Plans to close more than 400 libraries across the UK lead to a battle between campaigners and councils.

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is named the most powerful person in the art world, according to a poll compiled by ArtReview magazine.

Defence lawyers for Dr Conrad Murray, on trial for the death of Michael Jackson, have dropped a claim that the singer swallowed a fatal dose of propofol.

Richard Gere's collection of classic guitars and amplifiers, built up over 40 years, has fetched $936,438 (£595,000) at a New York auction.

The prestigious National Book Awards expand one of their categories after mistakenly announcing the wrong shortlist at their annual presentation.

Adele, Friendly Fires, The Horrors and Vampire Weekend are shortlisted for the inaugural Aim Independent Music Awards.

Campaigners are unsuccessful in their High Court challenge to save six libraries in north-west London marked for closure to cut council spending.

Eighteen-year-old country singer Scotty McCreery becomes the first American Idol winner to top the US charts with a debut album since 2003.