Hundreds of curious Earthlings from around the world traveled to the secret Area 51 military base in the Nevada desert after seeing an internet hoax dubbed “Storm Area 51.”About 100 made it all the way to the gates of the remote site that has long been the focus of UFO …

Sixty years ago, children accounted for more than one-third — 36% — of the U.S. population. Today, that CLICK ON GRAPHIC TO ENLARGE — Courtesy Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT Data CenterMeanwhile, the overall adult population has continued to climb since 2009.The decline in births might be attributable to …

Nigeria’s paralympic athletes have outshined their able-bodied counterparts in world competitions year after year. Yet, these athletes face such challenges as lack of proper training facilities and inadequate funding. Abdulazeez Ibrahim, who’s known as Nigeria’s para powerlifting champion, is training hard for the powerlifting competition at the Paralympic Games next year …

One person’s trash is another person’s treasure is Clarke Bedford’s philosophy. The former museum conservator spent his first career overseeing art, but then decided to make his own. His palette, a world of leftovers. Maxim Moskalkov traveled to Hyattsville, Maryland, to meet with the artist. …

Sound checks echoed from a distant main stage while Daniel Martinez whirled and danced at dusty makeshift festival grounds just after sunset in Rachel, the Nevada town closest to the once-secret Area 51 military base.Martinez’s muse was the thumping beat from a satellite set-up pumping a techno tune into the …

The Washington Monument reopened to the public Thursday after years of closure to replace its aging elevator and security system.    First lady Melania Trump helped with the ribbon-cutting ceremony and took a ceremonial first ride to the top of the monument with fourth-graders from nearby Amidon-Bowen Elementary School.    The iconic …

A team of French diggers has restored three Sudanese artifacts, including a 3,500-year-old wall relief, and it handed them to the African country’s national museum Thursday, a French archaeologist said.    The three artifacts were discovered at separate archaeological sites in recent years in Sudan and were restored by a …

The American Dream is many things to many people. For the Savchuk family who came to the U.S. from Ukraine more than 15 years ago, achieving their dream meant opening a small business and making a decent living. VOA’s Iryna Matviichuk met with the family and saw their dream come …

She’s done a lot with the place.Like anyone who has ever spruced up their home, Melania Trump will have a few new touches to showcase Friday when guests visit the White House for only the second state dinner of the Trump presidency.There’s refreshed wall fabric in the Red Room, repurposed …

Comcast’s NBCUniversal will name its upcoming streaming service “Peacock,” offering a broad slate of original content, including “Dr. Death” starring Emmy and Golden Globe winner Alec Baldwin, the company said on Tuesday.Peacock, which will also offer classic sitcoms like “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation”, is scheduled to launch in …

Police in Britain have arrested a second man in connection with the theft of a solid-gold toilet that was part of an art exhibit at the birthplace and home of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.The 18-carat toilet, titled “America,” was created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. It was part …

Alabama’s state historical agency apparently will retain control of the last U.S. slave ship, the Clotilda, after no one else laid claim to the wreckage.Friday was the deadline under federal court rules for any potential owners to request control of wreckage of the wooden schooner, which was scuttled and burned …

Older Americans aren’t moving as much as they used to. The migration rate of people over 55 has dropped steadily over the past two decades from a high of 6% in 1996, to 4.3% between 2017 and 2018, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.  Moving rates for Baby Boomers — those …

Fashion models wearing dresses made from nettles harvested at Prince Charles’s country estate in southwest England will feature at London Fashion Week on Tuesday, in one of this year’s most unusual offerings.The quirky eco-friendly attire stems from an unexpected collaboration between the heir to the British throne, who is passionate …

Some tough athletes are competing in traditional Nigerian boxing called “Dambe,” a fierce, no-holds-barred form of fighting. Now thanks to online fundraising these fighters are getting paid. VOA’s Arash Arabasadi takes us behind the scenes. …

Vivendi’s Canal+ has agreed a deal to add Netflix subscriptions to TV bundles in France and elsewhere, the French broadcaster said on Monday, in the latest such alliance to counter pressure from streaming giants.The new Canal+ bundles integrating Netflix would be available in France from Oct. 15 and later expanded …

Brad Pitt traded laughs on Monday in a call to the International Space Station with a NASA astronaut, who somersaulted during the zero-gravity interview ahead of this week’s release of the actor’s new film, the space thriller “Ad Astra.”Pitt peppered astronaut Nick Hague with dozens of questions about what life …

The American Film Festival in Deauville, France, awarded its top prize to Annie Silverstein’s Bull, jury president Catherine Deneuve announced Saturday.    Silverstein’s first full-length feature, which was also selected for the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes film festival in May, was awarded Deauville’s Grand Prize, as well as …

There was a time not too long ago when sneakers were just another kind of footwear, usually used for sports. Now, some popular sneaker models are seen as collectibles. Even used sneakers can be bought and sold like precious commodities. Saqib Ul Islam visited “Sneaker Con DC” an annual gathering …

Like many kids, Rihanna dreamed of someday growing up to be rich, but helping others was at the forefront of her vision.    It’s always been important to me before any success,” she told The Associated Press on Thursday at her annual Diamond Ball charity gala.As a kid, just seeing …

U.S. actress Felicity Huffman has been sentenced to 14 days in prison for her role in a wide-ranging U.S. college admissions cheating scandal.The former “Desperate Housewives” television star was also given a $30,000 fine and 250 hours of community service during her appearance Friday at a Boston court.Huffman pleaded guilty …

A publicist for Eddie Money said the rock star has died after he recently announced he had stage 4 esophageal cancer. He was 70.Cindy Ronzoni provided a statement from the family and said Money died Friday morning in Los Angeles.   The husky-voiced, blue-collar performer was known for such hits …

Margot Robbie says she feels lucky to build upon the Chanel legacy as the face for the brand’s newest perfume.   The “Once Upon a Time In Hollywood” star says she is ready to lead the campaign for the new Chanel Gabrielle Chanel fragrance. She spoke about her involvement as …

Surfing is an ancient Polynesian art that became a craze in the U.S. and Australia in the 1950s. In the U.S., California and Hawaii were ground zero for surf culture, and surf-based movies and music are still a thing. And these days, people aren’t the only ones surfing. Khrystyna Shevchenko visited …

South Korea has formally asked the International Olympic Committee to ban the Japanese rising sun” flag at next year’s Tokyo Games, calling it a symbol of Japan’s brutal wartime past and comparing it with the Nazi swastika.     South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Wednesday said it had sent …