Why the surveillance powers in FISA roil Congress – across party lines 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 ...

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. Congress has been split across party lines as it wrestles with what to do. #fisa #congress #surveillance
www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics...

Bearing arms: Shifting views among gun owners on a foundational right A new twist in what has become one of this country’s most emotional, and debated, issues: a growing liberal embrace of guns.

The Monitor’s longtime Georgia bureau chief, Patrik Jonsson, noticed a shift in thought among gun owners: a mistrust of government on the political left. #guns #journalism #2ndAmendment
www.csmonitor.com/Perspectives...

Can the US and Iran close off the Strait of Hormuz? What international law says. 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.

In the Strait of Hormuz, Washington and Tehran are testing the boundaries of international laws that protect freedom of navigation and facilitate a global economy. This war could roll back the clock on maritime norms – or strengthen them. #straitofhormuz #iran #oil
www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle...

South Africa’s reconciliation efforts at home – and with the US 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...

The US alleges that South Africa is persecuting white minority Afrikaners, so it’s granting them privileged refugee status. Pretoria has named a new ambassador to Washington – an Afrikaner who helped end decades of white rule. #southafrica #afrikan #refugee
www.csmonitor.com/Editorials/t...

The first woman to complete the Boston Marathon sculpts her own legacy 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.

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. #bostonmarathon #womeninsports #marathonmonday
www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/...

In Sudan’s mountains, wartime orphans are raised to be peacemakers Large numbers of children began arriving at Our Father’s Cleft after Sudan’s third civil war erupted in April 2023.

A brutal conflict is forcing many young Sudanese to starve, fight as soldiers, or toil in mines. At Our Father’s Cleft, they are instead provided refuge and education in hopes they will become change-makers who bring peace to the country. #sudan #education #refuge
www.csmonitor.com/Perspectives...

Cameroon’s separatist conflict drove pro soccer teams out. Why they’re back. 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.

The return of professional soccer to one part of Cameroon reflects cautious optimism about the future in a place upended by a decade of violent conflict between separatists and the government. #soccer #cameroon #africa
www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa...

Hungary election points to Trump’s waning influence in Europe 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 po...

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. #farright #hungary #trump
www.csmonitor.com/Perspectives...

Malian photographer ushered in a ‘visual revolution’ Self-taught portraitist Seydou Keïta introduced “the African gaze” during a time of transition for the continent. A catalog celebrates his artistry.

Self-taught portraitist Seydou Keïta introduced “the African gaze” during a time of transition for the continent. A catalog and two exhibits celebrate his artistry. #mali #newbooks #photography
www.csmonitor.com/Books/Book-R...

More liberals are buying guns. Why? Rising gun ownership among Democrats is reshaping U.S. gun culture and recalibrating the debate between gun rights, civic safety, and government control.

Rising gun ownership among Democrats is reshaping U.S. gun culture and recalibrating debates over gun rights, civic safety, and government control – even as Republicans remain 50% more likely to own firearms. #guns #2a #democrats
www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/...

Hormuz workarounds and arms deals: Gulf states seek to ‘Iran-proof’ their future Iran’s missile attacks and its closing of the Strait of Hormuz have cost the oil-producing Gulf Arab states untold billions. In response, they are moving to arm themselves against a military threat th...

Iran’s missile attacks and closing of the Strait of Hormuz have cost the Gulf Arab states billions. In response, they are moving to arm themselves against a military threat that hasn’t been erased, and construct workarounds to the Hormuz choke point. #iran #oil
www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle...

Beyond Jesus memes: Trump’s Christian supporters also fret about abortion, inflation President Donald Trump’s broadsides against the pope, alongside controversial memes, reveal cracks in his support from religious conservatives. That discontent is amplified by some policy disappointme...

President Donald Trump’s broadsides against the pope, alongside controversial memes, reveal cracks in his support from religious conservatives. That discontent is amplified by some policy disappointments, particularly around abortion. #trump #pope #abortion
www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics...

In Bangladesh, an ancient art form weaves new opportunities Dhaka is the beating heart of Bangladesh’s textile industry. But beyond the capital, women are meeting a demand for traditional, handwoven rugs.

Dhaka is the beating heart of Bangladesh’s textile industry. But beyond the capital, rural weavers are bridging a traditional craft with modern markets, often with a focus on sustainability. #textiles #dhaka #sustainability
www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-S...

High-minded help for nations low on fuel Asia’s dependency on Gulf petroleum has led to a cooperative spirit in the region to endure the Strait of Hormuz crisis. “We must work together,” said a Singapore envoy.

Asia’s dependency on Gulf petroleum has led to a cooperative spirit in the region to endure the Strait of Hormuz crisis. “We must work together,” said a Singapore envoy. #oil #straitofhormuz #asia
www.csmonitor.com/Editorials/t...

How fired USAID staffers are keeping the agency’s work going Project Resource Optimization matches defunded USAID projects with new donors, allowing the lights to stay on as American foreign aid retreats.

When the U.S. Agency for International Development shut down, the projects it funded were left in limbo. Project Resource Optimization matches as many as it can with new donors. #usaid #nigeria #humanitarian
www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa...

Wildfires already active in Florida and US put focus on managed burns More than 1.7 million acres have burned across the United States so far this year – more than double the 10-year average for the same period.

Winter usually tamps down wildfire risk. But across the U.S., drought and heat have set the table for hungry fires. Some states prone to wildfires are beginning to embrace controlled burns that give fires less fuel when they do start. #wildfire #drought #florida
www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/...

After 3 years of war, Sudanese civilians pay the price Three years of fighting have carved Sudan into two halves. The fight is now for the country’s center, where civilians are paying a devastating price.

After three years of fighting, there is no end in sight for Sudan’s brutal civil war. Its civilians are paying an unfathomable price. #sudan #civilwar #conflict
www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa...

The IRS has shrunk. So has public trust in tax fairness. While many Americans are enjoying new tax breaks, the Internal Revenue Service has fewer people to collect taxes. And most people say wealthy citizens aren’t paying their fair share.

Taxpayers are frustrated over the perception that the wealthy are not paying their fair share. Despite government spending reductions that partially offset tax cuts, experts warn that new tax provisions will expand federal deficits. #taxday #irs #taxes
www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics...

A soothsaying servant girl, an unstable king, and the modern-day scholars on their trail Hailed as a prophet, Elizabeth Barton railed against King Henry VIII and his plan to break with the pope in Rome and form his own church.

In Tudor England, women had little say over their lives. Still, some women found ways – then as now – to exert influence and power in religious, academic, and political circles that frequently excluded them. #newbooks #bookreviews #historicalfiction
www.csmonitor.com/Books/Book-R...

Better #MeToo scrutiny on Capitol Hill In the seat of American electoral power, women in Congress are leading the charge for politicians to uphold workplace ethics, transparency, and respectful treatment. Their efforts reflect society’s hi...

Women in Congress are leading the charge for politicians to uphold workplace ethics, transparency, and respectful treatment. Their efforts reflect society’s higher expectations for elected representatives. #metoo #congress #women
www.csmonitor.com/Editorials/t...

On a question of morality, the US and Canada are oceans apart. Why? Researchers asked people from different countries to rank the morality and ethics of their fellow citizens. The results could offer insights into how communities can rebuild trust.

Researchers asked people from different countries to rank the morality and ethics of their fellow citizens. The results could offer insights into how communities can rebuild trust. #pewresearch #morality #research #canada www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-S...

With Swalwell and Gonzales out, is Congress entering a new accountability era? Fallout from the Epstein scandal and a changing media environment might be contributing to a new push for sunlight and accountability on Capitol Hill. This week’s unusual resignations could be followe...

Fallout from the Epstein scandal and a changing media environment might be contributing to a new push for sunlight and accountability on Capitol Hill. This week’s unusual resignations could be followed by even more. #metoo #congress #swalwell #gonzales
www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics...

Neither party may win the redistricting wars. But the House could still lose. With Virginia and Florida poised to follow other states in midcycle redistricting next week, the partisan impact nationwide appears to be a wash. But the new maps may make the next U.S. House even mor...

With Virginia and Florida poised to follow other states in redistricting, the partisan impact nationwide so far appears to be a wash. But creating more “safe” districts may make the next US House even more polarized. #redistricting #virginia #florida
www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics...

For many Taiwanese, an opposition leader’s rare trip to China hit the wrong notes Taiwan’s opposition leader has returned from a trip to the Chinese mainland, where she pushed for cross-strait dialogue. But her diplomatic efforts could backfire on the democratic island, where a sen...

Taiwan’s opposition leader has returned from a trip to the Chinese mainland, where she pushed for cross-straight dialogue. But her diplomatic efforts could backfire on the democratic island, where a sense of local identity is growing. #taiwan #china #chengliwun
www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-P...

In Iran war, ‘the enemy of my enemy’ isn’t moving Gulf Arabs closer to Israel Even before the Iran war, launched against Gulf Arabs’ advice, sentiment in the region toward Israel was souring over its Palestinian policies. But distrust has deepened over Israel’s conduct of the w...

Even before the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, sentiment in the Gulf Arab region toward Israel was souring over its war in Gaza and policies in the West Bank. But distrust has deepened with the perception Israel instigated the war. #israel #iran #ceasefire
www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle...

Hungary’s moving message to populists A longtime ruler’s lies about his opponent, Péter Magyar, failed against a message of love, truth, and reconciliation that won big in Sunday’s election.

A longtime ruler’s lies about his opponent, Péter Magyar, failed against a message of love, truth, and reconciliation that won big in Sunday’s election. #petermagyar #populist #democracy
www.csmonitor.com/Editorials/t...

Hungary elections: A wake-up call to the resilience of democracy? Viktor Orbán’s defeat in Hungary Sunday night showed that elections still matter – and democracies are more resilient than they may seem right now.

Whatever the political ramifications for Hungary, Europe, or the US, Viktor Orbán’s electoral defeat Sunday night showed that elections still matter – and that democracies are more resilient than the current era might make them seem. #hungary #petermagyar #election
www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe...

The evolution of Lincoln’s immigration ideals: A historian assesses his legacy President Abraham Lincoln had a mixed record on immigration, but championed newcomers’ “right to rise.”

The United States’ current debate over immigration is only the latest episode in the country’s history. President Abraham Lincoln had a mixed record on immigration but championed newcomers’ “right to rise.” #lincoln #immigration #history
www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/...

US moves to blockade Iran after peace talks break down US-Iran talks failed over the weekend, with Tehran’s nuclear program a key obstacle. President Trump has ordered a Navy blockade to press Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz.

US-Iran talks failed over the weekend, with Tehran’s nuclear program a key obstacle. President Trump has ordered a Navy blockade designed to pressure Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. #ceasefire #iran #jdvance
www.csmonitor.com/USA/Military...

Hungary election results echo worldwide after Viktor Orbán ousted Hungarians showed they were tired of Viktor Orbán’s rule, as Peter Magyar ousted the prime minister behind unexpectedly high turnout and support.

Viktor Orbán has been an institution in Europe’s conservative, illiberal bloc for decades. Hungarians showed they were tired of his rule, as challenger Péter Magyar ousted the prime minister behind unexpectedly high support. #viktororban #hungary #election
www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe...