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Saturday, December 27, 2025 11:37 PM ET

Christian Science Monitor - World

Across the Middle East, a focus on home, healing, and restored hope -- Taylor Luck, the Monitor's Arab world correspondent, has a broad assignment, covering his beat with a close eye on and attentive ear to the events, thoughts, and moods prevalent in the region. He has been an integral part of our coverage of the war in Gaza – which, as he notes, takes a toll on the journalists involved – and of the new Syria unfolding before his eyes. His wide travels in the region this year are convincing him that there is cause for hope this season, welcome news for sure.

3 days ago

Ukrainians discouraged by corruption, yet encouraged there's a solution -- Many Ukrainians lament the reminder that a corrupt culture still lurks in the halls of power. Yet many are encouraged that the country's anti-corruption apparatus proved strong enough to pursue even some of the country's most powerful.

4 days ago

Near Ukraine's front line, aquarium offers refuge for kids and soldiers alike -- "Aquarium of Amazing Fishes" in Kramatorsk, Ukraine, allows visitors to dream of worlds beyond a war that has made their city a battle zone.

5 days ago

Their husbands left for Europe. These Senegalese women are picking up the pieces. -- For each Senegalese man who migrates to Europe, or dies trying, there are women left behind to build new lives.

5 days ago

English voters scatter from the center, strengthening extremes -- England appears to be on the edge of a shift away from its traditional Labour-Conservative axis, to more radical parties such as Reform UK and the Greens.

6 days ago

Russia strikes Ukrainian port as peace negotiations continue in US -- The airstrikes on port infrastructure in Odesa come as the Kremlin sends an envoy to Florida to discuss the Trump administration's proposed peace plan. Meanwhile, European Union leaders agreed to provide $106 billion to support Ukraine's military and economic needs over the next two years.

7 days ago

Why Latin America's authoritarian leaders lean into Christmas -- Christmas came early this year in Venezuela, at leader Nicolás Maduro's behest. It's the same tactic Hugo Chávez used as far back as 2003.

8 days ago

Discovering God in Hamas tunnels, hostages led a national trend -- The long ordeal of hostages held in Hamas tunnels since Oct. 7 has led to a rise in religious belief among Jewish Israelis. One hostage notes: "God will always listen. He does not get tired."

8 days ago

In Lebanon, Hezbollah's true believers are battered, yes, but unbowed -- Hezbollah has been weakened by Israel and is under pressure to disarm. But its Shiite supporters express pride in their sacrifice and look forward to revenge. And for the militia, says one analyst, keeping its arms is "existential."

9 days ago

With Russia looming, Europe tries to beef up its youth military service -- The potential military threat from Russia and the decreasing support from the US have European countries looking to conscript citizens. It's a big ask after decades of peace and prosperity.

9 days ago

Amid destruction, a determination to live -- Every time I go to Ukraine, I come across scenes of yet more extraordinary human resilience.

9 days ago

That moment when everything just clicks -- Often it takes sprinting, crouching, or climbing on chairs to get the ephemeral mix of angle, timing, light.

9 days ago

Getting 'the shot' when there's no do-over -- I decide on the pieces I need to construct a visual narrative, and I proceed in search of them. From that point on, the job is a treasure hunt.

9 days ago

A spotlight on grace under pressure -- People often ask how I decide whom to train my lens on. Sometimes it's just a matter of where the light falls.

9 days ago