WASHINGTON

Obama eulogizes Holbrooke as giant of U.S. diplomacy

Heads of state, diplomats, family members and dignitaries from around the world paid tribute Friday to Richard Holbrooke, eulogizing the diplomat who died last month as a giant of American foreign policy whose legacy includes bringing peace to the war-ravaged Balkans.

President Obama, speaking at a memorial event at the Kennedy Center, hailed Holbrooke as a larger-than-life figure who “negotiated and cajoled and threatened all at once” until he was able to bring Bosnia’s warring factions to an agreement. Holbrooke died Dec. 13 at age 69. At the time, he was Obama’s special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Addressing a star-studded gathering that included Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, former President Bill Clinton, the presidents of Pakistan and Georgia and a host of foreign envoys, Obama said of Holbrooke: “In many ways, he was the leading light of a generation of American diplomats who came of age in Vietnam. It was a generation that came to know both the tragic limits and the awesome possibilities of American power.”

LOS ANGELES

Ex-Golden Globes publicist sues over ‘payola scheme’

A former publicist for the organization that runs the Golden Globes has sued the group, claiming it engages in payola schemes for nominations and awards.

Michael Russell sued the Hollywood Foreign Press Association late Thursday, just three days before NBC airs the annual gathering of Hollywood royalty.

The lawsuit claims many association members “abuse their positions and engage in unethical and potentially unlawful deals and arrangements which amount to a ‘payola’ scheme” that could be illegal and jeopardize the group’s tax-exempt status.

The court filing, however, does not list any specific examples in which a studio or producer has paid for a Golden Globes nomination or award.

A statement from Ken Sunshine, whose company currently handles the show’s public relations, said the allegations were without merit.

Although the show is a precursor to the Academy Awards, it has long been criticized for some of its nominations, which are perceived as a way to gain favor with top actors.

This year’s show has been no different, with criticism of acting nominations for Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie for “The Tourist,” a critical and commercial flop.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.

Three family members die from touching power line

A downed power line electrocuted a man outside his Southern California home Friday, then killed his wife and son as the two each attempted rescue in the family’s backyard, authorities said.

San Bernardino firefighters arrived to find three bodies in contact with an arcing 12,000-volt electrical line in the backyard, but it was too dangerous to free them, fire spokesman Jason Serrano said. A utility company finally cut the power and coroner’s officials were called.

The firefighters had been called to the scene at 5:45 a.m. by a 17-year-old girl who said her parents and brother had been electrocuted and were lying in the backyard, Serrano said.

The victims were identified as Steven Vego, 43; his wife, Sharon, 42, and their son, 21-year-old Jonathan Cole, according to Cindy Bachman, a spokeswoman with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

Serrano said it was unclear why the line fell. However, strong winds were sweeping through parts of Southern California on Friday and the National Weather Service said some gusts could reach 50 mph in the area.