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Novelist’s book is canceled after she acknowledges ‘review bombs’ of other writers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:58 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A debut author who used fake accounts to “review bomb” other writers on the influential online platform Goodreads has been dropped by her agent and had her book deal cancelled.Cait Corrain’s novel “Crown of Starlight” had been scheduled to come out next year through Del Rey, a science fiction and fantasy imprint of Penguin Random House. Both Del Rey and Corrain’s agent, Becca Podos, announced this week that they would no longer work with Corrain, who had a two-book deal.On Tuesday, days after the scandal broke online among Goodreads users, the author posted an apology on Instagram, blaming her actions in part on struggles with mental health and substance abuse.“Let me be extremely clear: while I might not have been sober or of sound mind during this time, I accept responsibility for the pain and suffering I caused,” she wrote, “and my delay in posting this is due to spending the last few days offline while going through withdrawal as I s...

US proposes replacing engine-housing parts on Boeing jets like one involved in passenger’s death

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:58 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal officials are proposing modifications and additional inspections on nearly 2,000 Boeing planes in the United States to prevent a repeat of the engine-housing breakup that killed a passenger on a Southwest Airlines flight in 2018.The proposal by the Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday largely follows recommendations that Boeing made to airlines in July. It would require replacing fasteners and other parts near the engines of many older Boeing 737s. Airlines will have until the end of July 2028 to make the changes, which Boeing developed.The work won’t be required on Max jets, the newest version of the 737.The FAA said it is responding to two incidents in which parts of the cowling that cover the engines broke away from planes. One occurred in 2016, and the fatal accident happened two years later on a Southwest jet flying over Pennsylvania.Both incidents started with broken fan blades. In the second one, the broken blade hit the engine fan case a...

Black man choked and shocked by police died because of drugs, officers’ lawyers argue at trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:58 GMT

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — Lawyers for three Washington state police officers charged in the 2020 death of a Black man told the jury Tuesday that his death was the result of drug use, not excessive force that included officers choking, shocking and holding him facedown.Manuel Ellis was addicted to methamphetamine, and it caused him to be violent, unpredictable, and paranoid, said Wayne Fricke, who represents Tacoma police Officer Christopher Burbank.“This is a situation where he created his own death,” Fricke said during closing arguments in the officers’ nine-week trial on murder and manslaughter charges. “It was his behavior that forced the officers to use force against him because he created a situation that required them to act.”Fricke’s remarks followed closing arguments by special prosecutor Patty Eakes, who urged the jury to compare the officers’ statements with videos and witness testimony to determine the officers’ credibility. Eakes is prosecuting the cas...

Fashion retailer Zara yanks ads that some found reminiscent of Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:58 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Spanish fashion brand Zara has pulled advertising images that to some appeared to reference Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. The images for a line of jackets included what the company called “unfinished sculptures in a sculptor’s studio.” But some online critics said one image of a model holding a wrapped-up mannequin resembled someone holding a corpse. Other photos included a mannequin with missing limbs and a figure wrapped in fabric or plastic on the floor, according to news reports.The company apologized in a statement posted on Instagram Tuesday and said the campaign was conceived in July and photographed in September. Hamas attacked Israeli civilians on Oct. 7, prompting Israel’s subsequent invasion of Gaza.Zara said the campaign was created “with the sole purpose of showcasing craftmade garments in an artistic context.” While acknowledging the offense critics took to the images, the company said these people “saw in them something far from wh...

Lawsuit challenges Alabama inmate labor system as ‘modern day slavery’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:58 GMT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Current and former inmates announced a lawsuit Tuesday challenging Alabama’s prison labor program as a type of “modern day slavery,” saying prisoners are forced to work for little pay — and sometimes no pay — in jobs that benefit government entities or private companies.The class action lawsuit also accuses the state of maintaining a discriminatory parole system with a low release rate that ensures a supply of laborers while also generating money for the state. “The forced labor scheme that currently exists in the Alabama prison system is the modern reincarnation of the notorious convict leasing system that replaced slavery after the Civil War,” Janet Herold, the legal director of Justice Catalyst Law, said Tuesday. The Alabama Department of Corrections and the Alabama attorney general’s office declined to comment on the lawsuit. The lawsuit accuses the state of violating the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution, anti-human traff...

Ashley Furniture sued after recliner allegedly caught fire, caused severe burns to military veteran

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:58 GMT

CHICAGO —  A St. Louis man has filed suit against Ashley Furniture after he says a recliner chair caught fire, resulting in injury.The same chair is suspected of causing a house fire in north suburban Round Lake Beach. On Tuesday, lawyers on behalf of Jeffrey Jones laid out their grievances after the 53-year-old allegedly woke up in the early morning hours of May 13 with his apartment on fire.During a press conference where lawyers announced a lawsuit against Ashley Furniture on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, Jeffrey Jones was overcome with emotions. (Photo/WGN)"Since I have been in the fire, it makes me feel helpless," Jones said. "It makes me feel weak." Former President Barack Obama surprises South Shore preschoolers Jones purchased what was marketed as the Party Time LoveSeat Recline from a company that Ashley Furniture had allegedly distributed it to for resale. According to Jones, he had to fight his way out of the apartment, escaping with severe burns to his body. Jones ...

15-year-old boy charged after allegedly bringing gun to school in Oswego

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:58 GMT

OSWEGO, Ill. — Charges have been filed against a 15-year-old boy accused of bringing a loaded gun to school in Oswego on Tuesday.Authorities say school resource officers at Oswego East High School were first notified about the weapon after a student turned over a backpack with the gun inside. Officers say the backpack was reportedly left with a classmate by the student. Teen killed, man critically injured in Chicago Lawn shooting The classmates later turned over the backpack after they opened it and found the gun inside.After finding the weapon, police began an investigation and determined that the 15-year-old student who allegedly brought it had no intention of harming students or staff members. He was then taken into custody. 2 hospitalized after crash involving school bus in Glenview According to Oswego Police, the boy is facing three felony counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, one felony count of unlawful use of a weapon, and one misdemeanor count of unauthorized s...

Police identify 2 killed in Chicago Lawn shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:58 GMT

CHICAGO — A 14-year-old boy and a 65-year-old man are dead after a shooting on the city's Southwest Side.Chicago police say the deadly shooting happened just before 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the 3500 block of West 61st Place in Chicago Lawn. Police seek help identifying woman found dead after south suburban fire According to police, the victims were standing outside in the area, when a grey vehicle approached and two men inside opened fire. Officers say the 14-year-old boy, who has been identified as Juan Medina Jr., suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene.The man, who has been identified as Mario Medina, was taken to the hospital in critical condition and later succumbed to his injuries. Police say the vehicle was spotted fleeing westbound on 61st Place. 2 hospitalized after crash involving school bus in Glenview Currently, it is unclear what led to the shooting and police say an investigation is underway. Anyone with information that could help aut...

Starbucks announces December deals, including free hot chocolate days

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:58 GMT

(KSWB) – Starbucks is in the giving mood this holiday season. Starbucks announced earlier in December that rewards members can get half-off their drink purchase on Thursdays throughout the entire month of December, between noon and 6 p.m. Just a few days later, the coffee chain announced Hot Chocolate Cheer Weekends. All customers can get a free short (or kid's size) signature hot chocolate with the purchase of a grande or larger drink, every Saturday and Sunday in December. Inflation or deflation? These 12 things are actually getting cheaper The offer is available for in-store and drive-thru purchases; eligible orders through the Starbucks app can be redeemed in store with same-day proof of drink purchase. However, the deal does not include delivery.The offer ends New Year's Eve weekend on Sunday, Dec. 31. Other coffee chains are also joining in on the holiday giveaways. Dunkin Donuts is giving away one free classic donut with any drink purchase through Dec. 27. Just don't forge...

Judge to consider holding Texas in contempt following new evidence, testimony in foster care case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:18:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – A federal judge is considering holding the state of Texas in contempt of court over ongoing problems in the Texas foster care system. Following days of testimony at the latest hearing in a lawsuit that has lasted over 12 years, U.S. District Judge Janis Jack could decide to fine the state for not meeting some of her specific, court-ordered reforms. Lawyers representing thousands of children in the state’s care asked Judge Jack to go a step further and to consider placing parts of the system into what’s called a receivership – a mechanism typically used in corporate law, which allows a court appointee to take control of an entity. ‘Nightmare’: Former Texas foster care workers describe dangerous living conditions inside unlicensed placements For three days, they brought former caseworkers, a former foster child, and a child welfare expert to testify on specific stories and cases, as well as more broadly on the living conditions and experiences of kids in the system....