The Christian Science Monitor Daily Podcast

So … what defines or describes America today? The Monitor’s Clay Collins asked for your thoughts. Some of you responded. Also: today’s stories, including Kyrsten Sinema’s bombshell announcement, prisoners of war in the Russia-Ukraine war, and Peruvian democracy. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

In Somalia, a combined force of clan militias and government security units are making gains against the jihadist group Al Shabab despite struggles to maintain unity. Also in today’s stories: China’s abrupt reversal of its draconian zero-COVID policy has suddenly put virus suppression in the hands of the populous, changing water conditions the Mississippi River are having unexpected consequences on shipping, and a Monitor editor discusses how she reports on small-scale solutions to big problems. Join the Monitor’s Stephen Humphries and Ken Kaplan for today’s news.

In the end, hope was the hardest thing to hold on to. Basketball superstar Brittney Griner was detained by Russia nearly 10 months ago. Today, Brittney Griner is heading home. Also: today’s stories, including the Supreme Court hearing arguments for a case that could change how elections are run, museum workers seeking a stronger voice, and a review of ‘Matilda’. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Clara Germani for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been a force of near-mythic proportions. But his being benched at the World Cup might bring some humility – one skill he has not yet had to hone. Also: today’s stories, including the Justice Department’s Mar-a-Lago investigation, a new economic plan for Jordanian youth, and one of classical music’s biggest breakout stars in years. Join the Monitor’s Mark Sappenfield and JJ Wahlberg for today’s news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

For makers of war and dark fantasy games, a rare moment of peace has broken out for some of the game creators themselves. Microsoft is allowing employees at its ZeniMax Online unit to decide for themselves whether to unionize. Also: today’s stories, including rebuilding after flooding in Pakistan’s Sindh state, the drive to create more Indigenous-administered police forces in Canada, and the efforts of Gullah Geechee descendants to preserve their ancestor’s land. Join the Monitor’s Laurent Belsie and Ali Martin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Excellence in a positive endeavor is always worth celebrating. Linda Feldmann, the Monitor’s Washington Bureau Chief, tells how she learned to love the World Cup. To me, it’s mostly not about the game itself, it’s about the players. Also: today’s stories, including the runoff in Georgia, Russia’s crackdown on dissent, and protecting children in Ukraine. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

As President Biden weighs switching up the Democratic nominating schedule for the 2024 election, voters in New Hampshire and Iowa — who are typically first to pick a candidate — consider their states' roles in the democratic process. Also in today’s stories: The Chinese government’s zero-COVID policy begins to crack under pressure, a shift in the demographics of American mass shooters spark questions about who should be allowed to purchase firearms, and NATO’s unwavering support for Ukraine raises security concerns for some. Join the Monitor’s Linda Feldmann and Stephen Humphries for today’s news.

As the year closes, Fahad Shah, editor of The Kashmir Walla newspaper and a Monitor correspondent who was arrested in February, remains in jail. Next week, on Dec. 9, a bail hearing in another of Mr. Shah’s cases will be heard in a Jammu court. Also: today’s stories, including the debate on whether Europe should open their doors to travelers from Russia, cooperation in Israel’s government, and one village’s struggle to rebuild after a storm. Join the Monitor's Amelia Newcomb and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

If politics makes strange bedfellows, economics sometimes forces them to exchange pajamas. Also: today’s stories, including a Somali man’s resilience after jihadist attacks, a Florida town built to withstand extreme weather, and the rise of a young far-right leader in France.

Lavialle Campbell has been an artist for as long as she can remember. At 5, she would get her work done in school so she could go outside and paint a brick wall with water. At 7, she was collecting seed beads for small projects. Art got her through childhood illnesses, and, in adulthood, two bouts with cancer. Also: today’s stories, including why FTX’s collapse doesn’t have to mean the end of cryptocurrency, reducing the human impact on the natural world, and the taming presence of house plants. Join the Monitor's Ali Martin and Sara Lang for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.