Veteran left-wing Greek politician Leonidas Kyrkos, who faced prison and a death sentence because of his politics, has died at 87 after a long illness. Kyrkos was a medical student who joined the Greek resistance against the Nazi occupation in World War Two. Greek authorities arrested him after the war, sentencing him to death for […]
Singer, Songwriter Nick Ashford Dies
Nick Ashford, half of the singing and song-writing duo Ashford and Simpson, died Monday at the age of 70 from throat cancer. A former publicist says Ashford died in a New York hospital surrounded by his family. Ashford and Simpson’s writing efforts yielded songs for many artists like Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and […]
Canada Opposition Leader Jack Layton Dies
Canada’s New Democrat party leader Jack Layton died Monday from cancer. Layton’s party announced his death, saying the charismatic politician died at his Toronto home, surrounded by his family. During the May 2 elections, Layton helped his party become the dominant opposition group in Canada’s Parliament while battling cancer. The NDP controls 103 of 308 […]
Singer, Songwriter Nick Simpson Dies
Nick Ashford, half of the singing and song-writing duo Ashford and Simpson, died Monday at the age of 70 from throat cancer. A former publicist says Ashford died in a New York hospital surrounded by his family. Ashford and Simpson’s writing efforts yielded songs for many artists like Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and […]
‘Hound Dog’ and ‘Jailhouse Rock’ Songwriter Dead at 78
Jerry Leiber, who along with his song writing partner Mike Stoller penned some of rock’s earliest hits, died Monday at age 78 in Los Angeles. Leiber died following a heart ailment. The duo’s most famous songs defined the early years of rock and included: “Hound Dog”, “Jailhouse Rock”, “Yakety Yak”, “Charlie Brown” and “Stand By […]
Zimbabwe General Dies in Fire
One of Zimbabwe’s top political power brokers, retired military chief General Solomon Mujuru, has died in a fire at his house. Officials say the fire broke out at Mujuru’s farmhouse overnight Monday. It is not clear what caused the fire. Police say they are investigating. Mujuru, who was in his 60s, headed Zimbabwe’s military for […]
Ex-Zimbabwean Military Chief Dies
General Solomon Mujuru, Zimbabwe’s retired military chief and husband of the current vice president, has died at his farm outside Harare. Initial reports say Mujuru, who was in his mid-to-late 60s, was killed in a house fire. Mujuru led the guerrilla war that won Zimbabwe its independence from Britain in 1980, and served as military […]
Oldest Bataan March Survivor Dies at 105
The oldest survivor of the harrowing World War II march from Bataan province near the Philippine capital, Manila, to a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp has died at the age of 105. Albert Brown died Sunday at a nursing home in the northern U.S. state of Illinois. He survived the so-called Bataan Death March that U.S. and […]
Oldest Bataan March Survivor Dies at 105
The oldest survivor of the harrowing World War Two march from Bataan province near the Philippine capital Manila to a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp has died at the age of 105. Albert Brown died Sunday in a nursing home in southern Illinois. He survived the so-called Bataan Death March, that U.S. and Filipino prisoners were forced […]
Bollywood Actor Kapoor Dead at 79
Indian actor Shammi Kapoor has died. He was 79. Kapoor is best known as the gyrating, swivel-hipped, handsome actor who helped to transform Bollywood’s song and dance sequences into a more modern style. His bio on his fan website says his “special way” with songs was his “most readily identifiable trademark.” He made his film […]