He has tamed three-headed dogs; tangled with the Dark Lord Voldemort, and now Harry Potter is heading for the Balkans to bring peace and unity to future generations. With telecom tanking and most firms still pinching pennies, tech firms are looking elsewhere to sell their wares. Some hope Hollywood and people like Andy Hendrickson are …read more!

Got money? J.K. Rowling hs donated an autographed set of Harry Potter editions to First Book, a charity that helps buy books for children with low income families. The books are up for auction at Mission Fish; the bidding as of this morning was $700. So if you’re rich, go help some kids in need. …read more!

Britain’s first-ever free phone line for lone parents was launched in Edinburgh and London today with the help of world-famous city author, and one-time single mum, JK Rowling. The helpline will offer advice on a range of topics including legal and financial worries. The Edinburgh launch was supported by Scottish Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm, who …read more!

Meet the man putting the potter into Harry. North Norfolk potter Thom Borthwick has been commissioned to make pottery props for the second Harry Potter film, due out in November.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone failed to win any awards at this year’s Oscars. It was nominated for three awards: Best Music (Score), Costume Design and Art Direction. However, Daniel Radcliffe did appear in a pre-recorded film talking about his favourite film. He chose 12 Angry Men, which he described as “really inspirational”. What …read more!

Erin Martin sends us this report from Durham and HP2: Just thought I’d drop a note to tell you that I while I was at a conference in Durham, I stopped in at the cathedral. I noticed several lorries outside, and they were dismantling a big marquee that had been set up on the lawn …read more!

Thanks to reader Gale for pointing out to us that there are, in fact, positive articles about Kenneth Branagh’s return to the stage in Richard III in Sheffield, sending us this from the Guardian.

Young Harry Potter fans will be looking forward to a taste of wizardry when a Hogwarts Theatre School arrives in Rossendale next month. The Anthony Williams Production Theatre School will be at Bacup’s Royal Court Theatre between April 2 and 5. The event is designed to give Harry Potter fans a taste of life at …read more!

Harry a passing fad? Meet Shimale the kosher toy boy. He has sidecurls and fringes, and says phrases from the morning prayers. Shimale is the toy many haredi kids are praying for. And he seems to be the answer to their parents’ prayers… Wellcom staffers dismiss comparisons to the Harry Potter phenomenon, which they say …read more!

The trade in pirated DVDs has reached Victorian [Australia] schoolyards, with latest-release films being sold for as little as $5. “Wind over Wings,” a wildlife rehabilitation center in Clinton [Connecticut], will present an owl program on Sunday from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., before the matinee showing of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. This classic, …read more!