Trump peace plan, Ottawa loan for Algoma, cannabis painkiller, and more

Summary

Your World Tonight – Monday, September 29, 2025 CBC News Podcast with Hosts Susan Bonner & Stephanie Skenderis

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Episode Overview

This episode covers some of the most significant stories in Canadian and world news, including:

• Donald Trump’s newly unveiled Middle East peace plan and skepticism about its viability
• The Canadian government’s half-a-billion-dollar loan to Algoma Steel and the challenges facing the Canadian steel industry
• The expiration of a federal hotel housing program for asylum seekers and its fallout
• Attempts to right a decades-old miscarriage of justice for a Manitoba Indigenous man
• Canada’s designation of the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist organization
• Aftermath of a deadly attack in Michigan targeting a Mormon church
• New research on a cannabis-based medication offering potential relief for chronic back pain
• The Toronto Blue Jays' American League East win and celebratory reactions

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump's Middle East Peace Plan: High Hopes, Deep Skepticism

• [00:50 - 05:08]
  • US President Donald Trump announces a new, 20-point Middle East peace proposal, aiming for a ceasefire and a pathway to Palestinian statehood—promising “eternal peace in the Middle East.”
  • The plan includes:
    • Immediate end to the Gaza war and hostage release within 72 hours
    • Gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces, followed by international administration
    • Future possibility of Palestinian-led government if stringent conditions are met
  • Trump claims support from Israel, some Arab nations, and the Palestinian Authority, but notably lacks buy-in from Hamas:

    “So now it’s time for Hamas to accept the terms of the plan that we’ve put forward today.” — Trump (03:18)

  • Trump threatens greater support for Israeli military action if Hamas rejects the deal, with Netanyahu indicating willingness to “finish the job by itself.”
  • Skepticism abounds as the Palestinian Islamic Jihad calls the plan a “recipe to blow up the region.” Hostage families and the public remain doubtful about the plan’s practicality.

2. Algoma Steel Loan: Pivoting in the Face of Tariffs

• [05:22 - 08:31]
  • Algoma Steel, Canada’s only independent steel maker, is hit hard by US tariffs; receives a combined $500 million loan from federal and Ontario governments.
  • CEO Michael Garcia on why the pivot to the Canadian market is essential:

    “Historically, 60% of our volume has been in the United States, but that’s now unviable.” (06:00)

  • The loan aims to modernize production by shifting from coil to structural beams—currently imported from the US.
  • Government and labor leaders frame the move as critical for Canadian sovereignty and economic security:

    “The steel industry is critical to the sovereignty of our nation and... now they’re starting to put some actions to their words.” — Bill Slater, President, United Steel Workers (07:40)

  • Algoma lost $110 million in Q2; the support is the first from the federal Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Program.

3. Federal Hotel Program for Asylum Seekers Ends

• [09:51 - 12:34]
  • Ottawa ends the temporary hotel housing program for asylum seekers started in 2018.
  • The loss of shelter leaves many vulnerable:

    “People who are remaining in these hotels are among the most vulnerable of asylum seekers in the country right now.” — Patti Lenard, University of Ottawa (10:41)

  • Shelters in key cities, including Toronto and Ottawa, are overflowing.
  • Municipalities warn of increasing homelessness, while community organizations scramble to support those displaced.

    “We can either stop sheltering refugees... or Torontonians will have to pay for it through their property taxes. Neither is fair.” — Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow (11:11)

4. Manitoba Manslaughter Case: Chance for Posthumous Exoneration

• [12:34 - 15:09]
  • The federal Minister of Justice has ordered a new appeal in the case of Russell Woodhouse, convicted of manslaughter more than 50 years ago and long claimed innocent.
  • His conviction, largely built on confessions in fluent English from Indigenous men (some of whom barely spoke it), is seen as an example of systemic racism.

    “The whole system engaged in systemic racism.” — James Lockyer, Innocence Canada (14:27)

  • This is the first time the Justice Minister has referred a deceased person’s case for review.

    “It’s been nice to be free after all these years.” — Clarence Woodhouse, exonerated co-accused (13:37)

  • The family and legal advocates hope this opens the door for more Indigenous wrongful conviction claims.

5. Saskatchewan's Apology and Settlement for Residential School Survivors

• [15:28 - 16:42]
  • Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe issues an official apology to survivors of the Isle La Crosse residential school and announces a $40.2 million provincial settlement.

    “We acknowledge the role of the Province of Saskatchewan... I apologize to you.” — Premier Scott Moe (15:28)

  • The federal government had already agreed to a $27 million settlement.

6. Canada Designates Bishnoi Gang as a Terrorist Organization

• [16:42 - 19:15]
  • Ottawa lists India’s Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity, citing violence and intimidation, particularly targeting Sikh activists.
  • Community reaction is mixed; some see it as overdue, others question the political motivations:

    “The designation... is something that the community has called for for a very long time.” — Balpreet Singh, World Sikh Organization (17:35) “The definition of terrorist activity... is motivated by ideology, politics or religion. There seems to be no evidence... in the government’s justification.” — Leah West, Carleton University (18:54–19:07)

  • The move coincides with a slight thaw in India–Canada relations after previous political tension.

7. Attack on Michigan Mormon Church

• [19:44 - 22:50]
  • Details of a deadly attack where a former Marine drove a pickup into a Michigan church, opened fire, and set the building ablaze.
  • The suspected gunman, Thomas Jacob Sanford, was killed by police; motive is still being investigated, but anti-Mormon sentiment is suspected.

    “Evil. This was an evil act of violence.” — Chief William Renney (20:56) “He did make the statement that ‘Mormons are the Antichrist’...” — Chris Johns, city council candidate (21:53)

  • Authorities warn against speculation as political and religious tensions are discussed on social media.

8. Cannabis Painkiller: A Potential Game-Changer for Chronic Back Pain

• [22:50 - 25:43]
  • A new German study, published in Nature Medicine, finds that a cannabis oil (containing THC) offers modest but meaningful relief for chronic back pain.

    “Compared to placebo, the patients reported a decrease in pain intensity not only over a period of 12 weeks... but also in the extension phase, almost 12 months.” — Dr. Winfried Meisner (23:43)

  • The effect (1.9-point reduction vs. 1.4 for placebo on a 10-point scale) is similar to current pain medications, with reported side effects of dizziness and fatigue, but no dependence or withdrawal.

    “Long term, pretty modest, pretty modest effect.” — Dr. Hans Clark, Toronto General Hospital (24:39) “There are some patients that are going to benefit to a degree that is important, but this paper doesn’t allow you to understand what that proportion is for physical function or for sleep quality.” — Jason Bussa, McMaster University (25:25)

  • Chronic pain sufferer Sarah Kim says movement and physiotherapy are her primary coping strategies but welcomes new options.

9. Toronto Blue Jays Clinch AL East, City Celebrates

• [25:56 - 27:31]
  • The Blue Jays win the American League East title for the first time in a decade.
  • Celebrations included Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow raising the team’s flag at City Hall.

    “Let’s go Blue Jays! Let’s go!” — Mayor Olivia Chow (26:06) “This is the best division in baseball. We win it first thing first. Let’s go get it.” — George Springer, Blue Jays player (27:03)

  • Players look forward to home-field advantage in the playoffs and more festivities.

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Memorable Quotes

• “So now it’s time for Hamas to accept the terms of the [peace] plan that we’ve put forward today.” — Donald Trump [03:18]
• “Historically, 60% of our volume has been in the United States, but that’s now unviable.” — Michael Garcia, CEO, Algoma [06:00]
• “We can either stop sheltering refugees... or Torontonians will have to pay for it through their property taxes. Neither is fair.” — Olivia Chow, Toronto Mayor [11:11]
• “It’s been nice to be free after all these years.” — Clarence Woodhouse, exonerated co-accused [13:37]
• “The designation... is something that the community has called for for a very long time.” — Balpreet Singh, World Sikh Organization [17:35]
• “Evil. This was an evil act of violence.” — Chief William Renney [20:56]
• “Compared to placebo, the patients reported a decrease in pain intensity... almost 12 months.” — Dr. Winfried Meisner [23:43]
• “Let’s go Blue Jays! Let’s go!” — Olivia Chow [26:06]

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Notable Segments by Timestamp

• Trump Peace Plan & Ceasefire Proposal: 00:50 – 05:08
• Algoma Steel Loan & Canadian Industry Challenges: 05:22 – 08:31
• Asylum Seeker Hotel Program Ending: 09:51 – 12:34
• Russell Woodhouse Posthumous Appeal: 12:34 – 15:09
• Saskatchewan’s Apology to Residential School Survivors: 15:28 – 16:42
• Bishnoi Gang Terrorist Designation: 16:42 – 19:15
• Michigan Church Attack: 19:44 – 22:50
• Cannabis-Based Pain Medication Study: 22:50 – 25:43
• Blue Jays Win & Celebration: 25:56 – 27:31

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This summary delivers a comprehensive snapshot of the episode’s major news coverage, highlighting critical quotes and providing context for listeners interested in Canadian and international affairs, health advances, and sports triumphs.

Transcript

[Susan Bonner]

The market's uncertain, revenues tight and hiring on hold.

[Peter Armstrong]

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[Susan Bonner]

It's not a rumor, but it's also not actually done. A comprehensive plan for a Mideast ceasefire and post war Gaza, backed by US President Donald Trump and unveiled alongside Israel's leader a 20 point proposal that's still missing one critical piece. Welcome to youo World Tonight. I'm Susan Bonner. It is Monday, September 29, just before 6pm Eastern. Also on the podcast Algoma must pivot.

[Peter Armstrong]

In its business model, but it does take us some time to get there and this loan that was announced today is a critical piece of that.

[Susan Bonner]

With Canada's only independent steel maker getting sunk by the weight of the US Trade war, a new federal loan isn't just aimed at keeping Algoma afloat. It's nearly half a billion dollars to help the company turn away from the American market towards Canadian consumers and fight for its future. Donald Trump says he's confident there will be peace in Gaza. There are questions whether it can happen anytime soon. Today he delivered his ceasefire proposal for the region and it lists a series of conditions and has Israel's support. What it doesn't have Buy in from Hamas. Sasha Petrusic has our top story tonight.

[Peter Armstrong]

And let's call it eternal peace in the Middle East. With a flourish that promised to end what he calls centuries of death and destruction. US President Donald Trump unveiled his peace plan endorsed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after a three hour meeting at the White House.

[Susan Bonner]

I support your plan to end the.

[Peter Armstrong]

War in Gaza which achieves our war aims. Trump's proposal calls for an immediate end of the Gaza the release of hostages within 72 hours. After that followed by a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces that would be followed by an international administration and peacekeeping force and maybe one day a government led by Palestinians themselves. A pathway to a Palestinian state is offered if many other conditions are met. Trump says the plan is endorsed by Arab leaders, Muslim led nations and the Palestinian Authority. So now it's time for Hamas to accept the terms of the plan that we've put forward today. That was followed by a threat Trump's approval for Netanyahu to continue Israel's two year assault on Gaza. I have a feeling that we're going to have a positive answer, but if not, as you know, Bibi, you'd have more full backing to do what you would have to do, netanyahu agreed. Then Israel will finish the job by itself. Hamas received the proposal shortly after the meeting, but with many familiar elements previously rejected by Hamas. The there's no guarantee of a positive answer. Israel interprets Trump's deal as giving it security control of Gaza for the foreseeable future. Netanyahu also underlined his skepticism that the Palestinian Authority would ever meet conditions to run Gaza. Both men ridiculed those backing a Palestinian state, Canada included. Several countries have foolishly recognized the Palestinian state. One ally of Hamas, which has also taken hostages, was quick to reject Trump's plan. It's a recipe to blow up the region, says the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Tel Aviv. Hostage families and their supporters still aren't sure the deal will give them what they want.

[Susan Bonner]

We know it is possible they are a decision away and this decision can be made right now in this room.

[Peter Armstrong]

In Gaza too, where they are still digging bodies from under rubble. Hope while the fighting continues, Sasha Petrocic, CBC News, Jerusalem Hit hard by the.

[Susan Bonner]

U.S. trade war, one of Canada's biggest metals producers is getting some much needed help. The Canadian and Ontario governments are loaning half a billion dollars to Algoma Steel, and it's hoped the money will help build the framework for more homegrown product production. Senior business correspondent Peter Armstrong explains how.

[Michael Garcia]

Inside the Algoma Steel facility in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, the impacts of the US Trade war are everywhere. This industry was once a model for free trade and integration. Algoma's CEO Michael Garcia says those days are over.

[Peter Armstrong]

Algoma must pivot its business model to a domestic focused business model. Historically, 60% of our volume has been in the United States, but that's now unviable.

[Michael Garcia]

What is viable is a pivot to making products that can be sold and used here in Canada. Algoma produces giant coils of steel shipped to the US to make everything from cars to appliances. But Garcia says there are other products the company can make.

[Peter Armstrong]

There's an oversupply of coil in the market but there's an undersupply of, for instance, structural beams in the market. So we have to diversify the products that we make. And so this loan gives us the time to do it.

[Michael Garcia]

Those beams are used to build just about everything. Right now, all the structural beams used in Canada come from producers in the U.S. algoma says one key use of the loans announced today will be to start making beams in Canada, a move that Ottawa believes can breathe new life into Canada's steel industry, clobbered by 50% tariffs imposed by US President Trump.

[Nicole Williams]

Donald Trump It's a lot harder to.

[Susan Bonner]

Bring something back to life than it is to keep it alive.

[Michael Garcia]

Patty Hydeau, Minister of Jobs and Families, says there's an opportunity here not just to provide products needed by Canadians, but to shore up a Canadian company and an essential Canadian industry that generates as much as $14 billion a year.

[Susan Bonner]

Countries can lose sectors through that kind of economic disruption.

[Nicole Williams]

So we're pulling out all the stops.

[Susan Bonner]

Here today for Algoma Steel and for the future of steel in Canada.

[Peter Armstrong]

Bill S.L.

[Michael Garcia]

Slater, president of the United Steel Workers, says the union supports this idea of shifting production.

[Peter Armstrong]

The government's been talking for a long time that the steel industry is critical to the sovereignty of our nation and they've been promising lots of things and now they're starting to put some actions to their words.

[Michael Garcia]

The money is the first loan to be handed out as part of the federal government's large enterprise tariff loan program, but also part of a larger plan to protect industries hit by tariffs and and generate growth within the country. Garcia says Ottawa should focus on projects that drive the most economic growth.

[Peter Armstrong]

The thing about steel is it's so ubiquitous. So if there is economic activity and growth in the country of Canada, it's going to bode well for steel demand.

[Michael Garcia]

And the clock is ticking. Algoma lost $110 million in the second quarter of this year and there's no tariff relief on the horizon. Peter Arjung, CBC News, Toronto.

[Susan Bonner]

And in posts on social media today, Trump proposed some new tariffs. He said he will impose substantial tariffs on any country that doesn't make its furniture in the U.S. and he suggested a 100% tariff on movies produced outside the U.S. trump's post did not include any detail about how those tariffs would work or when they would start coming right up. Time and money being running may be running out for asylum seekers. With a federal hotel program set to expire. And after a decades long fight for justice, the family of a Manitoba man may get the chance to prove his innocence also a potential game changer for lower back pain as a new study finds promising results from a cannabis based medication. That's later on youn World Tonight. They came to Canada looking for help. By tomorrow, they could be looking for a place to live. Federal funding that pays for asylum seekers to live in hotels is set to run out. And while some organizations are offering support, it may not be enough. Nicole Williams reports staying in the hotels.

[Peter Armstrong]

Was one of my comfort zones.

[Nicole Williams]

John Mochama and his wife arrived from Kenya two years ago. They ended up in a hotel in Niagara Falls Falls, Ontario, as part of a federal program to temporarily house asylum seekers. Mochama says that gave him time to find a home, a job and a sense of safety in Canada. He says it's difficult knowing asylum claimants no longer have that as an option.

[Peter Armstrong]

It will lead to homelessness.

[Nicole Williams]

The federal government is putting an end to its temporary hotel housing program as of Tuesday. It's an operation that's been running since 2018 in Ontario and Quebec as a way to deal with surge in migration. Now community groups are scrambling to help as asylum seekers are being forced to move out.

[Susan Bonner]

People who are remaining in these hotels are among the most vulnerable of asylum.

[Nicole Williams]

Seekers in the country right now. Patti Lenard is a professor at the School of Public and International affairs at the University of Ottawa. She says some will struggle more than others.

[Susan Bonner]

A single mother with five children is not somebody who can make this process work really quickly for all kinds of reasons.

[Nicole Williams]

But options are limited in Ottawa and Toronto. Shelters are overflowing and they don't have the money to help Toronto Mayor Olivia Chao.

[Susan Bonner]

We can either stop sheltering refugees, claimants, leave them on the street, which will make homelessness worse, or Torontonians will have to pay for it through their property taxes. Neither is fair.

[Nicole Williams]

In a statement, Ottawa's interim director of housing and homelessness says it's working with immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to help with, quote, safe and smooth transitions for the households in question. But Cale Brown also encourages asylum claimants to take up IRCC's offer to relocate, potentially out of the province in some cases. As far as the Maritimes, when people cross borders, they cross with their rights. Gauri Srinivasan is with the Canadian Council for Refug. She says housing asylum seekers isn't just the right thing to do. Canada is obligated to under international law. They have a right to a fair process. They have a right to shelter. They have a right to legal aid. CBC News asked IRCC how many people across the country were being affected by the program ending. It did not provide a nationwide figure, but says it has spent more than a billion dollars since 2020 on the temporary hotel housing that it will not be extending its deadline. Nicole Williams, CBC News, Ottawa.

[Susan Bonner]

More than half a century ago, Russell Woodhouse was convicted of manslaughter. The Manitoba man always claimed his innocence and for years fought to clear his name. Now, a decade after his death, his family may finally get that chance after a historic decision by the Canadian government. Karen Pauls reports it was tough to.

[Nicole Williams]

See what he had went through.

[Karen Pauls]

Cindy Wodehouse Knipenack says her family took Russell Woodhouse in after his release from prison. She called him uncle because it is.

[Nicole Williams]

My family and he is somebody who raised me.

[Karen Pauls]

Woodhouse Niepenak is now the national chief of the assembly of First Nations.

[Nicole Williams]

I knew I wanted to help him because I knew that he was innocent.

[Karen Pauls]

Russell Woodhouse was convicted more than five decades ago in the killing of a 40 year old Winnipeg man, Ting Fong Chan. Woodhouse, then 19 years old, and his three co accused were convicted in Chan's murder. The other three have been exonerated, including his brother Clarence, who was thrilled last year to hear a judge declare a miscarriage of justice.

[Peter Armstrong]

Yeah, it's been nice to be free after all these years.

[Karen Pauls]

Their sister, Linda Woodhouse Anderson, grateful at.

[Peter Armstrong]

The same time as thinking about my brother Russell.

[Karen Pauls]

Now, after the federal minister of justice ordered a new appeal in the case, Russell Woodhouse is one step closer to having his own name cleared. More than a decade after his death.

[Peter Armstrong]

It'S the first time that the minister has referred the case of someone who is deceased.

[Karen Pauls]

James Lockyer is a director with Innocence Canada.

[Peter Armstrong]

We thought it was essential that we have his convictions set aside.

[Karen Pauls]

The four men were rounded up by police largely because of eyewitness accounts that described Indigenous people. They were convicted mostly on confessions written in fluent English, even though some barely spoke the language.

[Peter Armstrong]

The whole system engaged in systemic racism.

[Karen Pauls]

Lockyer expects to be in touch with Manitoba's appeals court in the coming days to schedule a hearing where he says lawyers will ask for an acquittal. He hopes this decision will help restore faith in the justice system, which he says has long failed Indigenous we have.

[Peter Armstrong]

A lot to learn from Russell's case and the case of the other three men who were convicted with him. How racism can infect the criminal justice system and how it can be remedied.

[Karen Pauls]

Woodhouse Nepenac agrees.

[Nicole Williams]

And then it makes me think like how many Indigenous people are out there that are going through the same faith that my Uncle Russell went through.

[Karen Pauls]

The three other men have filed lawsuits against three levels of government. They're also pursuing compensation for their wrongful convictions. That process is still underway and may now soon include Russell Woodhouse's case. Karen Pauls, CBC News, Winnipeg.

[Peter Armstrong]

Today we acknowledge the role of the Province of Saskatchewan and previous Saskatchewan governments in the operation of the Isla cross School until 1970. And today, on behalf of the Province of Saskatchewan, I apologize to you that.

[Susan Bonner]

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe at the site of a former residential school today to apologize to students and announce a settlement. For more than 100 years, an estimated 1500 Metis and Indigenous children were forced to attend the school in the northern village of Isle La Crosse. Because the school was established before the federal residential school system, it wasn't included in a settlement. In 2006, former students sued both the provincial and federal governments for recognition. Today, MO announced the province has reached an agreement in principle with survivors.

[Peter Armstrong]

We acknowledge that there were individual and cultural harms and abuses that were suffered by former students of the Isla Cross School. And as part of this agreement, the province has agreed to pay $40.2 million to address the four major pillars of compensation. Under the class action that was filed.

[Susan Bonner]

Earlier this year, the federal government agreed to pay $27 million for its part in operating the school. A notorious criminal organization based in India is now considered a terrorist group in Canada. The federal government says the Bishnoi Gang uses violence and intimidation to generate fear and insecur within the South Asian diaspora. Tom Perry has more on what that terror designation will mean.

[Tom Perry]

The announcement came with no fanfare, just a statement from Public Safety Minister Gary Ananda Sangari that the government of Canada has listed India's Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity under the criminal code. The government accuses the gang of a long list of crimes. The RCMP says the group has targeted Sikh activists at the behest of the Indian government. Balpreet Singh is spokesperson for the World Sikh Organization.

[Peter Armstrong]

So the designation of the Bishnu Gang as a terrorist group is something that the community has called for for a very long time.

[Tom Perry]

Singh calls the move a symbolic victory, but also a practical one because it gives police more power to pursue not just gang members, but the people Singh believes are directing them.

[Peter Armstrong]

People on the ground doing the dirty work are one thing, but the people that are directing it, that are choosing targets, that are. That are funding it, we believe exposing them and sanctioning them is going to be even more important. And we believe those figures are members of the government of India.

[Tom Perry]

Ottawa says a terrorist designation allows police to seize property, vehicles and cash controlled by the group and provides more authority to prosecute in areas like financing and recruiting. Conservative leader Pierre Poliev calls it a good move, but wonders what took so long.

[Peter Armstrong]

A long overdue decision Conservatives have long been calling for the Bishnoi gang to be banned. This this gang has been responsible for much of the extortion that has terrorized Surrey, Brampton, northeast Calgary.

[Tom Perry]

But while the accusations against the Bishnoi gang are serious, some security experts question whether it constitutes terrorism. Leah west is an associate professor at the Norman Patterson School of International affairs at Carleton University.

[Susan Bonner]

The definition of terrorist activity is not.

[Nicole Williams]

Just that there's violence and it's not.

[Susan Bonner]

Just that there's threats against a group of the population. It's that that intimidation and that violence.

[Nicole Williams]

Is motivated by ideology, politics or religion.

[Susan Bonner]

And there seems to be no evidence at least being afforded in the government's justification that confirms that.

[Tom Perry]

Third criteria west worries the process of deciding which group is branded terrorist is becoming politicized. This move does come as political relations between Canada and India are showing some signs of thawing after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of being behind the death of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijer, who was shot outside a temple in Surrey, B.C. in 2023. Tom Perry, CBC News, Ottawa.

[Susan Bonner]

The day after four people were killed in an attack on a Michigan church, investigators are trying to figure out why a former US Marine crashed a pickup truck through the front doors, opened fire inside and burned the building down. As a community grieves and the search for answers begins, officials are warning the public not to jump to conclusions. Katie Simpson has the latest.

[Peter Armstrong]

It's hard.

[Nicole Williams]

We didn't get any sleep last night.

[Katie Simpson]

Paul Kirby was inside the Grand Blank Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when he heard a loud boom. The gunman had just crashed a truck into the front doors of the building and started shooting at worshipers, including Kirby.

[Peter Armstrong]

With how close he was getting to me with his shooting, I was just standing there running, expecting to get a bullet in the back of my just legs or in my back or something.

[Katie Simpson]

As he ran to find his family, Kirby says he was hit by broken glass, shattered by bullets, but otherwise he's fine. All of this happening as the gunman then used gasoline to start a fire that engulfed the church.

[Peter Armstrong]

Evil. This was an evil act of violence.

[Katie Simpson]

Grand Blanc police Chief William Renney says everyone who was at the Sunday service is now accounted for. However, they will continue to search the rubble for additional bodies. Victims, including both the dead and injured, range in age from 6 to 78. FBI investigators are still trying to determine a motive. According to White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt.

[Nicole Williams]

All they know right now is this was an individual who hated people of the Mormon faith.

[Katie Simpson]

The suspect, 40 year old Thomas Jacob Sanford, was shot dead by police in the parking lot of the church. A former US Marine who deployed to Iraq in 2007, he was from the community and had a prior criminal record with charges for burglary and drinking and driving. Sanford spoke with a local candidate for city council just last week, according to Chris Johns, who knocked on his door as part of a routine vote canvassing stop.

[Peter Armstrong]

He did make the statement that Mormons are the Antichrist, which is a shocking statement. And again, this is somebody you're just meeting for the first time.

[Katie Simpson]

As the investigation continues, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is asking the public to remain patient.

[Nicole Williams]

Speculation is unhelpful and it can be downright dangerous. So just ask that people lower the temperature of rhetoric.

[Katie Simpson]

Some of that speculation is fueled on social media, in part by photos of Sanford wearing a Donald Trump T shirt and images taken of his house showing a Trump reelection sign on his front lawn. The FBI has called this a targeted act of violence, but they have not suggested politics is a factor in this case. Trump denounced the deadly shooting and fire, saying this appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians and that this epidemic of violence in our country must end immediately. Katie Simpson, CBC News, Washington.

[Susan Bonner]

This is yous World Tonight from CBC News. If you want to make sure you stay up to date and never miss one of our episodes, follow us on Spotify, Apple, wherever you get your podcasts, just find the follow button and lock us in. It's a common ailment affecting everything from quality of sleep to quality of life. Lower back pain can be debilitating. Finding relief can be difficult. Now a new study suggests cannabis may be able to help. Christine Birak explains what the study found.

[Nicole Williams]

So back pain is a modern day plague.

[Christine Birak]

Toronto's Sarah Kim says her pain started with a snowboarding accident almost 30 years ago. Now a large German trial published in the journal Nature Medicine shows a medical cannabis medication could offer some relief.

[Peter Armstrong]

What he found is that compared to placebo, the patients reported a decrease in pain intensity not only over a period of 12 weeks, this was the primary outcome, but also in the extension phase, almost 12 months.

[Christine Birak]

Dr. Winfried Meisner, head of the German Pain Society, helped lead the study testing cannabis oil for chronic back pain. About half of the 800 participants got the oil, which included THC, the part of cannabis that can make people feel high. The other half got a placebo. After 12 weeks and using a 10 point scale, those on cannabis reported their pain dropped by 1.9 points while the placebo group saw a 1.4 dip. The difference might not sound huge, but Dr. Meisner says it's on par with current pain meds.

[Peter Armstrong]

So this is the largest study to date on a common problem that affects.

[Michael Garcia]

Over half a billion people worldwide.

[Christine Birak]

Dr. Hans Clark is director of Pain Services at Toronto General Hospital. He says the cannabis based treatment showed side effects like dizziness and fatigue, but no signs of dependence or withdrawal. He notes current drugs like ibuprofen and opioids can cause ulcers, indigestion or addiction, making them unsuitable for long term use.

[Peter Armstrong]

And really, this study shows that THC is quite helpful when it comes to neuropathic symptoms and back pain outcomes. Long term, pretty modest, pretty modest effect.

[Christine Birak]

Jason Bussa is a professor in the Department of anesthesia at McMaster University. He welcomes this study, but he would like to see much longer term data.

[Peter Armstrong]

The question is, is this important to patients?

[Christine Birak]

Busa notes the study findings suggest those getting the drug also reported improvements in sleep and physical function, but not by how much.

[Peter Armstrong]

I think there are some patients that are going to benefit to a degree.

[Nicole Williams]

That is important, but this paper doesn't.

[Peter Armstrong]

Allow you to understand what that proportion is for physical function or for sleep quality.

[Nicole Williams]

So for myself, you know, I don't actually rely on pain medication very much.

[Christine Birak]

Sarah Kim says she's managing her pain with movement and physiotherapy, but she sees the need for new options for an old problem. Christine Birak, CBC News, Toronto.

[Susan Bonner]

Finally tonight, Canadian baseball fans can finally take a few days off, bask in the glory of a thrilling season and get ready for one last push to win it all.

[Nicole Williams]

Let's go Blue Jays.

[Susan Bonner]

Let's go Blue Jays, let's go. That's Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow raising the flag of the Toronto Blue Jays at City hall today, the day after the team won the American League east title, it gave the Jays a buy into the second round of playoffs where they will have home field advantage. In the meantime, players can recover from yesterday's game and that after party.

[Peter Armstrong]

And now they're coming back out on the field for another picture. They look at a much different state obviously than they did just after the game ended. 11 hey, first and foremost to all of y', all doubting not anyone here obviously, but what now, like this is the best division in baseball. We win it first thing first. Let's go get it.

[Susan Bonner]

That winning feeling must have been pretty intoxicating as the champagne. So celebrations spilled onto the field and the players toasted the Blue Jays first division title in a decade.

[Nicole Williams]

You told me if you won the division that you would be on a policeman's horse with the tarp off and the shirt flinging. Is that still the plan?

[Peter Armstrong]

Tarp off, police horses ready? Here we go. All right.

[Susan Bonner]

Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer speaking of with sportsnet after the game. As rowdy as the celebration got, Springer did not follow through with his party plans yet. Maybe if they win the World Series, the Blue Jays first playoff game will be on Saturday. Thank you for joining us. This has been your WORLD Tonight for Monday, September 29th. I'm Susan Bonar. Talk to you again. For more CBC Podcasts, go to CBC CA Podcasts.