Month: September 2025

A new report from The New York Times says the Trump Administration has rolled out a new federal immigration enforcement initiative in Massachusetts, aimed at deporting undocumented immigrants with criminal records.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the operation includes the city of Boston, with sources stating that the operation began in early September and is expected to last several weeks. The effort reflects a broader strategy by the Trump administration to escalate deportations in cities led by Democratic officials who oppose federal immigration measures.

DHS confirmed Sunday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has begun an operation called “Patriot 2.0”, designed to build on the May campaign known as Operation Patriot. The agency said the effort will focus on what it described as “the worst of the worst” offenders living in the state.

In its statement, DHS criticized Boston Mayor Michelle Wu over the city’s sanctuary policies, arguing they shield undocumented immigrants from federal enforcement. The agency claimed those measures “not only attract and harbor criminals but also place these public safety threats above the interests of law-abiding American citizens,” vowing that DHS will arrest criminals released by local authorities. The statement continues to state that “under President Trump and Secretary Noem, nowhere is a safe haven for criminal illegal aliens. If you come to our country illegally and break our laws, we will hunt you down, arrest you, deport you, and you will never return.”

Earlier this month, the Justice Department filed suit against Mayor Wu over Boston’s sanctuary policy, which limits cooperation with federal immigration authorities.Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey criticized the federal action, telling MSNBC on Sunday: “What we have seen from ICE and from the administration really isn’t about public safety, it’s about political theater. It’s about a political power grab and an attempt to intimidate.”

White House officials told CNN that the Boston operation coincides with similar enforcement plans in Chicago, part of a broader push to crack down on sanctuary cities in the months ahead. Both operations mirror a large-scale initiative in Los Angeles earlier this year, where federal authorities reported 5,000 arrests since June. Officials added that the president has the option of deploying the National Guard in Boston or Chicago if federal agents determine additional support is needed to maintain order.

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Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation on Sunday, amid mounting pressure from within his party following a crushing defeat in July’s parliamentary elections.

Ishiba, who took office last October, had resisted calls from rivals inside the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to step down, arguing that his resignation could create instability at a time when Japan faces pressing domestic and international challenges. Ishiba’s fractured party while navigating a minority government was weakened by back-to-back electoral setbacks. His coalition lost its majority in the 248-seat upper house in July, compounding an earlier loss of control in the lower house. After weeks of intensifying criticism, he ultimately agreed to resign.

The prime minister’s decision followed a private meeting Saturday with Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his longtime mentor, former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. Both reportedly urged him to resign before the party’s leadership discussions. Ishiba said during a press conference: “I have consistently stated that I do not intend to cling to this position, and that I would make a decision at the appropriate time after accomplishing what needed to be done. I believe this is precisely the appropriate timing. I have therefore decided to step aside and make way for my successor.”

Ishiba’s announcement came just one day before the LDP was set to decide on whether to call an early leadership race—an effective vote of no confidence had it gone ahead. Instead, Ishiba confirmed that he would begin the process for a party leadership election to select his successor, making Monday’s planned decision unnecessary. Ishiba’s top aide LDP Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama, a key figure in negotiations with the opposition, has also offered to resign over the election defeat. Moriyama expressed his intention to step down on Sept. 2 over the election loss, though Ishiba hasn’t granted his resignation.

Pressure escalated after the LDP last week adopted a post-election review calling for a “complete overhaul” of the party, fueling demands for either his resignation or an immediate leadership contest. Prominent conservatives, including veteran lawmaker Taro Aso—one of Ishiba’s fiercest critics—joined several cabinet ministers and deputy ministers in pressing for a swift leadership vote. In addition, Former Health Minister Norihisa Tamura said that Ishiba should “settle” the issue before Monday’s party meeting to prevent further division.

With Ishiba’s resignation confirmed, the LDP is now expected to schedule a leadership election for early October. Potential contenders include Koizumi; former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, a staunch conservative; and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, a centrist closely aligned with former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

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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.”

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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.

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