World

• Ukrainians urge Trump to back peace bid with arms

  Ukrainians hope that Mr. Trump’s planned peace initiative will not let Moscow prevail, warning the U.S. leader not to trust his Russian counterpart.
• First LookAs China’s population continues to plummet, demographic alarms are ringing

  Once known for its efforts to curtail population growth, China is now facing a demographic crisis that threatens its economy and already-frail social security system.
• Difference MakerA retired bishop transforms guns into garden tools to help youths envision peace

  The nonprofit Swords to Plowshares Northeast isn’t just raising awareness of gun violence; it is forging a more peaceful vision for the future.
• Free trade, openness, and democracy: Why China’s rhetoric mirrors America’s

  As Donald Trump takes office in the U.S., China pitches itself as the new global leader – and for all the countries’ ideological differences, Beijing seem to be taking notes from Washington.
• First LookGaza ceasefire sets in motion release of 3 Israeli hostages

  A ceasefire in the War in Gaza took effect on Sunday as Hamas released the first three hostages it has held for 15 months during its fighting with Israel. 

USA

• Will Trump keep Gaza ceasefire afloat? A guide to his calculations.

  What resources and time will Donald Trump’s “America First” administration devote to keeping the Israel-Hamas deal on track? The challenges may appear overwhelming, but the idea of a grand deal is enticing.
• Up close with President Biden, then President Trump. What I saw on a historic day.

  As the pool reporter Jan. 20, I watched the Bidens greet the Trumps for tea, attended inaugural balls, and covered a slew of controversial pardons.
• From immigration to DEI, here are Trump’s Day 1 executive orders

  President Donald Trump signed a historic number of executive orders on Day 1. Here’s what he did, and how it reflects his goals for the economy and more.
• On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a reflection on sons, fathers, and daughters

  A moment with his boys reminds our columnist of how Dr. King was passed down to him. “I can remember a particularly cold Atlanta morning as a preteen, when some of my friends from church and I hopped on a bus from Augusta and took the two-hour drive,” Ken Makin writes.
• Trump moves from ‘American carnage’ to ‘a horrible betrayal’ in second inaugural

  In his return to the White House, Mr. Trump’s political grievances have taken on a personal note, with him seeing himself as a persecuted figure.

Commentary

• The Monitor's ViewInfinite innovation and finite politics

  The change in the White House may bring different approaches to technology and productivity, but every American president taps into a bottomless well of new scientific ideas.
• CommentaryInauguration Day’s range of emotions

  Donald Trump is just the second American president in history to score another term after losing his first reelection attempt. On the cusp of Inauguration Day, one thing is clear: the Trump era is far from over.
• The Monitor's ViewEquality on the sidelines

  Two historically Black universities turn their football programs into opportunities to promote the excellence that is innate.
• The Monitor's ViewHearing Afghan women

  Shifts in regional diplomacy toward the Taliban in Afghanistan reinforce that stability is only possible through equality.
• The Monitor's ViewDeference as defense of law

  In closing two legal cases against an incoming U.S. president, a judge and special counsel uphold constitutional norms and the virtues of voters and juries.

Economy

• The Explainer$1 extra fries? McDonald’s value menu marks how chains are adapting or closing.

  Restaurants are grappling with inflation and a changing consumer, a mix that has pushed some eateries into bankruptcy. Analysts expect more to come.
• First LookAmazon workers are on strike. Will your gifts arrive on time?

  The strike – spanning seven facilities across the United States – is the largest against Amazon in U.S. history, according to the Teamsters. More are “prepared to join,” says the union, which represents nearly 10,000 workers at the online retailer.
• First LookJapanese automakers want to fend off China. But Nissan and Honda deny merger rumors.

  Nissan and Honda said they are considering collaboration but denied rumors of a merger. The Japanese automakers announced in August that they, along with Mitsubishi, will share components for electric vehicles as Chinese EVs cut into their market share.
• The ExplainerWhy is the US in a housing crisis, and what can be done about it?

  More people are seeking homes than there are places to buy or rent, which contributes to high prices. Here’s what led to the housing crisis, and some potential solutions.
• In UnitedHealthcare CEO’s killing, industry frustration crowds out empathy

  The shooting of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare has put a spotlight on frustrations over medical debt and lack of security for threatened executives.

Environment

• What is it like to be a mom amid the Los Angeles fires? I can tell you.

  Parents and kids in Los Angeles have seen their lives upended by fires, smoke, and evacuation alerts. Our reporter shares her own experience.
• In Los Angeles, as Palisades Fire burns, resilience begins to take hold

  At an emergency shelter near the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, resilience has started to bloom even as the flames burn on.  
• Points of ProgressWhy preschool matters in Mexico and bees thrive in Slovenia

  Progress roundup: Preschool has lasting positive affects for children in Mexico, Slovenia’s affinity for bees aids in their conservation, and more.
• What I saw in LA-area fire evacuations: Caring for people and their safety

  The wind-fueled fires around Los Angeles destroyed many homes. Our West Coast reporter reflects on finding safety and community amid the danger.
• Points of ProgressGrowing baby corals in the nursery and corn on steep hillsides

  Progress roundup: Success for coral raised in the nursery, corn grown on steep hillsides, and a new powder that captures CO2 from the atmosphere.

Technology

• First LookGeorgia 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. 
• First LookCellphone 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.
• 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 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.
• First Look‘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

• First LookNvidia unveils new products from supercharged graphics chip to AI that trains robots

  Chipmaker and AI leader Nvidia revealed its most advanced consumer graphics processor unit, its first desktop computer, and artificial intelligence to better train robots and cars.
• Solar panels in space show potential for liftoff, despite cost concerns

  Technological advances mean space-based solar panels are edging closer to reality. Cost is the biggest hurdle.
• First LookAre the Boeing astronauts actually stuck in space? Nope. ‘Living in space is super fun.’

  Boeing’s new Starliner astronauts have had to combat rumors about their health and saftey after a forced extended stay on the International Space Station. However, the pair has taken the challenge in stride. “Mindset does go a long way,” said Butch Wilmore.
• Cover StoryMoody chickens? Playful bumblebees? Science decodes the rich inner lives of animals.

  New science shows that farm animals and other creatures exhibit signs of conscious experience. How should this make us see them – and ourselves?
• First LookA week ago, Tesla showcased futuristic robotaxis. Then a pedestrian got hit.

  One week after Tesla unveiled prototype robotaxis and promised fully autonomous vehicles by 2026, the company is once again under investigation. Tesla has twice recalled its “Full Self-Driving” system in the past after cars ignored stop signs and hurt pedestrians.

Culture

• In the warming Sahara, this mosque has a blueprint for cool

  A mud-brick structure in Agadez, Niger, could pave the way for coping with climate change.
• In ‘I’m Still Here,’ a compelling search for justice in 1970s Brazil

  “I’m Still Here” is a movie about remembrance – of a family and a nation, our critic writes of the drama based on real events.
• No more sunny days? ‘Sesame Street’ finds itself homeless after 55 years.

  As “Sesame Street” enters what may be its final season, a Monitor columnist reflects on losing shows for children that created a set of tenets rooted in love.
• The last of Estonia’s master canoe-makers are still carving their niche

  The traditional art of haabjas building, practiced by only five remaining master crafters, is threatened by the making of fiberglass or other modern – often motorized – boats.
• First LookGolden Globes makes a comeback with arthouse wins and plenty of first-timers

  “Emilia Perez” and “The Brutalist,” a pair of movies that sought to defy easy categorization, won top honors at this year’s Golden Globes. Despite a star-studded audience of nominees, most of this year’s winners hailed from smaller, less seen films.

Books

• Makers of the world’s rarest pasta and soy sauce inspire awe

  In “Custodians of Wonder,” Eliot Stein takes readers on a tour from Japan to Peru to meet the artisans keeping ancient crafts alive. 
• ‘I Am Nobody’s Slave’ charts a course toward intergenerational healing

  In “I Am Nobody’s Slave,” memoirist Lee Hawkins reaches deep into his family history and finds redemption in understanding his roots.
• A humble berry at the heart of a virtuous cycle

  Robin Wall Kimmerer reflects on the cooperation among plants and draws inspiration for human societies in “The Serviceberry.”
• A biographer celebrates Benjamin Franklin’s curiosity and joy in science

  The ‘ingenious’ Founding Father Benjamin Franklin receives his due as scientist-inventor in Richard Munson’s sparkling biography.
• Raise the curtain on the 10 best books of January

  The 10 best books of January 2025 embrace living on the edge, escaping convention, and confronting racism.