- Sculptor Gormley hopes art can be bridge to China despite curbs
- UN nuclear chief in Iran to 'reach diplomatic solutions'
- Israel face France in Paris football match under tight security
- Beijing's fears after Trump fills key posts with China hawks
- Man with explosives dies trying to enter Brazil's Supreme Court
- South Korea exam sees record number of re-takes after medical reforms
- Asian markets mixed as traders weigh Fed; bitcoin above $90,000
- Pumas seek historic win over 'hurt' Irish
- Advantage Martin as MotoGP reaches gripping climax in Barcelona
- Man with explosives dies trying to enter Brazil Supreme Court
- Mike Tyson, 58, back in ring to face Youtuber Paul
- Hunger in G20 host Brazil is Lula's unfinished fight
- Biden, Xi arrive in Peru ahead of face-to-face at Asia-Pacific summit
- Mysterious diamond-laden necklace fetches $4.8 mn in Geneva auction
- Lawmakers clash, protesters arrested in wake of Amsterdam violence
- Global diabetes rate has doubled in last 30 years: study
- Six Israeli troops killed, deadly strikes in Lebanon
- US envoy says Mexico's 'hugs not bullets' strategy failed
- Lyon and Chelsea stay perfect in Women's Champions League
- Another clean sheet for Onana as E. Guinea, I. Coast qualify
- From 'Little Marco' to 'Mr Secretary': Rubio shows Trump China push
- Sri Lanka president eyes parliament win in snap election
- New York drought conditions fan flames, spur water saving
- Football 'world order' is changing, says Brazil coach
- Maiden century by Varma gives India unbeatable series lead
- Buy now, pay later: Latin America pressured by Chinese online shops
- Republicans complete power takeover with House majority
- Kane disappointed by England Nations League withdrawals
- Trump victory signals golden era for crypto industry
- 'First Buddy': Musk takes unusual star role with Trump
- Workers stage walkout at US maker of Fallout video game
- England will not change 'DNA' against South Africa, says Slade
- Biden, Xi to meet in Peru on Saturday: US official
- Spurs coach Popovich suffered 'mild stroke', says NBA team
- 'Very humiliating': Bangladesh's Yunus seethes over climate cash fight
- 'Welcome back': Trump, Biden shake hands in White House
- Tech's green wave hits choppy waters
- Fernandes hopes Amorim can 'change the energy' at Man Utd
- Trump, Biden shake hands in White House, vow smooth transfer
- Gatland battling 'pain' during tough Wales rebuild
- COP29 fight for climate money 'humiliating': Bangladesh's Yunus
- McIlroy aims for glory on happy hunting ground in Dubai
- Spain evacuates thousands in fresh flood alarm
- US death row inmate stages jazz protest for release in London court
- Germany's embattled Scholz trades blows with rivals as election looms
- Alcaraz beats Rublev to open ATP Finals account
- 'I had to gather my strength': Ukrainians abroad sign up to fight
- 'Legend' Healy set to equal O'Driscoll record against Pumas
- Record stand propels Sri Lanka to 324-5 against New Zealand
- US consumer inflation rises in October on higher housing costs
UK writer Samantha Harvey wins 2024 Booker with space novel
British writer Samantha Harvey won the prestigious Booker Prize on Tuesday for her science fiction novel following six astronauts as they orbit Earth over 24 hours.
Set aboard the International Space Station, Harvey's "Orbital" tracks two men and four women from Japan, Russia, the United States, Britain and Italy as they observe and reflect on their home planet, touching on themes of mourning, desire and the climate crisis.
The Booker, which comes with a 50,000 pound ($64,000) cash prize, has launched careers and courted controversy since its creation in 1969.
Past laureates include Margaret Atwood, Ian McEwan, Julian Barnes and Kazuo Ishiguro.
"I was not expecting that," Harvey said upon learning of her win, the first by a woman since Atwood was recognised for "The Testaments" alongside Bernardine Evaristo's "Girl, Woman, Other", adding she was "overwhelmed".
In her acceptance speech, Harvey dedicated the prize to "everybody who does speak for and not against the Earth; for and not against the dignity of other humans, other life; and all the humans who speak for and call for and work for peace".
- 'Everyone and no one' -
Just 136 pages long, "Orbital" is the second-shortest novel to win the award and the first to be set in space, according to the Booker Prize Foundation.
It is the 49-year-old Harvey's fifth novel, winning 15 years after her debut novel "The Wilderness" was longlisted for the Booker.
Chair of the judges, Edmund de Waal, said that "everyone and no one is the subject" of Harvey's novel, "as six astronauts in the International Space Station circle the earth observing the passages of weather across the fragility of borders and time zones".
"With her language of lyricism and acuity Harvey makes our world strange and new for us," he added.
A record five women were in the running for the prize, which was announced at a ceremony in London.
The others were Rachel Kushner for "Creation Lake", Anne Michaels for "Held", Yael van der Wouden for "The Safekeep" and Charlotte Wood for "Stone Yard Devotional".
Percival Everett's "James" rounded out the shortlist.
The prize is seen as a talent spotter of names not necessarily widely known to the general public.
The Booker is open to works of fiction by writers of any nationality, written in English and published in the UK or Ireland between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024.
E.Paulino--PC