The Hurt Locker triumphs at the Oscars, and other top stories...

Kathryn Bigelow made history at last night's Oscars by becoming the first woman to win the Best Director award, for her film The Hurt Locker. The story of a bomb disposal team in Iraq, the film also proved a triumph for old-fashioned suspense over special effects wizardry as it beat James Cameron's CGI-heavy Avatar to the Best Picture award. The event was characterised by rather untraditional victories. Jeff Bridges won Best Actor for his role in Crazy Heart (his first win after four previous nominations) and romcom queen Sandra Bullock won Best Actress for drama The Blind Side...

Sparklehorse's Mark Linkous has committed suicide at the age of 47. The singer-guitarist was known for helming the indie rock group, as well as for collaborating with Tom Waits, David Lynch and Dangermouse. Linkous had come close to death in 1996 after overdosing on Valium and anti-depressants while on tour with Radiohead. The singer-guitarist had reportedly completed most of the work for a new Sparklehorse album at the time of his death. Their last album was collaboration with experimental Austrian artist Fennesz, released late last year...

Kim Gordon has been the frontwoman of iconic guitar group Sonic Youth since she was a sprightly 28, so she should know a thing or two about the experience of being onstage. Having toured extensively over the past three decades, she will now bestow upon the world a book of her visual art exploring what it's like to be subject to the audience's gaze. Using paintings, photographs, watercolours and words she will set about conveying the experience...