Kerry King‘s debut solo album, From Hell I Rise, is out now, and the Slayer guitarist is celebrating with a video for the song “Toxic.”
The clip, streaming now on YouTube, reflects the political nature of the track’s lyrics, which go, “Toxic rhetoric/ Toxic government/ Toxic politics /T oxic hypocrites.”
“We’re at a point where political fatigue has set in and become an issue for most people who live in our country no matter what side of the coin they land on,” says co-director Jim Louvau. “The lyrics and energy of the song showcase that sentiment, so I wanted to create something visually that almost feels like a trailer for what we are about to experience. I also wanted to address PTSD for people who have serviced in the military and how the increased political landscape affects their mental health which often goes unnoticed.”
King will embark on a European tour in June, followed by a U.S. run opening for Mastodon and Lamb of God‘s joint trek, beginning in August.
Slayer, meanwhile, will be playing the upcoming Riot Fest, Louder than Life and Aftershock festivals in the fall, marking their first live performances since playing what they called their final show in 2019.
That Slayer reunited surprised many people, including Scott Ian of Anthrax, who opened up for dates on the “Raining Blood” metallers’ final tour. Ian told Classic Rockmagazine that he was convinced that Slayer was actually done after that tour and that he texted King, “Thanks for making me look like a liar” after the reunion news broke.
In case you thought Ian was actually mad about Slayer getting back together, he later posted on Instagram, “I wrote a lighthearted text to Kerry and said, ‘Thanks for making me look like a liar’ as a joke.”
John Mayer recently wrote a letter to The Hollywood Reporter complaining that an interviewer had insinuated that people don’t understand how he, a straight rock star, could be friendly with Andy Cohen, a gay TV personality. And Andy Cohen, for one, is thrilled about it.
John’s letter, in part, read, “Quite simply, if someone is dubious of a platonic relationship between a straight man and a gay man, I don’t think that shallow a view deserves clarification by anyone with self respect, be it Andy or your publication. Reinforcing the idea that any gay/straight relationship needs qualification that it’s not sexual devoids everyone involved of their dignity.”
Now, in the new episode of his podcast Daddy Diaries, Andy describes how happy he was that John spoke out. “I love that sentiment and this should now put an end to anyone asking us, ‘What’s the deal with you two? Explain it,’” Andy says. “It is demeaning to ask a gay guy about being friends with a straight guy … It does assume a gay guy can’t be friends with a straight person without them having sex.”
“I cheered when John said that,” Andy continues. “And I said to John, ‘Y’know what this really shows is what an ally you are, that you care enough about this trope being lazy and dumb and you would write this letter.'”
“I really just love that he did that, and I applaud him for wanting it published,” the Bravo star concludes. “Thank you, John, for going on the record about that. I thought it was really, really cool.”
Palestinians who fled Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip ride with their belongings in the back of a truck, as they arrive to take shelter in Deir el-Balah in the central part of the Palestinian territory on May 12, 2024. – Said Khatib/AFP via Getty Images
(NEW YORK) — As the Israel-Hamas war crosses the seven-month mark, renewed negotiations are underway to secure the release of hostages taken by the terrorist organization, as Israeli forces continue to prepare for an apparent invasion of the southern Gazan town of Rafah.
Here’s how the news is developing:
May 17, 12:01 PM IDF recovers bodies of 3 hostages in overnight operation
The bodies of three hostages have been recovered, according to the Israel Defense Forces. The bodies of Shani Louk, Yitzhak Gelanter and Amit Buskila were recovered in an operation by the Shin Bet, Israel’s security agency.
The hostages had escaped from the Nova Music Festival and were killed in the area of Kibbutz Mefalsim and their bodies were taken to Gaza, according to the IDF.
“Our hearts go out to them, to the families, at this difficult time and we will leave no stone unturned, we will do everything in our power to find our hostages and bring them home,” Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the IDF, said. “We will not rest until we do.”
May 17, 11:30 AM 75 launches detected from Lebanon into Israel Friday, IDF says
After Israel killed a senior Hezbollah commander on Thursday, 75 launches were detected crossing from southern Lebanon into Israel on Friday, according to the Israel Defense Forces.
Dozens of the launches were intercepted and a launcher in the area of Yaroun was struck and dismantled, preventing more launches, according to the IDF.
-ABC News’ Will Gretsky
May 17, 7:02 AM US CENTCOM says first trucks carrying aid have moved ashore via temporary pier
The United States Central Command (U.S. CENTCOM) has confirmed that the first trucks carrying humanitarian assistance have now moved ashore via the JLOTS temporary pier on Friday.
“Today at approximately 9 a.m. (Gaza time), trucks carrying humanitarian assistance began moving ashore via a temporary pier in Gaza,” according to a U.S. CENTCOM statement on X, formerly known as Twitter. “No U.S. troops went ashore in Gaza. This is an ongoing, multinational effort to deliver additional aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza via a maritime corridor that is entirely humanitarian in nature, and will involve aid commodities donated by a number of countries and humanitarian organizations.”
May 16, 4:05 PM Thai nationals taken hostage by Hamas declared dead
Two Thai nationals who were taken during the Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel have now been declared dead, according to the Hostages Families Forum Headquarters.
Officials now say Sonthaya Oakkharasri and Sudthisak Rinthalak were killed on the day of the invasion by Hamas and their bodies were taken back to Gaza, where they remain. Both were agricultural workers in the orchards near Kibbutz Be’eri, the Hostage Families Forum said.
“The horrific cruelty of Hamas was directed against anyone in their path without distinction of origin or nationality,” Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, said in a statement. “In front of our eyes stands the moral duty to bring them all back –- to bring all 132 hostages home as quickly as possible.”
Thirty-nine Thai citizens were killed and 31 Thai citizens were kidnapped to Gaza in the attack on Oct. 7. Large numbers of Thai nationals have traditionally done agricultural work in Israel.
-ABC News’ Will Gretsky
May 16, 3:09 PM Floating pier in place off coast of Gaza, aid coming ashore soon
The floating pier system — the U.S. military’s Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore, or JLOTS, capability — is now in place off the coast of Gaza, the U.S. Central Command announced Thursday morning. Officials said they expect to begin transporting about 500 tons of assistance to shore “in coming days.”
They said the expectation remains that between 90 and 150 truckloads a day of aid will flow into Gaza, but the officials called that characterization “an imperfect measure” and stressed it was more important to focus on the amount of tons of aid. There are currently 500 tons of aid waiting to be offloaded.
Security for U.S. forces and nongovernmental organizations participating in the JLOTS system is a top priority, officials said, adding the Israel Defense Forces will provide security at the point where the aid will arrive and be transferred to the U.N. and other NGOs.
But officials said the security for those working on bringing aid ashore could still be improved.
“The deconfliction measures are not where they need to be at, given the complexity of the environment,” said Sonali Korde, assistant to the administrator of USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance. “So those conversations are ongoing. They need to continue and they need to get to a place where humanitarian aid workers feel safe and secure and able to operate safely and I don’t think we’re there yet.”
-ABC News’ Luis Martinez
May 16, 11:22 AM IDF confirms they sent more troops into Rafah
The Israel Defense Forces’ Commando Brigade was deployed to southern Gaza’s Rafah overnight, joining the 162nd Division that has been operating in the eastern part of the city since earlier this month.
The move comes as the Israeli government is expected to approve widening the offensive there.
“Additional troops will join the ground operation in Rafah,” Israel Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant said Thursday, in remarks after completing an operational situation assessment at the Gaza border in Rafah.
“Several tunnels in the area have been destroyed by our troops and additional tunnels will be destroyed soon. This activity will intensify,” he said.
-ABC News’ Jordana Miller and Will Gretsky
May 16, 7:14 AM Floating pier designed to increase aid to Gaza now in place
A floating pier designed to increase the amount of aid getting into Gaza — known as a Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) system — was successfully anchored to the central Gazan shore on Thursday morning, according to IDF Spokesperson Nadav Shoshani.
The Israeli Navy will be securing an aid ship to JLOTS and Israeli soldiers from the 99th Division will be on the ground securing the port area, according to the IDF.
The United Nations, led by the World Food Programme, will be responsible for distributing the aid from JLOTS, the IDF said.
May 16, 6:53 AM Putin and Xi discuss Ukraine, Israel and Hamas war
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping held several hours of talks on Thursday in China, with Putin saying both Russia and China want political solutions to the “Ukrainian crisis” and Xi calling for a two-state solution to stop the war between Israel and Hamas.
Xi also took a moment to praise China’s “everlasting friendship” with Russia.
President Putin was welcomed with pomp expected on his state visit to China, complete with red carpet, military band and hundreds of Chinese militaries standing at attention to welcome him to the Great Hall of the People.
May 15, 1:14 PM Israel has amassed enough troops for full-scale incursion of Rafah: US officials
The U.S. has assessed that Israel has amassed enough troops on the edge of Rafah to move forward with a full-scale incursion into the city, but the U.S. is not sure if Israel has made a final decision to actually do so, according to two U.S. officials.
One official added that the U.S. does not have a timeline or estimate on when Israel could potentially move forward with operations.
The official stressed the U.S. continues to have the same concerns for civilian safety in Rafah.
-ABC News’ Luis Martinez and Selina Wang
May 15, 1:06 PM Gallant calls on Netanyahu to publicly reject Israeli civil or military governance of Gaza after Hamas
Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant publicly called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make the “tough” decision to declare what a non-Hamas government over the Gaza Strip will look like.
“I must reiterate, I will not agree to the establishment of Israeli military rule in Gaza. Israel must not establish civilian rule in Gaza,” Gallant said.
Failure to do that would undermine the IDF achievements in the war, Gallant warned.
“Since October, I have been raising this issue consistently in the Cabinet, and have received no response. The end of the military campaign must come together with political action,” Gallant said.
“The ‘day after Hamas,’ will only be achieved with Palestinian entities taking control of Gaza, accompanied by international actors, establishing a governing alternative to Hamas’ rule,” Gallant said.
-ABC News’ Will Gretsky
May 15, 10:03 AM Blinken calls continued closure of Rafah gate ‘urgent problem’
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was asked how long the U.S. would standby while Israel continues to seal off the Rafah gate, cutting off Gaza from the world. Blinken told reporters it is an “urgent problem” that aid isn’t getting into Rafah or Kerem Shalom. He also said the humanitarian situation is at risk of backsliding.
However, there’s no plan for the future, Blinken said.
Israel “cannot and says it does not want responsibility for Gaza. We cannot have Hamas controlling Gaza. We cannot have chaos and anarchy in Gaza. So there needs to be a clear, concrete plan. And we look to Israel to come forward with its ideas,” Blinken said.
-ABC News’ Anne Flaherty
May 14, 7:02 PM US moving forward with $1B in new weapons deals for Israel: Sources
The Biden administration notified Congress on Tuesday that it is moving forward with more than $1 billion in new weapons deals for Israel, according to sources familiar with the matter at the White House and on Capitol Hill.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters Monday that the United States is continuing to send military assistance to Israel. The only shipment paused involves the 2,000-pound bombs, for fear they’d be used in a major invasion in Rafah, according to a U.S. official.
May 14, 12:52 PM 450,000 Palestinians have fled Rafah, UN says
About 450,000 Palestinians have been displaced from Rafah, fleeing to safety, according to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
“Inland in Rafah is now a ghost town. It’s hard to believe there were over one million people sheltering here just a week ago,” UNRWA spokesperson Louise Wateridge said. “People face constant exhaustion, hunger and fear. Nowhere is safe. An immediate ceasefire is the only hope.”
The development comes as airstrikes continued to hit northern and southern Gaza Tuesday. The Israeli military said it had hit 120 targets in the last 24 hours.
May 14, 12:13 PM International court to hold hearings over Israel’s Rafah attacks
The International Court of Justice said it will hold hearings over Israel’s attacks on Rafah during the war in Gaza, after South Africa sought new emergency measures as part of its ongoing case accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention in its offensive on Gaza.
Hearings will be held on Thursday and Friday in the Hague.
South Africa first brought the case before the ICJ in December alleging Israel violated its obligations in its offensive with regard to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
May 13, 4:16 PM White House says world should be calling on Hamas to accept hostage proposal
National security adviser Jake Sullivan stressed the U.S. is working “urgently and relentlessly” to get a hostage deal in place, but did not have any major progress to share Monday.
Sullivan noted that he met with the families of American hostages this past Friday, and that “they know how hard the president is working on this.”
On where the hostage negotiations stand currently, Sullivan turned to the architect of the Good Friday agreement in Ireland.
“Sen. [George] Mitchell said quite famously, “‘Negotiations are 1,000 days of failure and one day of success.’ And right now, we’re in the former days rather than the latter day,” he said.
“[T]here could be a cease-fire tomorrow if Hamas simply released women, wounded and elderly hostages, all innocents. Israel put a forward-leaning proposal on the table for a cease-fire and hostage deal. The world should be calling on Hamas to come back to the table and accept a deal,” Sullivan said.
-ABC News’ Molly Nagle
May 13, 4:06 PM US aware of American doctors trapped in Gaza
The State Department on Monday said it was aware of reports that U.S. doctors were trapped in Gaza, and that it’s been working with Israel to reopen the Rafah gate so U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals can leave.
“I can say that we’re aware of these reports of U.S. citizen doctors and medical professionals currently unable to leave Gaza,” principal deputy spokesman Vedant Patel said. “As I said before, we don’t control this border crossing. And this is a incredibly complex situation that has very serious implications for the safety and security of U.S. citizens. But we’re continuing to work around the clock with the government of Israel, with the government of Egypt, to work on this issue.”
He added, “Rafah is a conduit for the safe departure of foreign nationals, which is why we continue to want to see it get opened as swiftly as possible.”
The State Department said it does not have an estimate of Americans still trapped in Gaza, but that it’s helped 1,800 U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents to depart Gaza so far.
“Unfortunately, this is not a border crossing the United States controls but we are continuing to work around the clock with the government of Israel, with the government of Egypt on whatever we can do to make sure that Rafah gets open. … We need to see Rafah open as soon as possible,” Patel said.
-ABC News’ Anne Flaherty
May 13, 2:23 PM UN worker killed after vehicle struck in Gaza
A United Nations worker was killed and another injured after their vehicle was struck in Gaza on Monday, the organization said.
The staff members of the U.N. Department of Safety and Security were traveling to the European Hospital in Rafah when their U.N. vehicle was struck, the U.N. said.
Details on the incident were not immediately available. The U.N. said it is still gathering information.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a full investigation, his spokesperson said.
“Humanitarian workers must be protected,” Guterres said on X. “I condemn all attacks on U.N. personnel and reiterate my urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire & the release of all hostages.”
More than 190 U.N. staff members have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, according to Guterres.
Today a @UN vehicle was struck in Gaza, killing one of our colleagues & injuring another. More than 190 UN staff have been killed in Gaza. Humanitarian workers must be protected. I condemn all attacks on UN personnel and reiterate my urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian…
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) May 13, 2024
May 13, 3:44 AM Almost 360,000 people have fled Rafah, UN agency says
Almost 360,000 people have fled from the southern Gazan city of Rafah since Israel issued an evacuation order last week, the United Nations agency operating in Gaza said on Monday.
“There’s nowhere to go,” the U.N. Agency for Palestine Refugees said on social media. “There’s NO safety without a cease-fire.”
The agency had said Sunday that 300,000 people had evacuated the city as Israel weighs a full-scale invasion.
-ABC News’ Kevin Shalvey
May 12, 5:39 PM IDF say its opened new crossing for humanitarian aid into Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces has announced that it has opened a new crossing to bring humanitarian aid into the famine-stricken Gaza.
The military announced in a Sunday press release the opening of the “Western Erez crossing” between Israel and northern Gaza in coordination with the U.S.
According to the military, the new crossing is located west of the Erez crossing, closer to the seashore. The crossing was constructed by the Israeli military “as part of the effort to increase routes for aid to Gaza, particularly to the North of the strip.”
Earlier Sunday, IDF said it launched a large-scale operation in the area of Jabaliya in the North, while intensifying its military operations in the Eastern portion of Rafah and the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing. It said that it had called on the civilian population to evacuate from Jabaliya to shelters in the west part of Gaza City.
-ABC News’ Dragana Jovanovic
May 12, 2:27 PM White House National Security Advisor speaks to Israeli counterpart, expresses concern over pending Rafah invasion
In a phone call Sunday with his Israeli counterpart, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan expressed an “ironclad U.S. commitment” to Israel but also voiced the Biden administration’s concerns about Israel’s major military operations in Gaza, according to the White House.
During the call with Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, Sullivan reiterated President Joe Biden’s “longstanding concerns over the potential for a major military ground operation into Rafah, where over one million people have taken shelter,” according to a readout of the call that was released by the White House.
“He [Sullivan] discussed alternative courses of action to ensure the defeat of Hamas everywhere in Gaza,” the readout said. “Mr. Hanegbi confirmed that Israel is taking U.S. concerns into account.”
The White House said Sullivan also expressed condolences on Israel’s Memorial Day, the first since Hamas’ surprise Oct. 7 attacks on Israel. The Hamas attack killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians, according to Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office.
Sullivan and Hanegbi also reviewed discussions by officials on both sides of the war about alternatives for a Rafah invasion and agreed to plan an in-person meeting soon, according to the White House.
-ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart
May 12, 6:16 AM 300,000 have fled Rafah, UN agency says
More than 300,000 people have fled Rafah in the week since Israel issued a partial evacuation order, the United Nations agency operating in Gaza said on Sunday.
The U.N. Agency for Palestine Refugees called the evacuation “forced and inhumane.”
“There is nowhere safe to go,” the agency said on social media, repeating the phrase three times for emphasis.
The Israeli military late Saturday called again for civilians to evacuate from much of the eastern part of the city, which is in southern Gaza.
Israel Defense Forces entered Rafah last week, in what they called a “precise” operation ahead of potential invasion.
“Prior to our operations we urge civilians to temporarily move towards humanitarian areas and move away from the crossfire that Hamas puts them in,” the Israel Defense Forces said on a post on Telegram. “Our war is against Hamas, not against the people of Gaza.”
ZAYN admits he didn’t allow himself to enjoy his stint in One Direction that much while he was actually a member of the band, but now, he looks back on it a bit more fondly — especially since it’s given him a certain status among the younger members of his family.
Speaking to Apple Music 1’s Zane Lowe, ZAYN says, “Now, when I look back at [1D] as a grownup man, I see that there was missed opportunity there for me to have more fun, but I also look at it and think, ‘I did have a lot of fun too.’ And I’m really grateful for the experience I had with the lads in the band, and I think we did some amazing things that I’m really proud of in my life.”
“And also, with having a daughter, and now I’ve got a niece and I’ve got a nephew, my niece is four years old, and she loves One Direction,” he continues.
“She watches all of our old stuff, and she just thinks I’m the coolest person ever because I was in One Direction,” notes ZAYN. “So, to me, I’m like, ‘Yo, this has got a whole new level of cool street cred with the young ones.’ So, I’m really grateful, man, and proud that I was involved. Do you know what I mean? I look at it in a different way now.”
ZAYN has just released his new album, Room Under the Stairs, as well as a video for one of its tracks, “Stardust.” On Friday, May 17, he’ll have his first-ever live solo performance at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire. On May 21, he’ll do his first TV performance in eight years on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
(WASHINGTON) — Speaker Mike Johnson on Friday said he is disappointed in the chaos and name-calling that happened during a raucous House Oversight Committee markup on Thursday night when Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez clashed over Greene’s comments that Rep. Jasmine Crockett wore “fake eyelashes.”
“It was not a good look for Congress,” the speaker told ABC News. “We all — I think — need to control the emotions better and get the job done.”
Tension flared Thursday night during the committee’s markup of a resolution to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over the audio recording of President Biden’s interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur. However, the drama had nothing to do with that, and led to a nearly hourlong disruption where lawmakers shouted over eachother.
“I think the decorum in the house is an important tradition to maintain,” said Johnson, the top Republican in Congress who is known for his civility. “So we’ll be talking about that with our members. I think Hakeem Jeffries needs to do the same on the Democrat side.”
It all began when the Georgia Republican made a crack about the Texas Democrat’s eyelashes — “I think your fake eyelashes are messing up what you’re reading” — which was made when Crockett pushed back to a line of questioning from Greene.
Democrats called for Greene’s eyelash comment to Crockett to be stricken from the record and the congresswoman to be barred from speaking for the rest of the proceedings. Greene repeatedly shouted she was “not apologizing.”
“That is absolutely unacceptable, how dare you attack the physical appearance of another person,” Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, said.
“Are your feelings hurt?” Greene responded.
“Oh baby girl … don’t even play,” Ocasio-Cortez shot back.
The proceedings devolved then into further chaos with lawmakers shouting over each other and Democrats repeatedly trying to force Greene to apologize. At times, House Oversight Committee chair James Comer said he struggled to hear over the shouting and repeatedly worked to bring order to the proceedings. Comer even called a brief recess to figure out how to parliamentary respond to Greene’s remarks.
“Why don’t you debate me … you don’t have enough intelligence,” Greene said to Ocasio-Cortez during the exchange.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., made a crack about Democrats on the committee not wanting to work.
Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., shot back, “like showing up for a vote?” — presumably a jab at the fact that Luna and several other members missed much of Thursday on Capitol Hill attending former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial in New York.
“You have a lot to say being that you’re on retainer for the judge’s daughter. Sorry trust fund kid,” Luna replied — a reference to the daughter of Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing Trump’s trial. The judge’s daughter has been the target of Trump and Republican’s criticism over her work for a digital consulting firm that they claim creates an “ongoing financial interest” tied to the former president’s criminal trial.
Luna also said Democrats should be disciplined for making unspecified cracks about “Marjorie’s body.”
“I hope you brought your popcorn,” Greene added, then moved on to talking about how her “body is pretty good” given how she is “going to turn 50 this month.”
After a vote to strike Greene’s comments failed along party lines, Greene eventually continued her remarks and the hearing continued.
Despite the chaos and disorder that unraveled during the markup, the GOP-led House Oversight Committee ultimately voted 24-20 late Thursday to approve a report recommending a contempt of Congress resolution against Attorney General Merrick Garland for his failure to turn over audio recordings of the Special Counsel Robert Hur interview with President Joe Biden.
The Garland contempt resolutions now head to the full House for a vote.
(NEW YORK) — A photo of an upside-down American flag flying at the home of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and his wife Martha-Ann in January 2021 has been obtained by The New York Times.
The flag was “aloft on Jan. 17, 2021,” according to the NYT report, just days before President Joe Biden’s inauguration.
Since the Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021, rioters and affiliated groups have been known to fly the American flag upside-down in protest of the election victory of President Biden — an expression of false claims that he stole the election.
Alito’s chambers has not responded to an ABC News request for comment.
In a statement to The Times, Alito did not dispute the image. He said he had no involvement in its flying, saying the flag was placed by his wife Martha-Ann Alito, who had been offended by a neighbor’s yard signs.
“I had no involvement whatsoever in the flying of the flag,” Justice Alito said in an emailed statement to the NYT. “It was briefly placed by Mrs. Alito in response to a neighbor’s use of objectionable and personally insulting language on yard signs.”
The Times reported that the yard signs were anti-Donald Trump.
Legal ethics experts, as cited by The New York Times, say this could possibly violate the spirit of the court’s ethics code as well as the recent pledge by Supreme Court justices to avoid the mere appearance of conflict or impropriety or expression of political opinion. Spouses of justices, however, are not bound by judicial ethics codes.
The Supreme Court is expected to rule on two cases regarding the Jan. 6 riots, including whether Trump has immunity for his actions during the riots. The decisions are expected to determine whether the former president can be held accountable for his alleged attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
James Sample, a professor and judicial ethics expert at Hofstra Law School, told ABC News that this could present a real headache for the Supreme Court.
“Two scenarios are plausible and neither one of them is attractive: either the flag was trivial pettiness that ought to be beneath the dignity of the Court or it is was intended as meaningful symbolism in which case it is a real problem – especially in the context of Jan. 6 litigation,” Sample said. “Collectively, the scenarios amplify the need for Congress to impose meaningful ethics enforcement on a Court that steadfastly refuses to police itself.”
ABC News has reached out to Martha-Ann Alito for comment.
John Oates is sharing his side of the story over his legal battle with longtime creative partner Daryl Hall.
Last year, Hall filed a lawsuit against Oates alleging Oates attempted to sell his share of their jointly owned company, Whole Oats Enterprises, without Hall’s permission.
During an interview with Michael Strahan, which was aired on Good Morning America, Oates explained the reason why he wanted to sell.
“When this whole situation got mired in legality and really complex legal wranglings, I got frustrated,” he said. “And I said, ‘You know what? Daryl has always wanted to be his own man.’ I said, ‘I’m gonna give him the opportunity to do that. If I sell my half, he can either, you know, he can do what he wants.'”
Hall added he “wasn’t happy” and decided it was time for him to “step aside,” sharing, “It’s not that big a deal. But Daryl didn’t like the idea that I would sell to a certain third party.”
Reflecting on their partnership, Oates shared he and Hall had not worked together creatively in over 20 years.
“The only thing we did together was play concerts where we just went out there and trotted out the hits,” he said.
When Strahan inquired if Hall & Oates would ever perform together again, Oates answered, “Not from my point of view, but you need to ask Daryl how he feels about it.”
Despite their differences and the legal trouble, Oates said he still loves Hall like a brother.
In his message to Hall, Oates said, “I love you like a brother, if I’m talking to him directly, but you know what? Brothers have disagreements, families grow apart … I would say, I wish him the best. I hope that he has everything he wants in life.”
ABC News has reached out to Hall for comment but has yet to hear back.
(GRAND LAKE, Colo.) — The body of 23-year-old Lucas Macaj was recovered in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park on Thursday after he took a “significant fall,” according to an initial investigation, the park said.
Search and rescue teams had been looking for Macaj on Mills Glacier since Monday.
His body was flown by helicopter to a landing zone in Rocky Mountain National Park before being transferred to the Boulder County Coroner’s Office. Park rangers completed an on-scene investigation.
The search for Macaj began when he was reported overdue following an attempt to summit Longs Peak on Sunday. He was last heard from at about 1 p.m. on Sunday when he texted a friend indicating that he was on the summit of Longs Peak.
Macaj’s vehicle was found parked at the Longs Peak Trailhead on Monday. The search for Macaj included several agencies as well as air, ground and dog teams.
There were significant storms moving through the high elevations of the park on Sunday afternoon, according to the National Park Service.
The Boulder County Coroner’s office will release the official cause of death.
Appearing onThe Jennifer Hudson Show, Wiz talked about how he and his mom, who he calls Peachy, do “everything” together. Asked to detail the most fun they ever had hanging out together, Wiz revealed, “We go to strip clubs together. We went to Mexico. We went to Coachella together.”
But they’re not partying 24/7. Wiz tells J-Hud, “I think the most fun thing is, like, being at home … just being in the house life and doing everything around the house. I really value that, and that time is really special to me.” His comments drew “awwws” and applause from the audience.
The “Black and Yellow” rapper also revealed that he’ll be coming out with sequel to his 2014 mixtape, Kush and Orange Juice. He said he wanted to do a sequel because the original is “a real fan favorite,” adding, “I just wanted to put some new flavor on it and give the fans something to have fun to.” No word yet on when it’ll be released.
In addition, Wiz discussed his passion for mixed martial arts and the musical talents of his son, Sebastian, who he shares with ex-wife, Amber Rose. The most important advice he gives him? “Have fun and handle your business as well.”
Noting More has shared a new track called “ANGEL SONG,” a cut off their upcoming album, CARNAL.
“ANGEL” song features guest vocals by Disturbed frontman David Draiman. You can listen to it now via digital outlets and watch its accompanying video streaming now on YouTube.
“‘ANGEL SONG’ is the haunting sound of our past selves melting into a future that is as bright as it is dark,” says Nothing More’s Jonny Hawkins. “Our animal nature is getting more and more chewed up by society and our souls swallowed by technology, but there’s something in us that wants to fight back.”
“As the song was coming together in the studio, it became immediately clear to us that David Draiman’s voice would take it to another level,” Hawkins adds. “We’re so happy with the result.”
CARNAL, the follow-up to 2022’s Spirits, drops June 28. It also includes the previously released tracks “IF IT DOESN’T HURT” and “HOUSE ON SAND.”
Nothing More’s current tour with Wage War wraps Saturday, May 18, in Bloomington, Indiana. They will be touring with Godsmack starting in July.
