The author of The God of Small Things gave a speech about Kashmir and the Indian government's counterinsurgency campaign there at a conference in Delhi in 2010. She's now "accused of making statements promoting social enmity, prejudicing national integration and inciting offences against the state and public tranquillity." - The Conversation
Dariush Mehrjui, 83, one of the founders of Iran's "new wave," and his wife/co-screenwriter/costume designer, Vahideh Mohammadifar, were discovered by their daughter with knife wounds in their necks. - AP
Dariush Mehrjui, 83, "one of the pioneers of Iranian cinema’s new wave movement, and his wife, Vahideh Mohammadifar, 54, a screenwriter and costume designer, were found dead by their daughter." - The New York Times
Laurie rebelled against the studio system, volunteered for the McGovern candidacy - and came back to perform in Carrie and Children of a Lesser God. - Los Angeles Times
Glück also won the Pulitzer in 1993. She "wrote about childhood, family, loneliness and death, drawing inspiration from Shakespeare, William Blake, ancient mythology and her own life as a teacher, mother, sister and spouse." - Washington Post
Pyotr Pavlensky was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined €20,000 for broadcasting sex videos of politician Benjamin Griveaux, this driving him out of the Paris mayoral race. (Background: Eight months after claiming political asylum in Paris, Pavlensky set fire to the Bank of France.) (in English) - Le Monde (France)
At one time, there was one Banksy who had a graffiti career and a famous “beef” in the subculture with London graffiti legend Robbo. That time is gone. Banksy is now a collective of artists who work together to produce thoughtful, provocative and subversive pieces and installations. - The Conversation
"What would be great is to collect all the myths that exist about me, because maybe they’re more interesting than my life!" Q: "Could it be that you yourself encourage these myths?" A: "Well let’s see …" (in English) - El País (Spain)
"He wakes up every day at 6 a.m., … checks his emails, and reads (several) newspapers before beginning his writing at 8 a.m. on the dot. He also jots down his daily schedule on a file card, crosses off each of his tasks when completed and then stores the card away." - CNN
Batiste was a "pyrotechnic" drummer, "the "whose furious style and genre-busting approach provided the rhythmic pulse for bands like the Meters and Vida Blue and musical artists like Harry Connick Jr." - The New York Times
Davies, who won numerous awards with his semi-autobiographical work as well as the adaptation of Edith Wharton's House of Mirth, was working on a new film at the time of his death. - The Observer (UK)
"Sometimes she despised the woman who bullied, rubbished, physically abused and neglected her. At other times she adored the woman who could be fun, loving and nurturing. And she was always in awe of the inspirational artist and activist. … Now, 20 years since Nina died, Lisa regards herself as keeper of the flame." - The Guardian