Canadian rapper Drake shattered records with his new album “Scorpion,” which became the first to score one billion streams in its first week and also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album charts. Drake’s record company, Republic Records, said the 31-year-old musician, who was the biggest seller in …

The plot of the new Incredibles movie features a heroine whose life swings between high adventure and humdrum normality, American actress Holly Hunter, who plays Helen, otherwise known as Elastigirl, said Monday. Hunter was speaking after the British premiere of Incredibles 2 at London’s British Film Institute on Sunday, where …

The Rolling Stones on Monday signed a new deal with Universal Music Group covering the legendary rock band’s music and audio-visual catalogue, global merchandising and brand management, the music company said. The deal continues a partnership that covers the band’s catalogue including classic albums like Sticky Fingers that was released …

 An all-star cast of musicians from Ibrahim Maalouf to Mos Def, Robert Glasper and Monty Alexander celebrated producer Quincy Jones at an epic Montreux concert that ended just before dawn on Monday. Jones, who turned 85 in March, attended the birthday tribute in the House of Jazz at the 52nd …

Disgraced U.S. movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has pleaded not guilty in New York City to sexual assault charges stemming from a 2006 incident, the third such case against him. More than 70 women have accused Weinstein, 66, of sexual misconduct, ranging from sexual harassment to rape. According to CNN, Weinstein …

Around 500 Australians shivered in the nude for American photographer Spencer Tunick on Monday, braving the winter chill on a Melbourne supermarket rooftop for his latest mass nude shots. The participants, chosen from 12,000 eager applicants, posed standing and lying down on concrete, covered only in transparent red fabric, with …

Some students in Virginia who play the guitar are also learning how to build them. It’s part of an after-school program where middle and high school students learn about science and music through the design and function of an electric guitar. The workshops, sponsored by the nonprofit Music for Life, …

For decades, Jim Henson’s Muppets have captured the imagination of children and adults worldwide. A traveling exhibit at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles not only showcases some of the most beloved Muppets but also the work that took place behind the scenes to entertain as well as educate. …

Kurdish culture thrives in the Shahba refugee camp on the outskirts of the Syrian city of Afrin. Among the city’s displaced residents now living in the camp are members of a local theater group. Nevroz Resho visited the group in the camp as they rehearsed their play, “The Sin of …

The Green Carpet Fashion Awards, now in its second year, challenges emerging designers worldwide to reinvent sustainability, with flair. Competitors must pair ethics with aesthetics by cutting waste, replacing chemicals with natural dyes and using recycled materials. Faiza Elmasry has this story narrated by Faith Lapidus. …

Former Miss America winners and state pageant officials are split over the leadership and direction of the organization, which was rocked by a 2017 email scandal that led to the resignations of its top leaders. Representatives from 22 state pageants signed a petition calling for the resignations of the new …

Fifty-three men slung their wives or partners over their shoulders and hurtled off on an hourlong race in the small Finnish town of Sonkajarvi on Saturday, as thousands of fans cheered from the stands. The World Wife-Carrying Championship, now in its 23rd year, draws thousands of visitors to the town of 4,200 and has …

Although Russia made it further at this year’s World Cup than almost anyone expected, it was Croatia that advanced to the semifinals with a 4-3 shootout victory Saturday following a 2-2 draw. The overachieving hosts, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament at No. 70, were trying to make it to …

The Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, California, celebrates music-making throughout the year. Mike O’Sullivan visited the museum during a recent international festival that saw simultaneous events in more than 100 countries. …

Egypt’s poor performance at this year’s World Cup in Russia is prompting an outcry, with many Egyptian football fans calling for an inquiry into the Egyptian federation’s handling of preparations for the tournament. The Egyptian national team lost all three matches it played in Russia, smashing all hopes that had surged …

Singer Chris Brown walked off stage after his concert in Florida and into the hands of waiting deputies, who arrested him on a felony battery charge involving a nightclub photographer last year.  Tampa police released more details about the battery warrant Friday after Brown posted $2,000 bond to be released …

As the World Cup nears its climax, one of the players being cheered on in Africa is French striker Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe’s mother is from Algeria and his father is from Cameroon. While Cameroon failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup, many Cameroonians feel they are represented by Mbappe. …

By the time the World Cup is over, 64 matches will have taken place in 12 venues in 11 cities. For many people in Nizhny Novgorod, one of the soccer venues, the monthlong event has been the biggest party in town for decades. VOA’s Mariama Diallo reports. …

Every year, hundreds of tourists arrive at the small town of Berlin, Maryland, to watch an unusual event — bathtub races! Despite all the fun, the races have a serious goal: to raise money to help critically ill children. Evgeny Baranov has a report, narrated by Anna Rice. …

The National Zoo in Washington is adding fencing and security, not for the animals but for the human visitors. The zoo has submitted a plan to add perimeter fencing around the popular public venue to close all the gaps and reduce pedestrian entrances from 13 to three. Eventually, the institution …

As the 2018 FIFA World Cup continues its drama-filled march to the final game on July 15, one thing is sure: Sports merchandisers are already big winners. Untold millions of fans and fashionistas have been snapping up national team jerseys to show their support. Adidas AG’s chief executive has predicted …

The year 1968 was a time of great social and political upheaval in America. Coincidentally, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington also opened to the public that year. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the museum is presenting a time capsule of that important period and the cultural icons who …

Moscow’s most famous landmarks — Red Square, the Kremlin, and the domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral — are swarmed with World Cup fans doing a bit of sightseeing in between matches. Just upriver, more adventurous tourists will find an anonymous-looking apartment block whose history sheds light on the Soviet Union’s …

A book about an alleged prophecy describing Donald Trump’s win as U.S. president is being produced as a movie by Liberty University, but students at the Christian college are pushing back on the film. The production, in which Liberty University students are technicians, editors and set decorators for class credit, …

It might seem meshuganah — crazy — to stage a beloved musical in a language that most of the audience won’t understand. But Tevye the dairyman and his family will speak Yiddish in an off-Broadway production of “Fiddler on the Roof” directed by Oscar and Tony winner Joel Grey.   …