Podcast appearances and mentions of The Christian Science Monitor

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.

Today, I am joined by John Sanbonmatsu,  Professor of Philosophy at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, where he teaches courses in ethics, political theory, existentialism, philosophy of technology, and other topics.  He is the author of The Omnivore's Deception: What We Get Wrong about Meat, Animals, and Ourselves, and of The Postmodern Prince: Critical Theory, Left Strategy, and the Making of a New Political Subject,  as well as editor of the book Critical Theory and Animal Liberation.  He is also the creator of the CleanMeat-Hoax website, which takes a skeptical view of cellular or cultivated meat products.  Professor Sanbonmatsu's writing has appeared in Christian Science Monitor, CounterPunch, Huffington Post, and St. Louis Post-Dispatch, among other places. A thread in this episode is "to be." What do I mean by that? Guess you'll have to hit play to find out. To connect with John:Access his articles, essays, and interviews at www.JohnSanbonmatsu.com.  Visit clean meat-hoax.com https://www.cleanmeat-hoax.com/Follow John on Twitter (@SanbonmatsuJ) and Blue Sky (@jsanbonmatsu.bsky.social)Buy his book - The Omnivore's Deception - https://www.johnsanbonmatsu.com/the-omnivores-deception.htmlMentioned in this episode:Peter Singer - Animal LiberationArticle on Ants and their internal navigation systems: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982224017020Better off Ted - Season 1, Episode 2 - Heroes. I can't find a specific clip about the "meat blob" but you can find the episode with this info. United Poultry Concerns - https://www.upc-online.org/To connect with me:Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @didyoubringthehummusDYBTH merch now available! Check out the shop here: https://did-you-bring-the-hummus.myspreadshop.comFor more info on my Public Speaking 101 program: ⁠https://www.didyoubringthehummus.com/publicspeakingforactivists⁠Contact me here or send me an email at info@didyoubringthehummus.comSign up for meditation sessions hereSign up for The Vegan Voyage, to sponsor the podcast, book meditations packages, or sign up for my Public Speaking program hereJoin my Podcast Fan Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/didyoubringthehummus/To be a guest on the podcast: https://www.didyoubringthehummus.com/beaguest©2026 Kimberly Winters - Did You Bring the Hummus LLCTheme Song ©2020 JP Winters ⁠@musicbyjpw⁠

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.

Luca Vitali"Annalena Tonelli. Più forte della morte"Rachel Pieh JonesEdizioni Messaggero Padovawww.edizionimessaggero.itPer trent'anni, Annalena Tonelli (1943 - 2003) ha vissuto e lavorato nel Corno d'Africa tra le comunità più vulnerabili, curando migliaia di malati di tubercolosi, lottando contro l'HIV, difendendo i diritti di donne e bambini. Rifiutava la gloria e le etichette: né missionaria, né altro... Solo una presenza silenziosa e ostinata, disposta a tutto pur di servire. Questo libro ripercorre gli ultimi anni della sua vita, tra incomprensioni, sospetti, violenza e una fede incrollabile, fino all'ultima notte a Borama, quando venne uccisa all'interno del suo ospedale. Il ritratto intimo e potente di una donna che ha fatto della compassione la sua unica missione, e del silenzio la sua testimonianza più profonda.Rachel Pieh Jones è autrice di Pillars: How Muslim Friends Led Me Closer to Jesus e Stronger than Death: How Annalena Tonelli Defied Terror and Tuberculosis in the Horn of Africa. Ha scritto per il «New York Times», il «Christian Science Monitor», l'«Huffington Post» e «Runners World e Christianity Today». Nel 2003 si è trasferita in Somalia e dal 2004 al 2023 ha vissuto nel vicino Gibuti, dove assieme al marito gestivano una scuola.Luca Vitali, scrittore e teologo ha vissuto il suo ministero presso la periferia di San Paolo in Brasile. Da oltre vent'anni accompagna pastoralmente gruppi di giovani, parrocchie e percorsi di comunione missionaria in alcune diocesi. Per Edizioni Messaggero Padova ha pubblicato, con Andra Dani, Preghiera e senso della vita. Parole, spazi, figure di un legame (2023).Diventa un supporter di questo podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/il-posto-delle-parole--1487855/support.IL POSTO DELLE PAROLEascoltare fa pensarehttps://ilpostodelleparole.it/

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.

ICE Retreats. Trump's Very Bad Week. Bondi's Hissy Fit. Democrats Fight Back. DHS Shutdown. EPA Neutered. All The President's Prizes. 3 Polls: Biden Better than Trump. Gallup Leaves a Vacuum. With Jason Dick, Editor-in-chief at CQ Roll Call, Hunter Walker, Investigative Reporter for Talking Points Memo and Linda Feldmann, DC Bureau Chief and White House Correspondent for The Christian Science Monitor.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The Ironworkers Union. More information at Ironworkers.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.

David Sterritt is a film critic, author, teacher and scholar. He is most notable for his work on Alfred Hitchcock and Jean-Luc Godard, and his many years as the Film Critic for The Christian Science Monitor, where, from 1968 until... Read More ›

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.

Is the United States a nation state? Does it have a national identity? On this episode of the Transatlantic, scholar Colin Woodard discusses his early career experiences as a journalist in Eastern Europe and the Balkans at the end of the Cold War and how that work informs his work on national identity in the United States. He then talks about his current research uncovering what he describes as eleven distinct nations that make up the United States and how their clashing cultures and traditions have defined the country's struggle to form a national story and identity.    Colin Woodard – a New York Times bestselling historian and Polk Award-winning journalist – is one of the most respected authorities on North American regionalism, the sociology of United States nationhood, and how our colonial past shapes and explains the present. Compelling, dynamic and thought provoking, he offers a fascinating look at where America has come from, how we ended up as we are, and how we might shape our future. Author of the award winning Wall Street Journal bestseller American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America, Woodard has written six books including The Republic of Pirates — a New York Times bestselling history of Blackbeard's pirate gang that was made into a primetime NBC series with John Malkovich and Claire Foye – and Union: The Struggle to Forge the Story of United States Nationhood, which tells the harrowing story of the creation of the American myth in the 19th century, a story that reverberates in the news cycle today. His latest book is Nations Apart: How Clashing Regional Cultures Shattered America, released by Viking/Penguin in November 2025. He is the founder and director of Nationhood Lab at the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy at Salve Regina University, an interdisciplinary research, writing, testing and dissemination project focused on counteracting the authoritarian threat to American democracy and the centrifugal forces threatening the federation's stability. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a visiting scholar at the Minneapolis-based HealthPartners Institute and a POLITICO contributing writer. As State and National Affairs Writer at the Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram he received a 2012 George Polk Award, was named Maine Journalist of the Year in 2014, and was a finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting. A longtime foreign correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor, The San Francisco Chronicle, and The Chronicle of Higher Education, he has reported from more than fifty foreign countries and seven continents from postings in Budapest, Zagreb, Washington, D.C. and the US-Mexico border and covered the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and its bloody aftermath. His work has appeared in dozens of publications including The Economist, The New York Times, Smithsonian, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Newsweek and Washington Monthly and has been featured on CNN, the Rachel Maddow Show, Chuck Todd's The Daily Rundown, The PBS News Hour, and NPR's Weekend Edition. A graduate of Tufts University and the University of Chicago, he's received the 2004 Jane Bagley Lehman Award for Public Advocacy, a Pew Fellowship in International Journalism at the Johns Hopkins University School for Advanced International Study and was named one of the Best State Capitol Reporters in America by the Washington Post. He lives in Maine.   This podcast is hosted by Bakhti Nishanov and produced by Alanna Novetsky, in conjunction with the Senate Recording Studio.

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.

Reforms following Watergate strengthened the Justice Department's independence and restored public confidence. Now, amid the Trump administration's pressure on DOJ norms, polls show that half of Americans doubt that federal law enforcement is fair and impartial. Also: today's stories, including why a Reagan-appointed judge resigned over actions by the Trump Administration, why the United States needs to replenish its weapons stockpile, and what role India could play in the emerging global order. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.

David Sterritt is a film critic, author, teacher and scholar. He is most notable for his work on Alfred Hitchcock and Jean-Luc Godard, and his many years as the Film Critic for The Christian Science Monitor, where, from 1968 until... Read More ›

After more than a decade of economic crisis and authoritarian rule in Venezuela, President Donald Trump and Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodríguez are banking on oil for the success of their political futures. But that may not be enough for Venezuelans who want more than just economic relief. Also: today's stories, including how Republicans are pushing back as Democrats target Department of Homeland Security funding; how Russian forces have been advancing in Ukraine; and how bipartisan opposition to massive data centers is playing out in Wisconsin. Join the Monitor's Scott Baldauf for today's news.

After more than a decade of economic crisis and authoritarian rule in Venezuela, President Donald Trump and Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodríguez are banking on oil for the success of their political futures. But that may not be enough for Venezuelans who want more than just economic relief. Also: today's stories, including how Republicans are pushing back as Democrats target Department of Homeland Security funding; how Russian forces have been advancing in Ukraine; and how bipartisan opposition to massive data centers is playing out in Wisconsin. Join the Monitor's Scott Baldauf for today's news.

In cases that haven't gotten a national spotlight, U.S. citizens and legal residents say they've been injured by federal immigration enforcement personnel. Their lawyers say these cases are part of a rise in the use of excessive force, tied to the administration's efforts to detain and deport unauthorized immigrants. Also: today's stories, including how one bridge challenges President Donald Trump's view that Canada is freeloading; and how schoolchildren may see food and fitness change through the “Make America Healthy Again” movement; how in at least one part of the city, Cape Town's gangs face a formidable foe: the neighborhood “aunties.” Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

President Donald Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh to head the Federal Reserve calmed markets, but the former member of the board of governors could also set the Fed on a new course. Also: today's stories, including how an electoral victory in Myanmar offers hope to some for the restoration of democratic norms; a theme of resistance from 1960s Mississippi to 2020s Minnesota civil rights protest history, as examined by our cultural commentator; and one essayist's take that winter has much more to offer than snow and slush. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

President Donald Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh to head the Federal Reserve calmed markets, but the former member of the board of governors could also set the Fed on a new course. Also: today's stories, including how an electoral victory in Myanmar offers hope to some for the restoration of democratic norms; a theme of resistance from 1960s Mississippi to 2020s Minnesota civil rights protest history, as examined by our cultural commentator; and one essayist's take that winter has much more to offer than snow and slush. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

Amassing military forces and bolstered by Iran's perceived vulnerability, President Donald Trump says “time is running out.” Replying with threats of its own, the Islamic Republic is trying to restore its deterrence and survive what it realizes is an existential challenge. Also: today's stories, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's appearance at the Monitor Breakfast; how members of the public and lawmakers are investigating use of force by local and federal law enforcement in the U.S.; and whether President Donald Trump's energy policy cedes the future of energy production to China Join the Monitor's Audrey Thibert for today's news.

David Sterritt is a film critic, author, teacher and scholar. He is most notable for his work on Alfred Hitchcock and Jean-Luc Godard, and his many years as the Film Critic for The Christian Science Monitor, where, from 1968 until... Read More ›

The seizure of Nicolás Maduro has encouraged Venezuelans, especially in terms of economic growth, but they are unsure what it means for the state of democracy in the South American nation. Also: today's stories, including how the U.S.' National Defense Strategy is pledging “more limited” U.S. support to friendly nations and deterring China “through strength, not confrontation”; how, for a group of young musicians in the Republic of Congo, their orchestra is a cherished opportunity of a lifetime; and our immigration reporter offers more information about the roles various federal agencies play in immigration enforcement. Join the Monitor's Victoria Hoffmann for today's news.

Alex Pretti was a lawful gun owner, and not brandishing his weapon, when he was disarmed and then fatally shot by federal agents. The resulting controversy focuses on an incident that appears to contradict decades of conservatives' efforts to legitimize public gun carry. Also: today's stories, including how despite billions in foreign aid to Haiti, life for most Haitians hasn't improved; how many in Pakistan worry the government has made a Faustian pact by joining Trump's “Board of Peace"; and how Democrats now say securing Department of Homeland Security reforms is worth the price of a government shutdown. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

Videos of incidents like the recent Minneapolis shootings can be ambiguous, but they can also help determine the narrative most people believe. In the Alex Pretti case, the Trump administration's description of what happened conflicted with what people saw from witness recordings. Also: today's stories, including how, despite Beijing's campaign to encourage women to have more children, new data shows China's population decline is accelerating; how populism can awaken a nation to concerns ignored by elites, but also unravel institutions; and how, in novelist Val McDermid's newest book, winter comforts offer a respite from Scotland's short days and long nights. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

After a lightning military advance in Kurdish-held northeastern Syria, Damascus is demanding that the Kurdish-led SDF, a key U.S. ally in the fight against ISIS, agree to integrate into the national army. The United States has thrown its support behind a unified Syria. Also: today's stories, including why the Pentagon is changing Stars and Stripes' independent status, one man's journey from a poor Russian village boy to custodian of state secrets, and our essayist's advice for when the world's worries threaten to weigh you down. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

Former special counsel Jack Smith's efforts to prosecute Donald Trump for trying to overturn the 2020 election results ended more than a year ago. But political partisanship around the issue remains strong – and was on display as Mr. Smith made his first public comments on the case during a House hearing. Also: today's stories, including a look at how some voters now disapprove of President Trump's handling of immigration, why winter has been an added hardship for displaced Palestinians, and how the dispute over Greenland generated mistrust between Washington and its European allies. Join the Monitor's Audrey Thibert for today's news.

Money matters have driven foreign policy throughout history. But President Donald Trump's oil moves in Venezuela may hint at a new era of unapologetic grabs for economic power, causing growing resentment – even among allies. Also: today's stories, including why SCOTUS is skeptical of President Trump's attempt to remove a member of the Federal Reserve Board, why China is raising its retirement age for the first time in 70 years, and a look at how The Patriotic Citizen Initiatives shelter gives male migrants in Nigeria. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

Amy Meyerson is the acclaimed author of the internationally bestselling The Bookshop of Yesterdays, The Imperfects, and The Love Scribe. Her books have been translated into eleven languages and are frequently chosen for best-of lists, including lists from Good Morning America, Publishers Weekly, The Christian Science Monitor, Library Journal, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Texas Library Association's Lariat List, among others. Meyerson completed her graduate work in creative writing at the University of Southern California, where she now teaches in the writing department. Her latest novel is The Water Lies. Learn more at amymeyerson.com Special thanks to NetGalley for early preview copies. Intro reel, Writing Table Podcast 2024 Outro RecordingFollow the Writing Table: @writingtablepodcastEmail questions or tell us who you'd like us to invite to the Writing Table: writingtablepodcast@gmail.com.

With President Donald Trump adamant that the U.S. must acquire Greenland, Europe is at a crossroads. The economic tools it has to dissuade Mr. Trump are strong, but slow to roll out. And if Europe does push back, it risks injuring itself, too. Also: today's stories, including how five Central Asian nations that all rely on water from regional glaciers appear set to move past bickering and instead share a negotiated usage; how the Trump administration's cuts and changes to the federal workforce have forced groups to reckon with new norms for outstanding public service; and how Mr. Trump's focus on Greenland has shaken the NATO alliance and put the entire world on notice. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.

A brutal Iranian crackdown has appeared to quash most protests, and officials are seeking to portray a sense of “national solidarity.” But images and eyewitness accounts of shocking “atrocities” are accumulating that paint a different picture. Also: today's stories, including a look at how U.S. President Donald Trump may respond to protests in Iran; how Ukrainian citizens are being put to the test by Russian air attacks against energy infrastructure; and our review of the Dolly Parton biography, “Ain't Nobody's Fool.” Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

Some businesses in Minneapolis and other cities are refusing entry to federal immigration officers, reflecting local dissatisfaction with the Trump administration's deportation campaign as tensions continue to escalate. Also: today's stories, including how the formation of the apolitical Palestinian committee was greeted with skepticism and hope in Gaza; how Europe and the U.S. are handling AI chatbot Grok's “deepfake” images of women and children differently; and how historic protests in Iran are showing more parallels with another uprising nearly 50 years ago. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.

The United States has attempted to annex Greenland several times in the past. But it also has a history of cooperation with Denmark on Greenland's security – so much so that it's dubious that direct control would be better for U.S. defense. Also: today's stories, including how young voters in Uganda must decide between a 40-something former pop star and a sitting president in his 80s; how a spat over Yemen has spiraled into what is being called a diplomatic “divorce” between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia; and how the presence of Cuban nationals in Venezuela shows Cuba's soft power in Venezuela and elsewhere. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.

There's a difference between constitutionally protected free speech and acts of civil disobedience that could lead to arrests. Still, it's not clear that Renee Good in Minneapolis was interfering illegally with ICE operations. And civil disobedience isn't terrorism under traditional definitions. Also: today's stories, including how the Trump White House wants to make sure Smithsonian museum exhibits conform to its ideology; how efforts to diversify rare earth supply chains are bringing new attention to war-ravaged Myanmar; and how since the start of the war in Ukraine and Western sanctions, getting from Russia to the rest of Europe has become a frustration. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

The Federal Reserve's independence from partisan politics is a cornerstone of U.S. economic stability and market confidence. A Justice Department criminal probe of Fed Chair Jerome Powell may signal new risk to this principle. Also: today's stories, including how AI is steadily becoming a greater part of people's daily lives, how Central American politicians are offering fewer freedoms to win more votes, and one Monitor writer's selection of recently released art books. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

The Federal Reserve's independence from partisan politics is a cornerstone of U.S. economic stability and market confidence. A Justice Department criminal probe of Fed Chair Jerome Powell may signal new risk to this principle. Also: today's stories, including how AI is steadily becoming a greater part of people's daily lives, how Central American politicians are offering fewer freedoms to win more votes, and one Monitor writer's selection of recently released art books. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

President Donald Trump's withdrawal from dozens of global organizations – many focused on climate issues and human rights – was swiftly condemned by U.S. allies. One power that increasingly has stepped into the leadership breach is China. Also: today's stories, including a look at two Supreme Court cases involving whether the Constitution's guarantee of equal protection under the law extends to transgender people competing in single-sex sports; how more women are emerging into leadership roles in Latino Christian churches; and the rise of women's sports in England. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

The Killing of Renee Good. Is There Accountability? Trump More Unconstrained. Some GOP Backlash. Venezuela: Keep the Oil. New Spheres of Influence. Is Greenland Next? ACA Subsidies Pass the House. Impeachment Coming? With Linda Feldmann, Washington Bureau Chief and White House Correspondent for The Christian Science Monitor, Philip Bump, MS-Now Columnist and Contributor and author of the How to Read This Chart Newsletter and Igor Bobic, Senior Politics Reporter at HuffPost.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The killing of a protester by an ICE agent in Minneapolis has reignited debates over the appropriate use of force in immigration raids. Also in today's stories: how European leaders are responding to Washington's threat to invade Greenland, how a symbolic bill hints at GOP pushback against the Trump administration, and how volunteers are rallying to tackle growing rural homelessness. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.

The killing of a protester by an ICE agent in Minneapolis has reignited debates over the appropriate use of force in immigration raids. Also in today's stories: how European leaders are responding to Washington's threat to invade Greenland, how a symbolic bill hints at GOP pushback against the Trump administration, and how volunteers are rallying to tackle growing rural homelessness. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.