NEWSMAKERS | Authorities: Beckham in crash on freeway

NEWSMAKERS

Authorities: Beckham in crash on freeway

TORRANCE, Calif.

Authorities say David Beckham was behind the wheel of a car that rear-ended another vehicle on a Southern California freeway.

The California Highway Patrol said Saturday the soccer great was not hurt in Friday morning’s crash, but the other car’s driver was hospitalized after complaining of neck pain.

The patrol says Beckham’s Cadillac struck a Mitsubishi stalled in the carpool lane of the 405 Freeway in Torrance.

The name of the other driver, a 40-year-old Los Angeles man, was not released.

Beckham was not cited.

The 35-year-old Beckham joined Major League Soccer club Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007. Before that, he played in Europe for Manchester United and Real Madrid and was captain of England’s national team from 2000 to 2006.

Abdul rejoins Cowell as ‘X Factor’ judge

NEW YORK

Paula Abdul will be back at the judging table with Simon Cowell, this time on Fox’s “The X Factor,” a person familiar with the negotiations said Saturday.

Though widely expected, confirmation of Abdul’s joining the new singing contest was held up as negotiations continued until the eve of the show’s first taping, according to the person familiar with the talks. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because Fox and the show’s producers had not authorized public comment.

Representatives for Abdul did not respond to requests for a comment.

Abdul will be on hand for today’s taping in Los Angeles of the first judging session for “The X Factor.” This will reunite her with fellow judge Cowell, her former sparring partner on the “American Idol” judging panel. Other previously announced judges include British pop superstar Cheryl Cole and Grammy-winning producer Antonio “L.A.” Reid.

“The X Factor,” based on Cowell’s hit British show, will debut this fall on Fox.

“The X Factor” is open to solo singers and vocal groups age 12 and up. The winner will get a $5 million record contract.

Charges to be dropped in Bieber mall frenzy

GARDEN CITY, N.Y.

Justin Bieber has agreed to record a public-service announcement on cyberbullying in order to resolve misdemeanor charges filed against one of his managers and a record executive after a frenzy at a New York mall.

The case stemmed from an incident in 2009, when thousands of girls turned up at a clothing store on Long Island to see the teen pop star sign autographs.

Bieber manager Scott Bruan and Def Jam Records executive James Roppo were charged after police said they refused to help disperse the crowd.

Prosecutors told a judge Friday that they are dropping those charges. The record company and a management company pleaded guilty to fire-code violations.

Associated Press