The Christian Science Monitor Daily Podcast

A video that surfaced last week shows soldiers marching down a highway in Peru’s south, singing an anti-terrorist anthem with gusto. As the soldiers pass, protesters on barren highway shoulders reply, “We are not terrorists! We are campesinos!” Also: today’s stories, including changes in U.S. education as families leave public schools, how children are faring in the aftermath of Turkey’s earthquake, and a cafe in India run by female survivors of acid attacks. Join the Monitor’s Howard LaFranchi, Ali Martin, and Kendra Nordin Beato for today’s news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Peter Grier says, the U.S. Air Force downing four objects floating over North America, is a story beyond the bounds of anything I have ever encountered. So what is going on? Also: today’s stories, including, the earthquake in Turkey rocked rebel-held northwest Syria as well, Prisoners released from Nicaragua to the U.S. must confront the limitations of what they can accomplish from afar. Generation Z is stepping up in national politics and state legislature – and in this small Arkansas town. Instead of heading away to college, 18-year-old Jaylen Smith ran for mayor, and won. Join the Monitor's Mark Trumbull and Troy Sambajon for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Yesterday’s Super Bowl was all about belonging.

Offering something for everyone, the National Football League orchestrated dozens of activities for the host community: laptop giveaways, tree plantings, a veterans night. Also: today’s stories, including an Arizona community that symbolizes West’s water woes, Who goes to jail over classified docs – and who doesn’t, and Women's Ice fishing in North America. Join the Monitor's Angela Wang and Ali Martin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

In many ways, Tuesday’s State of the Union address was business as usual. President Joe Biden made the customary assertion that “the state of the union is strong.” He crowed about accomplishments and laid out an agenda for the next two years – with his expected reelection campaign as subtext. Also: today’s stories, including, anti-regime protests in Iran’s Islamic Republic, blackouts in South Africa cast shadow onto the ruling political party, and another Chinese spy balloon was shot down on Friday, U.S. officials are revealing what they’ve learned. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann and Troy Sambajon for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

NBA superstar LeBron James, one of the league’s most durable and respected players, broke a longstanding scoring record on Tuesday. But as columnist Ken Makin writes for us today, Mr. James’ brand and ethos are about something much greater than sports. Also: today’s stories, including violence in Israel and unchanging security policies, true commitment when tackling world disasters, and the pandemic offering more time to reflect on the spaces we inhabit. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Dominique Soguel, a Monitor special correspondent, has made many reporting trips into the areas of Turkey and Syria affected by this week’s massive earthquake. She made phone calls with a Syrian friend in the aftermath to check up on people. What she found: communities tenacious about the work of rescue and recovery – and in need of more help from the global community. Also: today’s stories, including Afghan women facing Taliban violence, how U.S. citizens can sponsor refugees, and a Cambodian circus helping to break the cycle of poverty. Join the Monitor's Laurent Belsie, Dominique Soguel, and JJ Wahlberg for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Sara Miller Llana reports in today’s Daily on a community’s effort to find forgiveness amid grief five years after a tragic incident on a Canadian roadway. Up first: Sara’s very personal story behind the reporting. Also: today’s stories, including: Can Joe Biden win back Americans’ confidence?, a graphic on the devastation and aid from the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, and why, amid economic embargo, India and other countries continue economic trade with Russia. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins and Ali Martin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

A survey by Pew Research Center said many mothers found parenting a lot harder than expected. What are the most common concerns for new mothers?

Also: today’s stories, including: How a mysterious balloon derailed US-China talks, Do Americans have a right to fix their own stuff?, and the power of peace in Iran’s protests

Join the Monitor's Amelia Newcomb and Ken Kaplan for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

A spy balloon over Montana? Really? Really, according to the Pentagon. United States officials say a big white object now drifting in the stratosphere over Western states is a Chinese espionage airship. Also: today’s stories, including: the killing of Tyre Nichols shows for policing change then culture needs to change too, the declining wage gap signaling pre-pandemic trends, and reporting on a U.S. push to lift teacher pay. It’s a high-stakes story of equality and fairness. Join the Monitor's Peter Grier and Clara Germani for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

On Wednesday, the College Board released its official curriculum for a new Advanced Placement course in African American studies. Some conservatives balked at proposals for the class, mostly around hot topics like Black Lives Matter and Black queer life. Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, said he’d ban the class. The College Board’s final plan largely skirts those issues. Also: today’s stories, including a look at Ukraine’s economy, concerns around unjustified violence regarding police, and NATO managing ties. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Sara Lang for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.