In Heroin Video, Angie Talks of Killing Pets

Rapper slams claims he was trying to look good ahead of court date

(NEWSER) - After T.I. talked a man threatening suicide out of jumping from a downtown Atlanta building, some are calling the move a publicity stunt—but that couldn’t be further from the truth, the rapper tells CNN . The video he made, which police played to the man and is credited with helping to save the man’s life, was not an effort to improve his image ahead of a hearing today that could send the musician back to jail, he says, calling such claims “preposterous.” More»

Landmark case to decide 1st Amendment as it applies to cruelty

(NEWSER) - Animal cruelty takes the floor of the Supreme Court tomorrow, as the justices consider whether to overturn an appeals court judgment that allows the depiction of animal cruelty under the auspices of the First Amendment. The lower court wasn’t keen on animal cruelty, but found that our furry friends—unlike children, say—“would likely not suffer continuing harm by having their images out in the marketplace." More»

Pitt talks engagement to Angelina Jolie at Cannes

(NEWSER) - Brad Pitt was flying solo today at Cannes, but in addition to his gangster film, Killing Them Softly, Angelina Jolie was predictably a big topic of conversation. Pressed by reporters for some juicy gossip, he said his engagement to Jolie was "something that made sense," People reports. As for a wedding date, there isn't one, Pitt tells US Weekly : "It's just something that makes sense to us, and certainly date-wise, it's just a rumor," he said. "We're still hoping that we can figure out marriage equality in the states before that date." He also revealed the couple would "love to" do another film together, Vulture adds. More»

Taylor Swift donates $4M to Country Music Hall of Fame

(NEWSER) - Taylor Swift is donating a sizable $4 million to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the largest gift ever donated to the museum by an artist. It will fund the Taylor Swift Education Center, a new classroom and exhibit space opening in 2014, the AP reports. Swift proves that not all celebrities spend their dough on things like $12,000 Chanel bicycles and $18,500 olive trees , and Celebuzz rounds up 14 more who give freely of their money and/or their time. And while some are obvious (hello, George Clooney) many might surprise:

• Sandra Bullock: Has donated $1 million to relief organizations that give aid to those affected by 9/11, the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, and the recent earthquakes in Haiti and Japan.
• Ellen DeGeneres: Her pet cause is, ahem, animal rights and rescue organizations, and her pet food line benefits charity.

Billy Bob opens up about Angelina on 'Nightline'

(NEWSER) - Billy Bob Thornton takes the blame for the failure of his marriage to Angelina Jolie in a new Nightline interview. “I blew it because I didn’t think I was good enough for her. She has one way she wanted to live her life and I had another way to live mine and I was just too insecure,” he says. “I did feel like the Phantom of the Opera hiding in the catacombs. People have actually said that I didn’t deserve to be with her.” More»