World
Top Stories:- Can deepfakes be good for democracy? India tries to balance risks and rewards of AI.
Indian society is scrambling to respond to an uptick of political deepfakes during critical elections. Its efforts could help build a roadmap on how democracies balance the good and the bad of artificial intelligence.
- Iran’s official line on exchange with Israel: Deterrence restored
Iran’s attack on Israel, and the Israeli strike that preceded it, raised fears that the war in Gaza was poised to erupt into a regional conflict. It hasn’t. But success isn’t a given.
- Niger is telling US troops to leave as it ushers in Russian soldiers. Here’s why.
As U.S. and other Western troops get the boot from African countries, Russian soldiers are taking their place at air bases. The Kremlin, meanwhile, continues to court African leaders and expand its influence in the region.
- Long a cherished trade, sanctions on Iran are unraveling the future of Persian rugs
Iran was once known for its luxurious silk carpets, often purchased by American and European tourists. But renewed sanctions and a drop in tourism have led to struggling carpet weavers and the future of the cultural artisan skills on the brink.
- Rishi Sunak tried everything to keep UK’s Conservatives in power. It isn’t working.
Labour Party candidates saw broad success in Britain’s May 2 local elections, a sign of resurgence after 14 years in the minority. The results may portend defeat for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives in general elections later this year.
USA
Top Stories:- Trust in the media has tanked. Are we entering a ‘post-news’ era?
Declining trust in news media is partly about navigating a tsunami of digital content. Do people want unbiased news? How do they judge quality?
- In deterrence we trust? Cold War nuclear questions make a comeback.
The risks of nuclear weapons have reappeared in global headlines. Containing those risks may hinge on communication as well as a “peace through strength” tradition.
- Will young voters ditch Biden over Israel? For most, it’s not a priority.
Despite students clashing with authorities on campuses nationwide, most young people are far more focused on the economy than on the Mideast.
- Senate map favors the GOP. But Steve Daines won’t predict a ‘red wave.’
At a Monitor Breakfast with reporters, the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee kept expectations in check.
- Flight delayed? Air traffic control woes go beyond what FAA bill would fix.
Frustrated with air travel? America’s air traffic controllers are overstretched, and the FAA reauthorization bill, if passed, is just one step of many needed to support this vital work.
Commentary
Top Stories:- Trust flows on a river undammed
A project to restore salmon runs in Northern California redefines how communities care for nature and each other.
- European shield in Georgia
Mass protests in the former Soviet state against a Russia-inspired bill are yet another front against Moscow’s attempt to rebuild an empire.
- Dissolving abortion’s battle lines
Election-year politics aside, Americans are learning that listening leads to compassion even when they disagree.
- Neighborly nudge to rehabilitate Haiti
The selection of interim leaders for the gang-ruled country only happened after other Caribbean states saw a need to fill a power vacuum.
- A tender way to treat armed militias
Latin America has two models for eradicating violent crime. One is rooted in dignity and forgiveness.
Economy
Top Stories:- ‘Divest from Israel’: Easy slogan, challenging for universities
Getting universities to divest from companies that support Israel is not as simple as many student protesters hope.
- Shell corporations? Hawaiian farmers push a plan to counter island macadamia posers.
Hundreds of small Hawaii farmers rely on the lucrative macadamia crop. But, like maple syrup producers in Vermont and distilleries in Champagne, France, they’re starting to face the imposition of nuts grown off the islands and sold with Hawaiian branding.
- Tennessee win for UAW could open road for labor in South
For the first time the UAW has successfully organized a foreign-owned auto plant in the South – a move that helps change the image of labor in decline.
- Charging – and charging for it: How EV owners could sell power back to the grid
Bidirectional EV charging would expand power grids by allowing cars to store energy at night, then sell it back to utilities during peak daylight hours. That would mostly benefit drivers – but automakers are also eyeing ways to get a cut of the surplus.
- In the wake of high-profile near misses, senators ask: Is Boeing doing enough?
A Boeing engineer told lawmakers the company has been taking manufacturing shortcuts that led to “putting out defective airplanes,” part of a larger suite of allegations in the wake of a 737 Max flight that saw its door plug blow out in midair.
Environment
Top Stories:- Stories of resilience: Bees make a comeback, and how immigrants lift economies
Progress roundup: Bee colonies are on the rise, Venezuelan migrants benefit their adopted countries, and an ancient irrigation system in Oman still works.
- Solar panels are spreading over Midwest farms – and edging out the crops
Solar energy companies are leasing thousands of acres of land from Midwestern farmers, which can hinder crop-growing or grazing livestock there. It’s a tradeoff between expanding renewables and giving up future yields.
- New EPA rule sets deadline for coal fired-plants: Clean up or shut down
The Biden administration has taken its most aggressive action yet on cutting greenhouse gas emissions from the private sector. That includes a strict ultimatum for coal-fired power plants.
- Are world’s 200 million pastoral herders a climate threat?
A U.N. report suggests that pastoralism may be part of the global emissions problem. Some researchers see the climate math on herders differently.
- Think red-hot heat’s bad? Just wait until code magenta.
A new warning tool created by the National Weather Service and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention aims to respond to the increasing dangers of severe heat. The system offers a seven-day forecast with risks from minimal to extreme.
Technology
Top Stories:- Georgia leads toward a nuclear future with its first operating reactor
Georgia 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.
- Cellphone at 50: Its inventor reflects on mobile advances and risks
Cellphone 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.
- What 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.
- Internet speech: Supreme Court to weigh who is protected online
Two 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.
- ‘Tremendous potential’: Why some disability advocates laud ChatGPT
ChatGPT has spurred lively conversations about the role of educational technology. While some colleges and universities are cracking down on ChatGPT, the AI-powered chatbot, other educators believe ChatGPT could help with assisted learning.
Science
Top Stories:- Hey now, you’re a dead star. Meet Gaia, the Milky Way’s second-largest black hole.
A black hole named Gaia BH3, 33 times greater in size than the sun, was discovered 2,000 light years from Earth. The only other in our Milky Way galaxy, Sagittarius, is 26,000 light years away from Earth and traveling in the opposite direction.
- Some things are worth missing school for. An eclipse road trip, and a search for wonder.
Our reporter, like many parents, wanted his son to experience the wonder of a total solar eclipse. As so often happens with parenting, the one left most in awe by the celestial event was not the fifth grader.
- Howling at the moon on a Monday afternoon. Eclipse brings thousands to Vermont.
In a country seemingly fractured about most things, on Monday, Americans came together under one sky.
- Project ‘Frozen Dumbo’ helps boost dwindling African elephant populations
Factors such as poaching and habitat loss have decimated wild African elephant populations. Operation “Frozen Dumbo” aims to bolster the animals’ numbers in the wild and in zoos.
- A solar eclipse is coming April 8. Here’s what you need to know.
The total solar eclipse on April 8 will be visible to millions of Americans. Here’s a guide to how and where to watch it and what to expect.
Culture
Top Stories:- NBA playoffs without Curry? James? Durant? A new guard rises in basketball.
For the first time in 15 seasons, the second round of the NBA playoffs will be without the familiar trio of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, or Kevin Durant.
- Gardening lessons: Planting hope and harvesting peace of mind
Gardening was a central part of my grandma’s life. Her pleasures were simple: She found a storehouse of riches in her backyard garden.
- Why Ugandan farmers gladly grow crops for chimps
With encouragement from the Jane Goodall Institute, Ugandan farmers are playing an important role in lessening tensions between people and chimps.
- Singer Laura Veirs finds creativity everywhere – bikes, skates, power saws
For some artists, inspiration comes when ideas flow naturally, rather than being demanded. With the release of her latest album, songwriter Laura Veirs reflects on how creativity manifests itself.
- In Kentucky, the oldest Black independent library is still making history
Western Library is the oldest Black library still independently run in the U.S. Its current librarian has made it her mission to share its history with her community.
Books
Top Stories:- Do diverse police departments use less force? She trained with cops to find out.
After a year training at police academies, sociologist Samantha J. Simon finds that it’s going to take more than diversity initiatives to change police culture.
- Millions of adults need help reading. Why the US needs to change course.
As the U.S. considers how to improve reading instruction for young students, it shouldn't forget grown-ups, our commentator says. How could their hopes be better addressed?
- ‘Real Americans’ explores the pressure to be exceptional
Rachel Khong’s second novel, a multi-generational tale of two intertwined families, flags problematic attempts to shape and control identity.
- In Kentucky, the oldest Black independent library is still making history
Western Library is the oldest Black library still independently run in the U.S. Its current librarian has made it her mission to share its history with her community.
- Slavery isn’t just a Southern story. The North benefited from stolen labor.
“The Stolen Wealth of Slavery” traces the financial profits from enslaved labor, which fueled the rise of Northern banking institutions – some of which still exist.