The Latest Breaking News from Neil MacGregor

Naomi Alderman’s 50-part history of great thinkers gets off to a flying start. Plus, an exposé of Russian interference in UK politics; and in the week the BBC axed Short Cuts, where now for young audio talent?

Museums don’t win awards or get rave reviews for their security systems – but they should. I have seen for myself how lax British Museum security was. It needs to stop living in a fantasy world

Britain's Booker Prize for fiction unveiled its final contenders for this year's award Tuesday, featuring the oldest author and the shortest book ever to make the prestigious six-strong literary shortlist. Octogenarian Englishman Alan Garner, who will turn 88 when the winner is announced on October 17, was shortlisted for "Treacle…

Only British writer on list will collect prize on 88th birthday if successful, but is up against five other books judges say ‘speak powerfully about important things’

This year’s six shortlisted books have been revealed.

List comprises 13 writers of fiction, from NoViolet Bulawayo to Leila Mottley, described as ‘stimulating, surprising, nourishing’ by judging panel

Six groups will be chosen to read a shortlisted book, with the most ‘original and engaging’ readers to be invited to the prize ceremony

Antiquated excuses for keeping the sculptures are wearing thin after 12 years of Conservative cultural freezes

Repatriating the spoils of empire is stuck in all manner of legal and historical impasses, says Charlotte Higgins, the Guardian’s chief culture writer