Takeaways from RFK Jr.’s contentious hearing before Senate lawmakers
WASHINGTON (AP) — Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. faced bipartisan questioning over recent changes to health agencies, vaccine approvals and other priorities at a contentious three-hour Senate hearing. The session before the Senate Finance Committee gave Democrats and Republicans a chance to seek answers from Kennedy on recent firings at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and changes to COVID-19 vaccines. A frustrated Kennedy dismissed many questions while sowing doubt about vaccines, antidepressants and the last administration’s health research and policies.
DC lawsuit challenges Trump’s National Guard deployment as a forced ‘military occupation’
WASHINGTON (AP) — The District of Columbia is challenging President Donald Trump’s use of the National Guard in Washington. The city is asking a federal court to intervene even as Trump plans to send troops to other cities in the name of driving down crime. The district said in a lawsuit that the deployment, which now involves more than 1,000 troops, is an illegal use of the military for domestic law enforcement. The White House says deploying the Guard to protect federal assets and assist law enforcement is within Trump’s authority as president.
Justice Department probes mortgage fraud claims against Lisa Cook of Federal Reserve, AP source says
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has issued subpoenas as part of an investigation into mortgage fraud allegations against Lisa Cook, who is fighting a Trump administration effort to remove her from her role as a Federal Reserve governor. A person familiar with the matter confirmed that subpoenas had been sent in connection with the probe, which was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. A lawyer for Cook called the investigation an example of prosecutorial overreach and said his client engaged in no fraud. A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment on the probe.
Florida’s vaccine mandate removal: What it means for public health
Florida is set to become the first state in the nation to remove vaccine mandates. The move is deeply concerning to many parents, doctors and other public health workers. They worry that diseases controlled by vaccines for decades could resurface. Florida’s Surgeon General, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, announced Wednesday that the state Health Department will start eliminating some mandated vaccines in schools. He called current requirements “immoral” intrusions on rights. Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Ladapo and his wife Casey to a commission drafting a broader “medical freedom” initiative. Florida already lags behind the nation in vaccinations, with only 88.7% of kindergarteners immunized compared to over 92% nationwide.
Giorgio Armani, who dressed the powerful and famous from boardroom to Hollywood, dies at 91
MILAN (AP) — The iconic Italian designer Giorgio Armani has died at 91. Armani revolutionized Italian ready-to-wear fashion in the late 1970s with his relaxed silhouette. From the executive office to the Hollywood screen, Armani dressed the rich and famous in classic tailored styles, fashioned in supersoft fabrics and muted tones. His handsome black tie outfits and glittering evening gowns often stole the show on award season red carpets. Today, the Armani empire has an army of more than 9,000 employees. His empire, worth over $10 billion, included clothing, accessories and more.
Trump will seek ‘Department of War’ rebrand for Pentagon
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order to rebrand the Department of Defense as the Department of War. This move is part of his effort to project a tougher image for America’s military. Trump cannot formally change the name without legislation, which his administration will request from Congress. In the meantime, the Pentagon will use “secondary titles” to go by its original name. The Department of War was created in 1789 and renamed in 1947. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has hinted at the change, and Trump believes Congress will support the move if needed.
Northwestern University president says he will resign following tenure marked by White House tension
Northwestern University President Michael Schill announced Thursday that he will resign, ending a three-year tenure marked by the freeze of hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding by the Trump administration and heated criticism from House Republicans over the university’s response to campus protests. In his statement announcing his resignation, Schill acknowledged these challenges directly. “It is critical that we continue to protect the University’s research mission and excellence while preserving academic freedom, integrity, and independence,” he said.
US designates 2 more gangs in Latin America as foreign terrorist groups
QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the United States is designating two Ecuadorian gangs as foreign terrorist organizations. It’s the Trump administration’s latest step to target criminal cartels in Latin America. The announcement came Thursday during Rubio’s stop in Ecuador as part of a trip to Latin America that’s been overshadowed by a U.S. military strike against Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang. That attack has raised concerns in the region about what may follow as President Donald Trump’s government pledges to step up military activity to combat drug trafficking and illegal migration.
Portuguese investigators search for cause of Lisbon streetcar crash that killed 16
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Portuguese officials are sifting through the wreckage of a streetcar in downtown Lisbon, trying to determine why the popular tourist attraction derailed during the busy summer season. The crash in Portugal’s capital city Wednesday killed 16 people and injured 21, five of them seriously. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro called the derailment “one of the biggest tragedies of our recent past.” Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas meanwhile said “the city needs answers.” The Elevador da Gloria derailed during the evening rush hour Wednesday. The electric streetcar, also known as a funicular, provides a short and picturesque trip a few hundred meters up and down a steep city street.
Caitlin Clark to miss the rest of the Fever’s season because of a right groin injury
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark will miss the rest of the Indiana Fever’s season because of a right groin injury. Said Clark in a statement: “I had hoped to share a better update, but I will not be returning to play this season,” Clark said in a statement. “I spent hours in the gym every day with the singular goal of getting back out there, disappointed isn’t a big enough word to describe how I am feeling. I want to thank everyone who had my back through all the uncertainty.” Clark was injured late in a July 15 game against the Connecticut Sun, and later sustained a bone bruise. She averaged 16.5 points, 8.8 assists and 5.0 rebounds in 13 games in her second season in the WNBA.