The Christian Science Monitor Daily Podcast

What would you grab if you had to flee your home? Amid World Refugee Week, it’s worth pondering. By 2018, more than 70 million people had been forcibly displaced – a record, and a sharp increase from 43 million in 2009. About 41 million were displaced in their country, while nearly 26 million are refugees. Many leave with virtually nothing. And in 2020, they might pose another question: Have we been forgotten? Also in today’s news: diplomats speaking out, confederate monuments, and more home births. Join the Monitor's Amelia Newcomb and Clay Collins for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

With the National Basketball Association set to resume play in Orlando next month, players are facing a dilemma: What’s the most effective way to help end racial injustice – to play or to boycott? Also: today’s stories, including why the U.S. Supreme Court’s surprise landmark decision makes sense to conservative justices; what’s motivating President Trump’s latest overtures to Moscow; and what the movement to “defund the police” really means. Join the Monitor's Dave Scott and Jessica Mendoza for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

In a recent issue of The Christian Science Monitor Daily, columnist Ken Makin charted the efforts of African American leaders to demand the word “Black” be capitalized. He argued that language is not simply a collection of grammatical rules; it conveys how we see the world. So after considering the decision from different perspectives, the Monitor is now capitalizing Black. Also: today’s stories, including the government crisis laid bare by COVID-19; how global lockdowns have made women, especially in rural areas, more vulnerable to domestic abuse; and a new effort among Americans to themselves in the Black experience. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Amelia Newcomb for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

When Monitor reader David McClurkin sent Linda an article about Chagrin Falls in Ohio, I took notice. Also: today’s five stories, including lessons on American unity from World War II, a stunning shift in thought on Black Lives Matter, and the difference-making power of baking bread. Join the Monitor's Jessica Mendoza and Peter Grier for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

On Wednesday, thousands of scientists went on a 24-hour strike to join the Black Lives Matter movement. They stopped their experiments and calculations, canceled classes, and shifted their attention to educating themselves on the inequities perpetuated in STEM and academia. Some major research journals joined in, too, delaying the announcement and publication of papers (with exceptions for COVID-19 research). Also in today’s news: how China is reacting to US protests, life after COVID-19, and how international students are dealing with the pandemic. Join the Monitor's Kim Campbell and Dave Scott for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

An indelible image from the protests has been police kneeling with protesters. A significant development has been a rise in calls to “defund the police” – with Minneapolis, the city where George Floyd was killed by police – considering just that. Underlying both of these developments is a more fundamental question: What is our view of power and its influence on American policing? Also in today’s news: international racism protests, summer school, and love in the age of coronavirus. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Rebecca Asoulin for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

In the past week, the Monitor’s Dave Scott has had the privilege of watching the NFL response to the George Floyd protests through the eyes of an 11-year-old friend. Also: today’s stories, including remembering George Floyd, why gig workers are struggling during the pandemic, and how coronavirus shortages are giving the Russian charity sector a new spark. Join the Monitor's Dave Scott and Samantha Laine Perfas for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

In the two weeks since the killing of George Floyd, a yearning for social justice has overpowered calls for social distancing. Also: today’s stories, including who should judge what’s true, one reporter’s story of finding hope in the Mideast, and why coronavirus modeling is so hard to pin down. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

In Minneapolis, a school principal asked for food kits to help her students. Traffic was backed up for 14 blocks as cars from as far as Wisconsin pulled up to unload food. Also: today’s stories, including the promise – and limits – of police taking a knee, businesses surging during the crisis (no – it’s not just Zoom), and commentary on protest, race, and Martin Luther King Jr. Join the Monitor's Peter Grier and Noelle Swan for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

“I won’t be silenced.” For one Massachusetts teen, protesting doesn't feel optional. Also: the history of resorting to active duty soldiers for domestic duty in the United States, the question of if outside agitators are exploiting Floyd protests, and how recent grads are coping with entering the workforce at a time of Great Depression-level unemployment rates. Join the Monitor's Noelle Swan and Mark Sappenfield for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.