Taking Names: Bieber won’t face charges in scuffle with photographer

Tolkien’s heirs settled a lawsuit over the “Lord of the Rings” movies for an undisclosed amount in 2009, allowing production to proceed on “The Hobbit.”

That lawsuit against New Line Cinema claimed Tolkien’s trust received only an upfront payment of $62,500 for the three movies before production began, but was due 7.5 percent of the gross receipts. The “Rings” films earned an estimated $6 billion from movie tickets, DVDs and merchandise.

Redford teams with college for environmental program

A California college is teaming up with Robert Redford to create a program where students can combine environmental studies with media and liberal arts.

The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday that Pitzer College, one of the seven Claremont Colleges, is creating the Robert Redford Conservancy for Southern California Sustainability with a $10 million gift from Nicholas and Susan Pritzker, parents of a Pitzer graduate who support environmental causes.

Mr. Redford is a trustee of the college and serves as its special adviser on the environment.

The program’s aim is to create environmental communicators and advocates. Its centerpiece will be a 12-acre coastal sage scrub ecosystem, an endangered habitat where students can study problems and come up with solutions.

Fiona Apple postpones tour to care for her dying dog

Fiona Apple is postponing her South American tour to be with her dying dog, Janet.

Miss Apple said in a heartfelt, handwritten letter to fans posted on her website and Facebook page Tuesday that the nearly 14-year-old pit bull is her best friend, mother, daughter and benefactor and “the one who taught me what love is.” Miss Apple said Janet suffers from Addison’s Disease and is near death.

The singer wrote, “I will not be the woman who puts her career ahead of love and friendship,” and asks her fans for their blessings and patience.

Miss Apple said she is staying home “and reveling in the swampiest, most awful breath that ever emanated from an angel” and plans to reschedule her South American appearances.

Gold medalist Oksana Baiul suing talent agency

Olympic gold medalist Oksana Baiul is suing a talent agency claiming it mismanaged money she earned after her gold medal-winning figure skating performance in 1994.

The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles claims she signed contracts with the William Morris Agency shortly after her victory, but only recently discovered that hundreds of thousands of dollars had gone uncollected or were improperly spent.

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