Rethink the News
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Here's a glimpse at our top five stories, including editor commentary on each story, and a sample of our audio edition. You can test drive one edition before you’re asked to subscribe.
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In Irish abortion debate, a deeper referendum on social paternalism
Ireland has been forging a secular path in recent years: electing an openly gay prime minister, celebrating legalization of same-sex marriage. But its current debate over abortion has been deeply emotional and divisive. And the more we looked into why, the more we found that people saw paternalism in this referendum – and in Irish history.
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These states lead in greening grids, face stubborn need for fossil fuels
As some states map a low-carbon energy future, an important debate is shaping up: How diverse will the mix of energy sources need to be?
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Monitor Breakfast
How tough ‘map,’ Trump factor, may sway prospect of ‘blue wave’
When it comes to measuring the strength of Democrats in November – will it be a blue wave or a ripple? – traditional polling may not have the answers. Politics editor Liz Marlantes points to a piece in Forbes by John Zogby: “The Donald Trump presidency defies all the rules, not unlike the Trump personality.”
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As Ebola outbreak grows, Congo puts public health lessons to the test
After the 2014 Ebola epidemic, there was grief and outrage that the world had not responded quickly enough to stem the loss of life. With a new Ebola outbreak in the Congo comes a vow: “Not this time.”
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Finding ‘home’
In an Ohio town, fostering community over cream puffs
Corning, Ohio, "is a town that would look at Mayberry as being the big city,” says Larry Monson. That's partly why the new baker chose it. The Monsons left the big city, with its job opportunities, behind for a chance to redefine their own lives and find a sense of community.
Daily Audio Edition
An excerpt from The Christian Science Monitor Daily Audio Edition
May
24
Issue
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About Monitor Journalism
We think it is time to rethink the news.
News is essential. It is the fuel for a thriving democracy. It takes us to places and introduces us to people we never imagined. It defends our rights and values.
Over the Monitor’s 108-year history, we’ve built a legacy of high-quality, distinctive journalism because we recognize that news is more than facts. It’s the story of how we are each trying to make our homes, communities, and nations better. What matters are the values and ideals that drive us, not just the who, what, when, and where of the news.
When we understand that, we understand the world, and one another, better.
The Monitor gives readers that deeper insight by offering this approach to readers:
We challenge conventional thinking. As forces from politics to social media try to break us into competing tribes – political, racial, or economic – together we’ll rethink the question, “Who is my neighbor?”
We listen to you. We need you to hold us accountable – to keep us honest and grounded. To inspire us with what inspires you. Together, we can build a community of people who ask more from news.
We will change how you see news. News must be accurate and trustworthy, but facts alone can miss the whole story – the story of us. We are much better than much of today’s news portrays us to be. We will have the courage to look into both the best and the worst in us – and not to blame, but to demand better.
Journalism can be a force for good – for inspiration and progress. But only if we all make it so.
Special Projects
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Polar power play: Who will prevail at the rooftop of the world?
The world’s superpowers rush to exploit the Arctic as the sea ice melts.
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Months after Maria, Puerto Ricans take recovery into their own hands
For Puerto Ricans hit hard by hurricanes, feeling forgotten as they pick up the pieces is yet another blow. But as communities band together to recover, some also find encouragement, empowerment, and inspiration for deeper changes after the power returns.
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Squeezing more out of taps: How Cape Town cut consumption in half
The South African city has avoided becoming the world's first to run out of water – for now. It's 'good to learn these lessons now,' one water engineer says. 'Cape Town isn't the only city in the world that's going to need them for the future.'
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Maple syrup inc.: Vermont’s maple syrup tradition goes high tech, high finance
In the past decade, the Vermont maple syrup industry has boomed, bringing outside investors, private equity firms, and a host of new challenges and opportunities to the Green Mountain State.
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The girls who took over a town in rural India
Development experts around the world are increasingly focused on girls as a linchpin of economic and social progress. In Thennamadevi, though, teen girls have taken action on their own, improving their village with a speed that would make any official envious.
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Is Germany’s bold new law a way to clean up the internet or is it stifling free expression?
In the struggle to deal with the explosion of abusive and hateful content on social media sites, Germany is staking out one of the most aggressive and far-reaching positions of any country in the world – and is being closely watched as a result.
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