The Christian Science Monitor

Tuesday’s primary for Michigan’s open Senate seat is serving as a proxy battle over the Democratic Party’s future. How it all plays out could shape the direction of the party, including the 2028 presidential race. #michigan #democrats #senate csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2…

The increasing incarceration of women—often for minor, nonviolent offenses—carries a high human cost. There is a shift toward alternatives that balance accountability with the right of children to continued parental care. #incarceration #prison #parenting csmonitor.com/Editorials/the…

The collapse of a potential compromise for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and a new round of direct attacks between the United States and Iran, could lead more expansion of the conflict in the Middle East. #hormuz #iran #war csmonitor.com/World/Middle-E…

Faith played an important role in America’s birth, even as the Founding Fathers rejected the idea of a state religion. Today, many Americans are turning to their churches for guidance that ranges across the political spectrum. #faith #america250 #america csmonitor.com/USA/Society/20…

In two recent political books, Mike Pence and Raphael Warnock each draw inspiration from their reading of Scripture. #books #politics #religion csmonitor.com/Arts-Culture/B…

Takaichi Sanae’s unapologetic ambition, political savvy, and work ethic drove her to Japan’s top political post—and are now helping her navigate some challenging first years. #ironlady #japan #beijing csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pac…

Britain’s new prime minister wants to restore faith in democracy by giving greater power to regions away from London. An election for mayor of Greater Manchester this week could give an early indication of the plan’s popularity #manchester #uk #burnham csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2…

President Trump has directed the U.S. government to pay billions to halt wind energy projects. The deals involve redirecting funds toward fossil fuels and other conventional energy projects. In response, some states have sued. #trump #windfarms #fossilfuel csmonitor.com/Environment/20…

Federal law and Trump administration rules lay out transparency requirements for the US government’s use of AI. When we asked about one tool designed to vet immigrant children’s sponsors, information about it disappeared. #ai #immigration #surveillance csmonitor.com/USA/2026/0729/…

The slowdown in hiring in many developed nations has left young people struggling to find work. But some major U.S. firms are rethinking staffing strategies. #jobs #unemployment #genz #economy csmonitor.com/Business/2026/…

The story of the Ukraine war this summer has been the shift wrought by Ukraine’s drone strikes deep into Russia. The goal is to end the war, to pave a path to a diplomatic resolution. #ukraine #drones #russia csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2…

As the world marks the 75th anniversary of the U.N. Refugee Convention on July 28, South Africa is grappling painfully with familiar questions about migration and belonging. #southafrica #immigration #refugees csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2…

A Christian pastor attributes his July release to both prayer and political pressure. His freedom began in a recognition of a spiritual reality that most Americans acknowledge. #china #christianity #antireligion csmonitor.com/Editorials/the…

At a time when children are spending more hours indoors scrolling on their digital devices, Seattle has embraced a simple concept: Give the streets back to kids. #playstreets #parenting #seattle csmonitor.com/Perspectives/M…

Europe is dealing with record-breaking wildfires. Some of them are so intense, the authorities are unable to contain them. Climate change is part of the story. But forest management is another factor. #climatechange #wildfire #fire csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2…

After three years of war, Sudan's museums are in ruins. But the hunt for thousands of stolen artifacts is just beginning. #sudan #artifacts #war csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2…

The United Arab Emirates has faced extensive Iranian retaliation throughout the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran. But people in the UAE are coming through the conflict with a new sense of national pride. #iran #war #uae #israel csmonitor.com/World/2026/072…

The U.S. government is spending well beyond its means at a breathtaking pace. Members of Congress say they care, but neither party is making deficit reduction a priority. #debt #nationaldebt #congress csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2…

Several US states are taking steps to address the rise in gambling addiction. Preventive education could help shift the focus to the importance of individual agency—and restore players' and fans' joy in athletics. #sportsbetting #gambling #addiction csmonitor.com/Editorials/the…

Americans increasingly want to know about political candidates’ faith. Politicians seem eager to share. Recent memoirs by JD Vance, Andy Beshear, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and Raphael Warnock focus on God, morality, and religion. #faith #politics #memoir csmonitor.com/Arts-Culture/B…