The Christian Science Monitor Daily Podcast

Israeli attitudes toward U.S. President Donald Trump, once seen as the nation’s savior, have shifted dramatically. The initial U.S.-Iran ceasefire deal is already seen as a blow to Israel’s strategy and standing, and the backlash on the Israeli right has been harsh.

Also: today’s stories, including how controversy over the Washington Reflecting Pool are being shaped by politics; how the Trump administration is taking a more traditional approach to U.S. policy in dealings with Lebanon and Israel; and how an impressive World Cup run by Africa is inspiring international fans.

Join the Monitor's Chris Sherman for today's news.

The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected President Donald Trump’s order ending birthright citizenship as unconstitutional. The audacious order was linked to the president's wider effort to curtail illegal and legal immigration.

Also: today’s stories, including how Venezuelans jumped to respond to two recent earthquakes, prepared by years of institutional decline; how Ukraine’s drone attacks are making Russia feel more pain; and how at a South African Dog School, children gain a sense of achievement caring for their canines.

Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.

In a pair of rulings, the Supreme Court expanded the president’s ability to fire officials at agencies with purview over things like nuclear technology and consumer safety, while preserving the independence of the Federal Reserve.

Also: today’s stories, including how the U.S. House of Representatives may pass legislation to protect kids online; why South Korean leaders are looking to expand their horizons beyond the country’s reliance on the U.S.; and a look at how the Mexican sport of padel is growing among Britons.

Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

The authorities in Venezuela say that foreign search-and-rescue teams are arriving to help with the aftermath of two major earthquakes. But Venezuelans are relying on one another right now, because many are skeptical of their government’s ability to respond.

Also: today’s stories, including how Russian studies are coming back at some Ukrainian universities under the philosophy of “to defeat a stronger enemy, one needs to fully understand them”; a look at the stories of two close friends facing difficult decisions to repatriate or stay in South Africa last month amid growing threats of violence against migrants; and how reenactors in Massachusetts are seeking out artisans with mastery of historic garments for America’s 250th anniversary.

Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

In a pair of immigration rulings Thursday, the court held that the law permits the government to turn away asylum-seekers on the Mexico side of the U.S. border and end temporary protected status for Haitians and Syrians living in the United States.

Also: today’s stories, including a look at cultural exchange during the World Cup; our columnist’s examination of Britain’s governability after the ouster of Prime Minister Keir Starmer; and how the Philippines is reconsidering nuclear power.

Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.

The Mississippi River still captures the imagination, though it is today meticulously managed to ensure the flow of a nation’s commerce. Changing conditions make that a constant effort, reflecting America's economic growth and transformation.

Also: today’s stories, including how the legal principle of birthright citizenship, which isn't unique to the U.S, still stands across most of the Americas; how voters are expressing their opposition to the construction of data centers in local elections across the U.S.; and how an annual festival in Cambridge, Massachusetts, instills the idea that dance is for everyone, regardless of ability.

Join the Monitor's Stephanie Hanes for today's news.

As Israelis prepare for fall elections, Gadi Eisenkot is surging in polls to edge out Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The retired general’s security credentials and perceived integrity appear to resonate with voters exhausted by war and division.

Also: today’s stories, including a look at the impact of falling birthrates in Southeast Asia; why a federal judge ruled that state-level bans on SNAP benefits for junk food are in violation of federal law; and the resurgence of the typewriter community in a digital world.

Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

Could the Trump-Vance administration reach détente with Iran? That would run against the views that President Trump himself espoused in going to war, but the administration is eager for a peace deal and voices optimism about the talks.

Also: today’s stories, including what U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s resignation means as the seventh to leave the position in the past decade; what impacts the latest farm bill could have on the U.S.; and how a non-profit café in Illinois is helping youth experiencing hardship find success.

Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

The temporary ceasefire agreement reached between the U.S. and Iran is meant to end the war, reopen vital shipping lanes in the Gulf, and address Iran’s nuclear ambitions – at a later time. It includes big economic incentives for Tehran and comes up short on President Donald Trump’s stated goals for starting the war in the first place.

Also: today’s stories, including our columnist’s thoughts on how President Trump and President Putin are handling their respective wars; how one woman in Missouri is preserving Black history along Route 66; and an essay from our staff photographer on how persistence, humanity, and instant connection create lasting joy during a recent trip to Côte d’Ivoire.

Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.

A series of dominoes might be starting to fall that could lead to Andy Burnham becoming the next prime minister of the United Kingdom. But first, he has to win Thursday’s by-election in the constituency of Makerfield. That’s not guaranteed.

Also: today’s stories, including how rapid advances in artificial intelligence models raise questions about national security; how the G7 summit shows Europe’s enduring desire to work with the United States; and how the newly opened Obama Center pilots a community model.

Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.