The Christian Science Monitor Daily Podcast

The world has watched as President Donald Trump vacillates between promises that peace is near in Iran and threats of renewed war. No one bears the cost of that uncertainty more than Iranians. Also: today's stories, including a look at “two-tiered policing,” which is partially fueling the protests over the murder of Henry Nowak in England; how the arrival of general-purpose humanoid robots could allow a new stage of automation; and what writer Robert Macfarlane calls “the seven wonders of birds” in his field guide, “The Book of Birds.” Join the Monitor's Matthew Bell for today's news.

SpaceX debuts on a U.S. stock exchange this week in what's anticipated to be a record-breaking public offering, with high stakes for investors and the U.S. economy. Also: today's stories, including how a U.S. troop rescue near Iran points to the rising use of sea drones in combat; how on this year's anniversary of the D-Day landings that turned the tide against Nazi Germany in World War II, the Trump administration offered a full-throated endorsement of Europe's far-right political parties; and how soccer mania in Mexico is swelling as the World Cup opens. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.

Decades of dictatorship culminated in 15 years of war and turmoil in Syria, making the country a focal point of hardship in the Middle East. But with the region torn asunder by the U.S.-Iran war, a relatively peaceful Syria is now an outpost of progress and hope. Also: today's stories, including why questions are being raised about who sets and implements AI policy in the U.S.; a look at a recent summit between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un; and how this year's World Cup differs in size compared to years past. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

President Donald Trump keeps saying that a Middle East peace deal is close at hand. But a new round of direct attacks between Israel and Iran raises questions about when – and how – this war will ultimately come to an end. Also: today's stories, including why a delay in counting votes cast in California's primary election could further undermine trust in elections; a look at a new air conditioning unit rental market in India's major cities; and how some of Maryland's earliest settlers pioneered a form of religious liberty present in America's founding documents. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

Star-spangled superfans hope their raucous support might give U.S. soccer a home-field advantage. How long until the US team wins it all? Might be a while. Only eight countries have won the World Cup since it was first held in 1930. “The American bravado,” a former coach in the US told our reporters, “is that we should be good at everything.” Also: today's stories, including how The Stratos Project, a data center near Utah's Great Salt Lake, has scaled back its planned footprint; why Armenian voters are facing a thorny dilemma as they head to polls this Sunday, and our reviewer's take on Author Maggie O'Farrell's new book, “Land.” Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

Over the 19 months since Donald Trump's election, the Trump family's wealth has grown. We look at how, on matters of personal-finance, a president might be constrained less by laws than by norms that are vulnerable to testing. Also: today's stories, including how leading opposition politicians in Israel are trying to undercut the incumbent, Benjamin Netanyahu, on security issues; how a Chilean children's show has gained a national following, and captivated fans in Mexico; and how Boston's Clover Food Lab was set to close – before a last-minute bid came in. Join the Monitor's Melanie Stetson Freeman for today's news.

International scientists decided it is no longer useful to study the most extreme model of runaway global warming. So why are some people upset? Also in today's stories: sanctions on Russia failed to work as planned; US courts renew hopes for asylum seekers; and superstar Victor Wembanyama seeks his first NBA title against the New York Knicks. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.

With warning signs flashing about New York City's economy, Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing questions about whether he has a plan to spur job creation. If he fails on that front, a lagging recovery could squelch his affordability agenda. Also: today's stories, including whether a new leader in Iraq could repair relationships with the country's Gulf Arab neighbors; why members of Gen Z are finding fulfillment in crosswords; and how surfers in Côte d'Ivoire are trying to change some locals' fears of the ocean. Join the Monitor's Matthew Bell for today's news.

Artificial intelligence is viewed with less optimism in the U.S. than in other countries. The reason for that could be related to messaging around the rapidly advancing technology: In America, the focus is on potential job loss; elsewhere, AI is pitched as an economic boon. Also: today's stories, including how the Israeli military is escalating its campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon; how skyrocketing energy costs have the U.K. looking for solutions — including more drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea; and how one group of widows in Kosovo show that loss does not have to define a life. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.

India and Pakistan are accelerating a largely under-examined arms build-up. After last year's military flare-up, the shift toward faster, less predictable technologies is raising new concerns about future confrontation between old rivals. Also: today's stories, including how the Trump administration is upending decades of precedent for foreigners seeking U.S. permanent residency; why Colombia's security crisis gives conservatives a chance at returning to office; and how a common love of hummingbirds nurtures a special bond between our writer and her grandmother. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

The U.S. and Israel aimed vast destructive power at regime targets in Iran. But the Islamic Republic's true believers in the Revolutionary Guard Corps and Basij militia are operating diligently – and without known defections – to intimidate any Iranian who might heed the call to rise up. Also: today's stories, including why the Supreme Court will consider President Donald Trump's effort to reinterpret birthright citizenship; why suspicions of impropriety with traders have sparked a wave of legislation in both houses of Congress; and how the Iran war's impact is being felt by millions of people in countries such as the Philippines. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

In stark contrast with residents of other Arab countries in the Gulf region, Saudis exhibit a decidedly blasé attitude toward the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. Conversations focus on jobs and the economy and reveal a calm faith in their government's ability to provide security. Also: today's stories, including why Pakistan is leading the charge to bring the United States and Iran to the negotiating table; how allegations of sexual abuse against Cesar Chavez, coming decades after his death, profoundly complicate his legacy; and why the Artemis II moon launch is a reminder of how the U.S. and Canada continue to work more closely together than ever. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

Fuel shortages are speeding a shift toward green energy and nuclear power across many countries, as the Iran conflict creates new urgency around energy security. Also: today's stories, including what's behind the global push to ban social media for kids; how in the southern U.S., the arrival of newcomers — mostly from the midwest — are changing how locals speak and live; and how a professor's unconventional solution to texting in class turns discipline into something tender. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

President Donald Trump is urging a 15-point proposal for ending hostilities with Iran. But with the two sides far apart, he is also seeking leverage through threats against power plants, or the potential seizure of strategic Kharg Island with U.S. troops who are heading to the region. Also: today's stories, including how, under the cover of the Iran war, settler extremists have increased violent attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank; how taking care of those who can't afford essentials has become the core of Maine Needs organization; and our reviewers' favorite books of March. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.

Keeping quiet about foiled plots that threaten Americans' safety could prevent unnecessary worry. Or it could make the public more vulnerable. Also: today's stories, including how Beijing's muted response to the war reveals a degree of disillusionment with Iran; commentary on the arrival of the MLB's Opening Day; and a look at the upcoming return of shellfishing to Boston Harbor. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.

If Iran's regime falls, it might be only a temporary setback as the country tries to outlast attacks by the U.S. and Israel, then emerge emboldened. Also: today's stories, including what Iran's military's destructive capacity means for ending the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran and its aftermath; why legal sports gambling is flooding broadcasts with ads during major sporting events like March Madness; and how AI is developing so quickly that it's raising questions of safety and control. Join the Monitor's Matthew Bell for today's news.

While markets welcomed the possibility of talks to end the Iran war, Asian nations are set to bear the brunt of what might be the worst oil crisis in more than 50 years. Also: today's stories, including how Germany is handling energy shocks in the wake of the Iran war; a look at the U.S. Supreme Court case that could affect late-arriving mail-in ballots; and how activists and experts in Mexico have restored local monarch butterfly populations. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

The U.S. military is the most powerful and best-funded in the world, but sea-mine defense has become an example of how key capabilities can be lost or neglected. Now, the Navy must scramble to address minesweeping in the Strait of Hormuz. Also: today's stories, including why more than 2,000 U.S. Marines are headed toward Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf; how six states are considering legislative proposals that protect the First Amendment rights of student journalists; and how our essayist practices birding as a way to slow down and notice the natural world. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

After decades of conflict, Iraqis have enjoyed increased political stability and a promising future, even embracing a unified national identity. But attacks by Iran, the United States, and homegrown militias are tugging at the divides that had held Iraq back. Also: today's stories, including how MAGA voters are throwing their support behind the Iran war, despite strident criticism from some conservative commentators; how government UFO records and films exploring out-of-this-world connections are renewing attention on the question of whether humankind is truly alone in the universe; and how Haiti's 'Resistance Artists' believe in new beginnings. Join the Monitor's Audrey Thibert for today's news.

President Donald Trump has been pressuring the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates. But the Iran war and surging oil prices are complicating the economic picture, prompting the U.S. central bank to hold rates steady. Also: today's stories, including a look at how U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees are seeking relief during another funding shutdown; how U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is assessing the Iran war; and how a growing court backlog is delaying justice in India. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

Israel's claim to have killed Ali Larijani, a pivotal Iranian leader, served only to escalate the crisis atmosphere that Iranians are feeling: How to cope and envision a future, while facing crushing U.S.-Israeli attacks and a rigid regime that sees protesters as “just like the enemy”? Also: today's stories, including how Israelis acknowledge war fatigue's toll even as they want arch foe Iran to be defeated; how U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran have had wide impacts on the Middle East — and the U.S. budget; and how in Nigeria, Hoomsen Women Farmers Shepwan Cooperative Society are helping women obtain ownership of land plots. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

Iran has shown they can do a lot of damage to United States and Israeli assets – and regional allies in the Gulf – via missile and drone attacks. But one country can offer its deep experience on how to counter such a blitz: Ukraine. Also: today's stories, including why President Donald Trump's appeal for assistance in reopening the Strait of Hormuz has not been well-received by allies; how a leadership change is underway at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at a critical time for the agency; and how, despite economic insecurity and a violent conflict fueled by the resurgence of the M23, in the Congo, children there have found a lifeline in dance. Join the Monitor's Matthew Bell for today's news.

The Persian Gulf region is a vital source of oil and gas for the global economy. But the war in Iran is putting scarce water resources for the parched populations there in jeopardy, too. Also: today's stories, including how Asian countries are forced to make do with oil supplies; our critic's take on which films should be nominated for an Oscar; and a Monitor contributor's tale of her family car and the milestones it has seen. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

If the United States expected Iran to capitulate by now, it refuses to do so. Instead, it is pursuing a survival strategy of fighting on and selecting targets to raise the war's costs so high that the U.S. and Israel would think twice before attacking again. Also: today's stories, including how the disruption of oil-tanker traffic is becoming increasingly urgent for the global economy; how a bipartisan bill aimed at addressing housing affordability that passed through the U.S. Senate could hit a snag in the House of Representatives; and whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can declare victory without a regime change in Iran, despite it being his goal in the war. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.

American farmers are seeing fertilizer prices spike as supply is choked off by Iran's threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, in response to attacks by the U.S. and Israel. It's a sign of how the war is affecting the global economy – including spring planting. Also: today's stories, including how African students in Iran are finding themselves increasingly affected as the conflict widens; how higher education institutions are tightening their fundraising practices in the wake of the Epstein files; and how “Sinners” has added to the cultural dialogue around what makes a great movie and who gets to make it. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's tone in his public statements about the war in Iran is drawing criticism that it glorifies violence and is posturing that runs counter to professional soldiering. Also: today's stories, including a look at Japan's return to nuclear energy, 11 years after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident; how as the UK's Labour Party tacks right, the Green Party is scooping up its spurned voters; and how locals in Jordan are inviting stranded foreigners to “break-the-fast” evening Ramadan meals amid the stress of war. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

Choosing continuity amid war, Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father, despite President Donald Trump's criticism and Israel's threats. He has a hard-liner's pedigree, but will his tenure be confrontational, or aimed at broadening internal support for the regime? Also: today's stories, including why oil prices spiked to near $120 per barrel Monday before retreating below $100; why 17 candidates are competing in Tuesday's special election for Georgia's 14th Congressional District; and why Balendra Shah is on track to become Nepal's next prime minister. Join the Monitor's Matthew Bell for today's news.

Once again, a crisis in the Middle East has the U.S. appealing for military help from the stateless Kurds, this time as boots-on-the-ground proxies in Iran. Affecting any desire to contribute is the memory of letdowns after vital roles played in Iraq and Syria. Also in today's stories: why Kristi Noem lost President Trump's trust; how war in Iran adds to existing strains on U.S. employment; and contributor Murr Brewster shares her enduring love of libraries. Join the Monitor's Stephanie Hanes for today's news.

The U.S. and Israeli leaders have made it clear they want regime change in Iran. But the Islamic Republic had prepared for this day, with a political succession plan and a battlefield strategy. The result so far is Iranian confidence, despite the existential threat of the war. Also: today's stories, including how the Iran conflict is generating criticism from many prominent MAGA commentators; why the U.S. is blocking oil shipments to Cuba; and how some Democrats seek to reclaim a moderate version of Christianity to attract voters they've lost to Republicans. Join the Monitor's Matthew Bell for today's news.

Gulf Arab states lobbied hard for the United States to engage in talks with Iran. Yet in the war, 1,800 Iranian missiles and drones have been intercepted in Gulf airspace, with hundreds breaking through. The Gulf is being transformed by conflict. Will that last? Also: today's stories, including how America's recent strikes on Iran have underscored the task of ensuring the safety of U.S. citizens abroad during the escalating conflict; a look at the results of Texas' primary elections, and what lies ahead for the candidates; and how, in Nepal, the country's first elections since protests overthrew the government are a reason for some youth to stay. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

For many Iranian opponents of the regime, news of the supreme leader's death at the start of the new war brought elation. But, says a Tehran student who risked his life in protests before the war, there are concerns that the job of regime change is incomplete. Also: today's stories, including how the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran are sending political ripples through Congress; a look at how a partial U.S. government shutdown is affecting TSA; and how China is engaged in a huge nuclear weapons expansion, growing the size and capabilities of its arsenal. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.

Airstrikes against Iran were effective in the early days of the mission. But there's more to do – both offensively and defensively – if the U.S. hopes to crack Iran's regime. Also: today's stories, including what's at stake for global oil prices as the Iran conflict escalates; a look at a hardball battle for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination in Texas; and how Mexico's diplomatic support to Cuba has long boosted the communist island. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

For former President Bill Clinton, who left office 25 years ago, the impact of the Epstein scandal may only further damage his image, particularly among younger Democrats, amid changing mores around sexual misconduct by powerful men. Also: today's stories, including, how in Boston, a Monitor reporter set off to find out what cities do with an abundance of snow; how India has increasingly used cricket as an extension of its foreign policy with Pakistan; and how a contributing writer finds respite in his postcard pastime despite living in a digital world. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

President Donald Trump has issued executive orders on voting, and his administration is suing states that have refused to turn over voter rolls. Congress has taken up legislation that would require proof of citizenship for voter registration. Last month, the FBI raided an election center in Georgia as part of a criminal investigation into the 2020 election. Also: today's stories, including how students in Iran have courageously protested for days despite leadership claims; how in a politically red Texas, Democrats have hope in the upcoming primaries; and how the misconduct investigation into the former Prince Andrew is putting the British monarchy under a harsh glare. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.

President Donald Trump's brief mention of Iran in his State of the Union address was still short of a complete argument for how and why striking Iran, which would risk a wider Middle East conflict, would further U.S. interests. Also: today's stories, including how U.S. President Donald Trump's new retirement plan builds on a bipartisan model; what Trump's view of U.S. military power could mean for Iran-US talks; and how some prominent U.S. universities are paring back campus spending in response to endowment tax hikes. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.

The United States has amassed the largest force since the war in Iraq. Iran threatens an all-out response to any attack, even if limited. As they prepare for nuclear diplomacy in Geneva to avoid conflict, each side appears to be misreading the other. Also: today's stories, including how as the world fights over Greenland, its people double down on their own values; a look at space-based data centers; and how mobile libraries are upending the belief among many Pakistanis that reading is a pastime reserved for the elite. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

President Donald Trump tried to respond boldly with new tariffs to counter a Supreme Court ruling that went against him. But the White House's economic calculus is in flux as global leaders reconsider trade deals. Also: today's stories, including how violence that often follows the takedown of a drug cartel leader is a public reminder that peace might not be imminent; how some economists see income taxes as a drag on productivity; and how one Monitor reporter fell in love with the roses in the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

President Donald Trump tried to respond boldly with new tariffs to counter a Supreme Court ruling that went against him. But the White House's economic calculus is in flux as global leaders reconsider trade deals. Also: today's stories, including how violence that often follows the takedown of a drug cartel leader is a public reminder that peace might not be imminent; how some economists see income taxes as a drag on productivity; and how one Monitor reporter fell in love with the roses in the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

The hostages, living and dead, are home, yet the war in Gaza is unfinished business for Israelis. As the country pivots toward election-year politics, how is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's refusal to authorize an independent state inquiry into Oct. 7 playing? Also: today's stories, including why the Supreme Court struck down the Trump administration's use of an emergency economic law to set broad tariffs; how schools that support undergraduates' basic needs are reporting better retention and achievement rates; and our reviewers' favorite books of February. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

Artificial intelligence is developing so rapidly that some industry insiders fear safety concerns aren't getting enough attention. That's sparking conversation about how to balance innovation, competition, and safeguards. Also: today's stories, including how recent internet blackouts in Iran, Uganda, and beyond highlight a new front emerging in conflicts around the world; how missing the Winter Olympics podium can be the motivation athletes need to do better next time; and how a great “de-risking” is underway among some of the oldest allies of the United States, writes our columnist. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.

President Donald Trump's Board of Peace is convening amid doubts about this approach to diplomacy. Muslim and Arab countries, hoping to influence Gaza's path forward, have signed on. Western democracies, wary of further weakening international institutions, are staying away. Also: today's stories, including how refugees in Minnesota are challenging the Trump administration; a look at some Democratic U.S. governors emerging as top contenders for their party's 2028 presidential nomination; and how India wants to shape the AI era – not just service it. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

Ukraine and Russia may be at the negotiating table, but for the Ukrainian public, the idea of giving up territory for peace is still anathema. What would make Ukrainians consider such concessions? Guarantees of security against future Russian aggression. Also: today's stories, including how yellow cement blocks demarcating Israeli-held territory in Gaza are making Palestinians feel trapped; how women Olympians are making their mark in the Winter Games at ages well past what is considered the prime for elite athletes; and how support for tribal members has surged among residents of the Twin Cities. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.

Recent votes on tariffs and blunt public criticisms signal a GOP that's more willing to defy President Donald Trump – and worried about this fall's midterm elections. Also: today's stories, including a look at community ski hills in New Hampshire; how British politicians are finding no place to hide in the wake of the Epstein files; and why Democrats are pressing for immigration enforcement reform as a Department of Homeland Security shutdown nears. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

As U.S. and European security officials gather for key meetings this week, leaders are taking steps to navigate shifts in the traditional transatlantic alliance. Also: today's stories, including: why the Trump administration is rescinding a rule that enables the EPA to regulate greenhouse gases; how a Portuguese election hints at the potential limits of U.S. President Donald Trump's brand of far-right populism in Europe; and a look at the International Olympic Committee's decision to ban a Ukrainian Olympian trying to honor those who had lost their lives at home during the Winter Games. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.

The release of documents surrounding sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has stirred massive media attention, but it remains unclear if prosecutions will result. Instead of the files providing clarity, one result so far is a frenzy of speculation and conspiracy theories. Also: today's stories, including why a positive January jobs report leaves economists uncertain; why women are notably absent from this week's ballots in Bangladesh; and the importance of this year's location for the Winter Olympics. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.

As Iran urges attendance at rallies Wednesday marking the anniversary of the revolution, many citizens could not be further estranged. On one side are grieving families and others infuriated by the regime's brutality, and on the other, officials who voice no expressions of regret. Also: today's stories, including how upcoming elections offer a chance for a democratic reset in Bangladesh; how AI-generated music, writing, and images are generating questions about the nature and source of creativity itself; and how joy was the point for skiers flying through the air at the Livigno Snow Park on Tuesday afternoon. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

The SAVE Act would require Americans to prove citizenship before voting in federal elections, and Republicans are eyeing a new strategy to advance it. Opponents say it would disenfranchise millions. Also: today's stories, including how some Olympic athletes want to preserve artistry in the quest for “faster, higher, stronger” maneuvers; whether Brazil's leftist leader can stay on Donald Trump's good side; and how thousands of dogs and people convened in Colorado for the “world's largest unofficial gathering” of golden retrievers. Join the Monitor's Story Hinckley for today's news.

The SAVE Act would require Americans to prove citizenship before voting in federal elections, and Republicans are eyeing a new strategy to advance it. Opponents say it would disenfranchise millions. Also: today's stories, including how some Olympic athletes want to preserve artistry in the quest for “faster, higher, stronger” maneuvers; whether Brazil's leftist leader can stay on Donald Trump's good side; and how thousands of dogs and people convened in Colorado for the “world's largest unofficial gathering” of golden retrievers. Join the Monitor's Story Hinckley for today's news.

Prediction markets, where people can bet on outcomes of real-world events, often forecast better than traditional polls. But the evolving markets also raise concerns about cheating and corrosion of trust. Also: today's stories, including why Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and her party are expected to sweep in Japan's upcoming election, what one Monitor correspondent recalls from past Winter Olympics coverage, and why USPS chose poet Phillis Wheatley for the latest stamp in its Black Heritage series. Join the Monitor's Audrey Thibert for today's news.

U.S.-Iran talks set for Friday were briefly canceled, then revived, at the urging of Arab governments. But the two adversaries' preferred agendas are very different. Amid reciprocal threats, does each side have a realistic grasp of what is at stake? Also: today's stories, including how pricey offerings aimed at the wealthy have changed football fans' stadium experiences; how the International Olympic Committee is testing an affordable approach for host cities; and our film critic's take on the Cannes favorite, “The President's Cake.” Join the Monitor's Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news.

U.S.-Iran talks set for Friday were briefly canceled, then revived, at the urging of Arab governments. But the two adversaries' preferred agendas are very different. Amid reciprocal threats, does each side have a realistic grasp of what is at stake? Also: today's stories, including how pricey offerings aimed at the wealthy have changed football fans' stadium experiences; how the International Olympic Committee is testing an affordable approach for host cities; and our film critic's take on the Cannes favorite, “The President's Cake.” Join the Monitor's Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news.