Month: September 2025

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared before the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday to defend his recent overhaul of leadership at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and his decisions regarding federal vaccine policy. RFK Jr. faced questions on his record in office, the Trump administration’s policies on vaccines and the recent ouster of top officials at the CDC.

Susan Monarez, who had been appointed CDC director less than a month earlier, was removed from her role in August after declining to resign when asked by the White House. Her departure followed the resignations of four additional senior CDC officials who reportedly opposed Kennedy’s approach to vaccines. In another sweeping move, Kennedy dismissed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, replacing many with individuals skeptical of vaccines. He said these steps were necessary to restore credibility to the agency.

Kennedy defended the CDC shake-up throughout the hearing, saying changes at the health agency were “absolutely necessary” because of how it performed during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also denied pressuring the former director to pre-approve upcoming vaccine recommendations from a panel whose members he replaced, and accused her of lying about why she was fired. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., pressed Kennedy on the issue. “So she’s lying to the American people in The Wall Street Journal?” Wyden asked.  Kennedy replied, “Yes, sir.”

Kennedy told lawmakers that “the CDC failed Americans during COVID-19. The officials who pushed for school closures and forced masks on children are the ones who will no longer be making those decisions. These were essential changes to return the CDC to its mission of protecting people from infectious diseases.”

Senators also challenged Kennedy on his stance toward mRNA vaccines, his understanding of COVID-19 death tolls, and concerns about Medicaid funding losses throughout the hearing.  Sen. Wyden sharply criticized Kennedy’s testimony, accusing him of undermining public health. “Every day there’s a new decision that puts American families at risk,” Wyden said. “Robert Kennedy has elevated conspiracy theorists and grifters to positions where they’re making life-or-death calls about people’s healthcare. He has no business anywhere near this job.”

Editorial credit: Joshua Sukoff / Shutterstock.com

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani has died at the age of 91 in Milan, Italy.

The Armani Group announced in a statement posted to the designer’s Instagram: “With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani. Il Signor Armani, as he was always respectfully and admiringly called by employees and collaborators, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones. Indefatigable to the end, he worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections and the many ongoing and future projects ..Today, with deep emotion, we feel the void left by the one who founded and nurtured this family with vision, passion, and dedication. But it is precisely in his spirit that we, the employees and the family members who have always worked alongside Mr. Armani, commit to protecting what he built and to carrying his company forward in his memory, with respect, responsibility and love.”

Armani was born on July 11, 1934, in Piacenza, Italy and originally studied medicine at the university level for three years until he left to serve his two required years of military service in Italy. at a department store in Milan as a window dresser for La Rinascente department store. He moved up to work as a buyer before venturing into design in the mid-’60s, working for designer Nino Cerruti.

Armani met architect Sergio Galeotti while working for Cerruti, and the pair became romantic and business partners. The two co-founded the Giorgio Armani brand in 1975, with their first collection stocked at Barney’s New York in 1976, followed by a womenswear collection. Armani became synonymous with luxury and status after one of the brand’s suits was sported by Richard Gere in the 1980 film American Gigolo.. Armani became the sole shareholder of his company following Galeotti’s death in 1985 from complications linked to AIDS.

Armani’s death follows his absence from his brand’s show during Men’s Fashion Week in Milan, marking the first time he was not present to take a bow at the end of the presentation. The company said at the time that Armani was “recovering at home from an undisclosed condition,” but no further details were provided.

Armani is survived by his sister, nieces and nephew. A funeral chamber will be open to the public from Saturday, Sept. 6, to Sunday, Sept. 7, at Milan’s Armani Teatro; with a private funeral held afterwards, per the designer’s wishes.

Editorial credit: Obatala-photography / Shutterstock.com