An art dealer who allegedly duped two top New York top galleries into buying counterfeit paintings she presented as works by Modernist masters has been indicted for fraud, money laundering and tax evasion.

Prosecutors said Glafira Rosales, 56, will be arraigned in a Manhattan court Friday on charges of selling more than 60 fake works of art between 1994 and 2009 for a total of $33.2 million.

Romanian experts sifting through ashes that could contain charred debris of masterpieces stolen from a Dutch museum have identified fragments typical of burnt oil paintings, the museum carrying out the analysis said Thursday.

The mother of Romanian heist suspect Radu Doragu has reportedly admitted to torching the seven stolen masterpieces, including works by Picasso and Monet, in her stove in a bid to destroy evidence.

The palatial Miami villa where fashion icon Gianni Versace was shot dead in 1997 is to be sold at auction and is expected to fetch more than $50 million, the company managing the sale said Thursday.

The house and outbuildings which comprise Versace's former home are located just a stone's throw from the beach on Miami's Ocean Drive tourist strip.

Pope Francis will portray his Catholic Church as a simple, caring institution and champion of the poor when he arrives in Brazil next week -- a country that is witnessing an evangelical Protestant surge.

The Argentine pontiff, a son of Italian immigrants, intends to place the message of the Gospel at the center of the Church's vision, a move expected to resonate with many of the region's faithful, experts said.

A decree by a senior Iranian cleric that Muslims can quench "extreme thirst" during the Ramadan fasting month has stirred debate in the Islamic republic's clergy, media reports said Thursday.

"Those who cannot bear extreme thirst can drink just enough water to quench it. This would not break their fast," said the fatwa by Grand Ayatollah Assadollah Bayat Zanjani, who is seen as close to reformers.

Britain on Wednesday became the 15th country worldwide to legalize gay marriage when Queen Elizabeth II gave her royal assent to a bill approved by lawmakers.

Here is a breakdown of countries with similar laws on the books.

Italian screenwriter Vincenzo Cerami -- author of the screenplay for "Life is Beautiful" by Roberto Benigni -- died on Wednesday at the age of 72.

"Vincenzo Cerami is the one person who has taught me how to strike people's feelings, how to make people emotional," Benigni said.

Out of respect for Pope Francis due here next week, sand artists have covered up the curves of female sculptures on Brazil's world famous Copacabana beach.

The beach is where crowds of young Catholic faithful from around the globe will welcome the pontiff for World Youth Day.

As Syria's Muslims observe the fasting month of Ramadan at a time of war for a third year running, many people are turning to black humor to help them cope.

Jokes are a way to weather the difficulties of food shortages, violence and death that mar the sense of community and celebration supposed to accompany the religious month.

International auctioneer Christie's said Tuesday it will hold its first ever sale in India as it seeks to capitalize on the country's expanding art scene.

The London-based house, which has had an office in financial hub Mumbai for two decades, will stage its inaugural sale in December.