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Matthew Bell

@matthewjbell.bsky.social
2.3K followers 849 following 1.3K posts

International desk editor, Christian Science Monitor (CSMonitor.com). Irrational Boston Celtics fan. And yes to funk, soul, R&B, jazz and other American roots music, esp rhythm guitar.

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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Senate Fact Finders Decry Costs of Migrant Detention at Guantánamo www.nytimes.com/2026/10/09/u...
nytimes.com
Senate Fact Finders Decry Costs of Immigrant Detention at Guantánamo (Gift Article)
The setup has cost more than $100 million, the study said. A recent inspection found nearly 450 government employees and zero detainees.
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Police arrest leader of India’s ‘Cockroach’ movement before mass protest www.ft.com/content/407f...
ft.com
Police arrest leader of India’s ‘Cockroach’ movement before mass protest
Abhijeet Dipke was escorted off a flight as authorities crack down on demonstrations in New Delhi
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
www.ft.com/content/0c39... US to publicly execute former soldier by firing squad — “… the US will join the small number of countries, including Iran, Afghanistan and North Korea, that embrace the practice,… “
ft.com
US to publicly execute former soldier by firing squad
American military will live-stream the execution of an extremist who killed 13 people at Fort Hood in Texas in 2009
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
"There should be a name for the particular kind of moment I lived that day – when you do something again for the first time after it has been taken away." www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle...
csmonitor.com
After 3 years of war, looking for calm in a murky Gaza swimming pool
Before Israel’s invasion of Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, Ghada Abdulfattah loved to swim at her local pool. Now, she is tentatively returning to the water.
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey trigger mutual defence pact over Houthis
giftarticle.ft.com
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey trigger mutual defence pact over Houthis
Turkey has not yet ratified agreement, making deployment of ground troops unlikely for now
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Eric Umansky @ericumansky.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
NEW FROM PP The Trump admin keeps denying immigration agents are grabbing Americans, so we tracked it 500+ Americans detained 70+ kids, some cuffed or zip-tied 60+ held after filming 36+ held for day+ w/o access to lawyer ~12 deported (yes, deported) projects.propublica.org/american-cit....
projects.propublica.org
More Than 500 U.S. Citizens Have Been Detained, Including Handcuffed or Held at Gunpoint, in Trump’s Immigration Crackdown — ProPublica
The government doesn’t track how often immigration officers detain U.S. citizens. So ProPublica did. We’ve found more than 500 Americans who were held against their will during this Trump administrati...
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Stars and Stripes @starsandstripes.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
WATCH: All U.S. bombers deployed to RAF Fairford in England have been pulled out and returned to their home stations in the United States as potential Iranian threats raise base security concerns across Europe. Read more about the withdrawal and threats here: www.stripes.com/branches/air...
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Egypt's government is going after journalists again. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/o...
theguardian.com
Egyptian journalist faces terrorism charges after entire newsroom detained
Calls for release of six Matsadaash staff after one is charged, while whereabouts of other five remain unknown
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Check out these Korean cultural treasures. www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-P...
csmonitor.com
South Koreans turn museum artifacts into cosplay
Thousands gathered in Seoul to see the final showdown of the “Dress Like a Museum Exhibit” contest.
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Chris Morran @themorrancave.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
My @propublica.org colleagues have no business running a private school for kids. And yet they were easily able to start schools in two states -- with a third ProPublica Academy pending that would be located inside a North Carolina bar.
propublica.org
Almost Anyone Can Start a Private School. We Put This to the Test.
Our reporting has shown how easily people — some with questionable backgrounds — have founded their own private schools in barns, strip malls and other places. That led us to an experiment: If the hur...
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Reuters @reuters.com · 02/10/2026
Record numbers going hungry in Yemen amid escalating conflict, WFP says reut.rs/4htO6Lq
reut.rs
Record numbers going hungry in Yemen amid escalating conflict, WFP says
Hunger in Yemen is accelerating, with a record number ​of people unable to meet their food ‌needs as conflict intensifies in the country, the World Food Programme said on Friday.
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Hong Kong Journalist Arrested After Covering Gathering Linked to 2019 Protests www.nytimes.com/2026/10/01/w...
nytimes.com
Hong Kong Journalist Arrested After Covering Gathering Linked to 2019 Protests (Gift Article)
The national security police detained Tang Ho-wing, founder of the independent outlet Boom News, according to local media and watchdog groups.
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Semafor @semafor.com · 30/09/2026
Visitors to the US are on track to drop by almost two million year-on-year. “We’re the only major country in the world losing visitation,” the head of the US Travel Association said. “It’s mind-boggling.” www.semafor.com/article/09/2...
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
“Comprehensive Measures for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals,” …Japan is taking a page from MAGA. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/01/w...
nytimes.com
Japan Raises Residency Fees 2,000 Percent Amid ‘Anxiety’ Over Foreigners (Gift Article)
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is making it harder for immigrants to stay in the country. Critics say she is hurting Japan’s ability to address labor shortages.
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
A pilot on a commercial flight from the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv with more than 150 Israeli passengers reportedly attacked his co-pilot and tried to crash the plane Wednesday. Israeli officials say the incident was a thwarted terrorist attack. www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle...
csmonitor.com
Israeli passengers tell of thwarted attack on FlyDubai flight
Israeli passengers say one of the pilots on a FlyDubai flight carried out an attempted terrorist attack, and tell of a terrifying plummet.
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
After Iran war damage, US may close some Middle East bases for good abr.ge/l29t9o
abr.ge
After Iran war damage, US may close some Middle East bases for good
America’s military footprint in the Middle East is shrinking, as the U.S. assesses its role in Gulf conflicts following extensive base damage during the I…
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein is calling out his fellow religious Zionists for failing to condemn settler violence against Palestinians. www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle...
csmonitor.com
This West Bank rabbi condemns Jewish settlers’ violent attacks
An Israeli rabbi from a West Bank settlement says vigilante violence by Jewish settlers toward Palestinians is a “disgrace.”
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Egypt's intelligence chief warned Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu before Oct. 7, 2023 that the situation in Gaza was dire and could blow up in everyone's faces, reports @wsj.com www.wsj.com/world/middle...
wsj.com
Egypt Warned Netanyahu of Impending Attack on Israel Before Oct. 7
The alert adds to claims that the Israeli leader ignored signs of Hamas’s battle plans, giving his election opponents fuel.
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 28/09/2026
Stevie Wonder releases four unheard songs from Songs in the Key of Life sessions
theguardian.com
Stevie Wonder releases four unheard songs from Songs in the Key of Life sessions
Previously unreleased material comes as Wonder marks 50th anniversary of album with arena tour Stevie Wonder has expanded the scope of what was already the most epic studio album in his catalogue, 1976’s Songs in the Key of Life. Four unheard songs from the recording sessions have been released today as a new EP of the same name, marking the 50th anniversary of an album which won album of the year at the Grammys and contains a number of Wonder’s landmark tracks including Sir Duke, As and Isn’t She Lovely. Continue reading...
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
North Korea has made great progress - on its nuclear program, economy, and alliances - since Trump’s failed diplomacy in the first term. economist.com/asia/2026/09...
economist.com
Will Donald Trump get to meet Kim Jong Un again?
North Korea wants America to drop demands for disarmament
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Donald Trump asked Xi Jinping if China wanted to buy American weapons, US envoy says
giftarticle.ft.com
Donald Trump asked Xi Jinping if China wanted to buy American weapons, US envoy says
Administration denies delaying sale of a $14bn arms package to Taiwan to appease Beijing
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Hoping to push the US away, Iran’s strategy is to go on the offensive abr.ge/qcc3l3
abr.ge
Hoping to deter US, Iran adopts aggressive military posture
Nearly seven months after being attacked, an emboldened Iran is seeking to end the war on its terms. That means forcing U.S. bases out, lifting sanctions,…
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The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · 25/09/2026
Exclusive: Egypt’s top spy flew to Israel shortly before October 7 with a dire warning about Gaza, Vivian Salama reports: theatln.tc/2t3svWou
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
‘We’re going to win,’ Netanyahu tells UN summit – and voters back home abr.ge/limyr5
abr.ge
“We’re going to win,” Netanyahu tells U.N. summit – and voters back home
In a defiant U.N. speech, Israel’s prime minister dismisses a range of criticism.
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
And here's our story that ran on Wednesday, about the same subject. www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-P...
csmonitor.com
‘I am sorry, I cannot answer that’: How China’s AI chatbots protect the ruling party
As they gain global market share, Chinese AI models are also part of Beijing’s plan to bolster Communist Party rule at home and promote government propaga…
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
For the Chinese government, "AI safety" means something different that what you may think it means. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/24/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | The U.S. and China Are Far Apart on A.I. Safety (Gift Article)
Beijing and Washington may use the same language of A.I. safety, but they are trying to protect very different things.
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Maybe in our future incarnations, we will look back and laugh!
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Peter Baker @peterbakernyt.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The White House says it banned Politico for using anonymous sources. One of the examples it cited was their own background briefing in which the White House itself provided the anonymous official. @scottnover.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
washingtonpost.com
The White House banned Politico, citing anonymous sources. It provided the quotes.
In a letter defending its ban of Politico, the White House critiqued a report based on a press call it conducted, where reporters were told not to name the speaker.
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
www.bbc.com/news/live/cw...
bbc.com
Trump and Xi shake hands at rare airport welcome to kick off three-day US visit - live updates
It's the Chinese leader's first state visit to Washington since 2015, and comes as a trade agreement is set to expire in November.
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
‘I am sorry, I cannot answer that’: How China’s AI chatbots protect the ruling party abr.ge/4oo2cy
abr.ge
‘I am sorry, I cannot answer that’: How China’s AI chatbots protect the ruling party
As they gain global market share, Chinese AI models are also part of Beijing’s plan to bolster Communist Party rule at home and promote government propaga…
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
For the Chinese government, the big risk posed by AI is political. By Ann Scott Tyson & @aglantz.bsky.social – www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-P...
csmonitor.com
‘I am sorry, I cannot answer that’: How China’s AI chatbots protect the ruling party
As they gain global market share, Chinese AI models are also part of Beijing’s plan to bolster Communist Party rule at home and promote government propaga…
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"Mr. Pezeshkian began his speech at the annual summit by holding up a photo of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Iranian supreme leader who also was killed on the first day of strikes." By @dinakraft.bsky.social – www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle...
csmonitor.com
At UN, Iranian leader denounces US and Israel as aggressors
At the U.N. General Assembly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded Wednesday to President Donald Trump’s threats from the day before and defended…
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Evan Osnos @eosnos.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Xi on track to land in DC tonight with a deceptively modest goal: keep things basically as they are. Extend the trade truce. Push off pressure over Taiwan. Give Trump the cordial relationship he values. Above all, prolong what Beijing sees as a window of geopolitical opportunity.
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Why older voters could decide Brazil’s presidential election abr.ge/x1fz98s
abr.ge
Get-out-the-vote efforts often focus on youth. Brazil is eyeing people over 70.
In elections past, Brazil focused on mobilizing its youth vote. But the attention has shifted to voters older than age 70 this year.
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
At UN, Trump again threatens Iran, but suggests end of war is near abr.ge/wzhglf
abr.ge
At UN, Trump threatens Iran, but suggests end of war is near
President Trump used his speech at the United Nations to say he believed the Iran war was coming to a resolution “one way or the other.”
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
‘MBS will not forget’: Donald Trump’s reluctance to fight Houthis rattles Saudi Arabia www.ft.com/content/9945...
ft.com
‘MBS will not forget’: Donald Trump’s reluctance to fight Houthis rattles Saudi Arabia
US hesitation has amplified doubts in Riyadh about Washington’s reliability as its prime defence partner
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Gulf states urge reset with Iran as conflict drags on
giftarticle.ft.com
Gulf states urge reset with Iran as conflict drags on
United Arab Emirates calls for ‘new mindset’ while Qatar advocates for regional ‘security framework’
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Costco is rationing synthetic motor oil now. www.ft.com/content/64f9...
ft.com
US retailer rations motor oil as prices quadruple and supplies run dry
Iran war has created global shortage of lubricant used in vehicle engines
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
NYT: President Trump decided not to attack the Houthis, and then changed his mind, and then changed it again. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/20/u...
nytimes.com
Trump Gets Caught in a Dilemma Over a Saudi Plea for Military Help (Gift Article)
The president vacillated but decided on Sunday not to join Saudi Arabia, for now, in joint strikes against the Houthis in Yemen. But he also needs the kingdom’s cooperation in his war against Iran.
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Why Houthi offensive in Yemen has implications for Mideast and global trade abr.ge/zzasbvn
abr.ge
Iran-backed Houthis are on the march in Yemen, risking Middle East stability
The Houthis in Yemen have captured strategic parts of the country, disrupting Saudi oil exports, threatening the global energy trade.
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
The assassination of the world’s only openly gay imam economist.com/interactive/...
economist.com
The assassination of the world’s only openly gay imam
Muhsin Hendricks knew that his liberal approach to Islam put his life in danger
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Al Jazeera English @aljazeera.com · 18/09/2026
Trump administration approves sale of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia aje.news/8cuhk7
Trump administration approves sale of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
And this —> China restricts overseas travel to stop high tech from leaving abr.ge/euy1nyg
abr.ge
China brings in new travel restrictions for its citizens
As competition with the U.S. intensifies, China has introduced travel restrictions on its citizens to stop its advanced technology from leaving.
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
One thing you can do that’s a great idea is to get the Christian Science Monitor app on your phone, so you can read excellent stuff like this (for free). abr.ge/gntn1v abr.ge/gntn1v
abr.ge
For some Israelis, ‘NAZA’ film about Gaza is beyond the pale
A new Israeli documentary about the military’s conduct in the Gaza war has brought accusations of “treason” from some of Israel’s leaders.
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
For some Israelis, criticizing the military’s conduct in Gaza is beyond the pale - abr.ge/bft51z
abr.ge
For some Israelis, ‘NAZA’ film about Gaza is beyond the pale
A new Israeli documentary about the military’s conduct in the Gaza war has brought accusations of “treason” from some of Israel’s leaders.
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Great @marcowerman.bsky.social interview here with @davidcorn.bsky.social about the very successful Russian influence campaign in US politics – by radio producer wizard @joyhackel.bsky.social – theworld.org/segments/202...
theworld.org
The World from PRX
The World is a public radio program that crosses borders and time zones to bring home the stories that matter. A co-production of PRX and GBH.
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
This seems both suboptimal and wicked expensive. www.wsj.com/world/middle...
wsj.com
The U.S. Is Burning Through Its Supply of Interceptors to Counter Iran’s Attacks
The U.S. had to expend 70 or more Patriots and Thaads to blunt an attack on Jordan.
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Alon Pinkas @alonpinkas.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Stellar article from @jloeffler.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/09/16/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | For Trump, Jews Are Proving to Be a Very Useful Tool
Debates about Jews are never just about Jews.
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The EPA may soon deploy AI to regulate toxic chemicals. It's not telling the public. abr.ge/y01qvm
abr.ge
The EPA may soon deploy AI to regulate toxic chemicals. It’s not telling the public.
Federal law requires U.S. government agencies to disclose how they’re using AI tools in their work. But in the case of the EPA, this doesn’t appear to be happening.
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Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
The Trump administration is racing to adopt AI. But speed isn't the only thing we should be concerned about. Excellent work by my colleagues @aglantz.bsky.social and Story Hinkley for the @csmonitor.bsky.social – www.csmonitor.com/Environment/...
csmonitor.com
The EPA may soon deploy AI to regulate toxic chemicals. It's not telling the public.
Federal law requires U.S. government agencies to disclose how they’re using AI tools in their work. But in the case of the EPA, this doesn’t appear to be happening.
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