Forbes has crowned Beyonce as the highest-paid woman in music. Forbes magazine says the singer earned $105 million over a yearlong period stretching from June 2016 to June of this year. Beyonce’s earnings were boosted by her “Formation” world tour last year, which Forbes says grossed $250 million. Runner-up Adele …

The 2017 American Music Awards marked a night of unison, positive vibes and American pride as musicians spoke about coming together in a year dominated by natural disasters, violence and divisive politics. Kelly Clarkson and Pink kicked off the three-hour show Sunday with a performance honoring those affected by tragic …

Mel Tillis, the affable longtime country star who wrote hits for Kenny Rogers, Ricky Skaggs and many others, and overcame a stutter to sing on dozens of his own singles, has died.   A spokesman for Tillis, Don Murry Grubbs, said Tillis died early Sunday at Munroe Regional Medical Center …

When Britain’s 21-year-old Princess Elizabeth married 26-year-old Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten at Westminster Abbey in 1947, the wedding sparked joy and celebration in a country just recovering from World War II.    Seven decades on, the couple who would become Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, both now in their 90s, …

Afghanistan defeated Pakistan Sunday, winning their first under-19 cricket Asia Cup final in Kuala Lumpur, offering a rare opportunity for celebrations in a country desperate for a break from relentless rounds of deadly violence. Batting first, the Afghan team scored 248 runs in their allotted 50 overs. The opposition Pakistani …

A group dedicated to preserving and promoting the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail has purchased private land in western Washington state to prevent a break in the path. The Pacific Crest Trail Association bought more than 400 acres (162 hectares) in the Stevens Pass area this week from a private …

Malcolm Young, the co-founder of rock band AC/DC, has died at the age of 64, according to a statement on the group’s website.  Young created the Australian heavy metal band with his brother Angus Young in 1972. He was the group’s guitar player until April 2014 when he took leave …

In the weeks since dozens of women have accused movie mogul Harvey Weinstein of rape or sexual, unleashing an avalanche of similar charges against other prominent men across American life, women and men of color have been largely absent from the national furor. The stories of abuse have roiled the …

Naim Suleymanoglu, the Turkish weightlifter who won three Olympic gold medals and was known as “Pocket Hercules,” died Saturday. He was 50. Suleymanoglu was considered one of the sport’s greatest athletes and earned his nickname for his strength and diminutive size. He died at an Istanbul hospital where he was …

It was a historic moment in the art auction world: Da Vinci’s “Salvador Mundi” or “Savior of the World” sold to the highest bidder at $450 million. VOA’s Evgeny Maslov was among the 1,000 collectors, consultants and journalists at Christie’s Auction House for the recent record sale. …

The Rev. Jesse Jackson disclosed publicly Friday that he has been seeking outpatient care for two years for Parkinson’s disease and plans to “dedicate” himself to physical therapy. In a Friday letter to supporters, the 76-year-old civil rights leader said family and friends noticed a change in him about three …

Meryl Streep says the two times in her life she dealt with violence were so profound it changed her “on a cellular level.” Streep made the remarks Wednesday at the Committee to Protect Journalists’ 27th annual International Press Freedom Awards in New York. The Oscar-winner told the audience she did …

Jennifer Hudson has obtained an order of protection against her former fiance David Otunga. Police in suburban Chicago say Otunga was removed from the couple’s home in Burr Ridge, Illinois, Thursday night after being notified of the order. Burr Ridge Police Chief John Madden tells The Associated Press Otunga “left …

Rocker Johnny Hallyday, frequently described as a French Elvis Presley, is being treated in a Paris hospital for respiratory difficulties, French television station BFM reported on Friday. The veteran rock-and-roller, a huge crowd-puller in his home country and much of the francophone world, had a brush with death in 2009 …

A painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat from the collection of Yoko Ono has sold for $10.9 million. Sotheby’s says the work, titled “Cabra”, was sold Thursday night in New York to an unidentified buyer. The pre-sale estimate was $9 million to $12 million. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Spirit …

We’re devouring the five most popular songs in the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles chart, for the week ending November 18, 2017. The Top Five shakes off its stupor this week, as a Transatlantic hit smashes into the runner-up slot. Number 5: Imagine Dragons “Thunder” Let’s open in fifth place, …

Carpenters fans have a dozen reasons to be on top of the world this week. Nearly 30 years since the last LP album of new Carpenters material was released, remastered vinyl versions of 12 of the duo’s albums will be released Friday, offering fans clearer versions of tracks including the …

In just four days, Taylor Swift’s new album has sold more traditional albums than any other release this year.   Billboard reports the album, “reputation,” sold 1.05 million copies in the first four days after its Nov. 10 release.   Before Swift released her album, Ed Sheeran’s “Divide” was the …

Nepal’s musical heritage is enjoying a revival as young musicians fuse the sounds of traditional instruments once at risk of disappearing with lyrics that examine the modern challenges facing the country. The Himalayan country has a rich folk tradition, but its unusual traditional instruments — which include a leaf from …

From using football to highlight women’s rights in Africa to defying stereotypes in the Middle East through climbing Mount Everest, campaigners said sports have become an effective way for women to smash taboos to achieve greater equality. Millions of girls globally are kept from school due to poverty or early …

London’s Old Vic Theatre said Thursday it has received 20 allegations of inappropriate behavior by its former artistic director Kevin Spacey, and acknowledged that a “cult of personality” around the Hollywood star had made it difficult for the alleged victims to come forward. The London theater launched an investigation into …

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has refused to reinstate Russia’s Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), declaring it to still be non-compliant with the global sports watchdog’s rules and raising the risk Russian athletes could be banned from the South Korean-hosted Winter Olympics in February 2018. At a meeting in Seoul Thursday, WADA’s …

If he could travel back in time, Alejandro Sanz says he would stop and enjoy the moment when his career started taking off two decades ago.   “Maybe I would ask life for a little more consciousness during those years so I could have realized all the things that I …

Pakistan unveiled the remains of a 1,700-year-old sleeping Buddha image on Wednesday, part of an initiative to encourage tourism and project religious harmony in a region roiled by Islamist militancy. A reflection of the diverse history and culture of the South Asian country, the ancient Buddhist site in Bhamala province …

Egypt opened an exhibition on Wednesday to display previously unseen treasures from King Tutankhamun’s famed tomb. At least 55 pieces of fabric decorated with gold that were found in the tomb of the pharaoh, better known as King Tut, will be exhibited in public for the first time since its …