Podcast
As It Happens
Hosted by CBC · EN
News that’s not afraid of fun. Meet people at the centre of the day’s most hard-hitting, hilarious and heartbreaking stories — powerful leaders, proud eccentrics and ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. And plenty of puns too. Hosted by Nil Köksal and Chris Howden, find out why As It Happens is one of Canada’s longest-running and most beloved shows. (Ahem, we literally helped make the beaver a national symbol.)
New episodes Monday to Friday by 7:30 pm E.T.
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Episodes
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Conservative Finance Critic Jasraj Hallan
Apr 2801:05:12Tap to summarizeThe Liberal government is painting a rosy picture of Canada's financial situation — but we'll ask the Conservative finance critic for his assessment of the spring economic statement. There's a lot of talk about petitions and referendums on the subject of Alberta separating from Canada — but a new poll of Albertans suggests that actual support for the idea remains tepid. A winner in this year’s World Press Photo Contest tells us about her work documenting labour abuses in Saudi Arabia — including a mother and her daughter who was forced to live for years without legally existing.A colleague remembers American diplomat Lionel Rosenblatt — who led an unsanctioned trip to Vietnam in the last days of the war, to get hundreds of Vietnamese civilians safely out. A Winnipeg woman was mid-chat with friends not far from her house when she suddenly found herself armpit-deep underground. She'll share the hole story.A group of customers sue Trader Joe's after a discovery that made them angry and sleepy: they learned the store had sold them half-caf coffee without divulging that it was half-caf.As It Happens, the Tuesday Edition. Radio that figures you can stir that coffee — but it won't stir you.
Transcribe →This economist sees a big problem with Carney’s latest idea
Apr 2701:03:44Tap to summarizeAn economist casts a skeptical eye on the federal government's new sovereign wealth fund — and critics who are calling it a "debt fund" may have a point.The King has made the first official royal visit to the U.S. in 20 years and our guest tells us the monarch has his work cut out for him as a guest of the unpredictable American president. A Washington Post reporter who was at the White House Correspondents' Dinner when a gunman entered the building says she's been processing what happened by digging into how it happened.Classical music fans around the world are heartbroken at the death of American conductor Michael Tilson Thomas. A fellow at the training orchestra he founded describes his profound impact. Researchers witness a peaceful transfer of power from one naked mole rat queen to another, upending the assumption that such successions are always violent affairs. A group of Alberta researchers determine that the sensation that makes you feel your house is haunted may be caused by groaning pipes rather than vengeful phantoms.As It Happens, the Monday Edition. Radio that's glad they finished their séance project.
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Special Episode: "Code of Misconduct"
Apr 2500:27:56Tap to summarizeNil Köksal speaks with Rick Westhead about the documentary "Code of Misconduct" which follows his reporting that led to the trial — and eventual acquittal — of members of Canada's National Junior hockey team, as well as his attempt to figure out what has gone wrong in Canada's national sport.
Transcribe →Does Major League Baseball make sense for Vancouver?
Apr 2400:50:11Tap to summarizeVancouver’s mayor makes the pitch for a Major League Baseball team in his city -- and responds to critics who say the idea will remain in the Field of Dreams.On Wednesday, Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday. A colleague tells us she never stopped doing work she believed in, even in the face of threats. The family of a 19-year-old Nova Scotian was shocked to learn hospital staff sent him to a homeless shelter less than a day after he attempted suicide.A Nigerian scientist tells us about her shock and delight at receiving the prize known as the "Green Nobel" for her work protecting a species of endangered bats. Comedian Tim Heidecker has played any number of bloviating buffoons over the years -- and if The Onion manages to take over the conspiracy site InfoWars, he could have one of his juiciest roles yet. When you're using Tinder, it helps to be a real people person -- by which I mean Tinder will now allow you to scan your eyeball to prove you're a person who's people -- and not AI.As It Happens, the Friday edition. Radio that's glad they're giving power to the pupil.
Transcribe →Steven Guilbeault on Alberta, Ottawa and the climate stakes
Apr 2301:01:55Tap to summarizeThe former climate change minister says the impending energy deal between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith will either bolster Canada’s climate commitments -- or ignore them, at our peril. The Bloc Québécois used to hold considerable sway in House of Commons committees, but the party's house leader Christine Normandin says the Liberals are using their new majority to an unfortunate advantage. Canada was the first country to designate the extremist network 764 as a terrorist group -- and now a 26-year-old Quebec man is facing terrorism charges. We remember the late Iris Long, who became a vocal advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS -- and helped speed up approvals for life-saving treatments.A court in Japan sentences a man to 18 months in prison -- because he posted ridiculously thorough spoilers for a movie about a certain giant mutant lizard. And...it's like "The Pitt", except nothing happens and the doctors are moose. Millions of viewers are glued to the round-the-clock livestream of the epically slow, undramatic Swedish moose migration. As It Happens, the Thursday Edition. Radio that suggests you just absorb it through os-moose-iss.
Transcribe →Afghans who helped Americans could face “certain death”
Apr 2200:57:41Tap to summarizeHundreds of Afghans risked their lives to help U.S. Forces fight the Taliban. Now, they're being told the U.S. may send them back to Afghanistan...or to Congo. An American vet tells us that's a grave injustice.In the face of a crackdown on protest, young activists in Madagascar worry that the new regime they fought for is as bad as the old one ... or worse. It's not the first time flooding has forced the people of Peguis First Nation out of their homes -- but one resident tells us that this year, the community is newly prepared.A Nunavut man got stranded in a blizzard on the way to a volleyball tournament, walked through the snow for days -- and still managed to go home with the trophy. We unpack the culinary mystery that is the 'Steak Canadian' sandwich -- a British delicacy that one Yorkshire restaurant owner tells us is the absolute best thing few Canadians have ever tasted.An investigation of a collision between two South Korean fighter jets reveals the likely cause: each fortunately uninjured pilot was taking a picture of the other pilot's aircraft. As It Happens, the Wednesday Edition. Radio that knows what it's like to regret a snap decision.
Transcribe →What’s behind the “slopaganda” pushing Alberta separatism?
Apr 2100:58:38Tap to summarizeResearchers have identified YouTube accounts starring people purporting to be Albertans, making the case for separation. But it turns out those content creators have never set foot in Wild Rose Country.Former Conservative Party leader Erin O'Toole tells us what he's bringing to the table, as the Prime Minister convenes a new council on Canada-U.S. economic relations. Donald Trump will attend the White House Correspondents’ dinner this week, with a room full of journalists he's maligned for years. One of whom hopes her colleagues aren't mealy-mouthed at the meal. In 1907, Tom Longboat made history as the first Indigenous winner of the Boston marathon. Now his great-great grandson is trying to match his winning time. Bruce the parrot has gained the upper hand in his flock despite having lost his upper beak -- and because of what he's learned to do with his lower one.An "endless shrimp" promotion nearly sunk Red Lobster -- but now, a similar deal is back, and restaurant staff could not be more seasick about it. As It Happens, the Tuesday Edition. Radio that's always skeptical of grand prawn-ouncements.
Transcribe →He negotiated a nuclear deal with Iran. Trump tore it up.
Apr 2000:50:07Tap to summarizeThe seizure of an Iranian ship by the U.S. military throws the next round of peace talks into question. And Rob Malley, lead negotiator for the 2015 nuclear deal, tells us if JD Vance should even bother packing his bags. The owner of a gas station in Newfoundland and Labrador tells us customers are thrilled to see prices drop -- now that Ottawa has suspended the excise fuel tax until Labour Day.The U.S. government opens its online portal for tariff refunds; one business owner says the process was smooth -- but he won't relax until he actually gets the enormous sum he believes he's owed. A new study on anglerfish reveals a dual purpose for the lures that protrude from their foreheads -- and suggests at least some of those appendages are for attracting mates. Our guest knitted a Blue Jays sweater during last year's playoff run, and now it's headed to the Canadian Museum of History. She'll tells us how it went from a ball of yarn -- to a heritage moment.After an airborne bandit is photographed with stolen treasure in the UK, someone comes forward to say he doesn't know the thieving bird -- but he does recognize the sausage rolls it's holding.As It Happens, the Monday Edition. Radio that's always ready to drop a banger or two.
Transcribe →The human toll of a labour dispute in Nova Scotia
Apr 1701:01:47Tap to summarizeWith long-term care workers in Nova Scotia on strike, a woman whose father is in one of those facilities says the province needs to understand how crucial those workers are to families like hers. Anthropic says its new AI model is so good it poses a grave cybersecurity risk. Our guest says its hard to separate the truth from the hype when most of the information is coming from the company itself.A conservationist shares his concern after the US Senate votes to end a moratorium on new mining projects in an enormous watershed near the Minnesota-Ontario border. We'll hear from a Quebec man who made the decision to follow some smoke to its source -- and ended up saving five people from a house fire. A Houston ice-cream shop owner tells us customers are raving about a seasonal favourite: crawfish-flavoured ice cream, which comes with a full-sized crustacean on top.Air New Zealand introduces bunk beds on economy flights, with a couple of caveats -- one of which is: no couples. As It Happens, the Friday Edition. Radio that warns romantic pairs: you'll be separated at berth.
Transcribe →A rare win for fans in the battle over ticket prices
Apr 1601:06:05Tap to summarizeA frustrated ticket-buyer who testified at the Live Nation antitrust trial says she was genuinely shocked that a jury found the company does have a harmful monopoly on concert venues, but it's music to her ears. There's tension between the Vatican and the White House after Pope Leo comes out as pro-peace and anti-tyrant — and U.S. President Donald Trump says the Pope "should get his act together". The National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations says her members need more than contrition from the RCMP for surveilling Indigenous people. Cindy Woodhouse-Nepinak tells us the police, and CSIS, need to hand over all of the unredacted files.A 91-year-old peace activist walks across Ireland to protest the American military's use of an airport in Shannon — which she says is a direct violation of Irish neutrality. A church in a small British village that rivals the leaning tower of Pisa for its slanted spire also has crooked floors — and the congregation is inclined to do something about it. Millions of years ago, the state of Maryland was teeming with megalodons — and now, lawmakers there have just designated that gigantic, terrifying, fortunately extinct creature the official state shark.As It Happens, the Thursday Edition. Radio that hopes it doesn’t come back to bite them.
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