The Christian Science Monitor Daily Podcast

Thursday’s final presidential debate probably won’t change many votes. Also: today’s stories, including the keystone state of Pennsylvania, Bolivia’s elections, and the potential perils of poll watchers. Join the Monitor's Peter Grier and Molly Jackson for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

Well, good grief. The latest holiday tradition lost to 2020 is the Great Pumpkin. In the words of Linus: “Augh! You didn’t tell me you were going to kill it!” Also: today’s stories, including formal opposition in Saudi Arabia, a consequential referendum in Chile, and cookbooks to spice up your stay-at-home cuisine. Join the Monitor's Yvonne Zipp and Noah Robertson for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

For the first time, NASA sent a spacecraft to snatch soil samples from an asteroid. Also, the crucial role of Florida’s Latino voters in the 2020 election; new debates over Mexico's feminist protests; and the power of pottery during lockdown. Join the Monitor's Dave Scott and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

Why is the West having much less success handling COVID-19 than East Asia? At the heart of the discrepancy, it seems, are differing views of liberty. Also: Iran is poised to make a comeback as a US priority; a lawyer helps a pop star ignite a ‘People Power’ movement in Uganda. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Rebecca for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

Canada's founder is caught in the latest debate over monuments, as the country examines his oppression of indigenous people. Also: a new generation fuels protests in Thailand; a black Republican makes his case; and student poll workers challenge the stereotype of the apathetic youth. Join the Monitor's Amelia Newcomb and Ken Kaplan for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

Here’s a pro tip for young aspiring reporters: When interviewing a politician, your most useful responses often come in the follow-up questions and real-time fact-checking. Also: today’s stories, including potential changes in American foreign policy, welcoming immigrants into France, and women's success India’s streaming culture. Join the Monitor's Noelle Swan and Noah Robertson for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

This fall the Monitor's Husna Haq got a lesson in perseverance from an unlikely teacher: her 4-year-old son. Also: today’s stories, including the perils of paramilitary militia groups, competing incentives to expand and shrink the electorate, and an inaugural trip to the Texas state fair. Join the Monitor's Kim Campbell and Ken Kaplan for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

We’re going to step off the beaten news trail for a moment to talk about rats. We humans don’t tend to have much use for them. They fall somewhere between cockroaches and snakes on the “creepy” scale. That’s what makes Magawa notable. Also: today’s stories, including campaigning during COVID-19, a conservation battle in Kenya, and what happened when our science writer got rid of his smartphone. Join the Monitor's Dave Scott and Samantha Laine Perfas for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

For many Nigerians, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad has long been synonymous with corruption, torture, and killing. The government force, created in 1992 to combat gang crime, has since become the symbol of Nigeria’s rampant problem of police violence. Also: today’s stories, including the Amy Coney Barrett Senate hearings, a look at Democratic candidate Jaime Harrison, and how different countries have handled the coronavirus pandemic. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Molly Jackson for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

“If we don’t act now we are going to have famine of biblical proportions.” That’s what the executive director of the World Food Program, David Beasley, told the Monitor in May. Also: today’s stories, including the current kerfuffle over the 25th Amendment, whether China wants fear or love, and our picks for fall TV. Join the Monitor's Peter Grier and Samantha Laine Perfas for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.