The Christian Science Monitor

With his new album, Mádé Kútì, grandson of Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kútì, asks listeners to go deep: How can you be a better version of yourself? #music #afrobeat #kutu csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Mu…

Under President Trump’s new plan, America’s gear in the AI race has shifted from cautious to bold. Promoting unchecked investment over safeguards is a response to bipartisan concerns that China is eroding America’s AI dominance. #AI #china #trump csmonitor.com/USA/Society/20…

Republicans in Texas are heeding President Trump’s request to change congressional districts as a way of protecting the GOP’s House majority. Democrats warn they’ll do the same in states they control. #gerrymandering #GOP #house #trump csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2…

Our reviewers’ picks this month include novels about an actor-turned-CIA spy and a museum worker who falls through a portal into a Matisse painting. The nonfiction topics involve Amelia Earhart’s marriage, brazen thefts of Chinese art, and studying seals. csmonitor.com/Books/Book-Rev…

The populist surge on the right is a familiar electoral feature across the West. Gains by the far right in recent elections in Japan show its global appeal. #japan #FarRight #politics csmonitor.com/World/2025/072…

Lesotho faces one of the highest tariff threats lodged by the Trump administration. No one in the tiny African nation can figure out why. #trump #tariffs #africa csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2…

Amid sectarian violence in Syria in which hundreds of Druze were killed, Israel struck Damascus and issued a warning to the new government. Israeli Druze are mourning the deaths, but are divided over whether Israeli military action is the wisest course. csmonitor.com/World/Middle-E…

Across the U.S., federal grants helped communities prepare for more severe rainfall events and flooding. With a key grant program cut, it’s unclear where the money will come from now. #floods #trump #environment csmonitor.com/Environment/20…

Since 2006, the party controlling the White House has always lost House seats in the midterms. DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene told a Monitor Breakfast how the “big, ugly bill” will work to Democrats’ advantage. #democrats #congress #elections csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/m…

Grammy-winning musician Patty Griffin almost called it quits. But the pandemic brought a reconciliation with her mother – and a perspective on joy and unconditional love that found an outlet in her music. #grammy #folk #music #PattyGriffin csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Mu…

Racism and hatred are not easy to uproot. Books that examine not only how bigotry operates, but also the efforts to eradicate it, provide a wakeup call – and an appeal for vigilance. #books #nonfiction #justice #civilrights csmonitor.com/Books/Book-Rev…

A key challenge for postwar Syria is building trust between the Arab majority and its historically sidelined Kurdish minority. The security regimes in Kurdish parts of Aleppo show just how slow that trust may be in coming. #syria #kurds #autonomy csmonitor.com/World/Middle-E…

In a push to meet President Donald Trump’s goal of deporting 1 million unauthorized immigrants annually, the administration is enlisting agencies not typically involved in immigration enforcement. #immigration #deportation #trump csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2…

As President Trump tries to quell an uproar within his base over his handling of the Epstein files, he’s using diversion. But this time, he may be promising revelations he can’t deliver on. #epstein #trump #MAGA csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2…

As universities and the Trump administration battle over federal funding, more questions arise about the obligations around grants and other financial arrangements – and what’s at stake if those systems falter. #universities #trump #FederalFunding #trump csmonitor.com/USA/Education/…

A police officer involved in the raid that killed Breonna Taylor in 2020 was sentenced today. The Department of Justice’s approach to the case points to a retreat from police reform efforts. #police #policeReform #violence csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/20…

Languages besides Kashmiri are taking root in the Kashmir Valley. But some residents see a path toward preserving their mother tongue. csmonitor.com/World/Making-a…

Falling prices for electric cars and other signs of deflation have led China’s ruling party to challenge an economic mindset, which has led to the distorting market effects of subsidies. #china #deflation #subsidies csmonitor.com/Commentary/the…

USAID funding helped nurture independent media outlets in Ukraine to play a part in strengthening democracy. Now there are concerns about a return to the days of media dominated by oligarchs, political parties, and the state. #Ukraine #Russia #War #media csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2…

A colonial border sliced this West African community apart. Now soccer is bringing it back together. #soccer #WestAfrica #footballers csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2…