Book deal canceled

Book deal canceled
NEW YORK -- A Harvard University sophomore's debut novel has been permanently withdrawn by the book's publisher and her two-book deal canceled after allegations of literary borrowing piled up against her.
Little, Brown and Co. will not publish a revised edition of Kaavya Viswanathan's "How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life" nor will it publish a second book, Michael Pietsch, Little, Brown's senior vice president and publisher, said in a statement Tuesday.
Little, Brown, which had initially said the book would be revised, declined to comment on whether Viswanathan would have to return her reported six-figure advance.
The decision caps a stunning downfall for Viswanathan, 19, a Harvard sophomore whose novel came out in March to widespread attention.
Rapper is shot dead
HOUSTON -- Big Hawk, a rapper whose 2001 album reached No. 45 on Billboard's rap chart, was shot to death, police said Tuesday.
Hawk (real name: John Edward Hawkins) was a member of the late DJ Screw's rap collective the Screwed Up Click and brother to rapper Fat Pat, who was killed in 1998.
Hawk had planned to meet a friend Monday night but apparently arrived before the friend and walked to the side of the house, where he was shot several times, police said. He died at the scene. Police do not have a suspect. Hawk, 36, was recently married and had two young sons.
He scored a regional hit with 2002's "You Already Know" and was recently featured on the popular single "Swang" by Trae.
Eminem's divorce
DETROIT -- Eminem's wife, Kim Mathers, has filed a response to the rap superstar's divorce request, asking for financial support, attorney fees and joint custody of the couple's 10-year-old daughter.
Her lawyer, Michael J. Smith, filed the counter-complaint last Wednesday in Macomb County Circuit Court. The filing shed no light on why the couple are divorcing, the Detroit Free Press reported on its Web site Tuesday.
She asks for Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III, to pay the mortgage, insurance and utilities for the couple's Clinton Township home. She also seeks physical custody of their daughter, Hailie Jade Scott, and child support.
Today's birthdays
The president of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak, is 78. Jazz musician Maynard Ferguson is 78. Opera singer Roberta Peters is 76. Jazz musician Ron Carter is 69. Singer-songwriter Nick Ashford is 64. Pop singer Peggy Santiglia (The Angels) is 62. Country singer Stella Parton is 57. Actor-turned-clergyman Hilly Hicks is 56. Singer Jackie Jackson (The Jacksons) is 55. Rhythm-and-blues singer Oleta Adams is 53. Country singer Randy Travis is 47. Actress Mary McDonough is 45. Comedian Ana Gasteyer is 39. Rock musician Mike Dirnt (Green Day) is 34. Contemporary Christian singer Chris Tomlin is 34. Rock musician Jose Castellanos is 29. Singer Lance Bass ('N Sync) is 27.
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