Rimskaya metro station in Moscow, opened in 1995, and the works of Leonid Berlin

The works of della Robbia recalled the sculptures at Rimskaya metro station in Moscow, opened in 1995. Rimskaya is a most unusual station, both in its architecture and in its decorative scheme. Where else on the metro would you find a fountain? The station was built with the participation of Italian architects, and the artist was Leonid Berlin (1925-2001). Some people dislike Berlin's works; I find the station very cool, if a little eerie. Last year, it seems, the Madonna's breast was covered over with some hideous plaster, and it is odd that they did not bother to hide the she-wolf's teats from the public at the same time. But on the whole, once you get to know Berlin's oeuvre, it becomes clear why he was spoken of as one of the brightest and most tragic creators in twentieth-century Russia.

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Signs of violent death found on skulls from burials beside the royal tombs at Abydos

An American archaeologist has carried out a forensic analysis of skulls of people who were buried beside the tombs of Egypt's first kings at Abydos, and has found on many of them traces of violent death. Abydos in Upper Egypt served as the burial place of the kings

Black-and-white group photograph of people in masquerade costumes with fans and headdresses, some seated on a floor covered with confetti.

Guests at a costume party in a Moscow theatre in the early 20th century

A costume evening at one of the Moscow theatres in the early twentieth century

Professor Mie Oba proposes Japan as ASEAN's third partner alongside the US and China

Professor Oba Mie of Kanagawa University writes that Japan could become a third partner for the ASEAN countries alongside the USA and China. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations preserves its independence under the slogan of "centrality": the bloc's members seek to remain the principal forum

Blessing of Animals on 4 October, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi

On 4 October, the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, who is regarded as the patron of animals and of nature, animals are blessed in churches all over the world. Stories of his sermon to the birds and of the wolf of Gubbio are associated with the name of Francis,

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Signs of violent death found on skulls from burials beside the royal tombs at Abydos

Guests at a costume party in a Moscow theatre in the early 20th century

Professor Mie Oba proposes Japan as ASEAN's third partner alongside the US and China

Blessing of Animals on 4 October, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi