U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth speaks as Adm. Brad Cooper, Commander of U.S. Central Command, listens during a press briefing at the Pentagon on April 16, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
(WASHINGTON) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Tuesday that the annual flu vaccine will now be optional for all U.S. military personnel, both active and reserve.
Previously, the flu vaccine had been mandatory. The new policy is in line with a previous change, making the COVID-19 vaccine optional.
Hegseth announced the change in a video posted on social media.
“The notion that a flu vaccine must be mandatory for every service member, everywhere, in every circumstance, at all times, is just overly broad and not rational,” Hegseth said.
“Our new policy is simple: If you, an American warrior entrusted to defend this nation, believe that the flu vaccine is in your best interest, then you are free to take it; you should. But we will not force you,” Hegseth added.
Referring to the COVID-19 vaccine that led to the dismissal of 8,000 service members who refused to take it, Hegseth said, “Our men and women in uniform were forced to choose between their conscience and their country, even when those decisions posed no threat to our military readiness.”
“That era of betrayal is over,” said Hegseth.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
An aerial view of the Pyramid of the Moon following a shooting that left at least one person dead, at the Teotihuacan archaeological site, in Teotihuacan, Mexico on April 20, 2026. (Daniel Cardenas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
(NEW YORK) — The man who opened fire at one of Mexico’s busiest tourist sites was allegedly influenced by violent acts in the United States, Mexican officials said Tuesday.
The deadly mass shooting occurred during the late morning Monday at the Teotihuacan pyramids, an archaeological site outside of Mexico City. The shooter fired upon tourists from atop one of the pyramids while armed with a revolver that he reloaded at least twice before dying by suicide, according to José Luis Cervantes Martínez, the attorney general of the state of Mexico.
One person was killed and seven others wounded by gunfire, officials said. Several people also suffered injuries in the ensuing panic.
“We all know that we had not seen anything like this in Mexico before,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum told reporters at a press briefing on Tuesday. “Based on information from the authorities, the individual showed signs of psychological issues and was influenced by incidents that occurred abroad.”
The gunman held a plastic bag containing 52 rounds of ammunition during the attack, according to Cervantes Martínez. The shooter also had a bladed weapon on him and handwritten materials reportedly related to violent incidents believed to have occurred in the U.S. in April 1999, the attorney general said.
The shooting occurred on the same day as the 1999 Columbine High School massacre.
“Evidence collected so far suggests a psychopathic profile of the attacker, characterized by a tendency to imitate violent acts that occurred in other places and at other times,” Cervantes Martínez said at Tuesday’s press briefing. “This phenomenon, known as a ‘copycat’ effect, is one of the lines of investigation in this case, as materials referencing violent acts and figures associated with such behavior were found.”
The gunman, identified as Julio César Jaso Ramírez, is not linked to organized crime and appears to have acted alone in a premeditated act, officials said.
“Investigative findings indicate that the attack was not spontaneous. The attacker had previously visited the archaeological site on several occasions, stayed in nearby hotels, and from there planned and carried out his actions,” Cervantes Martinez said.
The first report of an armed individual at the tourist site came at 11:20 a.m., officials said. State police and the Mexican National Guard responded and were also attacked. While returning fire, the gunman was shot in the leg by the National Guard, officials said. He shot himself while being subdued and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials said.
One person — a Canadian woman — was fatally shot and seven others suffered gunshot wounds during the attack, authorities said. Six others were also injured, such as from falls, in the incident, authorities said. Those injured were from Brazil, Canada, Colombia, the Netherlands, Russia and the U.S., officials said.
Sheinbaum said authorities are investigating how the attacker was able to enter the site with a weapon.
In the wake of the deadly shooting, Mexico will be increasing security at archaeological sites and other public locations across the country by increasing the presence of the Mexican National Guard and installing screening equipment, the president said.
“In light of this event, it is necessary to strengthen inspections to prevent anyone from entering an archaeological site or public space with a firearm,” Sheinbaum said.
Booking photo of Mohamed Soliman. (Boulder Police Department)
(DILLEY, Texas) — The wife and five children of the man suspected of throwing Molotov cocktails at a crowd of pro-Israel demonstrators last June were ordered released from federal custody by a judge on Monday.
The family of the suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, has been detained in immigration custody for more than 10 months at the family detention facility in Dilley, Texas.
Eric Lee, an attorney representing Hayam El Gamal and her children, told ABC News the family has not been released despite the federal judge’s order. There is a hearing in their case on Thursday.
“Although the court has ruled that the El Gamal family is detained in violation of the Constitution, the government continues to keep them locked up,” Lee told ABC News. “We demand their immediate release.”
A federal judge blocked the family’s deportation in June after the Department of Homeland Security announced they were being processed for removal shortly after the attack.
Soliman, 45, is facing more than 100 charges including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and assault. He has pleaded not guilty.
In court documents, Soliman’s family — which includes five children aged 18, 16, 9, and 5-year-old twins — have claimed authorities are continuing to detain them despite a lack of evidence that they played any role in the attack.
“The facts of this case have not changed: Mohammed Soliman is a terrorist responsible for an anti-Semitic firebombing in Boulder,” DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement Tuesday.
“The judge wants to release this terrorist’s family onto American streets,” she added. “Under President Trump, DHS will continue to fight for the removal of those who have no right to be in our country, especially national security threats.”
Lee, the family’s lawyer, said on X that El Gamal was rushed to the ER last week after she was denied proper medical care for persistent chest pain.
“We do not know if the lump is cancerous, all we know is that the pain is increasing, the incidents are becoming worse and worse, and she is not receiving a proper diagnosis that could lead to proper treatment,” Lee said. “After 10 months in detention, Ms. El Gamal remains in pain.”
While DHS did not respond to questions about El Gamal’s medical care, the agency in previous statements has denied allegations about the lack of medical care at Dilley.
“These allegations of illegal aliens being denied proper medical care in ICE custody are FALSE,” said Dr. Sean Conley, DHS’ chief medical officer, in a statement posted on the agency website. “It is both policy and longstanding practice for aliens to receive timely and appropriate medical care from the moment they enter ICE custody. This includes medical, dental, women’s health, mental health services, any needed follow up medical appointments, as well as 24-hour emergency care. This is better, more responsive healthcare than many aliens have ever received in their entire lives.”
Megan Moroney slides into Dolly Parton’s 1974 cover of the Jolene album for PEOPLE‘s new World’s Most Beautiful Issue.
Sporting a blue-striped pajama-esque outfit with white sleeves, Megan steps into the graphics for the classic album and assumes the same position as Dolly in a moment you can only see on the PEOPLE website.
The “Beautiful” hitmaker can’t remember a time the global superstar wasn’t part of her life.
“I must have learned the songs in the womb,” she told PEOPLE. “I don’t remember an age where I learned these songs; I feel like I was born and I knew them. So I blame my mom for playing a lot of Dolly Parton in the car. I grew up in a household where it was like, ‘In this house, we respect Dolly Parton.’”
Beyond smashes like “I Will Always Love You,” which appears on the Jolene album, Megan’s influenced by Dolly’s fashion.
“I think Dolly has inspired my style because she’s always thought more is more, and I’m right there with you, girl — I love dressing up,” Megan says. “She’s always been super confident, knows exactly who she is; she’s kind and gracious, talented, over-the-top in some ways, but she really embraces it, so that’s always been inspiring to me.”
While Megan often wears hair extensions, she admits it took multiple wigs pinned and braided together to achieve Dolly’s mega-hairstyle from the mid-’70s.
ZZ Top The Big One! tour admat/(courtesy of ZZ Top)
ZZ Top will be spending some more time on the road this year. The Texas rockers have extended their The Big One! tour with seven more weeks of shows.
The latest additions begin Aug. 4 in Chula Vista, California, and include stops in Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, Maine and Connecticut. The schedule also includes two shows, Aug. 21 and 22, in the band’s home state of Texas, at ACL Live at the Moody Theater in Austin.
The new dates wrap Sept. 18 in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Special guests include Cheap Trick and George Thorogood & The Destroyers on select dates.
A complete schedule and ticket information can be found at ZZTop.com.
ZZ Top launched the first leg of The Big One! tour in March. Their next show is Tuesday in Wheeling, West Virginia. In addition to their U.S. dates, they are heading to Europe in June and July, and Mexico and South America in November.
Lady Gaga attends the world premiere of ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ at Lincoln Center in New York, New York, on April 20, 2026. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for 20th Century Studios)
Lady Gaga hit the red carpet for Monday night’s premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2, and as the film’s director seemingly confirmed at the premiere, it wasn’t just because she recorded a song for the soundtrack.
According to Vanity Fair, David Frankel took the stage at the New York City event prior to the movie beginning, and then revealed what he called “the worst kept secret in showbiz.” As per the publication, the secret was that Lady Gaga appears in the film as herself, “singing original music to boot.” Gaga then came onstage wearing a black Saint Laurent Fall 2016 gown, kissed Meryl Streep on the cheek and waved to everyone.
The rumors that Gaga might appear in the movie began after she was photographed while reportedly leaving the set in Milan last year.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 hitstheaters May 1, with returning stars Anne Hathaway, Streep, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, as well as multiple additional celebrity cameos.
Rihanna and daughter Rocki Irish Mayers for ‘W Magazine’ (Tim Walker)
A$AP Rocky has been vocal about his love for partner Rihanna, and he’s once again expressing his admiration for her in W Magazine’s new Pop issue.
Reflecting on her impact, Rocky says, “This woman has always been magic. Philosophically, the way she operates is on another level.”
“She is the most charming and genuine person on Earth. Her energy is unmatched—one of a kind. I just adore her,” he continues, noting that they enjoy watching documentaries together.
He is one of many stars featured in the story who speak to Rihanna’s impact and the lasting impression she leaves on those around her.
Elsewhere, Pharrell describes Rihanna as “a force,” while Mary J. Blige credits her with elevating the industry. Mariah Carey says she “had a feeling she was going to be a major star” when they met through Jay-Z when Rihanna was 17.
SZA talked about working with Rihanna on “Consideration,” while Donald Glover reflected on their time filming Guava Island, including her visit to Cuba ahead of production to “just chat and meet my son.”
For Ayra Starr, meeting Rihanna “was one of the most amazing feelings.”
“I was struggling with my self-image and confidence, so that moment meant everything,” she said. “It felt like God had sent her to me.”
The mag feature captures Rihanna with daughter Rocki Irish Mayers, who makes her first cover appearance. “cover girrrrrlz!!! baby Rocki served sumn serious on her first cover!” Rih wrote on Instagram. “came on set and shut her mama dowwwnn!!!!”
The full story, which also includes commentary from Jonah Hill and Sarah Paulson, is available on W Magazine‘s website.
A new vinyl reissue of the Audioslave album Out of Exile has been announced.
The record will be available on June 12 on standard 180g black vinyl, as well as limited-edition D2C black liquid vinyl inspired by the original album cover artwork.
Out of Exile, originally released in 2005, marked the sophomore album from Audioslave, made up of Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell and Rage Against the Machine members Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk. It spawned the singles “Be Yourself,” “Your Time Has Come” and “Doesn’t Remind Me.”
Audioslave put out one more album, 2006’s Revelations, before breaking up in 2007. They reunited for a one-off show in January 2017. Cornell died just months later in May 2017.
Cody Johnson & Jay Buchanan’s “Rabbit Gets the Gun” (Amazon)
Cody Johnson is ready to rock ahead of his headlining set Friday at Stagecoach.
His new Amazon Music Original, “Rabbit Gets the Gun,” features Jay Buchanan, lead singer of Rival Sons.
“Rival Sons has always been my favorite rock band,” Cody says. “I loved the chance to write with Jay, and being in the studio with him was an out-of-this-world experience.”
“He has so much soul and grit, and an unmistakable voice,” Cody continues. “We are so excited about our recording and want to get it out as soon as possible. Maybe I’ll add it to my Stagecoach set list.”
If you want to check out Cody’s set, you can watch via Amazon Music, the exclusive livestream destination for Stagecoach.
You can access the feed starting at 3 p.m. PT Friday through Sunday via Prime Video, Twitch or the Amazon Music app.
Bob Dylan performs during the British Summer Time festival at Hyde Park in London. (Photo by Isabel Infantes/PA Images via Getty Images)
Bob Dylan continues to extend his 2026 North American tour.
The 84-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer has added six new shows to the tour, including a July 21 stop at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York.
He’s also added stops in Richmond, Virginia; Raleigh and Wilmington, North Carolina; and Atlanta, with an Aug. 1 show in Nashville currently the last scheduled stop on the trek.
Special guests on the new dates include Lucinda Williams and Jimmie Vaughan.
Tickets for all new shows go on sale to the general public Friday at 10 a.m. local time.
Dylan’s 2026 tour consists of dates throughout the spring and summer. His next show is Thursday in Macon, Georgia.
A complete list of dates can be found at BobDylan.com.
