As It Happens: Monday Edition

Part One

Beijing smog alert
In Beijing, residents deal with a level of air pollution we can't imagine, but now they're trying to imagine how much worse it can get -- because the city has issued its first-ever red alert for smog.

Kidney transplant
When her sister arrives from Syria as a refugee, Janet Machtoub of Edmonton will be relieved -- first, that her sister is safe; and second, that she'll give Janet a kidney. 

Robbed teacher
After a BC schoolteacher's car was broken into, she confronted the thief at a nearby Tims -- and wound up giving him a hug. 

Part Two

NY Daily News editor
Even before the massacre in San Bernardino, the New York Daily News was wearing its politics on its front page -- but now, it's putting its gun-control message front and centre. 

Gander musical
You know the story of how Gander, Newfoundland hosted thousands of airline passengers on September 11th, 2001. But you've probably never imagined that story would become a stage musical called "Come From Away", and be a huge hit in Seattle. 

Part Three

French election
The party's initial strategy was to win. But yesterday, France's Socialist Party was trounced by the National Front, so it's changed its strategy: now it's doing whatever it can to stop any further gains by the far right. 

Reading: Bone Button Borscht
The start of Hanukkah means one thing here at As It Happens: the beautiful bestowal of a brilliant book, brought to us by Barbara Budd: "Bone Button Borscht".