Plus: Giorgio Armani Legacy & U.S. Strike On Venezuelan Drug Boat

Good evening,

Italian fashion icon Giorgio Armani has died at the age of 91, his company announced Thursday.

“With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani,” the fashion house said.

His legacy: Known as “King Giorgio,” he defined modern elegance and built a $2.7 billion global empire. He was the president, chief executive, and sole shareholder of his self-titled company.

Armani created a foundation to manage the succession of his empire and ensure it will not be split up — unlike many major fashion houses.

Making it big: He launched his fashion house in 1975 after selling his Volkswagen Beetle. He launched his first collection at age 40, and within seven years he was a Time magazine cover star. Armani shot to fame after dressing Richard Gere in “American Gigolo” (1980) and became one of Hollywood’s go-to designers — getting credits in over 200 films, not to mention award shows.

Mo News Team

🚨 ONE IMPORTANT THING

RFK Jr. Denies Undermining Public Health In Fiery Senate Hearing

In fiery congressional testimony Thursday, Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. disputed claims that he is weakening America’s public-health system and vaccine protections.

Lawmakers from both parties—including several top Republicans—expressed concern, though they differed on what should happen next.

🚨 WSJ OP ED
Earlier Thursday morning, Susan Monarez, whom the White House fired last week from her brief stint as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that Kennedy had asked her "to preapprove the recommendations of a vaccine advisory panel newly filled with people who have publicly expressed antivaccine rhetoric."

Back in June, Kennedy fired and replaced the 17-member CDC vaccine advisory panel. It’s key to approving vaccine schedules for kids.
She wrote that Kennedy is working to undermine vaccines by discrediting research, weakening advisory committees, and using manipulated outcomes to unravel guidelines that have saved lives.

Kennedy denied her claims, as well as those raised by senators and health organizations.

"There is division of opinion," Kennedy said, saying the American Academy of Pediatrics could have a conflict of interest by accepting money from vaccine makers.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics rejected Kennedy's claims, calling it “false and misleading" and that less than 4% of its revenue comes from industry sources.

Claims of bias: Throughout the hearing, Kennedy pointed to money from the pharmaceutical industry as a reason lawmakers and/or medical organizations were not agreeing with his approach. However, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) pressed Kennedy over appointing people to a key CDC vaccine advisory panel who have previously been paid to testify against vaccine makers. Kennedy responded that bias is acceptable if it's disclosed.

PRESSURE FROM BOTH SIDES
Several Republican senators — including the party’s second-highest-ranking member, Sen. John Barrasso (WY) — voiced concerns Thursday about Kennedy’s actions on vaccines since taking office.

Barrasso, who is also an orthopedic surgeon, noted that “Americans don’t know who to rely on,” citing recent measles outbreaks, the cutting of $500 million from mRNA vaccine research and CDC leadership upheaval.

“In your confirmation hearings, you promised to uphold the highest standards for vaccines,” Barrasso said. “Since then, I’ve grown deeply concerned.”

Kennedy defended his approach as pro-science and pro-transparency. “We're going to make it clear, evidence-based and trustworthy for the first time in history,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy referenced the vaccine schedule for kids, claiming there are currently 19 vaccines, with a total of 92 doses. The Cleveland Clinic puts the number of vaccines at 15.

Vaccine experts argue that while there are now more vaccines, today’s immunizations contain fewer antigens (180 vs. 3,000 in the 80s and 90s), the active ingredients that stimulate an immune response. Translation: vaccines are less taxing on the immune system despite the higher number of doses.

THE COVID VACCINES: Cassidy, a doctor and also the key vote in getting RFK Jr. confirmed, also questioned whether HHS’s shifting rules on vaccines are essentially denying people access — especially those most vulnerable.

Late last month, the FDA approved updated COVID-19 vaccines only for adults 65+ and people with certain medical conditions, while the general public must consult a doctor to get a booster. It has made it increasingly difficult and expensive to get a COVID shot if you don’t fall in the new category.
Cassidy cited a letter from conservative radio host Erick Erickson, whose wife has Stage 4 lung cancer. In the letter, Erickson said his wife could not get the vaccine from CVS. He also read an email from a physician friend who said, "we're all confused and concerned about who can get the Covid vaccine... pharmacists are requiring a prescription now even for people over 65... essentially we're denying people the vaccine."

Kennedy’s response: "You're wrong."

BACK TO THE DIVIDE
Asked afterward if he still supports Kennedy, Barrasso told reporters: “I have confidence in what the president of the United States is doing, and I will not second guess.” Similarly, Cassidy, after the hearing, praised Trump.

Meanwhile, 11 of the 12 Democratic senators on the committee called for his resignation on Thursday, saying he’s endangering Americans with his handling of vaccines. And if Kennedy won’t resign, they say Trump should fire him.

🚨 ONE THING THAT’S ESCALATING

U.S. Strike On Venezuelan Drug Boat Marks Major Escalation

U.S. forces struck an alleged drug-smuggling vessel in the southern Caribbean, killing 11 people linked to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang.

The strike, in international waters, is the first known operation since the administration surged seven Navy warships and a nuclear-powered submarine into the Caribbean — part of its stepped-up campaign against drug cartels.

WAR ON DRUGS
Typically, U.S. forces intercept drug shipments by boarding vessels and making arrests. This time, they blew up a boat.

The U.S. has designated Tren de Aragua, a Venezuela-based gang, as a foreign terrorist organization alongside groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Al-Qaeda. The Trump administration argues this gives it legal authority to use military force.
- The administration has also labeled Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro a cartel leader and is offering $50 million for his capture.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday that the operation shows that “President Trump is willing to go on offense in ways that others have not been” when dealing with drug smugglers, dubbed “narco terrorists” who he vowed to strike if trafficking continues.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed that message, promising the administration would use “full power of America and the full might of the United States to take on and eradicate these drug cartels.”

CRISIS AT HOME
The strike comes against the backdrop of a worsening drug crisis in the U.S. In 2023, more than 105,000 Americans died from overdoses, the vast majority from fentanyl and meth. For Trump, the escalation in the Caribbean is as much about deterrence abroad as it is about demonstrating toughness on the U.S. drug epidemic.

While pushing to bring down the drug cartels abroad, the White House is getting criticism for drug policy here at home. The Trump administration canceled $11 billion in COVID-era grants for addiction, mental health, and public health programs earlier this year, which have been credited with helping bring down drug overdoses in recent years.

Want more on the topic? We’ll be covering this story in-depth on our new weekly podcast, Ask Mo Anything (#AMA). This Premium-exclusive show (join here) features Mosheh Oinounou answering your top questions about the week’s biggest headlines — moderated by producer Sari Soffer Sukenik.

⏳ THE SPEED READ

🚨NATION

D.C. A.G. sues to boot National Guard from city streets (AXIOS)
Texas lawmakers approve letting private citizens sue abortion pill providers (CNN)
Justice Department opens criminal probe into Fed's Lisa Cook (FOX)
States, companies sue Trump administration over wind farm stop-work order (POLITICO)
Trump to host tech CEOs for first event in newly renovated Rose Garden (THE HILL)
Chinese hackers may have stolen data from almost every single American (MO NEWS)

🌎 AROUND THE WORLD

Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un hold talks amid western fears of ‘autocratic alliance’ (NPR)
Macron says 26 countries pledge troops as a reassurance force for Ukraine after fighting ends (AP)
Afghan earthquake death toll jumps to 2,205, as rescue efforts continue, official says (ABC)
Long-lost painting looted by Nazis recovered after it was spotted in a real estate listing (NBC)

📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH

Bari Weiss set for top role at CBS News as Paramount closes in on Free Press acquisition (THE WRAP) Paramount mandates five-day-a-week return to office ahead of massive cost cuts (VARIETY)
Most enduring and biggest iceberg breaks apart, with more splintering to come in its death spiral (AP)
Powerball jackpot grows to $1.7B as another drawing yields no big winner (NBC)
American Eagle stock soars 20% as retailer says Sydney Sweeney campaign is 'best' to date, beats earnings (CNBC)

🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Naomi Osaka beats Karolina Muchova, returns to US Open Semis (ESPN), Jannik Sinner defeats Lorenzo Musetti to advance to US Open Semis (THE GUARDIAN)
Justin Bieber reveals he's surprise-dropping ‘SWAG II’ at midnight tonight (PEOPLE)
Gaza film The Voice of Hind Rajab gets record 23-minute ovation at Venice (BBC)
London’s restored Big Ben clocktower is up for a top Architecture Prize (AP)

ICYMI FROM THE 📲

In case you missed it… In case you missed it… Adults in colder states sleep more than those in warmer states, on average. That’s according to data from 61,000 US Apple Watch users.

LEAST SLEEP: People in Hawaii, Texas, and Florida.

MOST SLEEP: People in Colorado and Wyoming have some of the highest sleep durations.

MORE SLEEP NEEDED: US adults average 6 hrs and 40 minutes of sleep, well below the 7-9 hour recommendation.