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AMSTERDAM (AP) -- The editor of a Dutch fashion magazine has been fired after the publication used a racial slur to refer to Barbados-born Rihanna, setting off a social media furor and prompting an outraged response from the singer. Eva Hoeke, editor of "Jackie," and the magazine's publisher said in a joint statement on Facebook that the misuse of a racial slur -- "although without malicious intentions" -- was cause for Hoeke's departure after eight years on the job. The slur was used in an article about how to dress your daughter like a pop star. Responding to criticism that flashed across the ocean, Hoeke said at first that her use of the term was meant as a joke. She then put out a Twitter item with a more explicit apology, saying she learned, "1. Don't publish bad jokes in the magazine 2. Don't pretend bad jokes to be funny. Sorry guys. My bad." On Tuesday, Rihanna responded herself via Twitter: "Your magazine is a poor representation of the evolution of human rights! I find you disrespectful, and rather desperate!!" Rather than a positive article useful to Dutch girls, Rihanna said Jackie chose to print an item "degrading to an entire race. That's your contribution to this world!" She also ended her tweet with an indelicate phrase. Hoeke said she was unaware the word she used was so loaded because "you hear it all the time on radio and TV." By Wednesday, the Facebook apology had attracted hundreds of comments, many condemning Hoeke but some saying the reaction was overblown. Follow @YardFlex

NEW YORK (AP) -- Lady Gaga has been voted The Associated Press Entertainer of the Year. There were 135 ballots submitted by U.S. news organizations that make up the AP's membership. Editors and broadcasters were asked to cast their ballots for who had the most influence on entertainment and culture in 2011. Lady Gaga narrowly edged out the late Apple founder Steve Jobs by three votes. Her year was dominated by the release of her second studio album, "Born This Way." Previous winners of the AP Entertainer of the Year include Betty White, Taylor Swift, Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert. Follow @YardFlex

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Jennifer Lopez's new boyfriend took some time off of his Moroccan trip with the star to take to Twitter and discuss their relationship. Smart says he finds people's discussion of his romance with Jennifer Lopez confusing. He Tweeted: "I don't understand how people can speak on other people or things they know nothing of??!!! #CRAZY." Uh...here's why. Because it's J.Lo, man! Have you heard? People love J.Lo. And the only thing people love more than J.Lo is J.Lo's love life. But he's not letting the Hollywood chatter overwhelm him. He added: "Off to Morocco!!!!" And yes, it needed that many exclamation points. Actually, Casper Smart doesn't mind people "speaking on other people or things they know nothing of," as long as those people are speaking favorably. He's retweeted a couple of Tweets from J.Lo fans. For example, @Prettyboymiguel wrote: "I think @Caspersmart and @JLo make a really good couple but you know everyones gonna hate cuz when your happy or successful ppl have to hate. Why are ppl judging @Caspersmart no 1 knows how long @JLo was separated be4 she announced the divorce ppl need 2 stop being so quick 2 judge." A pal of Jennifer's says that the relationship is still very young, and right now, Lopez isn't taking it too seriously. "Casper said J.Lo has an amazing body and she's in better shape than any other girl he's ever been with. He said she's got the body of a 20-year-old." Yeah, you can't argue with that. Recently, Britney Spears praised J.Lo's looks, saying: "Jennifer Lopez is my idol, she's so beautiful and even though she's gotten older, she hasn't aged at all. She looks more amazing than ever and I really admire and respect that." Yes, forget all of J.Lo's career highlights, the most admirable thing she's done in this industry is stay attractive. The source continues of Lopez's relationship with Smart: "They're inseparable right now. It's just about sex - and no one's sure if it has much of a future. But he's having a good time finding out." Well, it's at least a little bit more than sex. Casper has been hanging out with Jennifer's twins, Max and Emme. He was first photographed leaving a Los Angeles studio along with the famous family, and then they all spent time playing together in Hawaii.
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Ziggy and Stephen Marley will go head to head against Shaggy, Monty Alexander and Israel Vibrations, for the Best Reggae album at next year's Grammy Awards. The nominees were announced at Wednesday's Nomination Concert in Los Angeles. Stephen Marley got the nomination for his album Revelation Part One: The Root of Life, while his brother Ziggy received his nomination for Wild and Free. Dancehall star Shaggy got nominated for his album Summer in Kingston, Monty Alexander for Harlem-Kingston Express Live and Israel Vibrations for Reggae Knights. The Grammy Awards ceremony will be aired live from L.A.'s Staples Center on February 12.
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Claro dealers are on edge on Wednesday morning as plans are underway to evict them from a number of flagship stores across the island. A copy of a letter obtained by RJR News under the signature of Claro dealer development manager, Carlton Edwards, and its Chief Executive Officer Alejandro Gutierrez, is requesting that the dealers wind up operations by Thursday. The directive is as a result of what the Claro management described as the failure of the dealers to meet certain conditions. They include that the locations be adequately stocked with items such as SIM cards and handsets. The locations are also required to be open Monday to Saturday between the hours of eight in the morning to six in the evening. Dealers are also required to reimburse Claro for the monthly rental for each location and fulfill quotas in terms of revenue and activation targets. One dealer in question reportedly failed to adequately stock the location and meet targets. Claro noted that effective Thursday the locations in question are to be reassigned to other dealers, and urged them to make all the necessary arrangements for the smooth transition. However, a source close to the situation revealed that from as far back as July dealers were not receiving any handsets. At one point the dealers were left empty handed as they were not getting paper based phone cards. Earlier this year the Government approved the merger of Claro and its competitor Digicel. The process is still underway. However, the Claro dealers are not going down without a fight. The group has sought the assistance ofthe law firm Knight, Junor and Samuels to prevent Claro from carrying out its plan. Attorney-at-law Bert Samuels, who is representing three of the claimants, filed an injunction in court on Tuesday preventing Claro or its agents from carrying out any eviction. Mr. Samuels is of the view that to give the dealers nine days' eviction notice is wrong.
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FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- American Airlines and its parent company are filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, as they seek to cut costs and unload massive debt built up by years of high jet fuel prices and labor struggles. The nation's third-largest airline also said that CEO Gerard Arpey had stepped down and was replaced by company president Thomas W. Horton. AMR Corp. has continued to lose money while other U.S. airlines returned to profitability in the last two years. Horton said the board of directors unanimously decided to file for bankruptcy after meeting yesterday in New York and again by conference call on Monday night. American said it would operate normally while it reorganizes in bankruptcy. The airline said it would continue to operate flights, honor tickets and take reservations. It said the AAdvantage frequent-flier program would not be affected. Horton said, however, that as the company goes through a restructuring it will probably reduce the flight schedule "modestly," with corresponding cuts in jobs. The company will delay the spin-off of its regional airline operation, American Eagle, which was expected in early 2012. AMR Eagle Holding Corp. also filed for bankruptcy. American was the only major U.S. airline that didn't file for bankruptcy protection in the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks that triggered a deep slump in the airline industry. The last major airline to file for bankruptcy protection was Delta in 2005.
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A benefit concert is to be held for incarcerated reggae artiste Buju Banton on December 3 in Tampa, Florida. The lineup card for the benefit concert includes Delly Ranx, Gramps Morgan, Nadine Sutherland, Glen Washington and Norris Man along with a yet-to-be named special guest artiste. Proceeds from the concert will go towards Buju's efforts to appeal his conviction and ten year prison sentence. Also, persons planning to attend the show will be asked to make a donation for the cause as organizers hope to make at least US$50,000 from the concert for Buju's legal defense. According to event's main organizer, Taranee Jiles, they decided to do benefit concerts for the artiste. Buju Banton himself, through his legal team, issued a statement urging his fans to turn out for the concert stating, "I, Mark Myrie - aka Buju Banton, support and deem the concert being organized by Taranee Jiles to be a legitimate undertaking in order to raise funds for my legal defense and pending appeal. Your kind support will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance." "His fellow artists have come together in unity to aid this cause. It is time for the people to give back and uplift him now. It will give him the opportunity to defend himself," Ms Jiles said.
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