As It Happens

What Stephen Lewis meant to activism in Africa

Stephen Lewis tackled global issues such as poverty, AIDS and children in armed conflict. An African activist remembers her friend’s "fiery" passion for justice -- and his ability to connect with anyone to bring about change. A member of the Knesset shares her objection to a new law that allows for the hanging of Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis -- legislation that doesn't apply to Israelis who commit similar crimes. As NASA prepares to send the first Canadian to the moon, fellow astronaut Joshua Kutryk shares his excitement about that journey -- and what could come next.Derek Sheely died after suffering a head injury during a college football practice. Now his mom is raising awareness by modifying a popular NFL video game to replicate what it’s like to play after a big hit. A fourteen-year-old hockey player and a former NHLer pay tribute to the Dawson City Nuggets' attempt at a Stanley Cup victory, by transporting the trophy to a local tournament by dogsled. A Wisconsin petting zoo owner describes the three-day rescue effort after her adolescent kangaroo escaped, despite a 2-and-a-half-metre-high fence.As It Happens, the Tuesday edition. Radio that senses it was a roo'd awakening.

Two takes on the NDP’s new leader

Avi Lewis marks his first full day at the helm of the NDP. A longtime strategist tells us why he thinks this puts the party back on a path to power...but not everyone is convinced. We reach Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi who says the new leader has a lot of work to do...especially in western Canada. Donald Trump says the US is making "great progress" in negotiations with Iran. But with talk of a looming ground invasion, a professor in Qatar tells us what's likely happening behind the scenes. We'll reach a food bank in Moose Jaw that says steadily rising visits have forced it to take a step it never wanted to. As gas prices hit new highs around the world, two Australian states respond by giving transit users a free ride. Nestle wants consumers to be on the lookout after some sticky-fingered thieves make off with over four hundred thousand Kit Kats in a brazen candy heist. As It Happens, the Monday Edition. Radio that thinks, one way or another, we'll see the perpetrators behind bars.

Which path will the NDP choose?

After a crushing defeat in last year's elections, the NDP are about to choose a new leader; a party strategist tells us each of the apparent front-runners offers New Democrats a different path forward. Because of a partial government shutdown, American airport security workers haven't been paid since mid-February. Now politicians say paycheques are on the way. Our guest says she'll believe it when she sees it. A new bill threatens to roll back transgender rights in India. The founder of an LGBTQ+ organization there tells us her community isn't about to let that happen without a fight. Scientists capture rare video footage of a sperm whale giving birth -- and discover that the whale's family and friends were there to help out. A resident of Annapolis, Maryland, tells us her community's unusual way of celebrating spring will really knock your socks off -- and then set them on fire. The mayor of Ottawa posted a photo of a city park on the brink of spring -- but critics, of whom there are many, think it looks more like a hellscape on the brink of the apocalypse.As It Happens, the Friday Edition. Radio that guesses he thought "Ottawa" -- but they thought he ought not-awa.

Is the tide turning against social media giants in court?

A U.S. jury finds Meta and YouTube designed their products to be addictive. I'll speak with a woman whose daughter died by suicide -- in part, she says, because of what she saw when she scrolled. For the first time in decades, Canada has met its defence spending target. Former army commander Andrew Leslie tells us this kind of support is past due -- and the work is far from over. We've got an all-dressed, two-for-one, double-decker feast of tales about the sandwich-obsessed city of Philadelphia. First: roll reversal. We hear from a bestselling romance author who's in trouble because one of her characters commits the cardinal sin of calling a sandwich from a Philadelphia chain a "sub" rather than a "hoagie." And...high steaks. The only way to rescue the words "world's longest airport line" is to follow them immediately with "made entirely of cheese steaks"; we'll hear from the folks in Philly who made that dream a reality.As It Happens, the Thursday edition. Radio that gives you plenty to chew on.

A former Lebanese politician on his country’s predicament

Israel announces plans to occupy part of Southern Lebanon, and Hezbollah vows to continue fighting “without limits.” A former Lebanese minister tells us his people are caught in the middle -- and paying a heavy price.Ontario's education minister tells schools to make sure that graduation ceremonies contain no "political views." A Toronto school board trustee says the minister is tackling an imaginary problem. A Canadian woman and her seven-year-old daughter are still in ICE custody after more than ten days. Her mother tells us she wouldn't wish this on anybody. A former student remembers a groundbreaking Canadian primatologist who changed the way we see and understand orangutans ... and ourselves. The people of a very small Texas town would appreciate it if people would stop stealing all their signs -- no matter how much the thieves are delighted by the fact that the town is called Bug Tussle.A German handball team is filled with angst after someone steals the silver plate they were awarded for winning the championship -- but then they find it in the weirdest place, and crack the trophy case themselves.As It Happens, the Wednesday Edition. Radio that hopes they appreciated those stolen moments.