Emma and Liam are at the top of the most frequently chosen baby names in 2017. For the fourth year in a row, Emma was the top girl’s name on the Social Security Administration’s annual list of the most popular baby names. Liam pushed last year’s champ, Noah, to second …

The house where rockers Ronnie, Donnie and Johnny Van Zant grew up is officially one of Florida’s historic sites. A marker noting the home as a Florida heritage site will be officially unveiled during a ceremony Saturday in Jacksonville. The plaque notes Ronnie Van Zant’s role in forming Lynyrd Skynyrd, …

Dr. Dre has lost his trademark fight against Dr. Drai. The rapper, whose real name is Andre Young, objected to the trademark application of a Pennsylvania gynecologist whose nickname is spelled differently but sounds the same. Dr. Draion M. Burch’s website advertises that he’s a sex expert, “obgyn and media …

Spotify has removed R. Kelly’s music from its playlists, citing its new policy on hate content and hateful conduct. A spokesperson on Thursday says Kelly’s music is no longer available on the streaming service’s owned and operated playlists and algorithmic recommendations. His music will still be available, but Spotify will …

Virginia Wallen is a wife, a mother of three, and a woodworker. She achieved what she has never imagined she would — turning her carpentry hobby into a business. And as Faiza Elmasry tells us, the entrepreneur isn’t just succeeding in her new career, she’s tearing down stereotypes and building …

Attraction park Legoland has unveiled a miniature model of this month’s royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor castle, built by a team of 11 model-makers who used almost 60,000 pieces of Lego bricks. The replica includes a 60-brick Markle in her wedding dress and veil, with …

The double-Oscar winning filmmaker who opened the Cannes Film Festival has made a last-minute plea to Iran to let a fellow Iranian director – who is officially banned from working and traveling – come to the premiere of his own film. Seated alongside Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz, the stars …

The new, young Han Solo says he has “a good feeling about this” in a trailer for “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” reversing one of the best-known catchphrases in the sci-fi movie franchise. Yet fans are watching to see if a little-known actor can fill the shoes of Harrison Ford, …

Senegal’s old Palais de Justice sits among some of the most sought-after real estate in the capital Dakar, where it shares a stunning sea view with the nearby French ambassador’s residence. So, many Senegalese were surprised when 18 months ago President Macky Sall turned the vast modernist building into a …

More “Avengers” movies could be on their way, Disney said on Tuesday, following the global success of “Avengers: Infinity War,” which has smashed box office records since its release last month. Walt Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger told analysts on an earnings call that the fourth, already announced “Avengers” movie …

Dolls, a memory jar, a magnifying glass, a used condom — each is a memento of heartbreak contributed by an anonymous contributor to the Museum of Broken Relationships, an eccentric display in Kosovo. The traveling exhibition — tied to a permanent tourist attraction in the Croatian capital, Zagreb, dedicated to …

Disney is seeking new frontiers. The media company launched its $5-a-month sports streaming service, ESPN Plus, last month, and it signed a deal with Twitter this month to create Marvel, ABC and ESPN content on that service. Meanwhile, Disney is trying to buy much of 21st Century Fox, including the …

The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox will face each other in two regular-season games at the Olympic Stadium in London next year. “We are bringing you one of the best rivalries in baseball,” MLS Commissioner Rob Manfred said Tuesday. Boston will be the home team for both of …

Carrie Underwood, Florida Georgia Line and Jason Aldean are the leading nominees for the CMT Music Awards with four each, but it’s the pop artists who might steal the big prize at this year’s awards show. CMT announced Tuesday that for the first time, pop artists who have collaborated with …

Wearing crisp red-and-white uniforms, a group of 60-year-olds pile into a bus, smiling broadly as they make their way to a school in Ayutthaya, a province in Thailand. For this group, and others across the country, going back to school offers a way to fight loneliness at a time when …

Super heroes, villains, or robots on Hollywood Boulevard — impersonators are everywhere. These characters, adamant tip hunters, are part of the Hollywood entertainment industry. Among them is a woman from Nigeria who decided to try her hand at this type of work. VOA’s Arzouma Kompaoré takes us to meet her. …

Tourists gasp for breath as they climb for two hours to a peak in the Peruvian Andes that stands 16,404 feet (5,000 meters) above sea level. They’re dead tired, but stunned by the magical beauty unfurled before them.   Stripes of turquoise, lavender and gold blanket what has become known …

Lin-Manuel Miranda and the producers of his hit Broadway musical “Hamilton” are bringing an exhibit to Chicago about the musical’s Founding Father namesake. “Hamilton: The Exhibition” will be an immersive, interactive exhibit about Alexander Hamilton and the founding of the United States, The Chicago Tribune reports. The exhibit will start …

Cannes opened its doors on Monday for a festival that will show the new “Star Wars” spinoff but welcome fewer stellar names than usual. Critics have said a jury including Cate Blanchett, Kristen Stewart and Lea Seydoux has more A-list acting talent than the films — many from lesser-known European, …

Tiaras encrusted with thousands of diamonds, emeralds and rubies. Papal cloaks and vestments with golden embroidery so fine they took 16 years to produce.   If you’re going to wield power, you need to dress the part — and it seems few have understood that better than the leaders of …

They are producers, directors, editors, and actors. But what they share in common is their continent of birth – Africa. Once a month, they meet to share their experiences in Hollywood and work together to raise their profile in the competitive movie industry. VOA’s Arzouma Kompaore went to Hollywood and …

They are producers, directors, editors, and actors. But what they share in common is their continent of birth – Africa. Once a month, they meet to share their experiences in Hollywood and work together to raise their profile in the competitive movie industry. VOA’s Arzouma Kompaore went to Hollywood and …

The movie industry must use this week’s Cannes Film Festival to “liberate and listen to women’s voices” if it is to stamp out sexual harassment, the French minister for gender equality said. From a hotline to report harassers at the event to flyers urging participants to behave properly, Marlene Schiappa …

When it comes to blockbusters, bigger and bolder is Hollywood’s focus for this summer as the studios count on new and improved sequels to make up for last year’s lackluster box office season. VOA’s Penelope Poulou has more. …

Originating from Mexico, Chihuahua’s are one of the smallest dog breeds. And on Saturday, 128 competed in the “Running of the Chihuahuas” to celebrate the Cinco de Mayo holiday. From Washington, VOA’s Jill Craig has more. …