The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has long been a global leader in disease tracking and evidence-based medical guidelines, but recent funding cuts and firings have caused many to wonder whether the institution is still a trusted source. CBC’s Nisha Patel breaks down how some of those changes could put Canadians at risk.

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has experienced major upheaval following deep budget cuts, mass resignations, and the removal of key vaccine experts under the Trump administration. These changes have raised alarm among Canadian public health officials, who rely on CDC data and cooperation for disease tracking and policy decisions.

Canadian experts warn that the weakening of the CDC could undermine North American public health, particularly as vaccine skepticism rises and preventable diseases like measles increase. Calls have been made for Canada to strengthen its own disease monitoring systems and reduce reliance on U.S. data, as the risk of undetected outbreaks grows.

How Trump's cuts to the CDC could threaten Canadians' public health

For years, it's been the most trusted public health institution in America and the world. This is probably the most turbulent time in the CDC's history. Now the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is in crisis. There is disarray at the CDC tonight. Top officials are resigning en masse. There are serious concerns tonight about the Centers for Disease Control. Over the past six months, the Trump administration axed half the agency's budget, laid off hundreds of employees and removed 17 experts on the National Vaccine Advisory Team. There's a lot of trouble at CDC and it's going to require getting rid of some people. Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was grilled by senators from both parties about the CDC shakeup. You said you're going to empower the scientists at HHS to do their job. I'd just like to see evidence where you've done that. He said his changes will fix a broken agency. Critics say he's the one breaking the system by pushing an anti-vaccine agenda. Sir, you're a charlatan. That's what you are. Experts around the globe are alarmed by the developments, including Toronto doctor Fahad Razak, who chairs Canada's new National Advisory Committee on Science. It's not just the severe job cuts. It's the misinformation right from the very top of the agency directorship. I think there is shock, really, that it's gone this far. Razak relies on CDC data every day to inform public health policies here. But with less funding and manpower... We don't know right now how reliable Americans will be as partners. The hollowing out of the centralized capacity of the CDC is something that we don't have an immediate replacement for. So what is at stake for Canada? I think this represents a new kind of threat that we need to grapple with as Canadians. So do you believe in science? Do you believe in data? Do you believe in things like public health and preventative medicine? Those questions, too, are front and centre for CDC leadership. Even new staffers who Kennedy handpicked don't last if they don't fall in line. I think vaccines save lives. Susan Menares was sworn in as CDC director in July. She says she was fired in August after refusing to rubber stamp revised vaccine recommendations. She pushed back in a national newspaper, writing... Still, the White House defended the firing and threatened more. So if people are not aligned with the president's vision and the secretary's vision to make our country healthy again, then we will gladly show them the door. After Menares was dismissed, other directors resigned in protest. The CDC's chief medical officer and top officials in charge of immunization, emerging disease and public health data. CDC was a known entity that could be trusted. That has now been called into question. Dr. Shannon Charlebois, editor of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, says the CDC is being eroded at a critical time. Vaccine scepticism across North America is spreading and cases of preventable diseases like measles are surging. Our entire country is permeable to any disease threats that emerge in the U.S. that go undetected and thus uncontrolled for any period of time. Florida, a prime destination for Canadian travelers, is even doing away with laws that require children to be vaccinated. A move some public health officials say will lead to higher infections. Charlebois warns Canada needs to strengthen its own disease tracking. She's calling for a national vaccine registry to monitor who is most at risk. We need to step up our own game and continue to closely monitor and pick apart that data. Without detecting outbreaks earlier and containing them, we could have catastrophes happen that outstrip the damages caused by the COVID pandemic. How urgent is this issue? This is urgent. We've already had infants die of measles. We are losing lives because of this. After decades of taking scientific guidance from America, Canada must now rely on itself and find new partners in the future.

Police are searching for a motive in Wednesday's killing of conservative activist and influencer Charlie Kirk. Authorities say interviews with family and friends of the 22-year-old suspect suggest he could have been radicalized in the dark corners of the internet.

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Charlie Kirk shooting suspect 'not cooperating' with authorities

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said ahead of the trip that he will be seeking answers from Israeli officials about how they see the way forward in Gaza. Rubio's trip comes after Israel's attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar that upended efforts to broker an end to the conflict.

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Middle East Conflict

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Israel for talks

Five U.S. F-35 fighter jets landed in Puerto Rico amid escalating tensions with Venezuela. Separately, Caracas said 18 armed U.S. Navy personnel raided a tuna boat sailing in Venezuelan waters.

San Juan

U.S. sends jets to Puerto Rico amid escalating tensions with Venezuela

U.S. President Donald Trump said he believes the Russia-Ukraine war would end if all NATO countries stopped buying oil from Russia and placed tariffs on China of 50 percent to 100 percent for its purchases of Russian petroleum.

Washington

Trump calls on NATO members to stop purchasing Russian oil

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Sunday, as Israel intensified its attacks against northern Gaza. The trip is taking place after President Donald Trump rebuked Israel over the unprecedented attack against Hamas leaders meeting in Doha.

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Marco Rubio visits Israel to push for Gaza ceasefire talks

NATO announced plans to beef up the defense of Europe's eastern flank on Friday, two days after Poland shot down drones that had violated its airspace in the first known action of its kind by a member of the Western alliance during Russia's war in Ukraine.

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Ukraine Invasion

NATO bolsters its eastern flank after Russian drones hit Poland

Protests broke out in Chicago on Saturday against President Trump's immigration crackdown. A group of Catholic clergy led what they called a "People's Mass" outside the Great Lakes Naval Base. The base will also be used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a staging area for deportations.

Chicago

Tensions over immigration escalate in Chicago

More than 100,000 people took to the streets in London on Saturday, in what's believed to be the largest anti-immigration protest in British history. Organizers called it a "Unite the Kingdom" rally.

London

Huge crowds march for right-wing "Unite the Kingdom" rally in London

President Trump signaled a new position on Russia's war with Ukraine. He said the U.S. will agree to additional sanctions on Moscow, but only when NATO allies stop buying Russian oil. Willie James Inman has more details.

Global Tariffs

Trump says NATO must stop buying Russian oil

Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect in the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, is being held in Spanish Fork, Utah. Officials have yet to identify a precise motive for Wednesday's shooting. Carter Evans has new developments.

Suspect's family says he recently became more political

NATO has launched operation Eastern Sentry to bolster its presence along the eastern flank of Europe, after Russian drones were found in Poland on Wednesday. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump is calling on all treaty members to increase economic pressures on Russia.

Trump calls on NATO members to impose sanctions on Russia

More than 100,000 people marched through central London on Saturday in a 'Unite the Kingdom' demonstration against immigration organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Police said a number of officers were assaulted.

Thousands in London march against immigration

A former chief justice has been sworn in as Nepal's interim prime minister. For many people, Sushila Karki's appointment promises change. Days of violence and anti-government protests left at least 51 people dead.

Kathmandu

Curfew lifted in Kathmandu, violence in Nepal eases

A civil war within the Sinaloa cartel in western Mexico has forced thousands of people to abandon their villages. Rival factions are battling for territory and control. Communities caught in the middle of the violence are demanding change.

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Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel war displaces thousands

The man accused of killing conservative commentator and activist Charlie Kirk is being held without bail in a Utah jail. Meanwhile, vigils and memorials across the country honored Kirk as his widow made her first public remarks since his death.

Charlie Kirk shooting suspect held without bail

President Trump has backed down on his plans to send the National Guard to Chicago, for now. Instead, he told Fox News that federal troops will be deployed to a different city.

Trump backs down on sending National Guard to Chicago

A suspect is in custody after the deadly shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Authorities say 22-year-old Tyler Robinson is being held at Utah County Jail, pending formal state charges, which are expected to be filed on Tuesday. CBS News' Andres Gutierrez and Anna Schecter have more.

What we know about the Charlie Kirk shooting suspect's arrest

The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly voted to endorse a declaration outlining "tangible, timebound, and irreversible steps" towards a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians ahead of a meeting of world leaders.

New York

UN endorses two-state solution declaration that condemns Hamas

In Tunisia, the humanitarian aid flotilla for Gaza is set to leave Tunis. About 40 boats will try to deliver aid to the Palestinians under blockade. In Tunisia the departure was not easy, as two boats from the flotilla were subject to reported drone attacks.

Tunis

Gaza aid flotilla prepares to set sail after reported drone attacks

Brazil's Supreme Court has sentenced firebrand ex-president Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison for coup plotting at the end of a landmark trial that divided the nation and drew U.S. fury.

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Brazil's ex-president Jair Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years in prison

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed an agreement to push ahead with a controversial settlement expansion plan that would cut across land that the Palestinians seek for a state. "There will never be a Palestinian state. This place is ours," Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu signs West Bank settlement expansion plan

The United Nations Security Council has condemned the Israeli attack on the Qatari capital Doha on Tuesday and called for de-escalation in a statement agreed by all 15 members, including Israel’s chief ally, the United States.

Doha

UNSC members condemn Israel over deadly strike on Qatar

Ryan Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate former President Trump in South Florida last year, is representing himself in court. As the trial opened, Routh forfeited his chance to deliver an opening statement, setting the stage for proceedings.

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Trump assassination attempt suspect defends himself in trial

Photos of a "person of interest" in the assassination of Charlie Kirk were released by the Salt Lake City FBI. Authorities are searching for the person who shot and killed the conservative activist at an event at Utah Valley University.

Photos released of "person of interest" in Charlie Kirk assassination

Authorities shared new details about the suspect's movements leading up to the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The search for the suspect continued on Thursday.

FBI says it has good video of Charlie Kirk shooting suspect

President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he will award conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated during a campus event in Utah, the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.

Trump says he'll award Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Authorities say the weapon used in the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has been recovered and law enforcement tracked the movements of the suspect.

Officials: Weapon in Charlie Kirk shooting recovered; suspect tracked

Trump vowed retribution in an Oval Office address after his close ally and conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on a campus in Utah. A massive search for the killer intensified following Kirk's death, with police going door-to-door looking for the shooter.

Trump pledges to find killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk

The UAE’s President Mohammed bin Zayed visited Doha a day after Israel’s strike, signalling Gulf solidarity. Qatar’s prime minister called the strike “state terror,” accusing Israel of killing hopes for a hostage deal and demanding Netanyahu face justice.

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