Arthur Clarke Dies At 90

Here is a man I had admired, now gone. aNt



Writer Arthur C Clarke dies at 90

Sir Arthur C Clarke was famous for his science fiction writing Space Odyssey clips Terry Pratchett pays tribute

British science fiction writer Sir Arthur C Clarke has died in his adopted home of Sri Lanka at the age of 90.

The Somerset-born author came to fame in 1968 when short story The Sentinel was made into the film 2001: A Space Odyssey by director Stanley Kubrick.

His visions of space travel and computing sparked the imagination of readers and scientists alike.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse paid tribute, hailing the writer as a "great visionary".

Since 1995, the author had been largely confined to a wheelchair by post-polio syndrome.

He died at 0130 local time (2000 GMT) of respiratory complications and heart failure, according to his aide, Rohan De Silva.

Far-seeing scientist

"Sir Arthur has left written instructions that his funeral be strictly secular," his secretary, Nalaka Gunawardene, was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.

She said the author had requested "absolutely no religious rites of any kind".

A farmer's son, Sir Arthur was educated at Huish's Grammar School in Taunton before joining the civil service.

A great science fiction writer, a very good scientist, a great prophet and a very dear friend Sir Patrick Moore Obituary of Arthur C Clarke In quotes: tributes to writer

He served in the Royal Air Force during World War II, and foresaw the concept of communication satellites.

Sir Arthur's detailed descriptions of space shuttles, super-computers and rapid communications systems inspired millions of readers.

When asked why he never patented his idea for communication satellites, he said: "I did not get a patent because I never thought it will happen in my lifetime."

In the 1940s, he maintained man would reach the moon by the year 2000, an idea dismissed at the time.

He was the author of more than 100 fiction and non-fiction books, and his writings are credited by many observers with giving science fiction a human and practical face. He collaborated on the screenplay for 2001: A Space Odyssey with Kubrick.

'Great prophet'

British astronomer Sir Patrick Moore had known Sir Arthur since they met as teenagers at the British Interplanetary Society.

Sir Patrick paid tribute to his friend, remembering him as "a very sincere person" with "a strong sense of humour".

Tributes have also come from George Whitesides, the executive director of the National Space Society, where Sir Arthur served on the board of governors, and fellow science fiction writer Terry Pratchett.

HAVE YOUR SAY

His writing inspired many people to wonder what might be possible

Pratik, California

Send us your comments

The author married in 1953, and was divorced in 1964. He had no children.

He moved to the Indian Ocean island of Sri Lanka in 1956 after embarking on a study of the Great Barrier Reef.

There, he pursued his interest in scuba diving, even setting up a diving school at Hikkaduwa, near the capital, Colombo.

"Sometimes I am asked how I would like to be remembered," he recalled recently.

"I have had a diverse career as a writer, underwater explorer and space promoter. Of all these, I would like to be remembered as a writer."

A statement from Sir Arthur's office said he had recently reviewed the final manuscript of his latest novel.

The Last Theorem, co-written with Frederik Pohl, will be published later this year, it said.

BBC ONLINE: Ledger Died Of Accidental Overdose

Ledger took lethal mix of drugs

Prescription drugs were found near Heath Ledger's body

Hollywood actor Heath Ledger died of an accidental overdose of six different types of prescription drugs, New York authorities have revealed.

The Brokeback Mountain actor, 28, was found dead in January in an apartment he had been renting in Manhattan.

The city medical examiner's spokeswoman said Ledger died "as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects" of the different drugs.

They include painkiller Oxycontin and anti-anxiety drugs Valium and Xanax.

Some of the prescription drugs were found near his body when it was discovered by his housekeeper.

Ledger's body has been flown home to Australia for a private burial, while a public memorial service is planned in Los Angeles.

Film suspended

Last week, his former partner Michelle Williams spoke publicly for the first time since the star's death, saying: "My heart is broken."

The pair met on the set of their Brokeback Mountain, in which Williams played Ledger's wife.

The couple, who had a daughter Matilda, now two, split up last September.

The makers of Ledger's most recent film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus - directed by Terry Gilliam - have suspended production.

Ledger had completed filming in London just before his death.

The star also plays The Joker in yet-to-be-released Batman film The Dark Knight.

Also last week, US TV shows Entertainment Tonight and The Insider pulled a video they had planned to show of Ledger at a Hollywood party saying he used to smoke cannabis.

The star is apparently heard saying he "used to smoke five joints a day for 20 years".

The shows released a statement saying the footage, believed to be have been recorded in January 2006, would not be shown.

VOA's Latest Update on Ledger's Autopsy

Actor Heath Ledger's Initial Autopsy Results 'Inconclusive'
By VOA News 23 January 2008

Body of actor Heath Ledger is removed from Soho apartment by NYC Medical Examiner team, 22 Jan 2008

New York City medical examiners say initial autopsy results of actor Heath Ledger are inconclusive and that more tests are needed to determine the cause of his death.

The Academy-Award-nominated actor was found unconscious Tuesday in a Manhattan residence with bottles of sleeping pills nearby. He was 28-years-old.

President Bush postponed an event Wednesday, promoting an advertising campaign on preventing prescription drug abuse. White House spokeswoman Dana Perino says the administration does not want anyone to think it is tying the actor's death to the issue.

The Australian-born Ledger was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in the 2005 movie Brokeback Mountain.

He will appear later this year in the newest Batman movie, The Dark Knight, in the role of "the Joker."

Ledger has a two-year-old daughter, Matilda, from his relationship with actress Michelle Williams, who played his wife in Brokeback Mountain. The couple broke up last September.

My Tribute To Heath Ledger

It was a 8.44am when the news of Heath Ledger's death came on The Star's SMS News Alert Service.

I was up unusually and doing my radio review assignment for my column Air Raves.

Since it was also Thaipusam Day, my mood was spoilt somewhat.

I first ever heard of Ledger was after his lead role in the controversial gay movie Brokeback Mountain.

When I actually saw the movie, it wasn't about sleazy sex as one might have imagined. Rather it was about an incredible struggle of two people trying to have a relationship that was frowned upon by society.


They tried their best to live out the roles that society had dictated to them but in some uncanny way, kept coming back to each other like a magnet as far as having a relationship was concerned.

As a disabled person who constantly faces discrimination almost everyday of my life, I find it extremely difficult not to be sympathetic to others who also face discrimination through other means.

Not to be empathetic would be totally hypocritical on my part.

The death of Ledger at a young age of 28 is most tragic. At the time of writing this, the cause of his death is still not known. The authorities suspect either an overdose of drugs or suicide.

If suicide was a factor, then it is truly a pity as this budding actor truly had so much going for him.

To me, I think Ledger's greatest contribution was in his support for those against homophobia.

I don't think he was gay himself. But I think people will remember him most for his support for gay people and their struggles.


It must have taken him a hell of a courage to accept the role in Brokeback Mountain. Another hero and obviously a good man is gone.

May his spirit continue to live forever and his soul rest in eternal peace.

aNt

BBC ONLINE: Heath Ledger found dead in his flat

Last Updated: Wednesday, 23 January 2008, 02:47 GMT

Heath Ledger is found dead in US

Ledger's life in film Hollywood actor Heath Ledger has been found dead at his home in Manhattan. "He was found unconscious at the apartment and pronounced dead," the New York Police Department said, adding that pills were found near the body. Police are reportedly investigating if the Australian actor - nominated for an Oscar for Brokeback Mountain - died of an overdose of prescription pills. Father Kim Ledger said that the death of his 28-year-old "dearly loved son" had been "tragic" and "accidental". Speaking in the actor's home town of Perth, in Western Australia, Mr Ledger said that his son had been a "down to earth, generous, kind hearted, life-loving, unselfish individual". "Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life that few had the pleasure of truly knowing him." The actor was found dead in the apartment he had been renting for several months at 1526 (2026 GMT) on Tuesday. Split New York police said they did not suspect foul play and that his body had been discovered with prescription pills nearby. "We are investigating the possibility of an overdose," police spokesman Paul Browne told Reuters news agency. "There were pills within the vicinity of the bed." He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss Mel Gibson Obituary: Heath Ledger The BBC's Matthew Price in New York says the exact cause of death was still being investigated, but suicide has not been ruled out. Police, journalists and crowds of fans gathered outside the Broome Street apartment in the fashionable SoHo area. Investigators said Ledger had been due to have a massage at the flat. His family said Heath was "generous" and "life-loving" The housekeeper went to tell him the masseuse had arrived and found him dead on Tuesday afternoon. The medical examiner's office said an autopsy would be carried out on Wednesday. In September the Perth-born actor split from his girlfriend Michelle Williams, with whom he has a two-year-old daughter, Matilda. Williams played his wife in the 2005 film Brokeback Mountain. Hollywood mourning Hollywood stars were quick to offer their tributes and mourn Ledger's death. HAVE YOUR SAY Terrible to see his young daughter lose her father. I've been looking forward to seeing him in the new Batman movie Mark, Houston Send us your comments "I had such great hope for him," said Oscar-winning actor-director Mel Gibson. "He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss." In 2001, Mr Gibson had cast Ledger to play his son in the American war of independence epic, The Patriot. "What a terrible tragedy. My heart goes out to his family," said fellow Australian actress Nicole Kidman. American actor John Travolta, who was in Australia at the time of Ledger's death, said the young actor had been one of his favourite performers. "His abilities are rare...it's a tremendous loss," said Mr Travolta. Brokeback breakthrough Ledger had split up with fellow Brokeback star Michelle Williams Brokeback Mountain director Ang Lee said Ledger's performance had been a "miracle" of acting, echoing a young Marlon Brando. He won an Oscar nomination for his role as a gay cowboy in the film but the award went to Philip Seymour Hoffman for his role as Truman Capote. Ledger starred in I'm Not There, as one of several actors in a role representing singer Bob Dylan. He also plays the Joker in yet-to-be-released Batman film, The Dark Knight. Ledger also starred in A Knight's Tale and The Patriot, and played a suicidal son in Monster's Ball.

Latest From BBC Online on Bhutto's Funeral

Bhutto buried amid mass mourning

Mourners at the funeral in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Enlarge Image

Tens of thousands of people have attended the funeral of assassinated Pakistani politician Benazir Bhutto.

Mourners converged on the family mausoleum where she was buried next to her father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto near their home village in Sindh province.

The coffin, draped in the flag of Ms Bhutto's party, was driven in a white ambulance through the dense crowds.

Pakistan's interior ministry has said it has evidence al-Qaeda and the Taleban were behind the assassination.

Officials were speaking after a reported claim of responsibility by al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.

Ms Bhutto, a former Pakistani prime minister, was shot at an election rally in Rawalpindi on Thursday by a gunman who then blew himself up.

Pakistani security forces are on high alert, with at least 19 people killed in protests by Bhutto supporters across the country since the assassination.

Slogans and tears

Ms Bhutto's plain wooden coffin was taken from the family home to the burial site 7km (four miles) away at the village of Garhi Khuda Bakhsh.

Search for stability continues Shock in home province Press mourns Bhutto

Amid weeping and beating of heads and chests, mourners jostled to see the coffin, which was accompanied by Ms Bhutto's husband Asif Ali Zardari and her three children.

Her father, also a former national leader, was hanged in 1979 by an earlier Pakistani military government.

Outside the triple-domed mausoleum, crowds chanted slogans blaming President Pervez Musharraf for Ms Bhutto's death.

The BBC's Owen Bennett-Jones, who is in the district of Larkana, says the mood among local people is one of anger and confusion.

Rioting and unrest has been reported across the country.

• At least one passenger train was set ablaze in Sindh Province and a number of railway stations were reportedly burnt as security forces in the province were ordered to shoot rioters on sight
• Several people died in Karachi as government offices, police stations and vehicles were torched by rioters and police opened fire on protesters in Hyderabad
• The office of a pro-government party was ransacked and set ablaze in Peshawar
• In the city of Multan in Punjab province, a mob ransacked seven banks and torched a petrol station

Other cities across Pakistan are at a virtual standstill.

Schools, businesses and transport are all closed, and people are reluctant to step out during the three days of national mourning declared by Mr Musharraf.

Musharraf under pressure

Plans for a general election on 8 January, for which Ms Bhutto had been campaigning when she was killed, remain unchanged, the government says.

Security forces have been out in strength in Sindh province

The election is meant to pave the way for a return to democratic rule, suspended in October 1999 when the then Gen Musharraf seized power through a coup.

Mohammedmian Soomro, the caretaker prime minister, said the government would consult other political parties on the election issue.

Ms Bhutto's political rival Nawaz Sharif, who was deposed as prime minister in the coup, has announced his party will now boycott the election, saying free elections were impossible under Mr Musharraf.

Another opposition politician, the former cricketer Imran Khan, joined Mr Sharif's call for Mr Musharraf's resignation, blaming the president for failing to provide adequate security for Ms Bhutto.

With all the opposition parties now against the election, it is hard to see how they will be a true test of the democratic process, the BBC's Karishma Vaswani reports.

'Hit list'

Ms Bhutto, 54, was leaving the election rally in Rawalpindi, standing in the open sunroof of a car, when the gunman shot her in the neck and chest.

BENAZIR BHUTTO Father led Pakistan before being executed in 1979 Spent five years in prison Served as PM from 1988-1990 and 1993-1996 Sacked twice by president on corruption charges Formed alliance with rival ex-PM Nawaz Sharif in 2006 Ended self-imposed exile by returning to Pakistan in October Educated at Harvard and Oxford Obituary: Benazir Bhutto Life in pictures

Seconds later, the attacker blew himself up, killing at least 20 other people.

Ms Bhutto returned from eight years of self-imposed exile in October, following an amnesty agreed with President Musharraf.

Shortly after her return, she survived a double bomb attack on her convoy in Karachi which killed more than 130 people.

She accused rogue elements of the intelligence services of involvement in the attack.

Pakistan is at the brink of civil war, courtesy of the dictatorship Dr Rubab Ahmed, London Have your say Bhutto in her own words

The al-Qaeda commander in Afghanistan, Mustafa Abu al-Yazid, claimed responsibility for her assassination, according to the Asia Times newspaper.

Javed Cheema, spokesman for the Pakistani interior ministry, told AFP news agency Ms Bhutto had been on the militant Islamist network's "hit list".

So long Sam: Passing away of a much-loved paediatrician

Sam at Petpositive's Launch in July (c) Oct 07

UPDATED @ 7.20pm on Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Always helping and trying to make a difference

I was saddened by the news yesterday afternoon of the passing away of a giant. Well-known national paediatrician Datuk Dr Sam Abraham, 78, who was in a coma breathed his last on Tuesday, October 2, 2007.

It was TraxxFM's broadcaster Pei Lee who first broke the news to me in an SMS message.

She wrote: "Dr Sam has passed away :( "

Her message came in at 6.46pm.

It was also she who told me a couple of days ago that Sam was in a critical state in the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

I later discovered from another friend that Sam had been in the cancer ward for more than a week, at least, after he was diagnosed with leukemia.

All this was naturally, too shocking for me.

It certainly must've been incredulous to all of Sam's friends too.

Run down
I last saw the good doctor three months ago at Petpositive's Charity Dinner and launching night at the Legend Hotel in KL on July 2007. (See picture above)

I recall noticing that Sam did look a little run down physically. But that was not the right place to ask him about it.

Sam had been helping me during the final days to help sell some of our tables. He managed to sell at least one table worth RM3000 and bought at least six RM300 tickets.

Five of them were sponsored by him to learning disabled persons and their helpers whilst the last one was for himself.

On the night of the dinner, he didn't just attend. He was spotted in various places trying to help out.

That's just the kind of man that he was - always helping around and trying to make a difference.

He also decided to invite himself into our VIP room - something I'm glad he did because he personally knew more than half of our guests than we did!

This turned out to be a huge blessing for all of us when it came to entertaining them.

Bigger VIP
It was clear that we had an even bigger VIP in our room!

I was told by one of our committee members that Sam had remarked that he was surprised at the key people who were present at our dinner do.

He quipped that a number of the big-shots were his personal friends and that he was really impressed to know that I "certainly had very good connnections."

Other than briefly chatting with Sam during the dinner, I never got to speak to him again. Not that I never tried.

I called him once or twice but either got his voice message on his mobile or he never answered his phone.

"Sam will do"
I first met Sam in the Selangor Cheshire Home in Selayang Baru during the early 1980s. He and I were doing voluntary work with the residents there.

I was teaching music and swimming lessons for the disabled community there whilst he was a regular doctor who provided free medical service for them.

Anyone who knows Sam Abraham knows what an incredibly humble man he is. He never wanted me to call him doctor "but just Sam will do" was what he told me almost 30 years ago.

That strictly has been his policy up until yesterday - even when he got his Datukship later. I don't recall exactly when.

During my stint at the Cheshire Home, I organised a unique Xmas carolling group of disabled and non disabled persons. One of our stopovers was at Sam's house in Damansara on a couple of Christmasses.

At each party, he was always the star of the evening. He made everyone feel welcomed and good about themselves.

But we parted ways when I stopped volunteering with the disabled home.

I got in touch with Sam again in 1989. I was looking for funds to go for an exposure trip to the United States. Sam, through his influence had helped me get a great discount from Malaysian Airlines.

I forget how much it was exactly now but it was something like RM500 for a round trip to Los Angeles and back.

Believer in inherent abilities of others
He and his wife Dulcie also made a visit to my house with their contribution to my trip. I was very touched by their kind gesture.

I was practically a nobody then. No columns in the newspaper, no society president head. This makes what he did for me then more meaningful.

He was obviously a believer in everyone's inherent abilities. He made good things happen.

My next encounter with Sam was to get his help to see a stomach specialist regarding my physical health. Through his intervention, I was able to get to see a top specialist in a private hospital free of charge.

I had told Sam earlier that I wouldn't be able to pay for the specialist's fees. He simply smiled and said: "Don't worry about it."

Sam and I got together again with his work as one of the Directors of Dignity and Services, an organisation that advocates for people with learning disabilities.

Added blessing
Sam and I used to share a lot of ideas and views together on how disabled people were treated - or rather - mistreated, at times, in our country.

More recently, he was thrilled when I got Petpositive formed. And looking back now, I am glad that he turned up on our big launching night and watched us in all our glory.

His presence was an added blessing to our proud occasion.

I recall picking him out from the floor when I was on stage with my speech. He was beaming from ear to ear.

That mental picture spoke volumes: he was in full support of everything I did. And that meant a lot.

By the way, Sam was also our invited guest when Bivai Special Dogs was formed in 2001. That launching was held at the home of the late Mr HRM Storey (the former political secretary of General Templer) in Jalan Gurney in KL.

My good friend Marina Mahathir was our honoured VIP to launch that auspicioius event.

Incidentally, Sam - known to Marina as Uncle Sam - was also her daughter's paediatrician, she told me last night.

We were SMSing each other only a few hours ago, chatting sadly about the loss of our dear Sam.

I forgot to mention that I have a photograph hidden somewhere of Sam pushing my wheelchair in St Mary's Cathedral a few years ago. The event was when Anglican head Archbishop Dr George Carey had paid a visit to Malaysia.

When I find it, I'll scan it and put it up here in this very blog.

Farewells
I hear that a wake is being held at St Mary's Cathedral tonight at 7.30pm for the much-loved paediatrician.

I regret that I'm unable to attend the occasion because of my poor health.

Sam's funeral is scheduled for noon tomorrow, Thursday, October 4, also at St Mary's.

St Mary's Cathedral is Sam's church where he once very proudly introduced me to their wheelchair-friendly toilets and their parking slots for drivers with disabilities.

St Mary also has an active blind community worshipping within its walls each week. Many of these members, I understand, are specially invited each Christmas to the home of the Abrahams.

Phone pal
Sam was my regular phone pal. He'd call me every once in a while to keep in touch or to say what a great article he thought I had written.

Once he suddenly even popped by at my house unannounced. It was a delightful surprise. He said that he had been trying me but couldn't get me for a while and so decided to drop by to see if I was okay.

Now, how many friends care to do that these days?

I will miss you my friend. So long Sam - till we meet again.

aNthoNy thaNasayaN

Sign off: 3.30am