Whitaker replaces Russert as Wash. bureau chief

July 30, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

NEW YORK — Mark Whitaker has been named to head NBC News’ Washington Bureau. The former Newsweek editor, who joined NBC last summer as senior vice president of news, will assume many of the off-camera duties held by Tim Russert, who died unexpectedly in June.

As bureau chief, Whitaker will be in charge of “Meet the Press,” as well as NBC News’ election and political coverage. He also will make occasional appearances as an on-air analyst, the network said in its announcement Monday.

Whitaker, 50, worked as a summer intern at Newsweek while at Harvard University in the late 1970s and did a variety of jobs at the magazine before serving as its editor from 1998 to 2006.

With Whitaker’s appointment, another decision remains in filling the gap left by Russert, legendary as a multitasker: Who will be the permanent “Meet the Press” host? Through the November election, the semiretired Tom Brokaw, who in the past anchored “NBC Nightly News,” has stepped into the role.

Winehouse released from London hospital

LONDON — Amy Winehouse was released from a London hospital Tuesday after an overnight stay to treat what her spokesman said was an adverse reaction to medication. The 24-year-old singer-songwriter was discharged from London’s University College after spending the night in observation, said spokesman Chris Goodman.

Winehouse was rushed to the hospital’s emergency room by ambulance from her north London home Monday night. Goodman said the medication had been taken at her home, but did not provide further details.

Winehouse, who won Grammy Awards and global acclaim for her 2006 album, “Back to Black,” was admitted to a London clinic in June after collapsing at home. Her father, Mitch Winehouse, said at the time she had developed early stage emphysema from smoking cigarettes and crack cocaine. In addition to her health woes, Winehouse has had several run-ins with police in recent months.

She was investigated by police after a tabloid newspaper published a video that appeared to show her smoking crack cocaine. She was not charged. Police also cautioned Winehouse in April for assault after she slapped a man during a night out.

Batman star Bale sidesteps questions

TOKYO — Christian Bale skirted questions about the assault allegations against him Tuesday at the Japanese premiere of “The Dark Knight.”

British media has reported that Bale’s mother and sister told police he assaulted them at the hotel a day before attending the film’s European premiere. But the Batman star managed to make it through the hugely successful Warner Bros. movie’s premiere in Japan with virtually no comment on his personal problems. “It’s a private matter,” he told a crowded news conference. Last week, in Spain, Bale brushed off reporters with a similar comment.

Bale, 34, has said through his lawyers that the assault allegations are false. The Welsh actor’s personal drama hasn’t hurt the movie. It crossed the $300 million mark in just 10 days in the U.S. and is expected to do well in Europe and Asia.

Today’s birthdays

Actor Edd “Kookie” Byrnes is 75. Blues guitarist Buddy Guy is 72. Movie director Peter Bogdanovich is 69. Singer Paul Anka is 67. Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger is 61. Actress Delta Burke is 52. Singer-songwriter Kate Bush is 50. Country singer Neal McCoy is 50. Actor Laurence Fishburne is 47. Actress Lisa Kudrow (“Friends”) is 45. Actress Vivica A. Fox is 44. Drummer Brad Hargreaves of Third Eye Blind is 37. Actress Hilary Swank is 34.