LONDON (AP) ― Jane Austen’s House Museum says it has received a 100,000-pound ($155,000) donation to help it buy the “Pride and Prejudice” writer’s ring back from singer Kelly Clarkson. Earlier this month the British government placed a temporary export ban on the gold-and-turquoise ring in the hope money could be found to keep it in Britain. The museum said Monday it had raised 103,200 pounds ...

ATAPUERCA, Spain (AFP) ―With trowels and paintbrushes, dozens of archaeologists in white hard-hats patiently sift the reddish-brown earth in the caves of Atapuerca, searching for remains a million years old. From under strata spanning hundreds of millenia at this site in northern Spain, they unearth ancient mouse bones and the teeth of horses ― but what they most hope for is a sign of prehistori...

PARIS (AFP) ― You think French women don’t get fat, their kids never throw food, couples have lots of good sex and families eat gourmet dinners every night? Think again. A new book by British writer Piu Marie Eatwell seeks to debunk “myths” about a country that is sometimes idealised abroad, but leaves some visitors sorely disappointed when they realize it is actually ... normal. In “They Eat H...

Cultural centers at South Korea’s major department stores are opening courses designed for male customers, reflecting their growing interest in self-development and willingness to spend on such cultural programs. Lotte Department Store is set to open culture classes for cooking, fashion styling and fishing in September. Fishing will be taught by Kim Jee-min, a blogger specializing in the popular...

NEW ORLEANS (AP) ― Bob Hope entertained 11 presidents at the White House, hosted the Academy Awards 19 times and told thousands of jokes to some 10 million U.S. troops over the course of four wars. Now the long life and legacy of the beloved actor and comedian, who died 10 years ago at age 100, is being celebrated at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, where the World Golf Hall of F...