BERN (REUTERS).- A gaggle of lively children, some barefoot, take a nature walk with their young teacher; a downcast farmer counts coins from his purse to pay a tax debt; a dozing old man cradles his sleeping grand-daughter on his lap. These are some o…
Long Wait Over: After a Seven-Year Facelift Cairo Islamic Art Museum Reopens
CAIRO (REUTERS).- The world’s biggest museum of Islamic art will reopen in Cairo in coming weeks after a seven-year facelift, museum officials said on Wednesday. Tourists flock by the millions to the Pyramids at Giza and the Temples of Luxor dating ba…
Save Villa Borghese, Italy Environmentalists Cry
ROME (REUTERS).- Environmental and cultural heritage groups appealed to city officials Thursday to stop the “massacre” of Villa Borghese park by banning pop concerts and big screen events they say lure vandals and lager louts. The villa’s secret garden…
Researchers Unveil "Holy Grail" of Audubon Illustration
PHILADELPHIA (REUTERS).- Researchers have found the first published illustration by John James Audubon, America’s most famous bird artist, ending decades of searching for the prized but elusive work. Audubon had made two references to the illustration …
Sonar Scanners Find Ancient Wrecks Off Italian Coast
ROME (REUTERS).- A team of marine archaeologists using sonar scanners have discovered four ancient shipwrecks off the tiny Italian island of Zannone, with intact cargoes of wine and oil. The remains of the trading vessels, dating from the first century…
Folk-Rock Duo Dean & Britta Take Its Warhol Soundtrack on Tour
NEW YORK (REUTERS).- Between 1964 and 1966, Andy Warhol created nearly 500 “screen tests” — short, silent, filmed portraits of the famous and unknown personalities who made their way through the Factory, Warhol’s Manhattan studio. In 2008, the Andy Wa…
Archaeologists Find Hall for Human Sacrifice in Northern Coast of Peru
LIMA (REUTERS).- An ancient ceremonial ground used by a Pre-Columbian civilization for human sacrifices has been uncovered on Peru’s northern coast, archaeologists said on Thursday. The discovery appears to reinforce prevailing theories about a ceremon…
Warsaw’s Communist Neo-Gothic "Palace" Turns 55
WARSAW (REUTERS).- Some say it is an ugly and unwelcome reminder of the post-war Soviet domination of Poland and should be pulled down. But others believe it’s a part of history for better or worse and should be left alone. The debate has resurfaced in…
Warsaw’s Communist "Palace" Turns 55
WARSAW (REUTERS).- Some say it is an ugly and unwelcome reminder of the post-war Soviet domination of Poland and should be pulled down. But others believe it’s a part of history for better or worse and should be left alone. The debate has resurfaced in…
The Statue of Liberty Evacuated over Faulty Sensor
NEW YORK, NY (REUTERS).- Several hundred people were briefly evacuated from the Statue of Liberty on Wednesday after a faulty sensor detected smoke. The landmark tourist attraction was reopened an hour later. “There was no smoke or heat observed,” said…