The Christian Science Monitor Daily Podcast

With the beginning of the 2023 school year comes a set of new challenges for higher ed, from the end of race-based admissions to school finances and more.

Then, a look at the Georgia case against former President Donald Trump — and what the legal outcomes against his 18 co-defendants could mean for him.

Also, today’s stories, including: a Buddhist-inspired high school empowering Hungary's Roma, and one journalist's deep dive into racial equity in an Ohio public school.

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

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin this month — could this brew a partnership between the two countries as the war in Ukraine rages on? It’s been three years since Oregonians passed a referendum decriminalizing small amounts of drugs. Our writer Story Hinckley examines current attitudes towards Oregon’s approach to drug addiction and recovery. Also, today’s stories, including: boosting elementary school math scores by combatting teachers’ math anxiety, and a music festival composed of “floating concerts” on the Colorado River. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Ken Kaplan for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

In the wake of Hurricane Idalia's devastation in Florida, our writer Linda Feldmann explains how the right response from Florida Governor and presidential candidate Ron DeSantis could sway voters. Also, today’s stories, including: Florida’s resilience after Idalia, competing values in African “coup belt,” and the coup in Gabon. Join the Monitor's Laurent Belsie and Stephen Humphries for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

This January, voters in Taiwan may elect a self-made billionaire for president. Our writer Simon Montlake shares his thoughts on the candidacy of Foxconn founder Terry Gou — and what his potential election may mean for China-Taiwan relations. Also, today’s stories, including: how protesters in Peru fight indifference, Putin’s status after the June mutiny, and teens fighting for a say in school book choices. Join the Monitor's Ali Martin and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

A major hurricane has hit Florida – again. But while last year’s Hurricane Ian made landfall in the heavily populated Fort Myers area and dumped epic rains, Hurricane Idalia today was less destructive to human communities. Also, today’s stories, including: why eastern Oregon wants to join Idaho, how LGBTQ people in Uganda are fighting a draconian new law, and the consequences of Egypt’s potential collapse. Join the Monitor's Mark Trumbull and Ken Kaplan for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

It's been 60 years since the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., shared his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Our writer Ken Makin explains how he began to see the march in a new light: through rare color photos from the Civil Rights movement. Also, today’s stories, including: why one Ukrainian veteran is puzzled as to why Russians still fight, tracing the story of Lahaina, and why isolated Russia looks to Africa as land of opportunity. Join the Monitor's Mark Trumbull and Mackenzie Farkus for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

An unwanted kiss in the wake of the Women's Soccer World Cup final has sparked outcry, and landed the president of Spain's soccer federation a suspension and investigation by FIFA. Our writer Erika Page explains why the moment could mark a reckoning for how women are treated in Spain. Also, today’s stories, including: the question of what counts as free speech in the Trump trials, a sinking community turns to oyster shells – and a tax – for safety, and nurturing female police recruits long before they apply. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Ali Martin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

American democracy is in a place it has never been before. The mug shot seen round the world, showing former President Donald Trump at his booking on 13 felony counts in Georgia on Thursday, is a stark reminder of the nation’s situation. The once and likely future leader of one of the big political parties in the United States will face multiple criminal trials while running to regain the Oval Office. Also, today’s stories, including: imagining a new and improved Ukraine, what it might take to achieve pre-K for all, and how “Ahsoka” takes a familiar “Star Wars” theme to a new place. Join the Monitor's Peter Grier and JJ Wahlberg for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Earlier this week, the Arkansas State Department of Education made a controversial decision on an AP African American Studies course. Our Ken Makin looks at how that choice plays out against the long history of civil rights in the state capital of Little Rock. Also, today’s stories, including: how Prigozhin’s death marks shift for Russia, Why Haley and Ramaswamy dominated the GOP debate, and how an ambitious Saudi prince is playing the China card. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Ali Martin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

It's been two weeks since fire tore through the western part of the Hawaiian island of Maui, devastating the historic town of Lahaina and sending residents fleeing to safety. Our Sarah Matusek shares how memories of Lahaina live on in two survivors — and in freshly inked skin. Also, today’s stories, including: the first Republican presidential debate, How India won the race to the moon’s south pole, how preparation paid off for California when Tropical Storm Hilary struck. Join the Monitor's Stephen Humphries and Ken Kaplan for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.