The Current

Six years ago, Donna Gustafson was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer one of the deadliest cancers. Today, she's cancer-free. She’'s one of 16 patients in an early clinical trial testing a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine designed to train the immune system to recognize and fight cancer.We hear from Donna and from the doctor leading the research, Dr. Vinod Balachandran, about what these early — but encouraging — results could mean. And we speak to Dr. Ramy Saleh, Associate Professor at McGill University, on how similar research is taking shape in Canada.

Duration:00:24:12

Got an idea for a new emoji? What it takes to make the cut

Unicode is taking pitches for emojis. Graphic designer Jennifer Daniel helps decide which ones make it. She says a successful emoji should have multiple meanings. Sorry aerial tramway ;)

Duration:00:15:28

Testimony of residential school survivors is about to be destroyed

The most comprehensive archive of what happened at Canadian residential schools is about to be destroyed after a 2017 Supreme Court ruling to protect survivors privacy. Now Pulitzer and Peabody-winning journalist Connie Walker is creating a new public archive to preserve survivor accounts.

Duration:00:12:23

Negotiating CUSMA – what’s at stake?

We hear from two members of the Prime Minister’s advisory council chosen to help on CUSMA negotiations in July. Former conservative cabinet member Lisa Raitt and the president of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Denis Darby take us through what’s at stake for Canadians.

Duration:00:19:37

Sudan Through the Lens: The Stories Behind the War

As Sudan's war enters its fourth year, much of the story is told in numbers, millions displaced, thousands killed. But photojournalist Abdulmonam Eassa is trying to show something else. He's spent years documenting Sudan, from the hope of the 2019 revolution to the devastation of today's conflict. His latest work, “War in Sudan: A Trapped Nation,”just earned him a World Press Photo award. He takes us behind the images on what's described as the world's forgotten war.

Duration:00:11:33

Can red light therapy really reverse aging?

It was once in NASA laboratories. Now, it's part of your nighttime routine. Red light therapy has become a booming industry, with popular products like face masks and red light panels claiming to have the ability to treat anything from wrinkles to cancer. But does science back this up?

Duration:00:16:05

Why some women are choosing to “freebirth”

Mistrust in the medical system and barriers to access maternity care in rural communities has some women turning to ‘freebirth’ — giving birth without the support of doctors and registered midwives. On Vancouver Island, a court case is highlighting a divide in the birthing community after a freebirth activist was accused of manslaughter in the death of a newborn in a home birth she allegedly attended.

Duration:00:22:54

Should high school students get a grade for attendance?

With absenteeism rates on the rise, Ontario is trying to get kids back to class -- but making it count toward their final grade in high school. But which students will this help? And who will be left behind?

Duration:00:19:32

Fareed Zakaria on the US’ moral decline

It's been seven weeks since the United States and Israel launched a coordinated bombing campaign against Iran. Fareed Zakaria tells Matt Galloway that the US's lack of coherent plan, moral bankruptcy and dubious legal standing in the Iran war have made it and the world more dangerous.

Duration:00:20:08

Canada's energy minister on a future pipeline

Tim Hodgson, federal energy and natural resources minister, weighs in on economic uncertainty surrounding the global energy crisis, financial relief for Canadians, building major projects, and the prospect of an Alberta-backed pipeline that is already facing pushback in British Columbia.

Duration:00:19:42

Doug Ford’s “gravy plane” irks Ontario voters

Just days after Ontario announced it had purchased a $28.9 million private jet for Premier Doug Ford, the province is now trying to sell it. The decision to buy the jet sparked backlash, with critics calling it tone deaf at a time when many Canadians are struggling with the cost of living. But others argue a plane like this could help a leader do their job more effectively, especially in a province as large as Ontario.

Duration:00:13:49

How dangerous is it to stream music and drive?

U.S. researchers looked at what happens to drivers on the days that major album releases drop, from artists like Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift. And they found that traffic fatalities increased by nearly 15 percent. We talk to Dr Vishal Patel of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School about what the findings mean -- and what they can tell us about exactly what distracts us when we're driving.

Duration:00:12:26

Jeremy Hansen on his trip around the moon

4/20/2026

After making history as the first Canadian travelling beyond Earth's orbit, Jeremy Hansen reflects on the experience, and what he's learned pushing the boundaries of human exploration.

Duration:00:17:15

Waterloo’s water shortage a warning bell for Canadian communities

4/20/2026

Most new development in Waterloo, Ontario has been put on hold because the region doesn't have enough water infrastructure for future projects. How this is a warning bell for other communities across Canada.

Duration:00:24:19

Why your attention span is trash and what you can do about it

4/20/2026

Can't concentrate? What about thinking deeply? Attention spans are shrinking rapidly. Cal Newport, a professor of computer science at Georgetown University and the author of the bestselling book 'Deep Work' says we're facing a crisis -- an attack on our ability to think. He's calling for what he calls a revolution in defence of thinking. He outlines the steps for reclaiming your attention.

Duration:00:24:32

Artemis II inspires: the ripple effects of the moon mission

As the Artemis II mission wraps up, its impact is still being felt here on Earth. From classrooms to rocket clubs, a new generation is looking up and imagining themselves in space. We hear from Dhyan Soni, a Grade 12 student already building rockets and dreaming big about Canada's future in space. And later, Canadian astrophysicist Sara Seager helps us understand where this renewed excitement for space could lead next

Duration:00:17:48

Will the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire hold?

Gregg Carlstrom, The Economist's Middle East correspondent breaks down what we know and don't know about the delicate Israel-Lebanon ceasefire that was announced by US President Donald Trump.

Duration:00:07:28

How has war punctured Dubai’s image

The attacks on Dubai over the past month and a half have shaken the Gulf city's reputation as a safe haven in a volatile region. The dazzling skyline with 200-storey towers have been a huge draw for expats, tourists, influencers and the ultra rich. CBC's Megan Williams looks into what the future holds for Dubai, in the wake of missile and drone attacks from Iran.

Duration:00:17:09

Is cohousing the life hack you've been looking for?