Fiachra Gibbons

Beryl Bainbridge, the eternal Booker prize bridesmaid, was last week snubbed for a sixth time when her novel failed at the penultimate hurdle for Britain’s greatest literary prize, writes Fiachra Gibbons.

Rivers of blood have been spilt – figuratively at least – in a propaganda battle between Greek and Macedonian nationalists over who has the right to claim the all-conquering hero Alexander the Great as their own, writes Fiachra Gibbons in London.

He is terrified of flying, and not too fond of ferries either, but when the maverick director Lars von Trier makes enemies, he’s not afraid to pick on the biggest bully in the playground. Fiachra Gibbons reports.

Beryl Bainbridge, the eternal Booker prize bridesmaid, was last week snubbed for a sixth time when her novel failed at the penultimate hurdle for Britain’s greatest literary prize, writes Fiachra Gibbons.

American Beauty took six awards, but the British Academy honoured many films ignored by the Oscars on Sunday night. Fiachra Gibbons reports.