~the-christian-scien | Bookmarks (531)

Immersive books for young readers include Kate DiCamillo’s “The Hotel Balzaar,” Katherine Rundell’s “Imaginary Creatures,” and four others.

Presidential campaigns no longer hunt for blocs of persuadable voters through mainstream media, but turn to podcasters and influencers.

The Russian public is generally satisfied with how their country has transformed under Vladimir Putin. But that’s less because of his attributes and more a reflection of Russian history and culture.

The stock market isn’t panicking amid the tumult of the Harris-Trump presidential race. Still, the Trump tariff proposals draw warnings.

The U.S. still dominates in space, but China’s star is rising. As the country’s latest crewed launch highlights a rapidly advancing space program, some say China is catching up.

Armenia, surrounded by bigger countries, tries to make itself indispensable by becoming a Silicon Valley in a precarious region.

U.S. foreign policy isn’t a top priority for American voters this year, but it matters a lot around the world. How will the next president treat allies?

Perceptions of the economy loom large as the Harris and Trump campaigns compete for every last vote. Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley is a window on Americans’ lingering anxiety around inflation, even as wages catch up.

When Tanzania’s government asked the Maasai to cast their ballots in the November election hundreds of miles from home, many rose up in protest.

Democrats and some of Donald Trump’s own former aides are calling him a fascist. Trump allies say it’s the Biden-Harris administration that has curtailed liberties.

The Israeli parliament’s ban on U.N. Relief and Works Agency operations in Israel threatens humanitarian aid to Gaza and its schools.

Lebanon is all too familiar with the heavy cost civilians bear in war. Now, as Israel pursues Hezbollah, people are dying or displaced from their homes, caught in the crossfire of a war that is not theirs.

Beyond the national divisions of the presidential race, civility and neighborly trust largely reign in local government.

In over a year of conflict between Israel and Iran’s militia allies, a key brake on a regional war has been each side’s fear of what the other could do. Does Israel’s latest strike mean that brake is failing?

In Japan, the long-ruling party’s dramatic loss in a parliamentary election underscores the public’s growing frustration with its leaders, and has plunged the country into political uncertainty.

Behind the popularity of career and technical training in education lies a stronger desire among young people to find purpose.

“Emily in Paris,” the cult Netflix series French viewers love to hate, is hinting at a move to Rome. Fans, from President Macron on down, are indignant.

Health practitioners in developing countries fear a reelected Donald Trump would cut U.S. funds, whatever their purpose, to any group promoting abortion.

Vote counting could be protracted in key states such as Pennsylvania. In a close race, it’s not surprising or suspicious if the winner isn’t known for days.

Foreign meddling in U.S. elections is on the rise. But so is awareness of that threat – and strategies to fight back.

Israel launched missile strikes against Iranian targets in retaliation for Iran’s attack on Tel Aviv earlier this month. Iran said the strikes caused only “limited damage.”

Christa Case Bryant is named the next editor of the news organization. She will be the second woman to hold the position in the Monitor’s 116-year history.

Two of baseball’s most storied teams are facing off in the World Series, uniting Americans in a historic rivalry and a joyful revival of a sport that defines the nation.

Tribal nations, which often lean blue in elections, have long pushed for an apology for the 18,000 children abducted and forced to attend abusive schools. Kamala Harris’ campaign is also leaning on the demographic, hoping to swing Arizona in her favor.