The Christian Science Monitor Daily Podcast

On Monday, Jan. 20, President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn into office. Linda Feldmann, the Monitor’s Washington Bureau Chief, previews the opening act of his second term.

Also: today’s stories, including responses to a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas; a reflection from West Coast Bureau Chief Francine Kiefer on visiting Altadena after the Eaton fire; and a look ahead at how Trump may handle Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine.

Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Ira Porter for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

As talks of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas sweep through Israel and Gaza, Israelis and Palestinians are taking to the streets to celebrate. But a deal may only bring momentary pause in fighting — not long sought-after peace.

Also: today’s stories, including how presidential scholars believe President Joe Biden’s legacy will be remembered; how refugee groups are preparing for President-elect Donald Trump’s second term; and a new Pew study on America’s loneliness epidemic.

Join the Monitor's Clay Collins and April Austin for today's news. You can also visit CSMonitor.com/Daily for more information.

Amid an expected wave of deportees from the U.S., Mexican civil society is mobilizing to lay out a more positive reintegration. The Monitor’s Whitney Eulich looks at the efforts of NGOs, social media influencers, and families helping to prepare for that reintegration. Also in today’s package, why Donald Trump’s hints at acquiring Greenland by force, if necessary, should ring alarm bells in European capitals, a generational political rupture against Mozambique's regime, and ‘Sesame Street’ begins what may be its final season. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Troy Sambajon for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

As President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary faced a confirmation hearing, leaders of the fight against sexual assault in the military are raising alarm over his views on women in the armed services. Today’s stories also include Democrats squabbling over immigration stance as Trump returns to power, ‘Paw partners’ stepping in to aid overwhelmed animal shelters, and how a small town in Georgia sees the inauguration. Join the Monitor's Amelia Newcomb and Stephen Humphries for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

American police often use force to manage unruly crowds. Simon Montlake and Alfredo Sosa look at the reforms from Europe, which emphasize talking to protesters that some U.S. police departments are giving a try. Also in today's package, the question of safety between the incoming Trump White House and “sanctuary” jurisdictions, the vanishing of the gender gap in Christian church attendance, and stories of resilience among the flames in Los Angeles. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Mary Tabor for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

A political scientist in Dina Kraft’s story about the Israeli police defines politicization as “ending the notion of expertise.” What that means, she says, is that “One cannot be a professional.” Instead, “You are always being asked, ‘Which side are you on?’” Today’s stories also include the Palestinian Authority tackling West Bank militants with an eye on Gaza, why it’s hard for Trump to acquire Greenland, and one reporter’s journey reporting on animals and learning about love. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Marry Tabor for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

On Friday, the Supreme Court will weigh in on a controversial law that would ban the Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok — and the outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for First Amendment rights. Our reporter Henry Gass explains.

Also: today’s stories, including Monitor West Coast Bureau Chief Francine Kiefer’s firsthand account of escaping the Eaton fire in California; looming questions over Venezuela’s contested 2024 election; and how foreign leaders are courting the incoming Trump administration.

Join the Monitor's Clay Collins and JJ Wahlberg for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Thousands have evacuated as wildfires threaten populated areas near Los Angeles. The Monitor’s Francine Kiefer looks at how the region’s gusty Santa Ana winds are exacerbating the wildfires. Also in today’s package, Elon Musk’s efforts to influence European politics, the mental health impact of Russia’s strikes in Kharkiv, and shifting attitudes in France to the Charlie Hebdo massacre. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Troy Sambajon for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Today’s Daily reminds us why the Monitor matters. Stephanie Hanes shows intimately how one Florida town speaks to the changes being wrought by fiercer storms worldwide. And Kate Okorie gives us a glimpse of what the world can be when resilience is met with an embrace. Today’s stories also include how Gazans in flimsy shelters experience a winter of sorrow and loss and how McDonald’s launches a value menu as other restaurants close. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Stephen Humphries for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Congress on Monday certified President-elect Donald Trump’s November victory as part of the peaceful transfer of power that has marked every U.S. presidential election – except one. Scott Blanchard and Jacobe Turcotte examine how Americans feel four years later. Also in today’s package, Canada’s Justin Trudeau steps down, Indian-Americans shift right, and an unlikely love story blossoms in Colombia. Join the Monitor's Amelia Newcomb and Ira Porter for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.