Paul Simon circa 1986 (Photo by Ebet Roberts/Redferns)/Johnny Flynn attends party for “The Motive And The Cue” December 18, 2023. (Photo by Matt Keeble/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Ripley star Johnny Flynn has been cast to play Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Paul Simon in the new movie The Road Home, according to Deadline.
The film, directed by Bill Condon, is centered around trumpeter Hugh Masekela, played by South African actor Thabo Rametsi, who toured with Simon in support of his 1986 Grammy Award-winning album, Graceland.
The film will also star Cynthia Erivo as vocalist Miriam “Mama Africa” Makeba, who was married to Masekela in the ’60s and also toured with Simon, and Guy Pearce, who plays anti-apartheid advocate Archbishop Trevor Huddleston. Huddleston called for a boycott of Simon, claiming he violated the United Nations cultural boycott of the country by partially recording the album in Johannesburg.
“For me, there are very few stories that could come closer to home than this. I was born in Johannesburg and moved to London in 1985 – just before the album Graceland was released,” says Flynn, also known for his work in Emma and Lovesick. “The music of South Africa – and especially that of Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba IS the sound of my childhood. And Graceland was the most played cassette in our car growing up.”
He adds, “It’s such an honour to be invited to tell this story with artists that I admire so much. It’s the story of hope and the power of music.”
Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, has been charged with harassing and attempting to harass an endangered Hawaiian monk seal by throwing a large rock at the seal’s head. (U.S. Attorneys Office/District of Hawaii)
(MAUI, Hawaii) — A tourist on vacation in Maui has been arrested and charged for allegedly throwing a large rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal, prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, has been charged with harassing and attempting to harass an endangered Hawaiian monk seal by throwing a large rock at the seal’s head, in violation of the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Hawaii.
Lytvynchuk was filmed walking along the shoreline in the Lahaina area of Maui on May 5, tracking the movements of a Hawaiian monk seal, known as Lani, as she pushed a floating log close to the shoreline, according to prosecutors.
Lytvynchuk then picked up a large rock and threw it directly at Lani’s head, prosecutors said. The rock narrowly missed Lani’s nose, causing her to rear up out of the water, according to prosecutors.
Witnesses told investigators the rock was “the size of a coconut,” according to court documents.
Another witness told investigators the seal “clearly seemed hurt,” but Lytvynchuk did not check on the welfare of the animal before walking away, according to court documents.
Witnesses confronted Lytvynchuk, informing him they had contacted law enforcement. Lytvynchuk allegedly responded that he was “rich enough to pay the fines,” before walking away, prosecutors said.
Witnesses reported that Lani remained “largely immobile for an extended period of time after the incident,” causing concern over her welfare, according to prosecutors.
“The unique and precious wildlife of the Hawaiian Islands are renowned symbols of Hawaii’s special place in the world and its incredible biodiversity. We are committed to protecting our vulnerable wild species, in particular endangered Hawaiian monk seals, like Lani,” U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson said in a statement.
If sentenced, Lytvynchuk could face up to one year in prison for each charge and supervised release, prosecutors said.
Lytvynchuk was arrested on Wednesday and is currently in custody. He is scheduled to appear for an initial hearing on Thursday.
Court records do not list an attorney for Lytvynchuk.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during an event on advancing health care affordability in the Oval Office of the White House, April 23, 2026 in Washington. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
(WASHINGTON) — One of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s top public affairs spokespeople resigned from his post over the FDA’s fruit-flavored e-cigarettes authorization and its potential impact on minors, according to a resignation letter to President Donald Trump reviewed by ABC News.
In the letter, Richard Danker, the former assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services, accuses senior agency officials in Kennedy’s immediate office of approving e-cigarette flavors that would allegedly expose children to “nicotine addiction, lung damage, and a higher risk of cancer.”
Danker also said the vape authorization “undermines” the department’s recent guidance document related to youth risks of flavored nicotine, according to the letter.
He thanked Trump for the “honor of a lifetime” to serve in both presidential administrations. Danker’s work portfolio includes economic regulatory roles, including a senior advisor position at the Department of Treasury during the first Trump administration. Danker hadn’t worked in healthcare prior to his time at HHS.
The Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again movement has touted its focus on combatting chronic disease and improving children’s health. In a statement to ABC News, an HHS spokesperson said Kennedy is advancing the MAHA agenda to confront the chronic disease epidemic head-on.
“Political appointees are here to execute that mission with urgency, discipline, and focus,” according to the spokesperson.
“Individuals who lose sight of the mission and the responsibility they were entrusted with are free to move on from the agency. HHS remains fully committed to delivering results for the American people,” the spokesperson said.
Danker provided ABC News with a copy of the resignation letter, but did not provide further comment.
The White House did not immediately respond to ABC News’ requests for comment.
The news comes as former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary left office after clashing with the White House over pressure from Trump to authorize the flavored vapes, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.
The issue has raised concerns with Makary, pediatrician groups and advocacy organizations about the potential impact on minors, ABC News reported.
The FDA approved four new devices made by Glas, including classic menthol, fresh menthol, gold, and sapphire pods. “Gold” is mango-flavored and “sapphire” is blueberry-flavored.
While the FDA said on its website last week that it continues to prioritize the removal of illicit vapes — including those that target minors — the approval of a flavored vape represents a significant shift for the agency.
Makary told ABC News’ Linsey Davis in July, “There is not an approved vaping product in the United States that has one of these cutie-fruity flavors.”
A view of the dome of the Pennsylvania State Capitol. (Paul Weaver/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
(LEBANON, Pa.) — A Pennsylvania man who allegedly had a “hit list” and threatened to shoot Democratic state legislators in online posts has been charged with making terroristic threats, court records show.
Adam Berryhill, 42, of Lebanon, allegedly made “politically violent posts” on his X account that included a “hit list,” according to Pennsylvania State Police.
“The posts also included a picture of a firearm and made mention of a ‘Memorial Day Operation,'” state police said in an incident report.
Between April 7 and April 22, Berryhill allegedly posted “hit lists” and claimed to “‘start shooting’ multiple elected officials” in posts on X, according to the criminal complaint.
The 20 victims in the case identified by police in the report are all Democratic members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, including House Speaker Joanna McClinton.
The investigation began on April 28, when a state trooper tasked with conducting regular safety and security checks on McClinton “was alerted to several concerning social media posts” involving her and other state legislators made by an X account named “Pennsylvania Militia,” according to the complaint.
One post on April 7 stated, “I’ll approach every legal avenue and when they all fail I start shootings,” and then listed the names of 18 elected officials, according to the complaint.
Five days later, the account posted, “Can’t wait for the Memorial Day operation,” according to the complaint.
“Oh you like posting hit lists? Here’s mine b——,” the account posted on April 22, listing four officials referred to as “gun grabbing communists,” according to the complaint.
“Conservatives need to stop b——- and whining on this platform. The solution I have is war,” the account posted on April 24, according to the complaint. “Learn the law and know when it’s your God given right to kill your authorities.”
That post also referenced Cody Balmer, who committed an arson attack at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s main residence in Harrisburg last year, according to the complaint.
An earlier post, on March 23, included what is believed to be an original photograph of a gun, “showing [Berryhill’s] possible access to a firearm as a means to carry out the threats,” the complaint stated.
Investigators linked the X account to Berryhill through email records and IP address data, according to the complaint. He was arrested on May 6 and charged with terroristic threats, authorities said.
“The statements made by Berryhill were not isolated or vague, but specific, targeted, and directed toward identifiable public officials, including Joanna McClinton and numerous members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly,” the complaint stated. “These communications included references to ‘hit lists,’ explicit threats of future shootings, and mention of a planned ‘Memorial Day operation,’ indicating premeditation and a potential timeline.”
Berryhill is being held on $250,000 bail. He waived his preliminary hearing, scheduled for Thursday, and his arraignment has been scheduled for June 11.
The Lebanon County Public Defender’s Office said his attorney is not making any statements at this time.
Gov. Shapiro said he has spoken with McClinton and Senate Leader Jay Costa about the threats against members of the state legislature.
“I told them that while these threats of political violence seek to intimidate and silence, my Administration will continue to do everything in our power to keep them safe and ensure their members can continue to make their voices heard as the people’s elected representatives,” Shapiro said in a statement Wednesday.
The leaders of the state legislature condemned the threats.
“These threats are extremely disturbing, not just to the members identified, but to all public figures who are contending with an increasingly hostile environment,” the leaders — McClinton, Costa, Majority Leader Matt Bradford and Republican Leader Jesse Topper — said in a joint statement on Wednesday.
“We condemn any threat against any of our colleagues who are faithfully serving their communities and pledge to support mental health care, intervention, and law enforcement funding that make our state safer,” the statement said.
The governor said that Pennsylvania State Police have implemented a new process to notify state legislators “immediately and directly of any and all threats of violence against them.”
Barbara Palvin and Dylan Sprouse are seen at the Hotel Martinez during the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 14, 2026, in Cannes, France. (Arnold Jerocki/GC Images via Getty Images)
Barbara Palvin and Dylan Sprouse are expecting their first child together.
The model and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody star announced that Palvin is pregnant with their first child in an Instagram post on Thursday.
In the post, which Palvin created and collaborated on with Sprouse, the happy couple pose for the camera while they both hold Palvin’s baby bump. They are dressed up to attend the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. Palvin wears a light blue gown while Sprouse is suited in a tuxedo.
The carousel continues with an ultrasound photo of their baby, whose hands look to be raised in the rock music hand gesture, colloquially known as heavy metal horns.
In the post’s final photo, both Palvin and Sprouse copy the same hand gesture. The post is captioned with three heavy metal horns emojis.
ABC News has reached out to Sprouse’s rep for comment.
Sprouse and Palvin were married on July 15, 2023, in Palvin’s home country of Hungary.
In August 2025, Palvin shared that she’d had surgery for endometriosis in an Instagram post.
“For some years now I’ve been dealing with the difficulties that can come with my periods. Fatigue, severe pain, heavy and irregular flow, sleepless nights on the bathroom floor. I thought this was just how it works for me,” Palvin wrote. “[The surgery] helped me a lot, and I’m grateful I did it. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important to prevent long-term complications, and now I’m more mindful about my body to act fast if needed.”
Palvin ended her post by saying she is “excited about this new chapter of my life and now ready to get back to work.”
Michael Banks, chief of the US Border Patrol, speaks during a news conference in Nogales, Arizona, US, on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (Ash Ponders/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
(WASHINGTON) — Michael Banks, the head of U.S. Border Patrol, is stepping down, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott confirmed on Thursday.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Lainey Wilson & Devlin “Duck” Hodges (Disney/Michael Le Brecht)
Lainey Wilson and Devlin “Duck” Hodges were married Sunday, May 10, at Ruskin Cave in Dickson, Tennessee, the couple revealed in an extensive spread via Vogue.
“Pretty inseparable since” being set up on a blind date in 2021, the former NFL quarterback surprised Lainey with a proposal at George Jones’ estate in February 2025.
The two discovered their wedding venue by chance.
“Duck and I were driving backroads in Tennessee and saw a billboard for The Ruskin Cave,” the CMA and ACM entertainer of the year tells Vogue.
On her wedding day, Lainey arrived by horse-drawn carriage, wearing a custom Oscar de la Renta gown emblazoned with tiny Japanese cherry blossoms representing “living in the moment.”
“I have never seen Duck smile as big as he did then,” she recalls. “It made me feel giddy about turning the page into this next chapter of marriage. We were both anxious to say ‘I do!’”
Married on a cobblestone ledge by a waterfall, the two kept their big day true to their roots.
“We wanted it to be special and beautiful, but really welcoming and comfortable,” Lainey says. “Being from Louisiana, I wanted to bring in a little bit of Cajun flair, so naturally we hired a 12-piece jazz band called Rebirth and had a Cajun meal from the chefs at my bar, Bell Bottoms Up.”
After cocktail hour, it was time for the reception in the cave, complete with a prayer from Lainey’s mom.
“Our family and friends know how to have a good time, and the dance floor was packed all night,” Lainey says. “To close out a perfect evening, Duck and I followed the band through a send-off line of sparklers and cheering loved ones, climbed into an old white Ford truck, and drove off!”
‘Dua Lipa (Live From Mexico)’ album art (Madison Phipps)
Dua Lipa sent a video snippet of herself with a fan at one of her concerts in Mexico in an email to fans Wednesday and captioned it, “One more thing before the end of an era.” Turns out it was teasing a new live album and concert film.
Dua Lipa (Live from Mexico) will premiere May 21 at 1 p.m. ET on her YouTube channel. The live album will hit streaming services May 22; you can preorder physical copies of the album now for shipping on June 5.
The concert was recorded during Dua’s three sold-out shows at Mexico City’s Estadio GNP Seguros during her Radical Optimism tour. “Now we can enjoy these shows forever and ever and ever, I love you!!!!” Dua wrote on Instagram.
You can watch a trailer for the film now, during which Dua tells the audience, “This tour has been the most beautiful and fulfilling experience of my career so far.” Plus, the audio for her performance of “End Of An Era (Live From Mexico)” is out on streaming services.
The Radical Optimism tour encompassed 92 shows over five continents and sold 1.75 million tickets. A signature feature of the tour was Dua covering a song from a local artist, in its original language. She also occasionally welcomed a local artist onstage for an in-person duet. Among those she sang with onstage: Lionel Richie, Chaka Khan, Charli XCX, Lenny Kravitz, Gwen Stefani, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong and Brandi Carlile.
Here’s the track listing: “Training Season” (Live From Mexico) “End Of An Era” (Live From Mexico) “Break My Heart” (Live From Mexico) “One Kiss” (Live From Mexico) “Whatcha Doing” (Live From Mexico) “Levitating” (Live From Mexico) “These Walls” (Live From Mexico) “Oye Mi Amor” (ft. Fher de Maná) (Live From Mexico) “Maria” (Live From Mexico) “Physical” (Live From Mexico) “Electricity” (Live From Mexico) “Hallucinate” (Live From Mexico) “Illusion” (Live From Mexico) “Falling Forever” (Live From Mexico) “Happy For You” (Live From Mexico) “Love Again” (Live From Mexico) “Anything For Love” (Live From Mexico) “Be The One” (Live From Mexico) “New Rules / Dance The Night Interlude” (Live From Mexico) “Don’t Start Now” (Live From Mexico) “Houdini” (Live From Mexico)
Pink Floyd (L-R: Rick Wright, Dave Gilmour, Roger Waters and Nick Mason pose for a publicity shot circa 1973. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Pink Floyd’s career and legacy are being honored with an official U.K. commemorative coin by The Royal Mint.
The coin, created by Henry Gray, is designed around the iconic prism imagery from the band’s multi-Platinum album The Dark Side of the Moon. The coin comes in silver and gold, with a selection of them featuring a colored rainbow prism effect similar to the cover of the album.
“Pink Floyd are one of those truly rare bands whose music and imagery have transcended generations and the moment you see this coin, you know exactly who it celebrates,” Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin, The Royal Mint, says. “The iconic prism is instantly recognisable to fans around the world, and Henry Gray has done a remarkable job of bringing it to life with the craft and detail this band deserves.”
She adds, “Their influence on music, art and culture is immeasurable, and we’re incredibly proud that The Royal Mint can play its part in preserving that legacy forever.”
The Pink Floyd coins are part of The Royal Mint’s Music Legends series, with artists like Queen’s Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, John Lennon and Paul McCartney previously being honored with their own coin.
The Pink Floyd commemorative coins are available now.
Darius Rucker (Scott Dudelson/Getty Images for Stagecoach)
It’s sure to be a celebration that’s even bigger than “Bottle Rockets” with Scotty McCreery and Hootie & the Blowfish: Darius Rucker’s booked to play Fireworks on the Fairway at Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa this Fourth of July.
Given Darius’ fondness for golf, chances are also pretty good you might see him on the course.
The Dallas-area celebration kicks off at 6 p.m. CT that Saturday and goes until 10 p.m. CT, and will include a drone and fireworks show, carnival games, face painters, food and beverages, in addition to the concert by Darius.
