U.S. and world news for August 28

White House fires CDC director who refused to do what RFK Jr. ordered

The White House said Thursday morning that President Trump, who nominated CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez to her position, has fired her. That came after lawyers for Monarez said her firing by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was not legal because he did not have the authority to fire her. Monarez also refused to resign from her position. She had refused to go along with Kennedy’s demands for the CDC to stop relying on its scientific experts regarding vaccines. A statement from her lawyers said, in part: “When CDC Director Susan Monarez refused to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts, she chose protecting the public over serving a political agenda.” Three high-level CDC employees quit in protest to what was being done to Monarez. Kennedy has been on a campaign to purge federal health agencies under his control of experts and replace them with people who support his views on medicine that are often at odds with science and good medical practices.

Investigation continues into Minneapolis school shooting

Investigators are working to understand what may have motivated a shooter to open fire on the Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis on Wednesday, killing two children. Three elderly parishioners and 14 other children were wounded in the attack. The shooter, who had no prior criminal history and died of a self-inflicted wound, posted a “manifesto” online that authorities are reviewing. According to a CNN analysis, it was the 44th school shooting in the U.S. this year. After visiting the scene, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey issued a call to action. “This has happened in other countries and guess what, they do something about it. We gotta do something about it here,” he told CNN’s Erin Burnett. Frey’s message was echoed by Annunciation’s Principal Matthew DeBoe who said, “We as a community have a responsibility to make sure that no child, no parent, no teacher ever has to experience what we’ve experienced today — ever again.” Several Democratic leaders have also renewed calls to address gun violence.

Russia stages attack on civilian targets in Ukraine; Trump silent

After first supporting what Russia was doing in Ukraine, then criticizing Russia for attacking civilian targets, Donald Trump was silent this morning after Russia’s latest attack on the Ukrainian capital city Kyiv overnight killed at least 15 people, including four children, and wounded dozens of others. The missile and drone strike is the latest in a series of assaults Russia has conducted on Ukraine and comes just over two weeks after Trump applauded Russian President Vladimir Putin when Putin arrived in Alaska. A planned meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, has not taken place, and diplomatic efforts to end the war seem to have stalled. “These Russian missiles and attack drones today are a clear response to everyone in the world who, for weeks and months, has been calling for a ceasefire and for real diplomacy,” Zelenskyy said.

Demonstrations to end the Gaza war continue in Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is doubling down against Israeli demonstrators and in favor of stepped up military action in Gaza. As hundreds of thousands of demonstrators take to the streets, demanding a ceasefire and the return of the hostages held by Hamas, Netanyahu has been speaking about “the unity of the people” and proclaiming that Israel is on “the path to victory” as it moves to escalate the 22-month war in Gaza. In response to the rallies, Netanyahu and his allies have denounced the protesters — including the families of the hostages — and accused them of aiding Hamas. Israel is facing international condemnation as well for its assault on the biggest hospital in southern Gaza, a back-to-back attack that killed at least 22 people.

Trump official threatens to terminate sex education programs

The Trump administration is threatening to pull millions in federal funding from sex education programs for merely mentioning gender identity or transgender people. A division of the Department of Health and Human Services told 40 states, five territories and the District of Columbia that they “are now on notice.” Acting Assistant HHS Secretary Andrew Gradison said federal funds will not be used to fund sex education programs that he said poison the minds of children. The recipients of federal funds have been given 60 days to censor sex education program content so that it doesn’t contain material Gradison now wants pulled even though it previously was approved before the federal funds were granted to the states or territories.

Tesla sales plunged in Europe in July

Elon Musk’s carmaker Tesla lost 42.4% of its business in the European Union (EU) in July, selling only 6,600 vehicles, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. In the first seven months of 2025, Tesla sold around 77,000 cars in the EU, down from 137,000 in the same period in 2024. Meanwhile, Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD had a sales jump of 206.4% in July against 2024 figures. The 9,698 vehicles BYD sold in July means it is now outselling Tesla. Tesla chief Elon Musk has shown support for far-right parties in Germany and the UK that has prompted protests. BYD uses battery charging technology that allows 250 miles of range to be added in five minutes, outpacing Tesla’s recharging that adds 200 miles of range in 15 minutes of recharging.