Century-old church, Group of 7 artwork destroyed in downtown Toronto fire
A historic piece of artwork has been lost in a fire that destroyed much of church in Toronto’s Little Portugal area on Sunday.
Wilbur Smith, a bestselling author who wrote dozens of adventure novels, has died at age 88.
Smith died unexpectedly at his home in Cape Town, South Africa, on Saturday, his office said in an obituary posted on the website wilbursmithbooks.com. A cause of death was not provided.
Smith was born in 1933 in Northern Rhodesia -- now Zambia -- and set many of his stories in Africa, where he grew up on a cattle ranch and hunted game.
His first novel, "When the Lion Feeds," was published in 1964. Its main character is the son of a ranch owner in South Africa who fights in the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War, becomes a gold mine owner and starts a stock exchange in Johannesburg. The book introduces the Courtney family, whom Smith continued to write about in subsequent novels that spanned several centuries, including the apartheid era in South Africa.
He published 49 novels in total that sold more than 140 million copies worldwide, according to his office. His novels "Gold Mine" and "Shout at the Devil" were adapted for movies.
"His knowledge of Africa, and his imagination knew no limitations," Kevin Conroy Scott, his literary agent, said in a statement included with the online obituary.
Kate Parkin, with publisher Bonnier Books U.K., said Smith left behind books that have yet to be published and outlines for future stories.
A historic piece of artwork has been lost in a fire that destroyed much of church in Toronto’s Little Portugal area on Sunday.
Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Israel’s three-man war Cabinet, announced his resignation on Sunday.
A 27-year-old woman has been charged with mischief after she allegedly entered a Chatham home, looking for a child.
The Oilers got a Texas-sized pep talk Friday, when Dallas mayor Eric L. Johnson fulfilled his end of a losing bet with Edmonton mayor Amarjeet Sohj.
A new phenomenon – "The Great Exhaustion" -- is circulating among some young professionals in Canada, according to a report.
At least 274 Palestinians, including dozens of children, were killed, and hundreds more were wounded, in the Israeli raid that rescued four hostages held by Hamas, Gaza's Health Ministry said Sunday. The Israeli military said its forces came under heavy fire during the complex daytime operation deep in central Gaza.
Suspected militants in Indian-controlled Kashmir's Jammu province fired at a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims on Sunday and at least nine were killed after the vehicle fell into a deep gorge, officials said.
The Liberal government plans to take the first legislative step Monday toward increasing the inclusion rate on capital gains.
The body of missing British TV presenter Michael Mosley was found on a Greek island Sunday morning after a days-long search, his family said.
Showing off the latest purchase in his Eaton's collection, Corey Quintaine joked he is rebuilding the former flagship store that used to sit at 320 Portage Avenue one Facebook Marketplace purchase at a time.
After learning about food security at school, 11-year-old Violette Ferguson wants fresh eggs and to change the rules around chickens in the city.
An Ontario powerlifter caught a mild cold last year. Six days later, he was fighting for his life in the ICU.
Marking a milestone, Lakeshore resident Olga White celebrated her 107th birthday in style Wednesday.
The municipality of Tantramar, N.B., is holding a sale to get rid of surplus items it acquired after the Town of Sackville amalgamated with smaller communities last year.
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A statue dedicated to the Royal Regina Rifles Regiment has been officially unveiled in France just ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
A Cape Breton is this year's recipient of the McEuen Scholarship, which gives him basically a full ride to the medical school at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
Mounties in Kelowna nabbed a would-be burglar with an apparent sweet tooth over the weekend.