https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/The-Christian-Science-Monitor-Daily-PodcastThe editors of The Christian Science Monitor take you beyond the headlines with the ideas driving progress in this 15-minute news briefing. The Monitor Daily Podcast is available each Monday through Friday at 6 pm ET. For more information on the Daily or The Christian Science Monitor, visit csmonitor.com. Send your comments, suggestions or thoughts to podcast@csmonitor.com.https://images.csmonitor.com/csm/2026/01/1117126_3_Monitor%20Daily%20Podcast%20Logo_standard.jpghttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/The-Christian-Science-Monitor-Daily-PodcastTue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 EDT© 1980–2026 The Christian Science Monitoren-useditor@csmonitor.comtechnical@csmonitor.comepisodicChristian Science Monitorpodcasts@csps.comThe Christian Science MonitornoThe Christian Science Monitorpodcasts@csps.comTue, 21 Apr 2026 10:06:05 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2026/20260421It’s not a good time to be a small-business owner in Russia. With the financial costs of the war in Ukraine growing, the Kremlin has been raising taxes on and rolling back exemptions for entrepreneurs. Also: today’s stories, including how a new Israeli occupation zone poses an obstacle for many civilians in Lebanon; why some conservative towns sited for massive immigration detention centers are now pushing back against them; and our reviewers’ top book picks for April. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.Tue, 21 Apr 2026 04:30:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2026/20260421It’s not a good time to be a small-business owner in Russia. With the financial costs of the war in Ukraine growing, the Kremlin has been raising taxes on and rolling back exemptions for entrepreneurs. Also: today’s stories, including how a new Israeli occupation zone poses an obstacle for many civilians in Lebanon; why some conservative towns sited for massive immigration detention centers are now pushing back against them; and our reviewers’ top book picks for April. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.It’s not a good time to be a small-business owner ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2026/20260418For decades, perceptions of U.S. power did not rely on the use of America’s unrivaled military might. In the Iran war, a militarily inferior adversary used asymmetric warfare to resist that might, and allies whom President Donald Trump did not consult are voicing concern over the state of U.S. strategic thinking and planning. Also: today’s stories, including why the ceasefire in Lebanon left some northern Israeli residents saying they felt betrayed; how a new documentary about Lorne Michaels, the creator and producer of “Saturday Night Live,” promises unprecedented access to the legendary TV figure; and how a lone volunteer's effort to save monarch butterflies creates a caring community. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.Sat, 18 Apr 2026 04:30:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2026/20260418For decades, perceptions of U.S. power did not rely on the use of America’s unrivaled military might. In the Iran war, a militarily inferior adversary used asymmetric warfare to resist that might, and allies whom President Donald Trump did not consult are voicing concern over the state of U.S. strategic thinking and planning. Also: today’s stories, including why the ceasefire in Lebanon left some northern Israeli residents saying they felt betrayed; how a new documentary about Lorne Michaels, the creator and producer of “Saturday Night Live,” promises unprecedented access to the legendary TV figure; and how a lone volunteer's effort to save monarch butterflies creates a caring community. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.For decades, perceptions of U.S. power did not rel...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2026/20260417America’s military has choked off shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, hoping to force Iran to negotiate. But the blockade could pose challenges for the U.S., further escalating tensions along the critical transit route. Also: today’s stories, including how, in the Strait of Hormuz, Washington and Tehran are testing the boundaries of international laws that have managed the seas; our columnist on how some far-right populists in Europe are beginning to see support from the U.S. president as a political liability; and why Bobbi Gibb, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon, was recently honored with a statue of her own design in a Massachusetts. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:30:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2026/20260417America’s military has choked off shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, hoping to force Iran to negotiate. But the blockade could pose challenges for the U.S., further escalating tensions along the critical transit route. Also: today’s stories, including how, in the Strait of Hormuz, Washington and Tehran are testing the boundaries of international laws that have managed the seas; our columnist on how some far-right populists in Europe are beginning to see support from the U.S. president as a political liability; and why Bobbi Gibb, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon, was recently honored with a statue of her own design in a Massachusetts. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.America’s military has choked off shipping in the ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2026/20260416Iran’s missile attacks and its closing of the Strait of Hormuz have cost the oil-producing Gulf Arab states untold billions. In response, they are moving to arm themselves against a military threat that hasn’t been erased, and construct workarounds to the Hormuz choke point. Also: today’s stories, including a look at cracks in support from religious conservatives amid President Donald Trump’s broadsides against the pope; how rising gun ownership among Democrats is reshaping U.S. gun culture; and how rural weavers in Bangladesh are bridging a traditional craft with modern markets. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.Thu, 16 Apr 2026 04:30:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2026/20260416Iran’s missile attacks and its closing of the Strait of Hormuz have cost the oil-producing Gulf Arab states untold billions. In response, they are moving to arm themselves against a military threat that hasn’t been erased, and construct workarounds to the Hormuz choke point. Also: today’s stories, including a look at cracks in support from religious conservatives amid President Donald Trump’s broadsides against the pope; how rising gun ownership among Democrats is reshaping U.S. gun culture; and how rural weavers in Bangladesh are bridging a traditional craft with modern markets. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.Iran’s missile attacks and its closing of the Stra...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2026/20260415Fallout from the Epstein scandal and a changing media environment might be contributing to a new push for sunlight and accountability on Capitol Hill. This week’s unusual resignations could be followed by even more. Also: today’s stories, including how Sudan’s civilians are paying an unfathomable price in the country’s brutal civil war; how taxpayers are frustrated over the perception that the wealthy are not paying their fair share; and how some states prone to wildfires are beginning to embrace controlled burns that give fires less fuel when they do start. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:30:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2026/20260415Fallout from the Epstein scandal and a changing media environment might be contributing to a new push for sunlight and accountability on Capitol Hill. This week’s unusual resignations could be followed by even more. Also: today’s stories, including how Sudan’s civilians are paying an unfathomable price in the country’s brutal civil war; how taxpayers are frustrated over the perception that the wealthy are not paying their fair share; and how some states prone to wildfires are beginning to embrace controlled burns that give fires less fuel when they do start. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.Fallout from the Epstein scandal and a changing me...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2026/20260414Even before the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, launched against Gulf Arabs’ advice, sentiment in the region toward Israel was souring over its war in Gaza and policies in the West Bank. But distrust has deepened with the perception Israel instigated the war, and amid growing concerns over Israel’s expanding power. Also: today’s stories, including how a growing sense of local identity in Taiwan could thwart China-Taiwan diplomatic efforts; how new congressional districting maps may make the next U.S. House even more polarized; and how Viktor Orbán’s electoral defeat in Hungary showed that elections still matter – and that democracies are more resilient than the current era might make them seem. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.Tue, 14 Apr 2026 04:30:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2026/20260414Even before the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, launched against Gulf Arabs’ advice, sentiment in the region toward Israel was souring over its war in Gaza and policies in the West Bank. But distrust has deepened with the perception Israel instigated the war, and amid growing concerns over Israel’s expanding power. Also: today’s stories, including how a growing sense of local identity in Taiwan could thwart China-Taiwan diplomatic efforts; how new congressional districting maps may make the next U.S. House even more polarized; and how Viktor Orbán’s electoral defeat in Hungary showed that elections still matter – and that democracies are more resilient than the current era might make them seem. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.Even before the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, laun...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2026/20260411Tech leaders are scrambling to address risks after Anthropic found its new artificial intelligence tool, Mythos, can both find and exploit software flaws, highlighting a new era of security vulnerability. Also: today’s stories, including how Peruvians will elect their 10th president in as many years; a look at the colleges that are adding courses and degrees in hip-hop; and one contributor’s Q&A with award-winning author Yann Martel. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.Sat, 11 Apr 2026 04:30:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2026/20260411Tech leaders are scrambling to address risks after Anthropic found its new artificial intelligence tool, Mythos, can both find and exploit software flaws, highlighting a new era of security vulnerability. Also: today’s stories, including how Peruvians will elect their 10th president in as many years; a look at the colleges that are adding courses and degrees in hip-hop; and one contributor’s Q&A with award-winning author Yann Martel. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.Tech leaders are scrambling to address risks after...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2026/20260410As he prepares to lead the U.S. delegation in Pakistan to hash out the terms of a ceasefire with Iran, JD Vance faces the highest stakes test of his vice presidency. His longtime anti-interventionist stance could help build trust with the Iranians. But he also could end up taking the blame if it falls apart. Also: today’s stories, including how Israel and Lebanon are moving toward possible peace talks; why, in Maine, the fight to secure the Democratic bid for Senate seems to be coming down to experience and style; and our reviewer’s look at “Cosmic Music: The Life, Art, and Transcendence of Alice Coltrane.” Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.Fri, 10 Apr 2026 04:30:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2026/20260410As he prepares to lead the U.S. delegation in Pakistan to hash out the terms of a ceasefire with Iran, JD Vance faces the highest stakes test of his vice presidency. His longtime anti-interventionist stance could help build trust with the Iranians. But he also could end up taking the blame if it falls apart. Also: today’s stories, including how Israel and Lebanon are moving toward possible peace talks; why, in Maine, the fight to secure the Democratic bid for Senate seems to be coming down to experience and style; and our reviewer’s look at “Cosmic Music: The Life, Art, and Transcendence of Alice Coltrane.” Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.As he prepares to lead the U.S. delegation in Paki...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2026/20260409President Donald Trump and his defense secretary are boasting of military success. But Iran’s peace proposal, which Mr. Trump says is “workable,” appeared to reflect Iran’s wishes without making meaningful concessions. Also: today’s stories, including why Ukraine’s westernmost region of Zakarpattia is now a campaign hot button in Hungary's upcoming parliamentary elections; how the U.S. and China are competing to build a permanent presence on the moon; and our columnist’s thoughts on how the U.S. appears to be in a weaker position globally than when the war with Iran began. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.Thu, 09 Apr 2026 04:30:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2026/20260409President Donald Trump and his defense secretary are boasting of military success. But Iran’s peace proposal, which Mr. Trump says is “workable,” appeared to reflect Iran’s wishes without making meaningful concessions. Also: today’s stories, including why Ukraine’s westernmost region of Zakarpattia is now a campaign hot button in Hungary's upcoming parliamentary elections; how the U.S. and China are competing to build a permanent presence on the moon; and our columnist’s thoughts on how the U.S. appears to be in a weaker position globally than when the war with Iran began. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.President Donald Trump and his defense secretary a...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2026/20260408President Donald Trump’s energy strategy faces limits as the Iran war spikes U.S. gas prices, squeezing consumers and threatening Republican prospects in the midterms. He must now choose between escalating the war and backing down, risking both image and oil prices. Also: today’s stories, including how some conservative groups are calling for the White House to broaden its immigration enforcement strategy with worksite raids; a look at diplomatic efforts in the Iran war after President Donald Trump’s threats of Iran’s obliteration; and a Q+A with environmental history professor and award-winning author Kate Brown on her new book, “Tiny Gardens Everywhere.” Join the Monitor's Chris Sherman for today's news.Wed, 08 Apr 2026 04:30:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Daily/2026/20260408President Donald Trump’s energy strategy faces limits as the Iran war spikes U.S. gas prices, squeezing consumers and threatening Republican prospects in the midterms. He must now choose between escalating the war and backing down, risking both image and oil prices. Also: today’s stories, including how some conservative groups are calling for the White House to broaden its immigration enforcement strategy with worksite raids; a look at diplomatic efforts in the Iran war after President Donald Trump’s threats of Iran’s obliteration; and a Q+A with environmental history professor and award-winning author Kate Brown on her new book, “Tiny Gardens Everywhere.” Join the Monitor's Chris Sherman for today's news.President Donald Trump’s energy strategy faces lim...The Christian Science Monitornofull