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-usWed, 16 Oct 2024 22:03:44 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2024/1016/harris-trump-abortion-ivf-medication-voters?icid=rss5c44eae043cd6cdac7cc79a9c3411277There’s a big blue-red gap in voter intensity on abortion, heading into the first presidential vote since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.Wed, 16 Oct 2024 14:29:25 EDTLinda Feldmannhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2024/1016/gender-wage-gap-increasing-women-equal-pay?icid=rss25b4c86bdae0fb853e7c6b81a0581755Between 2022 and 2023, the gender wage gap between men and women working full-time widened for the first time in 20 years. For Black women and Asian women, the gap widened, for Hispanic women, it narrowed, and for white women, it stayed the same.Wed, 16 Oct 2024 14:04:47 EDTAlexandra Olson and Claire Savage https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2024/1016/ai-deepfakes-election-voters-trump-harris?icid=rss0c8dc2bd44c6b60431b08c95dd586c4dVoters worldwide are contending with a new challenge this year: AI fraud. Now it’s America’s turn. An explainer on how bad it is, and who’s doing it.Wed, 16 Oct 2024 12:35:11 EDTLaurent Belsiehttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2024/1016/Hurricane-damage-small-business-loan-program?icid=rssd08d10493fa3c4223bf2afdccda96cc6A federal agency is running out of money for loans to businesses and homeowners rebuilding after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Congress can approve more funds, but it won’t be back in session until after the November presidential election.Wed, 16 Oct 2024 11:15:21 EDTMae Andersonhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2024/1016/california-college-legacy-admission-ban?icid=rssfe0816701022796c8116eb95aa811defIn legislatures and on college campuses across the U.S., the issue of legacy admissions is heating up. California is the latest state to ban the practice – adding more fuel to a nationwide debate about how to create an even playing field for applicants.Wed, 16 Oct 2024 11:02:40 EDTIra Porterhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Military/2024/1015/israel-hezbollah-targeted-strikes-assassination?icid=rss12c69310de14785ed3d1b04ea32f65d7Israel has carried out dozens of targeted strikes to take out senior operatives in Hezbollah and Hamas. Other countries have carried out similar enemy strikes in the past decade. We look at the legal basis for such killings.Tue, 15 Oct 2024 17:33:43 EDTAnna Mulrine Grobehttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2024/1015/Lilly-Ledbetter-equal-pay-act-supreme-court?icid=rss299e32496513ded57aaeeae9e91eba17Lilly Ledbetter, who passed away Oct. 12, catalyzed key equal pay and wage discrimination legislation. President Barack Obama signed into law the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which gave workers the right to sue for equal pay for equal work.Tue, 15 Oct 2024 11:42:40 EDTAlexandra Olsonhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Military/2024/1011/Nobel-Peace-Prize-nuclear-bomb-Japan-Hiroshima?icid=rss1ef3eb79b6044c8ac606f32af18cc6bbThe Japanese group Nihon Hidankyo won the Nobel Peace Prize on Oct. 11 for pushing for denuclearization. The U.N. Secretary General praised the survivors of the U.S. atomic bombings, saying, “nuclear weapons remain a clear and present danger to humanity.”Fri, 11 Oct 2024 11:12:59 EDTMike Corder and Elena Becatoroshttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2024/1011/immigrant-migrant-crime-trump-harris?icid=rss9d28e04557034c7273a433f3a35beeedDonald Trump highlights “migrant crime” on the campaign trail, in Colorado and beyond. We explain recent high-profile criminal cases and how researchers assess immigrant crime rates.Fri, 11 Oct 2024 10:35:02 EDTSarah Matusekhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2024/1011/election-georgia-north-carolina-hurricane-helene?icid=rss2b5f6bf74c3299280eee0efe42343d66In key battlegrounds North Carolina and Georgia, officials are racing to make voting accessible despite Hurricane Helene’s disruption. Florida will require similar efforts after Hurricane Milton.Fri, 11 Oct 2024 05:00:08 EDTCameron Josephhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2024/1010/hurricane-helene-milton-fema-misinformation-hoaxes?icid=rssc432aba623e6a21ada71b573e660337eNatural disasters often spark rumors and lies. But officials have been stunned by the volume of online misinformation around Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Thu, 10 Oct 2024 17:10:25 EDTSimon Montlakehttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2024/1009/Election-Day-Terrorism-Afghan-Man-Arrested-FBI?icid=rss653229972c0fe2f88cc3f1e6a1c3ce0eThe FBI has arrested two people who officials say were planning an attack on Election Day. The Justice Department claims that Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi of Oklahoma City, inspired by the Islamic State, had been planning to buy weapons and ammunition. Wed, 09 Oct 2024 12:09:42 EDTEric Tucker https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2024/1009/tiktok-lawsuits-mental-health-social-media-addictive?icid=rss49135964761e58bfa646ea5fcd4c9701The lawsuits, filed Oct. 8, resemble how states previously organized against the tobacco and pharmaceutical industries. “They’ve chosen profit over the health and safety, well-being and future of our children,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta.Wed, 09 Oct 2024 11:54:56 EDTHaleluya Hadero and Barbara Ortutayhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2024/1009/redistricting-gerrymandering-ohio-election-2024?icid=rss602de6e7067fdc164c13711ebf36be7aVoters will decide whether Ohio becomes one of the few states where an independent citizens commission, rather than politicians, draws district maps.Wed, 09 Oct 2024 10:06:26 EDTSimon Montlakehttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2024/1008/Florida-Hurricane-Milton-Tampa-Bay-Category-5?icid=rsse7326a3012f141535e696382da84f87aTampa Bay hasn’t been in the direct path of a major hurricane in over a century, but Hurricane Milton may change that. Hurricane scientists say Tampa Bay is “the city to worry about most” due to high vulnerability to flooding from climate change.Tue, 08 Oct 2024 12:41:07 EDTTerry Spencerhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2024/1007/abortion-ballot-initiatives-florida-trump-harris?icid=rss0db9205d74f02aa8e5abfe555242f509After Roe v. Wade was overturned, ballot measures for abortion rights have won voter approval and fueled Democratic turnout. Now Florida will test the long-term strength of this political backlash. Mon, 07 Oct 2024 14:55:54 EDTLinda Feldmannhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2024/1007/kamala-harris-cheney-media-press-corps?icid=rssaacec3ae559f611a3f9f8f9801b14821Our reporter traveled with Kamala Harris as she barnstormed two must-win states and began a media blitz, including with “60 minutes,” “Call Her Daddy,” and Howard Stern.Mon, 07 Oct 2024 13:56:07 EDTLinda Feldmannhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2024/1006/Colorado-judge-receives-threats-after-sentencing-election-denier-official-to-prison?icid=rss0c9bd870bf6b2112545102cf390cdc0dA Colorado county courthouse has stepped up security after threats were made against staff and a judge who sentenced former county clerk Tina Peters to prison in a data breach scheme tied to denial of 2020 election results.Sun, 06 Oct 2024 13:58:36 EDTAmy Beth Hansonhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2024/1006/october-7-interfaith-groups-conflict-resolution?icid=rss7f25d715153d1f742acc75732b856825At a time when many people default to demonizing those who believe differently than they do, U.S. interfaith groups are working to acknowledge shared humanity and ask, What can we learn from one another?Sun, 06 Oct 2024 06:00:08 EDTTroy Aidan Sambajonhttps://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2024/1005/hurricane-helene-north-carolina-trump-disinformation-government-conspiracy?icid=rss418d5d5b72699757b8c5e6b812a4b70cDonald Trump and others have spread claims suggesting officials are withholding assistance from Republican storm victims. And that's forcing public officials, including members of Mr. Trump's own party, to set the record straight.Sat, 05 Oct 2024 16:12:25 EDTDavid Klepper