2019
August
15
Thursday

Monitor Daily Podcast

August 15, 2019
Error loading media: File could not be played
 
00:0000:0000:00
00:00
Yvonne Zipp
Features Editor

Today, we have stories for you examining China’s likely moves on Hong Kong, India’s lockdown of Kashmir, U.S. efforts to stem legal immigration, the invisible traces left by fish, and a particularly persistent Hollywood villain.

First, let’s take a moment to honor an upwelling of kindness. Tomorrow, Antonio Basco buries his wife. She was his only living relative, but he will not be alone.

Margie Reckard was one of 22 people killed in the El Paso, Texas, shooting Aug. 3. Mr. Basco says he has no other family so he invited his city. And his city is turning out to support him.

The funeral home issued the invitation on Tuesday – and is paying for the costs of the service. By Wednesday night, more than 1,000 people had RSVP’d, including Mayor Dee Margo and Rep. Veronica Escobar. A mariachi band, a choir, and other musicians have volunteered to play, funeral director Harrison Johnson told NPR. People from out of state sent flowers. Some are flying in. 

This outpouring of love echoes what El Pasoans told Monitor reporter Henry Gass about their home, calling it the most welcoming city in the world. Of the gunman, one said: “It sounds like he was not getting love. He would have got love from us. We would have given him love.”

On Friday – and after – the city is making sure Mr. Basco feels that love. Mr. Johnson, who is also a pastor, told NPR that he will make sure Mr. Basco feels supported after the funeral is over.

“We’re trying to give him some comfort right now.”


You've read 3 of 3 free articles. Subscribe to continue.

Today’s stories

And why we wrote them

Tyrone Siu/Reuters
China's People's Liberation Army soldiers have been conducting very public drills in and around Hong Kong in recent days. Shown here, a June 30, 2019 ceremony at Stonecutters Island naval base, in Hong Kong.
Akhtar Soomro/Reuters
People chant slogans to observe a "Black Day" protesting India's decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, during a protest in Karachi, Pakistan, on Aug. 15, 2019. Overall, however, India has faced muted global backlash for the move.

The Explainer

Peering into the deep

Discovery beneath the waves

Film

Francine Kiefer/The Christian Science Monitor
The documentary “This Changes Everything” explores persistent sexism in the entertainment industry. Panelists in a July 25, 2019, discussion include the film’s director Tom Donahue, Kimberly Peirce, Geena Davis, Catherine Hardwicke, and moderator Devra Māza.

The Monitor's View

Reuters
Chinese soldiers practice detaining a person at an athletic center in Shenzhen across the bay from Hong Kong August 15.

A Christian Science Perspective

About this feature

A message of love

J. David Ake/AP
Two paddle boarders stop to watch the sunrise on a stormy morning in Sanibel, Florida, Aug. 15, 2019.
( The illustrations in today’s Monitor Daily are by Karen Norris and Jacob Turcotte. )

A look ahead

Thank you for joining us today. Come back tomorrow. Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib was one of two lawmakers Israel denied entry to today. We’ll have a story from her home district in Michigan about how residents feel about their lawmaker making so much news.

More issues

2019
August
15
Thursday
CSM logo

Why is Christian Science in our name?

Our name is about honesty. The Monitor is owned by The Christian Science Church, and we’ve always been transparent about that.

The Church publishes the Monitor because it sees good journalism as vital to progress in the world. Since 1908, we’ve aimed “to injure no man, but to bless all mankind,” as our founder, Mary Baker Eddy, put it.

Here, you’ll find award-winning journalism not driven by commercial influences – a news organization that takes seriously its mission to uplift the world by seeking solutions and finding reasons for credible hope.

Explore values journalism About us