newsmakers

newsmakers

Clooney’s fiancee Alamuddin rejects Gaza probe job

GENEVA

The British-Lebanese lawyer Amal Alamuddin, who is engaged to George Clooney, on Monday pulled out of an appointment to serve on a U.N. commission on possible violations of the rules of war in Gaza.

The president of the 47-nation U.N. Human Rights Council announced in a statement Monday that Alamuddin had been appointed on the commission, but the increasingly high-profile lawyer later said she could not accept the role.

“I was contacted by the U.N. about this for the first time this morning,” she said. “I am honoured to have received the offer, but given existing commitments — including eight ongoing cases — unfortunately could not accept this role.”

It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the confusion or if someone else would replace her.

Weir canceling tour dates for rest of year

NEW YORK

Guitarist Bob Weir is canceling all of the tour dates he had planned through January.

The Grateful Dead founder says his tour with his other band, RatDog, won’t kick off this week as planned. He posted a message Sunday on RatDog’s website saying “circumstances have necessitated that all scheduled tour dates for Bob Weir & RatDog are being cancelled.”

The 66-year-old didn’t offer more details. An agent for Weir didn’t respond to an email seeking comment.

Refunds can be claimed where tickets were purchased.

Weir also is canceling a September performance at the Lockn’ Festival with Furthur, the band he formed with fellow Grateful Dead member Phil Lesh.

Lawyer: Tracy Morgan struggling after crash

NEW YORK

Tracy Morgan is struggling more than two months after he was injured in a motor-vehicle crash that left a fellow comedian dead.

His attorney, Benedict Morelli, told NBC’s “Today” show Monday the former “Saturday Night Live” cast member is fighting hard.

Morgan suffered a broken leg and broken ribs when the limousine van he was riding in was hit from behind June 7 by a Wal-Mart truck on the New Jersey Turnpike.

The wreck killed 62-year-old comedian James McNair and injured two others.

Morelli has filed suit against Wal-Mart, claiming the retailer should have known the truck driver had driven 700 miles from his home in Georgia to work in Delaware.

The truck driver has pleaded not guilty to death by auto and assault by auto charges.

Associated Press