newsmakers

newsmakers

Acclaimed author Chinua Achebe dies

NEW YORK

Chinua Achebe, the internationally celebrated Nigerian author, statesman and dissident who gave literary birth to modern Africa with “Things Fall Apart,” has died. He was 82.

Achebe died after a brief illness, said his agent, Andrew Wylie.

“He was also a beloved husband, father, uncle and grandfather, whose wisdom and courage are an inspiration to all who knew him,” Wylie said.

For decades, Achebe penned novels, stories and essays to rewrite and reclaim the history of his native country.

His eminence worldwide was rivaled only by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Toni Morrison and a handful of others. Achebe was a moral and literary model for countless Africans and a profound influence on such American writers as Morrison, Ha Jin and Junot Diaz.

Princess Caroline is a grandmother

PARIS

Princess Caroline of Monaco is now a grandmother.

A baby boy was the latest addition to the jet-set royal family, born to her eldest son, Andrea Casiraghi and his fiancee. In a statement, which didn’t mention the baby’s name, the Monaco palace said Princess Caroline is overjoyed at the arrival of her first grandchild. The statement said both the child and mother, Colombian heiress Tatiana Santo Domingo, are in good health.

Tony Bennett excited about Gaga album

NEW YORK

They haven’t hit the studio yet, but Tony Bennett says he “can’t wait” to record his next album with Lady Gaga.

The 86-year-old said in an interview Thursday that he and the pop star will record “a big swing album.” He said, “We have it all worked out already on paper.”

Bennett and Gaga collaborated on “The Lady Is a Tramp” for his Grammy-winning, platinum-selling 2011 “Duets II” album. He called the 26-year-old a “wonderful person and a great talent.”

Associated Press