Arts & Culture
Dolores Umbridge biography: J.K. Rowling releases new Harry Potter story on Pottermore
J.K. Rowling has released a new Harry Potter story on her website, Pottermore. This time it's a biography of Dolores Umbridge, the pink-loving, sweet-smiling, Defense...
Galway Kinnell dies from leukemia aged 87
Poet Galway Kinnell has died at his home in Vermont after suffering from leukemia, his wife Brabara announced. He was 87. Galway Kinnell, who died...
Amal Clooney meets Greek PM Antonis Samaras over Parthenon sculptures
Amal Clooney has had talks with Greek PM Antonis Samaras as part of a campaign to return the Parthenon sculptures from Britain. Greece has hired...
Yo Picasso: 1901 Pablo Picasso self-portrait goes on public display in London
An unseen Pablo Picasso self-portrait from 1901 will go on display in central London from Tuesday, October 14. Yo Picasso depicts the Spanish artist and...
Lauren Bacall’s jewellery and artworks to be auctioned in New York
Lauren Bacall’s effects - jewellery, artworks and furniture - are to go under the hammer in New York, auction house Bonhams has announced. Artworks including...
Patrick Modiano wins Nobel Prize in Literature 2014
French writer Patrick Modiano has won the Nobel Prize in literature for 2014. The Nobel Academy described the historical author, whose work has often focused...
Stocking up on Kid’s Art Supplies on a Budget
Wanting to encourage creativity and imagination in our kids is something all parents aim for, yet if you’re on a slightly more modest budget,...
JK Rowling explains meaning behind cryptic tweet
British author JK Rowling has explained the meaning behind a cryptic tweet sent earlier this week, scotching hopes that it referred to a new...
Imelda Marcos’ art collection seized in Philippines
Paintings belonging to Imelda Marcos have been seized by Philippine authorities who claim they were acquired with stolen state funds. A small number of works...
Magda Olivero dies in Milan hospital aged 104
Italian soprano Magda Olivero has died at the age of 104 in Milan after a career spanning more than 70 years. Magda Olivero died on...
JK Rowling publishes short biography of Celestina Warbeck
Author JK Rowling has published a short biography of Celestina Warbeck, a minor character from her Harry Potter books on the fan website Pottermore.com. Celestina...
Licia Albanese death: New York Metropolitan Opera star dies at 105
Licia Albanese has died at her New York home at the age 105. The Italian-born soprano sang in hundreds of performances at New York Metropolitan...
Siegfried Sassoon’s war diaries published online for first time
Siegfried Sassoon’s war diaries are being published online for the first time. The archive of 23 journals and two notebooks of poetry have been digitized...
Louvre museum in rat alert
The Louvre museum in Paris has called in the pest controllers after picnickers in its gardens encouraged an infestation of rats. Startling photos and videos...
Tenor Carlo Bergonzi dies at 90
Italian tenor Carlo Bergonzi has died aged 90. Carlo Bergonzi was considered a leading performer of Giuseppe Verdi's work. During a career spanning 40 years, Carlo...
JK Rowling’s crime novels written under pseudonym will outnumber Harry Potter books
JK Rowling has revealed her crime novels written under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith will eventually outnumber her Harry Potter books. The author said her plans...
Sherlock Holmes case: Supreme Court rejects emergency petition from Arthur Conan Doyle’s heirs
The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea from Arthur Conan Doyle's heirs, who are trying to stop the publication of a book based on...
Nelson Mandela memorabilia auctioned in Johannesburg ahead of his 96th birthday
A collection of unusual items signed by Nelson Mandela is being auctioned in Johannesburg. The lots include a chess set, of figures from either side...
Harper Lee denies approval of authorized memoir
To Kill a Mockingbird author Harper Lee has denied she approved the writing of a memoir about her life in Alabama by former neighbor...
Sotheby’s to auction art on eBay
Sotheby's and eBay will create a web platform to allow viewers to bid on and buy art. According to Sotheby's chief operating officer Bruno Vinciguerra,...
Nadine Gordimer dies in Johannesburg aged 90
Nobel Prize-winning writer Nadine Gordimer has died in Johannesburg, South Africa, at the age of 90. Nadine Gordimer, who was one of the literary world's...
Lorin Maazel dies from complications of pneumonia aged 84
Conductor and composer Lorin Maazel has died from complications of pneumonia at his home in Castleton, Virginia, aged 84. Lorin Maazel occupied top positions at...
Botticelli drawing Study for a Seated St Joseph sells for record $2 million at London auction
A rare Botticelli drawing - titled Study for a Seated St Joseph, his head resting on his right hand - has sold for a...
JK Rowling publishes new Harry Potter story on Pottermore
JK Rowling has published a new short story about Harry Potter on her Pottermore fan website, set during the Quidditch world cup final. The 1,500-word...
Stolen Matisse’s Odalisque in Red Pants handed back to Venezuela
Henri Matisse’s painting Odalisque in Red Pants, which was stolen more than a decade ago, has been handed back to the Venezuelan authorities by...
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