As It Happens

As It Happens: Friday Edition

Jan. 3, 2019

Full Episode Transcript

Part One

Iran: Soleimani killed
U.S. President Donald Trump said, "we did not take action to start a war". But Iran's promise of "severe revenge" suggests he did just that, by killing the country's most powerful military commander. 

Iran: U.S.
U.S. officials say the attack that killed Qassem Soleimani was pre-emptive — but our guest believes it had more to do with domestic politics than a foreign threat. 

Australia fires: wildlife
Nearly half a billion animals have died in the Australia bushfires — and one wildlife rescuer says it's grim even for those saved from the flames. 

Part Two

Farm to Nature plan
The U.K.'s former top environmental advisor, Sir Ian Boyd, says half of British farmland needs to go in order to save the planet.

Democracy study
Western governments have long behaved as though you can put democracy in place without first putting democratic values in place — but a new study suggests that's exactly backwards. 

Christmas tree canes
U.S. Army veteran Jamie Willis of Texas makes walking sticks for his fellow vets out of Christmas trees — and thanks to his neighbours, he's embarking on debarking hundreds of them. 

Part Three

Encore feature: Greenwood author Michael Christie
An encore broadcast of Carol's interview with Canadian author Michael Christie. His novel, Greenwood, tells the story of one family — and their complicated relationships with trees.