Pitt Shells Out $80K for Kids' Gerbil Run

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.

And it wasn't even his birthday

(NEWSER) - Apparently Angelina Jolie felt the need to one-up her own gift to Brad Pitt: After buying him a waterfall for Christmas , Jolie has now forked over nearly $1.6 million for a helicopter and piloting lessons, the Sun reports. Why? No particular reason—she just “thought it would be nice to buy Brad a helicopter as a surprise present,” a source says, explaining that the couple already installed a helipad on their France property, as such people do. Click for more completely insane celebrity gifts . More»

Ornamental casing might be scrapped

(NEWSER) - The owners of the One World Trade Center tower are feuding with the tower's architects over the 408-foot antenna that will protrude from its roof, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Port Authority and developer Douglas Durst want to dispense with an ornamental white shell that was originally supposed to encase the antenna, a cost-cutting move Durst says will save $20 million, but the architects call it an "integral part of the building's design." More»

Groomers offer doggie tattoos, hair dye

(NEWSER) - Colored fur, tattoos, trendy haircuts: The punk look isn't just for humans anymore. Temporary tattoos are increasingly popular in the canine world, says an association of "creative groomers." "People love it—it's hilarious," says one groomer. Adds another: "People are amazed—they do a double take." The tats, which cost between $10 and $20, range from sports symbols to anchors to John Deere logos, USA Today reports. More»