World
Top Stories:- China, a leader in renewables, was prepared for a global fuel crisisThe conflict could be a boon for China’s new energy sector, including renewable energy, electric vehicles, and batteries.
- Maduro is gone. Venezuela is still waiting for meaningful change.Three months after the U.S. military captured its authoritarian leader, Venezuela is seeing some change. But any big shift in political or economic life will come slowly.
- The Iran war and international law: Fears grow of ‘age of impunity’The Iran war is the latest conflict to see blows to principles of international law, rules of war, and protections for civilian populations.
- Difference MakerLabor of love: This couple is tackling Nigeria’s dire education crisisEschewing more lucrative careers, Aramide and Oluwaseun Kayode are behind the free Talent Mine Academy and an online training platform for teachers.
- What’s driving renewed conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea?Many landlocked Ethiopians want a slice of their neighbor’s extensive coastline. Both sides have troops at the border. Is another conflict inevitable?
USA
Top Stories:- First LookTrump threatens Iran infrastructure; details of US aviator's rescue emergePresident Donald Trump threatened strikes on Iranian infrastructure, while Iran struck infrastructure targets in Gulf Arab countries.
- Trump’s war in Iran puts new strain on alliances. Why this time it’s different.Whether President Trump opts for ground forces, walks away from the war, or cuts a deal with Iran, one cost of his war of choice will be the further decline of U.S. alliances. The strain has been unrelenting, as has the acrimony.Trump’s war in Iran puts new strain on alliances. Why this time it’s different.
- First LookIn rural Virginia, excitement and dread grows over Democrats' redistricting referendumIf Virginia voters approve a redistricting plan and it survives in court, Democrats could counter Republican gains made through redistricting elsewhere.
- With US at war, Hegseth’s Army leadership purge raises questionsAmid the ongoing Iran war, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Gen. Randy George and other leaders, fueling concerns around military politicization.
- From a ballroom to the dollar bill, Trump is making his mark on historyPresident Donald Trump is erecting new structures at a furious pace, while putting his name on everything he can. Critics say it echoes a strongman’s style. Others simply see a penchant for legacy-building – and a long history of promoting the Trump brand.
Editorials
Top Stories:- The Monitor's ViewA seed of peace in the Iran warSome nations appeal to Iran’s better angels to allow shipments of fertilizer products through the Strait of Hormuz to prevent famine. Protecting the innocent has long been an opening to ending a war.
- The Monitor's ViewLocal bonds in a war can give peace a chanceSudan’s civilian-led emergency response rooms have just received an international award. This recognition highlights how local, citizen-driven associations can bridge divides and expand hearts and minds.
- The Monitor's ViewTruth-seeking Russians try to save TelegramAs the Kremlin throttles the last useful messaging app, civilians who use it to support the military (and each other) are realizing the deeper value of freedom of communication and internet use.
- The Monitor's ViewEU and Canada lean into a new world roleAs the U.S. retreats from global institutions and pacts, its allies test new coalitions, or “minilateral” solutions, to renew world stability.
- The Monitor's ViewChildren’s innocence and the Iran warA global rise in appreciation for the goodness and purity of youth has driven calls and action to better protect children in war situations. It also has helped end a few wars.
Economy
Top Stories:- From liberation to limbo: A year after ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, what difference have they made?One year after President Trump announced his “Liberation Day” tariff plan, a look at how effective using tariffs as a global-bully stick has been.
- With Iran war squeezing global energy, nations look to nuclear and renewablesFuel shortages are speeding a shift toward renewable energy and nuclear power for many countries, as the Iran war creates new urgency
- The ExplainerAI’s new frontier: When business, government interests collideThe dispute between Anthropic and the U.S. government highlights tension between development in artificial intelligence, and how the technology is used.
- US postpones strikes on Iran, but a global energy crisis is deepeningWhile markets welcomed the possibility of talks to end the Iran war, Asian nations are set to bear the brunt of what might be the worst oil crisis in more than 50 years.
- Fed keeps interest rates on hold, cautious about the war, jobs, and oil pricesWith an eye on the Iran war and rising oil prices, the Federal Reserve said it would not lower interest rates, continuing a “wait-and-see” approach.
Environment
Top Stories:- The ExplainerWhy the US will pay a French company nearly $1 billion to give up wind farm plansThe Trump administration’s deal to pay TotalEnergies to shift from wind farms to U.S. fossil fuel investment appears to be a novel use of taxpayer funds. It also fits within a broader White House effort to restrict the offshore wind industry.
- After 100 years, and decades of cleanup, shellfishing set to return to Boston HarborDecades of cleanup efforts in Boston Harbor will allow a few towns to open beaches for recreational shellfishing, which had been mostly banned since 1925.
- Trump rescinds EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gases. What’s the impact?President Trump and his team held a “Clean, Beautiful Coal” event this week and are rescinding a rule that enables the EPA to regulate greenhouse gases. But the moves come as renewable energy sources including solar are increasingly in demand.
- A year after LA wildfires, slow recovery but ‘a feeling of hope’The Eaton and Palisades wildfires destroyed 13,000 homes, and left thousands more uninhabitable. Some survivors are frustrated at the pace of recovery.
- EPA’s new clean-water rules: What a farmer, builder, and scientist sayThe EPA proposes to narrow the scope of a key part of the Clean Water Act – a change criticized by environmental groups but welcomed by businesses.
Technology
Top Stories:- China’s humanoid robots are gaining ground – but they’re not there yetThe U.S. and China are racing to build humanoid robots capable of performing many daily tasks – but the complexity of home and business environments makes that challenging.
- First LookGeorgia leads toward a nuclear future with its first operating reactorGeorgia Power Co. announced one of its two new reactors reached self-sustaining nuclear fission on Monday. The announcement is a key step toward reaching commercial operation of nuclear energy in the United States.
- First LookCellphone at 50: Its inventor reflects on mobile advances and risksCellphone inventor Martin Cooper, who placed the first mobile call on April 3, 1973, remains hopeful the technology can transform lives, but he’s also concerned about its impact. “We don’t have any privacy anymore,” Mr. Cooper said at a trade show in Spain.
- First LookWhat links toothbrushes and weapons systems? A $52 billion investment.The U.S. government has reached a rare bipartisan agreement to invest $52 billion to develop advanced computer chips. Factories, autos, appliances, electronics, toys, toothbrushes, and weapons systems all depend on semiconductors.
- First LookInternet speech: Supreme Court to weigh who is protected onlineTwo cases before the U.S. Supreme Court this week challenge Section 230, a 1996 law that protects tech companies from liability for material posted on their networks. The cases are part of a global trend toward holding social media platforms accountable.
Science
Top Stories:- Russia sees opportunity in thawing Arctic. But it’s looking for partners, too.Russia is ramping up efforts to take advantage of the opening Arctic, both through military and economic means, and through international cooperation.
- Difference Maker‘The tools to imagine solutions’: Science educator inspires Pakistani childrenScience Fuse, a social enterprise, primarily teaches children in impoverished areas, including the Machar Colony slum area in Karachi.
- Trump sees a ‘con’ in climate change. Xi sees cash.While President Trump decries climate change as a “con,” China’s Xi Jinping is going all-in on green tech. The latter approach is providing some hope as the COP30 climate conference gathers in Brazil.
- Cover StoryMake Oil Great Again? Even California drills as global climate action stalls.Gov. Gavin Newsom made green energy a priority. But as President Donald Trump makes oil the focus of U.S. energy policy, even California considers “Drill, baby, drill.”
- The ExplainerClimate money is flowing around the globe. Sometimes, corruption makes it disappear.Protesters accuse the Philippine government of misusing billions in climate money. One issue concerns whether such spending reaches the most vulnerable.
Arts & Culture
Top Stories:- Audrey Spillman’s musical and spiritual journey led her to peace, and inspirationAmericana singer-songwriter Audrey Spillman says her third album, “Nightingale,” is the “most important record” of her life.
- Aliens and UFOs still fascinate. ‘Project Hail Mary,’ ‘Disclosure Day’ are proof.Movies like "Disclosure Day" and "Project Hail Mary" renew our fascination with extraterrestrials and the idea that humankind is not alone in the universe.
- Dancing offers children refuge in conflict-torn CongoA workshop on breaking, also known as breakdancing, has been a source of joy for children in Goma since 2008.
- Ahead of the Oscars: Our critic’s picks for the best acting awardsNo matter which actors receive an Oscar March 15, our critic has already decided who his winners are.
- Ryan Coogler’s ‘Sinners’ isn’t just a vampire flick. It’s an American story infused with blues.For the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, “Sinners,” directed by Ryan Coogler, is a contender for best picture and 15 other nominations, the highest number for any film in Academy history.
Books
Top Stories:- ‘Tiny Gardens Everywhere’ take root in urban plotsEnvironmental history professor Kate Brown’s latest book, underscores the resilience and power of urban gardening.
- In ‘Son of Nobody,’ Yann Martel wraps an Everyman and a scholar in an epic tale“Son of Nobody” by Yann Martel twins the life of a foot soldier in ancient Greece with a modern-day man of letters.
- March reading madness: Ring in spring with the season’s best booksOur reviewers’ March picks travel the globe and beyond, from India and Eritrea to Egypt and, eventually, Europa.
- The trio of women who redefined journalismFor intrepid journalists Emily Hahn, Rebecca West, and Martha Gellhorn, the love of writing, travel, mentorship, and friendly competition united them for seven decades of “bylines and books.”
- What does it take for male friendship to thrive?Andrew McCarthy sets out to reconnect with pals – and finds inspiration from talking with strangers.
The Home Forum
Top Stories:- The animals who find usA novice volunteer discovers that the most unlikely creatures – and adopters – often carry the biggest lessons about compassion.
- Call your mother? LOL.
- A field guide to unplugging: How a frazzled father found a lifeline in birdingAn overwhelmed suburban dad rediscovers birding as a refuge from the noise of modern life.
- 300,000 miles of memories: The car that carried us over the yearsFrom tailgate diapering to college drop-offs, one car has seen a family of five through the miles – and milestones.
- Why libraries have a hold on me: A love letterA book lover returns to the timeless pleasure of getting lost amid the stacks and stumbling onto new treasures.