Scotty McCreery and Darius Rucker finally got the chance to sing “Bottle Rockets” together Friday night at the Country 2 Country festival.
“Unreal night in London!” Scotty wrote on Instagram, along with some photos. “Singing ‘Bottle Rockets’ with D for the first time at The O2 during C2C is definitely one for the memory book. Thanks for coming out, Darius!!”
“Bottle Rockets” hit #1 in September for Scotty and Hootie & the Blowfish. It features a rerecording of the band’s 1995 hit, “Hold My Hand.”
The two also performed “Wagon Wheel,” a smash for Darius in 2013.
Scotty played Belfast, Glasgow, and Berlin as part of C2C. On Friday, he’ll play the Grand Ole Opry at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold performs at Krianke on June 18, 2025 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. (Mario Skraban/Redferns) Good Charlotte on ‘GMA3’ on August 8, 2025. (ABC/Paula Lobo)
Avenged Sevenfold and Good Charlotte have added a show in Los Angeles to their upcoming joint summer tour.
The show takes place Aug. 30 at LA’s BMO Stadium and will also feature A Day to Remember on the bill.
Members of A7X and Good Charlotte’s respective fan clubs will have access to request tickets starting Tuesday at 10 a.m. PT. An artist email list presale takes place Thursday at 10 a.m. PT, and tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday at 10 a.m. PT.
The entrance to a U.S. Immigration and Customs detention facility in Dallas, Texas (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
(DALLAS) — An Afghan immigrant who died after being in immigration custody for one day worked alongside U.S. forces during the war in Afghanistan, according to an immigrant advocacy group.
Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, 41, died last week at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Dallas, Texas. He is the 43rd person to die in ICE custody during the second Trump administration, according to lawmakers.
According to ICE, 36 detainees have died in ICE custody since Jan. 23, 2025. By federal law, ICE makes public all reports regarding detainee deaths while in custody within 90 days, according to the agency.
“For many years, Nazeer worked alongside American forces during the war in Afghanistan,” the group AfghanEvac said in a statement on behalf of Paktyawal’s family. “It was dangerous work, but he believed in helping bring stability to his country and protecting the people around him. After Afghanistan fell, the United States helped evacuate our family in 2021, and we came here hoping for safety and a better life.”
An ICE statement Sunday said that Paktyawal died Saturday morning at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas, following his arrest the day before. It described Paktyawal as “a criminal illegal alien from Afghanistan” who had “a known criminal history,” including an arrest for alleged SNAP fraud and another for alleged theft, both last year.
The ICE statement did not address whether Paktyawal had assisted U.S. troops in Afghanistan, as AfghanEvac claimed.
AghanEvac said in their statement that Paktayawal had an open asylum application and did not have any criminal convictions. ABC News has so far been unable to independently confirm claims about Paktayawal’s alleged criminal record.
The Department of Homeland Security on Monday confirmed that Paktayawal entered the U.S. in 2021 but said that his parole expired in August 2025. The agency did not address questions about an active asylum application.
“In the late evening of March 13, ICE contacted Emergency Medical Services when Paktiawal [sic] began complaining of shortness of breath and chest pains while in an ICE Dallas Field Office processing hold room,” the ICE statement said. “He was immediately transported to Parkland Hospital and received breathing treatment. The ER doctor recommended that he remain in the hospital for observation.”
“Early March 14, Paktiawal was eating breakfast when medical staff noted that his tongue had become swollen, prompting a medical response. After multiple lifesaving efforts were attempted, he was declared deceased at 9:10 a.m.,” according to the ICE statement.
Paktyawal “did not report any prior medical history” at the time of his arrest, the ICE statement said.
In a statement to ABC News on Monday, DHS Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said Paktyawal’s tongue was swollen and said that he “received an epinephrine drip.”
“Later that day, medical staff began cardiopulmonary resuscitation,” Bis further said. “At approximately 9:10 a.m. CDT, a physician at Parkland Hospital pronounced Paktyawal deceased after multiple resuscitative efforts, including mechanical device and medical professional interventions.”
“No one in ICE custody is denied access to proper medical care,” Bis added. “It is a longstanding practice to provide comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody.”
AfghanEvac stated that Paktyawal was preparing to drive his children to school when he was detained March 13.
“His children watched as he was surrounded and taken away,” the group said. “We still cannot understand how this happened. He was only 41 years old and was a strong and healthy man.”
Paktyawal served as an Afghan special forces soldier beginning in 2005 and worked alongside U.S. Army Special Forces for more than a decade, according to AfghanEvac, and was evacuated by the U.S. on Aug. 30, 2021, and resettled in Texas through Catholic Charities. Paktyawal had completed his asylum interview and held a work authorization and a valid Social Security number, AfghanEvac said.
The group said Paktyawal contacted his family members shortly after being detained on March 13 and said that he was not feeling well. He was admitted to a local hospital in Dallas that night and the family was informed on March 14 that Paktyawal had died.
“Mr. Paktyawal’s asylum case remained pending with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at the time of his detention,” AghanEvac said in a statement.
“While ICE’s statement focuses on past allegations, the circumstances surrounding Mr. Paktyawal’s detention and death remain unclear,” the group added. “According to information currently available, those arrests did not result in criminal charges nor had Mr. Paktyawal been convicted of any crimes.”
Brian May and Benson Boone pose at the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, April 11, 2025 in Indio, California. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella)
Since last year, Benson Boone has made it sort of a habit to perform with legendary Queen guitarist Brian May, so it was no surprise that Brian showed up at Benson’s concert March 15 in Birmingham, England. Brian has now documented the gig on Instagram, and explained why it was a very special one.
“Benson himself is not only an awesome performer but one of the most genuine, thoughtful and generous people I’ve ever met,” Brian wrote on Instagram. He added, “I’m not sure how many people realise this, but this show was originally planned to happen about three months ago, and Benson was forced to cancel at the last minute, because of strain to his voice. He was mortified, and promised to come back as soon as he could to make it up to the Birmingham fans.”
“Not only did he fulfil that promise tonight, but he and the whole band and crew came back to the UK just to play this ONE show. It’s hard to imagine how much trouble and expense had to be put into making that happen,” Brian continued, noting, “I don’t know many performers who would take that hit to fulfil a promise. That, to me, signifies decency and dedication. I was proud to be the extra gift.”
During the show, Brian played guitar while Benson sang the Queen classics “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions,” as well as his signature song “Beautiful Things.”
In another post, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer thanked the “good people of Birmingham” for giving “Mr. Boone the appreciation he so richly deserves.” He went on to write, “Epic !!! One of the best gigs I’ve ever been involved in.”
Michael Stipe attends Focus Features’ “The Phoenician Scheme” New York Premiere at Jazz at Lincoln Center on May 28, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage)
In a 2023 New York Times article, R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe opened up about his long-in-the-works solo album. Well, fans are still waiting on that album, and now Stipe’s giving them another update on the project.
In an interview with the U.K. Times, Stipe says the album has “taken longer than I wanted,” noting, “Covid didn’t help, but I’m finishing it.”
R.E.M. broke up in 2011, and Stipe tells the paper that after that he “just needed a break,” adding, “I took five years but I got pulled back into music.”
“It’s been a struggle. That’s the main thing,” he says of the album. “I want it to be great, but I’ve got the pressure of having been in R.E.M. and it’s a high bar, because I want this to be as good as that, and that’s near impossible.”
“So it’s f****** exciting but also terrifying, and I’m doing the music for the first time too, and I think I’m good at it but not great,” he says of the album. “But I love my voice. I don’t like my speaking voice but I love my singing voice, and I so want to immerse myself back into offering music to the world.”
It sounds like Stipe has plenty of work to do, with the article noting he still has lyrics to complete on eight songs before the album’s done, although he’s hoping to have it out before the end of the year.
As for the title, Stipe says he hasn’t settled on one yet, noting, “But I did think about Meet THE Michael Stipe.”
Sarah Michelle Gellar stars in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer.’ (Getty Images)
The previously-announced Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot is no more.
Sarah Michelle Gellar took to Instagram on Saturday to reveal that Hulu has decided not to move forward with the reboot Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale.
“I am really sad to have to share this, but I wanted you all to hear it from me. Unfortunately, Hulu has decided not to move forward with Buffy: New Sunnydale,” Gellar said.
Nora Zuckerman and Lilla Zuckerman were going to write and executive produce the reboot, which would have been directed and executive produced by Chloé Zhao. Gellar was attached to executive produce and star in the new series.
“I never thought I would find myself back in Buffy’s stylish yet affordable boots, and thanks to Chloé, I was reminded how much I love her, and how much she means not only to me, but to all of you. And this doesn’t change any of that,” Gellar said in her video. “And I promise, if the apocalypse actually comes, you can still beep me.”
Gellar captioned the video with the same parting line, which is a reference to a quote her character, Buffy Summers, said in the original show.
While on the red carpet for the 98th Oscars on Sunday, Zhao told Variety and CNN that she was “not surprised” by Hulu’s decision.
“I had an incredible, incredible time with Sarah, with all the cast and crew doing this,” Zhao said. “Our priority for Sarah and for us has always been to be truthful to the show, to be truthful to our fans. So, things happen for a reason, and we keep our hearts open and we welcome the mystery. And what this might lead us to.”
Disney is the parent company of ABC News and Hulu.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles listens as President Donald Trump announces the creation of the U.S. strategic critical minerals reserve during an event in the Oval Office of the White House on February 02, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
(WASHINGTON) — White House chief of staff Susie Wiles said Monday that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer, which was detected early, and that she will continue to serve in her role while she undergoes treatment.
“I am grateful to have an outstanding team of doctors who detected the cancer early and are guiding my care, and I am encouraged by a strong prognosis,” Wiles said in a statement. “I am also deeply thankful for the support and encouragement of President Trump as I undergo treatment and continue serving in my role as White House Chief of Staff.”
President Donald Trump said in a social media post Monday that while Wiles undergoes treatment, “she will be spending virtually full time at the White House, which makes me, as President, very happy!”
During an event at the White House on Monday, Trump praised his top aide, saying that she is an “amazing fighter” and will “take care of it immediately,” referring to her treatment.
“She just started actually, and she’s going to be a great shape,” Trump said of her treatment. “The prognosis there is excellent, beyond excellent.”
Wiles has served as the White House chief of staff since the beginning of Trump’s second term.
She didn’t offer any additional details about her prognosis or treatment plan.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in the United States (excluding skin cancers). About 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer.
An estimated 321,910 females will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, the American Cancer Society estimates. An estimated 42,140 women will die.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin tapped by U.S. President Donald Trump to replace U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, speaks to members of the media as he departs the U.S. Capitol in Washington, March 5, 2026. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
(WASHINGTON) — It’s set to be a critical week in Congress as lawmakers continue to scrutinize the Iran war — with opportunities to press the Trump administration as members of the president’s Cabinet and senior military commanders are set to make appearances.
The country’s top intelligence community officials make their way to Capitol Hill on Tuesday and Wednesday, when Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, FBI Director Kash Patel as well as top officials from the Defense Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency are scheduled to appear before the House and Senate Intelligence committees for the Worldwide Threats hearings.
While these are annual hearings, this year’s presentation comes amid heightened focus on the intelligence community because of the Iran war as lawmakers mull a potential emergency supplemental bill to fund the open-ended operation.
The money that has so far been spent to fund operations in Iran comes out of Pentagon funds already allocated by Congress. Congress has not yet approved any additional funding for the war with Iran.
Also on Wednesday, Sen. Markwayne Mullin will appear for his public confirmation hearing to serve as the Secretary of Homeland Security after being tapped by Trump earlier this month to take over from Kristi Noem.
He’ll be before the Senate Homeland Security Committee while the department he’s seeking to lead remains shut down due to a funding stalemate, with no clear end to that shutdown in sight.
Parts of DHS — from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the Transportation Security Administration to the Coast Guard — are shut down amid a funding fight over Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Democrats have said they will fund the department only if changes are made to the agency in the wake of the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal law enforcement in Minneapolis earlier this year.
While Mullin is expected to be grilled by Democrats over ongoing challenges at DHS, he is ultimately expected to swiftly sail to confirmation. The Senate Homeland Security Committee is scheduled to vote on his nomination on Thursday. After that vote, his nomination will head to the Senate floor. He could be confirmed as soon as the following week.
Mullin may face questions about threats to the homeland after DHS warned of potential lone-wolf and cyberattacks amid the ongoing strikes in Iran, according to a law enforcement bulletin obtained by ABC News.
Majority Leader John Thune has signaled that this is the week that the Senate is going to attempt to move forward with votes on the SAVE America Act, which would change voter ID requirements ahead of November’s midterm elections. It comes after President Donald Trump threatened that he would not sign any other legislation coming to his desk until the SAVE America Act was passed.
The showdown is expected to produce heated debate on the floor — not only about the bill’s provisions, but also the Senate’s wonky and longstanding procedures.
Trump has mentioned the possibility of utilizing the so-called “talking filibuster” to pass the SAVE America Act. The “talking filibuster” would be a departure from the Senate’s usual operating procedure that some hope would allow senators to side-step the current rules requiring 60 votes to advance most legislation. It could see lawmakers making tireless speeches on endless numbers of amendments on the floor.
Thune has consistently reiterated that there are not the votes in the Senate to support a talking filibuster or modify the chamber’s filibuster rules. So while the floor debate may get heated, any vote that takes place on the bill is mostly symbolic, and all-but-certain to fail.
On Thursday, the investigation around convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein continues as Darren Indyke, longtime attorney and a co-executer of Epstein’s will, is expected to appear for a closed-door deposition with the House Oversight Committee.
Indyke’s testimony follows accountant Richard Kahn’s deposition last week, during which he told the committee that he did not know about Epstein’s crimes, according to his prepared remarks obtained by ABC News.
Chairman James Comer continues to work to schedule transcribed interviews with Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Attorney General Pam Bondi, though an aide told ABC News on Friday that neither interview has been nailed down so far.
Don Toliver performs at Kozel Carroponte of Sesto San Giovanni on June 13, 2025, in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Sergione Infuso/Corbis via Getty Images)
It’s been less than two months since Don Toliver released his latest album, Octane, and he’s already cooking up some new music. During a conversation with Billboard at South by Southwest, he revealed that he’s working on his next album.
Don said his creative juices have been on a high due to all that’s going on his life, hence the reason he’s been in the studio.
“I just feel like right now if I don’t put out anything, I just need to capture this moment because it’s a lot going on in my life,” he said. “Both when I was making this album and when it came out… it’s just fueling me to want to be as creative as I can possibly be.”
He adds that his desire to grow and evolve as an artist remains, though he has to balance that with quality time with his loved ones.
“Even with the balance of just trying to make as much time as I can for my family, I still want to make sure that I fulfill my duties as an artist and as a creator,” Don said. “As somebody who really tries to push things forward… to continue to create.”
“Animal I Have Become” single artwork. (Zomba Recording)
Three Days Grace’s “Animal I Have Become” has become the band’s latest entry into the Spotify Billions Club.
The 2006 single marks the second 3DG song to reach the 1 billion stream milestone, following “I Hate Everything About You.” According to a press release, Three Days Grace is now the only Canadian band to have 1 billion streams on Spotify with two different songs.
“On the back of a bus in Germany, what started as a dissonant riff and a nod to the Beatles became ‘Animal I Have Become,'” Three Days Grace says in a statement. “What began as a raw idea on the road for a band from a small town like Norwood grew into a song that connected with millions around the world. Seeing it now join the billions club — and becoming the only Canadian band with two songs there — is pretty incredible.”
Three Days Grace is currently on tour in support of their latest album, 2025’s Alienation. It’s the band’s first record with their revamped two-vocalist lineup featuring returning frontman Adam Gontier and longtime singer Matt Walst.
