Remembrances

Zhou Youguang sits at home in Beijing, in 2015. Born when a Qing dynasty emperor was on the throne, he went on to help invent the Pinyin writing system used for transliterating the Chinese alphabet.

Zhou Youguang, Architect Of A Bridge Between Languages, Dies At 111

5:07pm January 14, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

In the 1950s, the linguist — then an "amateur" — helped create a system to Romanize Chinese writing. Zhou's system helped boost literacy and diminished the linguistic divide between East and West.

Books

The Author Of 'The Exorcist,' William Peter Blatty, Dies At 89

10:58am January 14, 2017

The author of the novel The Exorcist, William Peter Blatty, has died at the age of 89. Scott Simon spoke with him in 2011 about the novel — and he said he never meant for it to be so scary.

William Peter Blatty, Author Of 'The Exorcist,' Dies At 89

11:20pm January 13, 2017

by The Associated Press

The novelist died from cancer on Thursday. Blatty was best known for writing the best-selling 1971 horror fiction about a 12-year-old girl, possessed by the devil, before the 1973 film became a hit.

Remembering Celebrated Indian Actor Om Puri, Star Of 'East Is East'

1:23pm January 13, 2017

Puri, who died last Friday in Mumbai, appeared in more than 300 movies, including the British film, My Son the Fanatic. Originally broadcast in 2000.

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National

Steven McDonald, A Symbol Of Forgiveness And An NYPD Icon, Dies At 59

3:21pm January 11, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

McDonald was just 29 when he was rendered quadriplegic by a teenage gunman. Months later, McDonald penned a letter of forgiveness that turned him into an ambassador for New York's police force.

Music & Culture

Remembering Jazz Critic And 'Village Voice' Writer Nat Hentoff

1:42pm January 10, 2017

Hentoff, who died Saturday, was an outspoken advocate of free speech and a prolific jazz writer. Originally broadcast in 1986.

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Veteran British war correspondent Clare Hollingworth, who broke the story that the World War II had begun, celebrates her 100 birthday during a party at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Hong Kong in 2011. She celebrated her 105th birthday there this pa

World News

Reporter Who Broke The Story Of Start Of WWII Dies At 105

1:35pm January 10, 2017

by Camila Domonoske

As an activist, Clare Hollingworth saved thousands of refugees from Hitler's forces. Then, a few days into her career as a reporter, she uncovered the scoop of a lifetime: Germany was invading Poland.

Jazz Historian And Writer Nat Hentoff Dies At 91

4:38pm January 09, 2017

by Tom Cole

The American historian, critic and columnist Nat Hentoff fell in love with jazz as a kid in Boston — primarily because of the freedom and emotion it expressed. For 50 years, he wrote about jazz and social justice issues for The Village Voice. He died at home on Saturday while listening to Billie Holiday. He was 91.

Arts

Actor Om Puri Had Roles In More Than 300 Movies During His Life

6:00pm January 08, 2017

by Andrew Limbong

The acclaimed Indian actor died at home on Jan. 6 after an apparent heart attack. He was 66 years old. Puri acted in some 300 movies, including Gandhi, Charlie Wilson's War, and East is East.

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, during a 2015 meeting with Germany's foreign minister in Tehran.

World News

Former Iranian President Rafsanjani, A Leading Voice For Reform, Dies At 82

3:07pm January 08, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was a towering political figure in Iran for decades — from the 1979 revolution to current President Hassan Rouhani's surprise win in 2013. He was Iran's fourth president.

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