Everyday is a Family Reunion

These Italian towns will pay you $27,000 to move in

When Italian villages began selling houses for $1, it seemed too good to be true. But the latest offer from Italy is enough to make even that deal look like a ripoff.

Exploring London's abandoned underground stations

As the oldest subterranean railway network in the world, the London Underground has been through a lot of changes since it opened back in 1863.

Hotel or Airbnb: Which is better?

Where you stay makes all the difference on the road. Even if you only plan to spend your sleeping hours in a hotel room or apartment or rental home, inconvenient or unappealing accommodations can detract from -- or ruin -- an otherwise lovely trip.

Panic ensues when plane unexpectedly plunges mid-flight

Passengers were thrown into a frenzy when their plane unexpectedly took a terrifying mid-air plunge.

No-deal Brexit a 'catastrophe' for travelers

A leaked government report predicting shortages of food, fuel and medication doesn't just affect residents. Combined with days-long queues to get in and out of the UK, it could be 'catastrophic' for travelers

Animals show their funny side in wildlife photography

There are some joke tellers that only a few people find funny, but a true comedy genius will have the whole world laughing.

Booking.com warned over 'only one room left' claims

The hotel booking website has not sufficiently changed its selling tactics to comply with UK law, according to UK consumer group

Airbus A340-600 chopped up into coffee tables

Pieces of German airline Lufthansa's retired have been transformed into stylish coffee tables, clocks, luggage and other pieces of furniture and offered up for sale.

13 essential Vietnam experiences

When it comes to variety, Vietnam is in a league of its own.

Designs revealed for incredible new space hotel

California company The Gateway Foundation has released plans for the Von Braun Station, a cruise ship-style hotel floating among the stars

Find some 'Downton Abbey' spirit in Rhode Island

"Downton Abbey" characters are likely to drop in at Newport, Rhode Island, summer "cottages." Some of these Gilded Age megamansions are still open for tours today.

The secret ingredient in Vietnam's most indulgent bowl of pho

Pho is arguably the single most famous dish in Vietnamese cuisine.

Northernmost hotel in the world to open

Ever dreamed of spending the night in an igloo at the North Pole? For one month only, travelers will have the opportunity to do just that -- provided they've got a spare $100,000.

Hotels with Instagram-perfect views

With the explosion in popularity of Instagram, it increasingly feels like you haven't really been on vacation until you've carefully crafted and posted that all-important shot from your hotel, hacienda or houseboat.

The bullet train designed to feel like a living room

Japan's love affair with trains continues to push the design envelope.

Area 51 festival a 'humanitarian disaster' waiting to happen

Picture Burning Man organized by the Fyre Festival bros, but with little gray aliens running amok.

What it's like to own a superyacht

It's a lifestyle most of us can only daydream about -- speeding through crystalline seas on a private floating palace, sipping cocktails with views of islands and open ocean, the sun beating down on the pool deck.

Why you should be alone in the Louvre

Director and actor Mathieu Kassovitz, known for his role in "Amélie," spends some quiet time in a museum normally teeming with tourists.

10 of the best luxury seaside hotels in Greece

Filled with lavish amenities ranging from private helicopter transportation and personal butlers, these luxurious seaside hotels offer some of the best places to stay Greece.

Best castle stays in Ireland

Ever harbored a desire to live like royalty and bed down in a castle for the night?

Best party cities around the world

Any major city will have bars, clubs and live music venues, but not all of them can claim to be a true party capital.

Here's how Harry and Meghan will fly to Africa

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will fly commercial for their official visit to Africa. But with private security, exclusive lounges and BMWs across the runway, travel for VIPs and royalty bears little resemblance to how the rest of us fly.

There were (thankfully) fewer alien enthusiasts than authorities expected. There were arrests and a Naruto runner

The day we had all been waiting for is finally here -- but it wasn't as exciting as expected. And that's probably for the best.

Ancient mosaic found near Sea of Galilee depicts Jesus miracle

A colorful mosaic recently found in the "Burnt Church" in Hippos near the Sea of Galilee appears to depict a miracle Jesus is said to have performed nearby -- the feeding of the 5,000 -- archaeologists say.

The most extreme adventures on Earth

Do you take things to the edge when you travel? Here are the best places on Earth for extreme adventures -- and options for people who like safer but still exciting experiences.

From surfing huge waves in Tahiti to elephant polo in Thailand, see photos of the world's most extreme places along with the most extraordinary travel experiences.

View photos of the wonders you'll find when you take a trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From memorable hikes and drives to bears and elk, the park is packed with things to see.

A Delta flight plunged 30,000 feet in minutes

Don't read this if you're traveling any time soon.

Where to live your best 'Downton Abbey' life

That "Downton Abbey" lifestyle may be long gone, but you can still find inspiration in "Downton Abbey" exhibitions, tours and themed excursions popping up to serve hungry fans.

"Downton Abbey" characters are likely to drop in at Newport, Rhode Island, summer "cottages." Some of these Gilded Age megamansions are still open for tours today.

Researchers try to understand naked mole rats' resistance to cancer

With their pinkish, translucent and wrinkly skin, double-saber buck teeth and black-bead eyes, naked mole rats look like characters in a nightmare from hell. In fact, they do live underground in pitch-dark burrows where their air, from a human point of view, can contain chokingly little oxygen, t...

Doctors try new models to push health insurers aside

Just about everyone agrees that the way we pay for primary care needs fixing. Under the current insurance model, doctors get paid for procedures and tests rather than for time spent with patients, which displeases doctors and patients alike and increases costs. Now some medical practices are side...

Medigap supplemental coverage can be too pricey for younger Medicare beneficiaries

One night three years ago, Joe Hobson finished reading a book, went to sleep and woke up blind. The problem, caused by a rare hereditary disease, forced him to give up his 20-year communications job, along with its generous health insurance. Now 63, the Arlington man is covered by Medicare, the f...

Breathless, but not from asthma

Fish and seafood recipe recommendations

Jennifer LaRue Huget offers some suggestions

Fish and seafood recipes

How much fish and seafood should you eat each week? What are some good recipes?

Inside the new Dietary Guidelines: Fish and other seafood

Jennifer LaRue Huget explains how best to incorporate the new dietary guidelines on seafood into your diet.

Parenting an overweight child can be difficult

Should they intervene early and practice a form of benign neglect, hoping that the baby fat will melt away as a child grows?

Type 2 diabetes surges in people younger than 20

U.S. cases in those under 20 have grown from almost zero to tens of thousands in just over a decade.

Surgeon general says obesity crisis should be addressed together

Surgeon general says obesity crisis should be addressed together.

Wisconsin's health-care fight illustrates challenges as states change leadership

After President Obama signed the nation's health-care overhaul into law, Wisconsin made more headway than virtually anywhere else in the country at preparing to carry the statute out. Then a Republican governor came to power and changed all that.

Drums Alive: Feel the beat, feel the burn

Could Drums Alive be the next Zumba? Vicky Hallett explores Baltimore's latest exercise craze.

Top green vegetables for your health -- and St. Patrick's Day

Get in the spirit with these top five green vegetables.

Fear is potent risk of Japanese nuclear crisis

The psychological impact of Japanese nuclear crisis could turn out to be significant

An incomplete story was published to this webpage. We apologize for the confusion and inconvenience. Please find our latest coverage at washingtonpost.com

Radiation exposure poses range of potential health problems for Japanese

Among other things, radiation from nuclear power plants could increase cancer rates for decades.

Nurses' strike cost Washington Hospital Center $6 million

Washington Hospital Center spent about $6 million to hire 600 temporary nurses, beef up security and cover other costs during last week's nurses' strike and subsequent lockout at the region's largest hospital, hospital officials said.

Report reveals steep increase in war amputations last fall

The majority of American soldiers undergoing amputation for war wounds last fall lost more than one limb, according to data presented Tuesday to the Defense Health Board, a committee of experts that advises the Defense Department on medical matters.

More information about ranch dressing

The original, handmade batches of buttermilk dressing were made in the mid-1950s by Steve Henson at his Hidden Valley Ranch near Santa Barbara, Calif. Buttermilk is now the sixth ingredient in the Hidden Valley full-fat dressing, after soybean oil, water, egg yolk, sugar and salt; it's third on t...

March madness? A basketball league that doesn't keep score

I recently spent a couple of hours at the Jewish Community Center in Fairfax watching women in their 40s, 50s and 60s play two games of full-court basketball. These were rec-league ballplayers, but there was nothing casual about the games. They played organized zone defense. A ref in black and wh...

Ranch dressing: How good is it for you?

Is ranch dressing the best way to get kids to eat their vegetables?

Milestones in the eradication of smallpox

With officials debating whether to destroy the remaining specimens of the pathogen, here is a look at notable dates in smallpox history:

Should last remaining known smallpox virus die?

Intense debate rages over whether to destroy the remaining laboratory specimens of the smallpox virus.

Smart food choices can cut excess sugar and empty calories from your diet

The average U.S. adult consumes about a half-cup of added sugar a day, which amounts to roughly 355 nutritionally empty calories.

Paperbacks discuss antidepressants and technology's role in marriage

Irving Kirsch's describes "The Emperor's New Drugs: Exploding the Antidepressant Myth." Spouses Edward M. Hallowell and Sue George Hallowell explain how technology leaves people "Married to Distraction."

Children seem to gain extra weight after having their tonsils removed

A study analyzes data from nine studies, involving 795 children who had a tonsillectomy, with or without adenoid removal, before they turned 18.

Vitamin D deficiency may be a factor in development of allergies

Young people low in Vitamin D may be more prone to allergies, according to a new study.

Doctor-owned centers spark criticism, scrutiny

When Kenneth Baker found out he had prostate cancer, his urologist detailed his options: The 84-year-old was too old for surgery, but he could pick from two forms of radiation or simply wait to see if he really needed treatment.

Health insurers offer patients the option of paying extra for higher-priced care

When consumers and employers pick health plans, some increasingly are being offered a trade-off these days: They can get a hefty break on their premiums if they agree to pay more out-of-pocket when they use certain high-cost providers in their network or if they cut those providers out of their n...

Hospital, union brace for nurses' strike

Managers at Washington Hospital Center and the nurses union are bracing for a planned strike Friday at the region's largest hospital, with managers flying in replacement nurses from all across the country and nurses seeking support from city officials.

Republicans shift focus to Medicaid complaints

A day after President Obama said he would support amending the health-care law so states can opt out of key provisions sooner, Republicans sought to shift the rhetorical battle back to an issue that would be largely unaffected by the president's proposal: the impact of the law's Medicaid requirem...

Can't judge an exercise book by its cover

Crack open a copy of "The Men's Health Big Book of Exercises: Four Weeks to a Leaner, Stronger, More Muscular You!" and you'll find a compilation of 619 moves designed to work every muscle in your body. If you thought you'd see anything all that different inside "The Women's Health Big Book of Ex...

How men and women exercise differently

No one wants to think she's a cliche. But it's time for me to recognize that when it comes to my gym behavior, that's exactly what I am: a cardio-loving woman who has to be forced to hoist a dumbbell.

The Checklist: Fitness and nutrition advice for March

March is my pudgiest month. Winter has made it challenging to get to the gym or outside for regular runs. But now spring is nigh (it officially starts March 20!), and shorts-wearing weather can't be far behind. So now's the time to start getting in shape for the warm months ahead. I will if you w...

Many Americans have poor health literacy

An elderly woman sent home from the hospital develops a life-threatening infection because she doesn't understand the warning signs listed in the discharge instructions. A man flummoxed by an intake form in a doctor's office reflexively writes "no" to every question because he doesn't understand ...

D.C. Health Department issues measles alert

A woman infected with measles, a contagious and potentially dangerous disease, traveled through the District and Maryland after flying into Dulles International Airport, it was disclosed Monday.

Obama says he will support letting states opt out of health-care law earlier

President Obama told a group of governors Monday that he would support moving up the timetable in which states can opt out of the federal health care law, making a major concession to critics of the law.

Patients find plenty of health information on line, but not all of it is reliable

The Internet has no equal as an information storehouse. The trick is to know how to get right to a source of useful information and not waste time on Web sites that are biased, trying to sell you something or just plain wrong.

Medical Mysteries: A Teen's Swollen Ankle

Shortly after Thanksgiving 2009, 14-year-old old Abby Picard began complaining that her right ankle hurt. Her parents brushed it off, believing her discomfort was the result of her fondness for fashionable thin-soled sneakers and an extremely heavy backpack. "We thought nothing of it," recalled h...

Mobile dental clinic brings care to poor children in Prince George's County

At last, dentist Belinda Carver-Taylor was sitting in the new mobile dental clinic with a child before her. She had hoped for this day so long that now she could only shake her head.

Governors differ on extent of flexibility for Medicaid

Democratic and Republican governors, burdened by crushing budget pressures from Medicaid, said Sunday that federal officials should allow them more freedom to change eligibility rules and other aspects of the public health insurance program for the poor. But they displayed sharp ideological diffe...

The Checkup: More questions about cell phone safety

Are cell phones safe? That question has gotten a lot of attention, but so far, as my colleague pointed out on Monday, there has been no convincing evidence that those ubiquitous devices actually cause health problems. However, a new federal study may stir things up further, even though the bottom...

Obama administration asks states to cut costs without dropping Medicaid coverage

The Obama administration is deploying squadrons of in-house experts to help budget-strapped states figure out how to save money on Medicaid, the health program for the poor that has been a source of rising tensions between state capitals and Washington.

Whole grain and the 2010 Dietary Guidelines

It's no secret that whole grains are good for us. They deliver way more nutrients per calorie than refined grains do, which just happens to fall in line with one of the major themes of the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 (published by the U.S. Agriculture and Health and Human Services d...

Hospitals aim to reduce the number of patients readmitted after discharge

"Welcome back" are two words you'd really rather not hear at a hospital, especially if you've just been discharged. Yet one in five Medicare patients found themselves back in the hospital within 30 days of leaving it in 2003 and 2004, according to a recent study in the New England Journal of Medi...

I cannot tell a lie: Racing Presidents tryout isn't easy

I had to be Teddy. Nothing else would make sense. This is, after all, a fitness column, and any high school history student can tell you which U.S. president is most closely linked with "the life of strenuous endeavor," as Roosevelt liked to put it himself.

Flu season heats up

Don't let the warmer, brighter days fool you. Flu season is not over.

Fiber seems to be linked to a reduced risk of disease in people older than 50

THE QUESTION: Diets high in fiber have been shown to aid weight loss and help with digestive problems. Might fiber also offer other health benefits?

'Policy Review' essay covers PTSD; veteran benefits

How could a Veterans Administration rule making it easier for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder to file disability claims be a bad thing? In a "Policy Review" essay called "PTSD's Diagnostic Trap," psychiatrist and Yale University School of Medicine lecturer Sally Satel argues that ful...

Bacteria's role in colon cancer, cystic fibrosis; burning paper to measure carbon

Here's a not-so-savory news flash: There are more bacterial cells living in our bodies than human cells. Researchers are learning how the balance of these bugs affects our health, but reaping the benefits of bacteria is not quite as simple as eating probiotic yogurt. That's the gist of "The Good,...

Google, Yahoo! BabelFish use math principles to translate documents online

Early one morning in 2007, Libby Casey was trying to do her laundry in a guesthouse in Reykjavik, Iceland. When she couldn't figure out how to use the washing machine, she opened up the instruction manual.

An insomniac learns to make the most of getting the least sleep

In the wee hours of the morning - or is it still night? - my eyes snap open and my mind races. What do I have to do today? What didn't I get done yesterday? Why did I get into that disagreement? Other nights, I am on a high wire, hovering between sleep and wakefulness and chewing over my next mov...

Can relaxation drinks put you to sleep?

Once, "relaxation beverages" consisted of alcohol, chamomile tea and warm milk. Now, the field includes a slew of new drinks promising a better night's sleep using such ingredients as melatonin, valerian root and - think turkey - tryptophan.

Women are more likely than men to give up sleep to care for children and others

Call it the real night shift - that noctural period when bleary-eyed adults leave warm beds to tend to the needs of sick kids, elderly parents, an ailing spouse or incontinent pet. So, who takes the night shift: Mom or Dad?

Free app adjusts color on monitors to prevent disruption of sleep cycle

I stare at screens almost every waking hour. Computer monitor. Laptop. TV. Tablet. Smartphone. So I've tested a few ways to ease the strain on my eyes - and, in the process, learned about something that might be helping me in non-waking hours, too. It's about the light that these screens emit. It...

Obama administration unlikely to block Arizona plan to cut 250,000 from Medicaid rolls

The administration will probably permit the plan despite a provision in the new health-care law barring states from tightening their eligibility standards for the program, federal officials said.

The sports bra: Your No. 1 supporter

Everyone has a pair of feet, but women have an additional pair of something to worry about while exercising. And they're every bit as tricky to fit, control and protect, which is why bras are beginning to rival shoes as the most technical of all sporting apparel.

Z drugs keep sleep-aid market awake

With almost a third of Americans reporting sleep problems, it's not surprising that sales of Ambien, Sonata and similar sleep aids are high: It's a $1.8 billion market.

Study of recalled medical devices faults lax FDA testing methods

A new analysis is raising questions about how good a job the Food and Drug Administration is doing at protecting Americans from faulty medical devices.

Meditation and mindfulness may give your brain a boost

They are the simplest instructions in the world: Sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes, clear your mind and try to focus on the present moment. Yet I am confident that anyone who has tried meditation will agree with me that what seems so basic and easy on paper is often incredibly challe...

Humor, music and spirituality may offer physical benefits

Humor, music and spirituality can boost your mood, but growing evidence suggests that they also offer physical benefits.

Group tries to simplify drug labels to help people get the proper doses

"Take two tablets by mouth twice daily." This printed instruction, common on prescription pill bottles, might seem straightforward. Yet in a study, nearly half of patients misunderstood what it or other common label instructions meant.

Book explains allergies, asthma; magazine rates teen TV shows for safe-sex info

POZ, the lifestyle magazine for people with HIV/AIDS, evaluated a variety of teen TV shows for how often characters practiced safe sex.New book discusses allergies and asthma in children.

Apps and gadgets to track your sleep

A bunch of gadgets and apps are now on the market to help high-tech insomniacs (or just the sleep-curious) track their z's. These aren't meant to help you fall asleep, though there are plenty of other apps intended to do that. We're talking here about gizmos that claim to record your movements al...

Too little or too much sleep may take a toll on the heart

Quick Study: Too little or too much sleep may take a toll on the heart.

Tattooing outgrows its renegade image to thrive in the mainstream

It's 1945, and you want a tattoo. You drive to the part of town your mom warned you about, past scruffy bars and burlesque shows, and arrive at a tiny shop offering maybe 200 designs in three or four colors. An ex-sailor who just clocked out of his day job rinses off his tattoo machine. Five minu...

Insuring your health: Book argues against unnecessary medical intervention

In a new book, "Overdiagnosed: Making People Sick in the Pursuit of Health," Dartmouth researchers and physicians H. Gilbert Welch, Lisa Schwartz and Steven Woloshin argue that the medical establishment's embrace of early diagnosis and treatment as the key to keeping people healthy actually does ...

2010 was marked by a recall of eggs, drug warnings and progress on flu vaccines

Consumer Reports Insights: 2010 was marked by a recall of eggs, drug warnings and progress on flu vaccines.

Enrollment in high-risk insurance pools lagging behind predictions

More Americans have been signing up for special health plans designed for people with medical problems that caused them to be spurned by the insurance industry, according to new government figures. But enrollment continues to lag significantly behind original predictions.

FlyScreen Lands On iPhone But Not As We Know It

FlyScreen , the lock screen replacement for Android and Symbian phones from Israeli startup Cellogic, has landed on the iPhone . But not as we know it.That's because Apple's iOS is locked down as it were (see what I did there) and doesn't allow third-party apps to take over the lock screen. This...

D.C.'s leading provider of clean needles to drug addicts to close Feb. 25

The leading provider of clean needles to drug addicts in the District to help stem the spread of AIDS plans to shut its doors by the end of the month, officials said Wednesday, in the city that has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the country.

Study: Surgery in womb helps babies with spina bifida

Performing surgery on babies with the most severe form of spina bifida when they are still in the womb doubles the chance that they will be able to walk, according to a federally funded study released Wednesday.

Breast-cancer study questions lymph node removal

Many women with early breast cancer do not appear to need removal of their lymph nodes, as is often recommended, according to a federally funded study released Tuesday.

Want to be one of the Nationals' racing presidents?

Applications are due Friday for those interested in becoming one of the Washington Nationals' racing presidents: Abe, George, Tom or Teddy, right. The mascots are starting their sixth year of entertaining home crowds with a race on the field during the fourth inning.

The February wellness checklist

February's long winter slog is brightened by Valentine's Day, a good reminder to take care of our hearts. Here are some ideas for being well during this shortest, and often snowiest, of months in Washington.

When injuries interrupt exercise: Readers weigh in

I got some great feedback on my Jan. 27 column about the sudden interruption to my running regimen, "Coping with an out-of-the-routine injury." Here are edited excerpts of what two readers had to say, followed by excerpts from an online Q&A nutritional biochemist Shawn Talbott and I did with ...

'Why We Get Fat' by Gary Taubes; teen smoking prevention online

Once more, with feeling "Why We Get Fat" (Knopf, $24.95)

Health benefits of falling and staying in love

Love may make the world go 'round, but is it powerful enough to lower one's blood pressure, reduce depression and speed the healing of an injury? With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we set out to find the answer and discovered that science says yes.

Getting a tattoo is largely safe, though experts advise using a reputable shop

Dermatologists' organizations, tattoo artists and the Food and Drug Administration agree that tattooing is largely safe, but any time you stick a needle into skin there are risks. Consumers need to do their homework.

Military personnel take extreme measures to meet body-fat and weight rules

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Heather Sommerdyke spent $12,000 on two liposuction surgeries last spring. She was running eight to 10 miles, six days a week. She even switched to a starvation diet. It was all part of a last-ditch effort to trim her waistline to the 35.5-inch maximum for female airmen. She ...

Mediation can bring justice with no need for a trial

When a health-care provider harms instead of heals, patients who seek answers and redress generally face the prospect of a long and costly lawsuit. But there's another option, one that can significantly reduce the toll of a court battle while providing many of the same benefits to patients and th...

New dietary guidelines: Eat less, eat better and lose the salt

Americans need to make big changes in their eating habits to fight the obesity epidemic and a host of ailments caused by poor diets, including consuming less sugar, fat and salt and more fish, fruits and vegetables, the Obama administration recommended Monday.

Report on global cardiac risks: World gets fatter, but blood pressure goes down

The whole world is getting fatter, except perhaps for the women of Italy and Singapore. Globally, blood pressure is slowly coming down. Cholesterol is falling in rich countries and rising in developing ones.

State officials divided on meaning of judge's health-care ruling

A day after a federal judge struck down the government's plan to overhaul the health-care system, Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen issued a stern statement: "This means that, for Wisconsin, the federal health care law is dead," and that his state "was relieved of any obligations or duti...

No chilling effect on donations at the Polar Bear Plunge

Much to the chagrin of the proudly purple people of Baltimore, the Ravens will not be playing in the Super Bowl on Sunday.

Super thin Super Bowl spread

Like other food-centered celebrations, Super Bowl gatherings can be both fun and fraught with apprehension for those concerned about their waistlines. Nobody wants to sit on the sidelines, skipping the traditional snacks. But who wants to deal with postgame regrets? You can work football-fan food...

Health information remains high on the list of popular uses for the Internet

Seeking health information is the third-most-prevalent activity among American Internet users, according to a report being issued Feb. 1 by the Pew Internet Project. The only things more universal were exchanging e-mail and using search engines. (Of course, if someone uses Google to look up "shin...

Liposuction can't salvage Navy career

KEY WEST, FLA. - Mick Kruger is not out of shape. The 38-year-old master-at-arms first class has never failed a physical readiness test. He routinely scores "excellent" on the mile-and-a-half run. He has run one marathon and finished three others on in-line skates. His performance evaluations du...

AnyBody: Parents are ignoring their children for their BlackBerry

Increasingly, it is adults' constant, obsessive use of these technologies that's coming under fire.

Judge strikes down entire new health-care law

A federal judge in Florida on Monday became the first to strike down the entire law to overhaul the nation's health-care system, potentially complicating implementation of the statute in the 26 states that brought the suit.

House Republicans sharpen attack on health-care reform in two Hill hearings

Republicans on Wednesday used their new majority in the House of Representatives to hold the first of what they promise will be a steady drumbeat of congressional hearings to denounce the new health-care law.

Nutritional information: Milk

Sales of whole milk in the United States made up about 70 percent of the market in the mid-1970s but have dropped dramatically since, while the sales of skim and 2 percent have risen. The most recent sales figures show:

Got milk? What kind?

After spending a day with her boyfriend's family recently, my daughter marveled, "They only drink whole milk!" That milk was delicious, she reported, even after the container had sat on the counter for a while.

U.S. recovers $4 billion from health-care fraud cases

The government recaptured a record $4 billion last year from pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, doctors, nursing homes and other providers of care that defrauded federal health-care programs, the Obama administration reported Monday.

Battling invasive fish with bows and arrows

An Illinois firefighter and archery enthusiast is making some extra cash with a novel if modest contribution to the Great Lakes - by taking paying customers out for boat rides to hunt invasive Asian carp with bows and arrows. Gavino Garay reports.

Protest-inspired 'eye ball' drinks on the menu at Hong Kong restaurant

Bright red strawberry syrup poured over a longan on the top of a glass loosely draped with gauze swab -- this is how a restaurant in Hong Kong chose to remember one of the controversial moments in the ongoing anti-government protests.

Fans flock to 'Alienstock' in the Nevada desert

Scores of UFO enthusiasts converge on rural Nevada for a pilgrimage of sorts to the U.S. installation known as Area 51, long rumored to house government secrets about alien life. They've come for two music festivals held nearby, although some are hoping for a peak behind the gates. Eve Johnson reports.

Scissors snafu: Melania's Washington Monument ribbon cutting

First lady Melania Trump on Thursday wrestled with oversized scissors during a ceremonial ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the reopening of the Washington Monument after extensive renovations. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).

Britain's Burger King says bye-bye kids toys

Burger King will stop handing out plastic toys in its children's meals and said on Thursday it was launching an amnesty for customers to return any freebies in a bid to tackle the growing problem of plastic waste. Gavino Garay reports.

Obama, Thunberg meet with a fist bump, talk climate

Swedish teen climate activist Greta Thunberg and former U.S. President Barack Obama met with a fist bump at Obama's personal office in D.C. on September 16 as she toured Washington to promote youth climate action. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).

Drone delivers shark warning to surfer

Amateur drone pilot Christopher Joye captured the moment a shark approached a surfer at Illawarra beach in Australia on Sunday, September 15, using a search and rescue drone equipped with infra-red thermal imaging camera and a warning speaker system. Tamara Lindstrom has the details.

Volunteer cuddlers help premature babies grow

Donna Garcia says she thinks her heartbeat and cuddling premature babies helps calm them down so they can grow. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).

Golden throne: $5 million toilet stolen in the UK

Thieves caused extensive flooding at an art exhibit in Britain's Blenheim Palace when they burgled an 18-carat gold toilet from an art exhibit.