When Johnnie Yellock enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, he knew his job as a combat controller would frequently put him in harm’s way.   “We volunteered in a time of war, we knew exactly what we were up against,” he told VOA. “A lot of our job titles were …

This is the Top Five Countdown! We’re raising the curtain on the five most popular songs in the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles chart, for the week ending March 4, 2017. Break out the popcorn, movie fans, because we have a blockbuster debut for you. Number 5: The Chainsmokers Featuring …

A Cuban singer and music producer has filed a plagiarism lawsuit against pop stars Shakira and Carlos Vives for allegedly copying his work in the Colombian duo’s award-winning music hit “La Bicicleta .”   Livan Rafael Castellanos, also known as Livam, said he wants a court to decide whether parts …

Paris Jackson has joined one of the world’s top modeling agencies.   The 18-year-old daughter of Michael Jackson will model for IMG. The company and Jackson made the announcement on social media Thursday.   Jackson says on Instagram she feels “very lucky and blessed.”   Jackson joins a roster that …

Nearly four decades after Elvis sang his last tune, his legacy got a $45 million boost with the Thursday opening of a major new attraction at his Graceland estate — an entertainment complex that Priscilla Presley says gives “the full gamut” of the King of rock ‘n’ roll. About 200 …

U.S. first lady Melania Trump read to a group of children at a New York hospital Thursday to celebrate National Read Across America Day. In one of her first outings in a traditional first lady role, Trump read to children at the pediatrics ward from the Dr. Seuss favorite, Oh, …

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts has acquired the complete archives of Lou Reed . The library and Reed’s wife, musician Laurie Anderson, made the announcement Thursday, on what would have been his 75th birthday. The Lou Reed Archive features paper and electronic records, photos, and about …

Disney will feature its first gay scene when a character is seen struggling with his sexuality in the live-action remake of “Beauty and the Beast,” according to the film’s director. The film’s stars will be heterosexual — British actors Emma Watson and Dan Stevens play the title roles — and …

Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch is back on the market with an asking price of $67 million. The 2,700-acre property near Santa Barbara, California, has been renamed Sycamore Valley Ranch. The listed price represents a significant cut from the $100 million it was on the market for last year. In addition …

In a climactic battle at sea, an Iranian commander orders his forces to open fire on a much larger U.S. fleet, obliterating it with a barrage of rockets, some of which tear American flags from their masts.   The scenario unfolds in “Battle of the Persian Gulf II,” a new …

Every year, the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising Museum in Los Angeles holds an exhibit showcasing the works of Oscar nominated fashion designers of that year. VOA got a closer look at the designs of this year’s costumes, and spoke to one of the nominees. …

The predicted peak blooming period for this year’s cherry blossom season in Washington is being announced.   The window is expected to be announced Wednesday at a news conference at the Newseum.   Last year’s peak bloom happened March 25. According to the National Park Service website, however, from 2013 …

Barack and Michelle Obama have book deals. The former president and first lady have signed with Penguin Random House, the publisher announced Tuesday. Financial terms were not disclosed for the books, which several publishers had competed for, although the deals are likely in the tens of millions of dollars. Both …

Warren Beatty says Academy of Motion Pictures President Cheryl Boone Isaacs should “publicly clarify” what happened during Sunday night’s best picture presentation “as soon as possible.”   Beatty released a statement Tuesday to The Associated Press in which he declined to comment further on the debacle that led to him …

Musician Ashade Pearce plays songs about being a refugee in West Africa, and he has a message for U.S. President Donald Trump. “Not all refugees are bad,” the guitarist with Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars said before a recent performance in a New York City suburb. “You should not judge …

The unusually warm weather in the nation’s capital is prompting the U.S. Park Service to revise its annual cherry blossom forecast, and will announce on Wednesday a revised period for peak blooms. The National Cherry Blossom Festival typically coincides with the “peak bloom” of the nearly 1,700 cherry blossom trees …

Oscar-winning film Moonlight presents a view of Miami that never shows up in a tourism video. Far from the sun and glamour of South Beach or the artists and hipsters of Wynwood, it shows predominantly black communities, truly known by few outside the people who live there. And it’s recognizably …

A new contract for future Olympic Games hosts that makes the protection of human rights a core requirement earned praise from rights groups Tuesday who say preparations of major sports events lead to rights violations. The International Olympic Committee has now specifically referred to the protection of human rights in …

Michael Phelps is to be in Washington to speak out in support of more consistent drug testing for competitive athletes. The retired swimmer testified Tuesday on Capitol Hill before a congressional committee looking into ways to improve the international anti-doping system. In a witness statement posted on the committee’s website, …

Former President George W. Bush says he didn’t intend to criticize President Donald Trump when he said recently that a free press is essential to democracy.   Speaking by telephone Tuesday with The Associated Press, Bush said he was simply responding to a reporter’s question about the role of journalism. …

And the red carpet goes to … the women in red, for one, with equal accolades for shiny and shimmery gold worthy of the Oscars, this and all years.   Long sleeves and belts played major roles Sunday in Los Angeles at the Dolby Theatre, along with a beautiful Janelle …

It was a big night for actress Viola Davis, who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in “Fences”. Her crowning achievement comes after a long and illustrious career filled with numerous awards and three Oscar nominations. Her win also highlights Hollywood’s growing interest in complex minority characters. VOA’s Penelope …

It was a big night for actress Viola Davis, who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for “Fences”. Her crowning achievement comes after a long and illustrious career of numerous awards and three Oscar nominations. The Oscar nod also highlights Hollywood’s interest in complex minority characters. For those who …

Here are the winners of some of the major categories for the 2017 Academy Awards …

Barry Jenkins’ “Moonlight” – not, as it turned out, “La La Land” – won best picture at the Academy Awards in a historic Oscar upset and an unprecedented fiasco that saw one winner swapped for another while the “La La Land” producers were in mid-speech.   Presenters Warren Beatty and …