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New East networkRussiaNew exhibition examines legacy of Soviet Cold War scheme offering Africans free study – and the children they left behind. The Calvert Journal reports “When people ask me about my background it becomes a long explanation,” says photographer Liz Johnson Artur. “I usually start by explaining how my mum is Russian, my dad is Ghanaian and I was born in Bulgaria...” Johnson Artur is one of a small population of “Russians of colour” born to Russian mothers and African or Caribbean fathers who were offered free university education in the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

England netball teamEngland netball defeat Jamaica in tight encounter to take 2-1 series victory England 63-59 JamaicaSkipper Natalie Metcalf shines in second-half recovery England fought back from a half-time deficit to beat Jamaica 63-59 in their series decider at a sold-out Copper Box Arena in London, to triumph 2-1. With the three-match series tied 1-1, there was a keen sense of anticipation in the crowd. England made two changes from the side beaten in the second game, with Geva Mentor making her first start of the series and the skipper, Natalie Metcalf, recalled at wing attack.

The foodie travellerChina holidaysChina’s hunger for luxury foods has led to demand for home-grown fungi and a new opportunity for farmers Perhaps the most unusual food experience I had in China recently – as well as deep-fried scorpion and sliced yak’s penis – was sliced black truffle in a village near Kunming city, Yunnan province, south-west China. The Chinese middle-class is hungry for European luxury foods, and the country is meeting that demand with a burgeoning home-grown supply.

Animation in filmReview(Cert PG)The original Madagascar was a very decent family animation, but this much-anticipated sequel is a frankly disappointing piece of opportunism, with a non-plot which shamelessly rips off The Lion King. The movie starts by laboriously recounting an unwieldy and unsatisfying backstory for Alex (the zoo-raised lion voiced by Ben Stiller) and his cubhood in the wild. Then we get stuck into the story proper, which maroons Alex and his wacky pals in "

New Harry Potter ebook covers revealed! Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via Email Pottermore have revealed exciting brand new covers for the ebook versions of Harry Potter, designed by Olly Moss and now available – what do you think of them, and how do they compare to Jonny Duddle’s new jacket designs? Find more fun on the Guardian children’s books website Wed 16 Dec 2015 06.

‘I took the biggest opportunity of my life – a debut book about family, faith, grief, love, and the fate of my soul – and immortalised within its pages a guy I’d met on Bumble 12 weeks ago.’ Photograph: recep-bg/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreen‘I took the biggest opportunity of my life – a debut book about family, faith, grief, love, and the fate of my soul – and immortalised within its pages a guy I’d met on Bumble 12 weeks ago.

Children's booksChildren's booksTop 10 twins in children's booksFrom The Parent Trap’s Lottie and Lisa to Fred and George Weasley, Francesca Haig sees double as she picks out the greatest twins in children’s books In the post-apocalyptic world of my novel The Fire Sermon, all humans are born as twins. However, the twins share a fatal bond: when one twin dies, so does the other. Literature has long been fascinated by twins, whose uncanny appeal lies in the fact that they’re simultaneously alike and different.

Australia weather This article is more than 1 month oldChristmas weather forecast to be slightly cooler as Australian heatwave makes way for rain and thunderstormsThis article is more than 1 month oldTemperatures around 27C-28C are forecast for Sydney over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, while Melbourne can expect temperatures in the low 20s Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our morning and afternoon news emails,free app or daily news podcast Christmas for large parts of Australia will be a slightly cooler affair with the heatwave that has marked the start of summer for much of the country making way for rain and thunderstorms.

Beryl GreyObituaryDame Beryl Grey obituaryOne of the most celebrated British ballerinas of her generation who later dedicated herself to the training of dancersIn 1941 Beryl Grey, who has died aged 95, was known as Britain’s “baby ballerina” when she joined Sadler’s Wells Ballet at the age of 14, becoming a soloist for the company the following year. She toured Britain as a teenager, dancing nine performances a week, and on her 15th birthday danced Odette-Odile in the complete Swan Lake.