists investing for the long haul.Mon, 11 May 2026 15:08:45 EDTKendra Nordin Beatohttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2026/0509/america-250-declaration-independence-revolution?icid=rss7db82cd25157f3e18a6a23b79968b491America celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, whose ideals resonated across the world, amid political polarization at home.Sat, 09 May 2026 05:00:10 EDTScott BaldaufColette DavidsonWhitney Eulichhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0508/immigration-schools-supreme-court?icid=rss4cf4b99d5ac2f21dff3975ec77506000Calls are growing among some to overturn a Supreme Court decision that gave immigrant children access to public education.Fri, 08 May 2026 09:10:09 EDTSarah Matusekhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Military/2026/0507/naughty-nato-allies-iran-war-trump?icid=rss543ca4fd0b8974eb52137818a3a7cfcfPresident Donald Trump’s threats to punish NATO allies over Iran war disputes have spurred Europe to pursue independent defense as trust in the U.S. partnership fades.Thu, 07 May 2026 15:43:40 EDTAnna Mulrine Grobehttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2026/0507/teen-takeover-town-order-police?icid=rss5db38ac52aff05345375dfcfbe154a14As “teen takeovers” highlight young people’s need for connection, one Georgia beach town shows how to keep peace, build community, and still have fun.Thu, 07 May 2026 05:00:15 EDTPatrik Jonssonhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2026/0507/boston-public-school-buses-education?icid=rss870830e6101321cb9c7ad38fffb4196dSchool districts nationwide struggle with late buses. In Boston, parents, local officials, and the school district are pressing for accountability.Thu, 07 May 2026 05:00:09 EDTCameron Pughhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0506/trump-ballroom-funding-security?icid=rss438c28d826d6c407dcb31ce2c66433e2Congress may now put $1 billion toward the ballroom project, which has so far been funded through private donations. It reflects President Donald Trump’s effort to leave a physical legacy as well as meet a genuine need.Wed, 06 May 2026 05:00:09 EDTLinda Feldmannhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0505/The-Strait-of-Hormuz-is-still-blocked.-What-s-the-US-military-doing-about-it?icid=rssf7c998fecea12ea15f63bb417b6fa291Hundreds of cargo ships are still stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, despite a declaration from President Donald Trump that the U.S. military would help get traffic flowing again through the vital shipping lane. Both the U.S. and Iran claim to control the waterway. But the future of the strait remains uncertain. Tue, 05 May 2026 18:54:43 EDTVictoria HoffmannCaitlin Babcockhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0505/border-czar-immigration-deportations?icid=rsse28aebe83a043d6de76f48af452c0fdeThe U.S. border czar says that immigration enforcement and deportations will continue unabated.Tue, 05 May 2026 17:49:03 EDTSarah Matusek