Quick Takes: Jack Hanna versus the bear

TV host and zookeeper Jack Hanna says he took his own advice and used pepper spray on a grizzly bear headed toward him.

The Columbus Zoo director emeritus and frequent David Letterman guest said he was with his wife and other hikers in Montana’s Glacier National Park on Saturday when a bear cub, weighing about 125 pounds, charged them. Hanna told the Columbus Dispatch that he held up a canister of pepper spray, which he takes routinely on hikes.

It took three doses, the last one right in his face, but the bear finally turned and fled.

Hanna said he’s been carrying pepper spray on hikes for 15 years, but Saturday was the first time he’s used it.

—Associated Press

A Caravaggio? It’s doubtful

It seemed too good to be true: the discovery of a new painting by Caravaggio during the celebrations marking the 400th anniversary of his death. It turns out it probably was.

Scholars unveiling the painting in Italy Tuesday concurred that “Martyrdom of St. Lawrence” did not look like a Caravaggio, but rather like the work of one or more of

his followers. This week the Vatican newspaper, which first suggested the canvas could be the work of Caravaggio, shot down its own report and retracted the claim.

The painting will still be subjected to X-ray tests and other analyses to ascertain its attribution. But experts held out little hope that a new work by the Italian master has been found.

“It’s a very interesting painting, but I believe we can rule out — at least for now — that it’s a Caravaggio,” said Italy’s art superintendent, Rossella Vodret.

—Associated Press

Jarreau said to be rebounding

A cardiologist who is treating Al Jarreau in France said the Grammy-winning singer’s health is improving steadily.

Dr. Jean-Louis Bonnet, chief of the cardiology unit at La Timone hospital in Marseille, said Tuesday that “everything’s going well” and that Jarreau could possibly be discharged over the weekend and could then continue his scheduled European concert tour.

The 70-year-old Jarreau was hospitalized in the Alps on Friday after suffering breathing problems that forced him to cancel several concerts. He was moved to Marseille by helicopter Saturday.

—Associated Press

Larsson sets pace on Kindle

Stieg Larsson, author of “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” has become the first writer to sell more than 1 million Kindle e-books thanks to his popular Millennium Trilogy mystery novels, online retailer Amazon.com said Tuesday.

Larsson, who died in 2004 before his novels hit the bestseller list worldwide, was named the first member of the “Kindle Million Club,” Amazon.com said.

The trilogy’s print editions have sold more than 27 million copies worldwide and have been translated from the original Swedish into more than 40 languages.

Meanwhile, Sony Pictures has confirmed that Daniel Craig, star of the recent James Bond films, has signed on for the English-language remake of “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” to be directed by David Fincher. He’ll play journalist Mikael Blomkvist. The role of the title character, Lisbeth Salander, has not yet been cast.

—Reuters

Laurie to make blues album

Dr. Gregory House has long battled the blues. Now the actor who plays the acerbic physician plans to play them.

Warner Music Entertainment said that British actor Hugh Laurie has signed a deal to record an album of New Orleans-inspired blues.

“I am drunk with excitement at this opportunity,” Laurie said in a statement. “I know the history of actors making music is a checkered one, but I promise no one will get hurt.”

—Associated Press

Dove Awards on the move

Organizers of the Dove Awards are moving the annual gospel and Christian music show to Atlanta next April.

This will be the first time the Doves have been held anywhere but Nashville. Ed Leonard, board chairman of the Gospel Music Assn., said the move was an opportunity to expand the reach of the awards.

—Associated Press