A Japanese researcher spins thousands of strands of spider silk into violin strings, said to have a "soft and profound timbre" relative to standard strings.

Russell Brand, Coldplay and a host of other acts take part in a Secret Policeman's Ball gala in New York - the first to take place outside the UK.

3D animation The Lorax has the best opening weekend of the year so far at the US box office, making more than $70m in its first three days in cinemas.

Rock guitarist Ronnie Montrose, who performed with musicians including Van Morrison and Herbie Hancock, dies at the age of 64.

The refurbished National Museum of Scotland was the most visited attraction outside of London last year, new figures show.

A newly restored painting by Dutch master Vermeer is to return to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam following a tour of Japanese galleries.

Tate Modern buys part of Chinese artist Ai Weiwei's sunflower seeds installation with plans to display it in a conical structure.

Actor Philip Madoc dies at the age of 77 after a short illness, his agent says.