Dunkin’ Donuts pulls Rachael Ray ad

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

BOSTON — Dunkin’ Donuts has pulled an online advertisement featuring Rachael Ray after complaints that a fringed black-and-white scarf that the celebrity chef wore in the ad offers symbolic support for Muslim extremism and terrorism. The coffee and baked goods chain said the ad that began appearing online May 7 was pulled over the past weekend because “the possibility of misperception detracted from its original intention to promote our iced coffee.” In the spot, Ray holds an iced coffee while standing in front of trees with pink blossoms.

Critics, including conservative commentator Michelle Malkin, complained that the scarf wrapped around her looked like a kaffiyeh, the traditional Arab headdress. Critics who fueled online complaints about the ad in blogs say such scarves have come to symbolize Muslim extremism and terrorism.

A statement issued Wednesday by Canton, Mass.-based Dunkin’ Brands Inc., however, said the scarf had a paisley design, and was selected by a stylist for the advertising shoot. “Absolutely no symbolism was intended,” the company said.

Bill Murray’s wife files for divorce

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The wife of entertainer Bill Murray has filed for divorce after nearly 11 years of marriage, alleging he abused her and is addicted to marijuana and alcohol. Jennifer Butler Murray filed divorce papers May 12 in Charleston County. She owns a home on Sullivans Island, S.C., where she lives with the couple’s four children.

The complaint also alleges frequent abandonment by the former “Saturday Night Live” star.

The complaint, which doesn’t specify instances of Murray’s alleged marijuana or alcohol use, alleges he would often leave without telling his wife and says he “travels overseas where he engages in public and private altercations and sexual liaisons.” It also alleges Murray physically abused his wife and last November “hit her in the face and then told her she was ‘lucky he didn’t kill her.”’

Ashlee Simpson pregnant

LOS ANGELES — After months of playing coy, newlyweds Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Pete Wentz have made it official: Yes, they’re expecting a baby. “While many have speculated about this, we wanted to wait until after the first trimester to officially confirm that we are expecting our first child,” said a statement Wednesday on Wentz’s blog. “This is truly the most joyous time in our lives and we are excited to share the happy news and start our family.”

It’s true, Simpson-Wentz representative Susan Novak said Thursday.

The pair exchanged vows earlier this month at her parents’ Los-Angeles area home. Sister Jessica Simpson was the maid of honor.

Baby rumors began swirling after the couple announced their engagement last month.

Simpson-Wentz, 23, stayed neutral — neither confirming nor denying the reports — while promoting her new album, “Bittersweet World.”

However, the 28-year-old Wentz, bassist for Fall Out Boy, issued an angry denial to MTV.com, saying: “There is a witch hunt for people to be pregnant whenever they get engaged in Hollywood. This is all news to me.”

The newlywed pop singer will go by Ashlee Wentz in private and professionally as Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, according to a report posted Wednesday on the People.com Web site.

Naomi Campbell charged

LONDON — Naomi Campbell has been charged with assaulting two police officers during an alleged luggage rage incident at Heathrow Airport, her lawyer and prosecutors said Thursday. The 38-year-old supermodel was charged when she reported to Heathrow police station to answer bail over the April 3 fracas, lawyer Simon Nicholls said.

The Crown Prosecution Service said Campbell faced six charges — three counts of assaulting a constable, two counts of using threatening, abusive words or behavior to the cabin crew and one count of disorderly conduct. Police said the assault charges related to two officers. Campbell was ordered to appear at a west London magistrates’ court June 20.

Witnesses said Campbell was aboard a British Airways plane due to take off for Los Angeles when she became involved in a dispute over her luggage. Tens of thousands of bags had been separated from their owners at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 after its chaotic opening in late March.

Today’s birthdays

Actor Keir Dullea (”2001: A Space Odyssey”) is 72. Guitarist Lenny Davidson of The Dave Clark Five is 64. Actor Colm Meaney (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”) is 55. Actor Ted McGinley (“Hope and Faith,” “Married...With Children”) is 50. Actor Ralph Carter (“Good Times”) is 47. Country singer Wynonna Judd is 44. Guitarist Tom Morello of Audioslave and Rage Against The Machine is 44. Guitarist Patrick Dahlheimer of Live is 37. Singer Cee-Lo of Gnarls Barkley (and Goodie Mob) is 34. Rapper Remy Ma is 28.