By Bob Tourtellotte
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Pop giant Michael Jackson, who took to the stage as a child star and set the world dancing to exuberant rhythms for decades, died on Thursday after being taken ill at his home, the Los Angeles Times said. He was 50.
"Pop star Michael Jackson was pronounced dead by doctors this afternoon after arriving at a hospital in a deep coma, city and law enforcement sources told The Times," the newspaper reported on its website.
The paper's report followed news of Jackson's death first reported by the TMZ entertainment website.
There was no immediate comment from spokespersons for Jackson, who was known as the "King of Pop," for hit albums that included "Thriller" and "Billie Jean."
He had been scheduled to launch a comeback tour from London next month.
TMZ said on its website that "Michael suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this afternoon at his Holmby Hills home and paramedics were unable to revive him. We're told when paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back."
Earlier, the Los Angeles Times said the singer had been rushed to a Los Angeles-area hospital by fire department paramedics who found him not breathing when they arrived at the singer's home.
The newspaper said paramedics performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the scene before taking him to the UCLA Medical Center hospital.
COMEBACK CONCERTS
Jackson had been due to start a series of concerts in London on July 13 running until March 2010. The singer had been rehearsing in the Los Angeles area for the past two months.
The shows for the 50 London concerts sold out within minutes of going on sale in March.
His lifetime record sales tally is believed to be around 750 million, which, added to the 13 Grammy Awards he received, makes him one of the most successful entertainers of all time.
He lived as a virtual recluse since his acquittal in 2005 on charges of child molestation.
There were concerns about Jackson's health in recent years but the promoters of the London shows, AEG Live, said in March that Jackson had passed a 4-1/2 hour physical examination with independent doctors.
CHILD STAR TO MEGASTAR
Jackson was born on Aug. 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, the seventh of nine children. Five Jackson boys -- Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael -- first performed together at a talent show when Michael was 6. They walked off with first prize and went on to become a best-selling band, The Jackson Five, and then The Jackson 5.
Jackson made his first solo album in 1972, and released "Thriller" in 1982, which became a smash hit that yielded seven top-10 singles. The album sold 21 million copies in the United States and at least 27 million worldwide.
The next year, he unveiled his signature "moonwalk" dance move while performing "Billie Jean" during an NBC special.
In 1994, Jackson married Elvis Presley's only child, Lisa Marie, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1996. Jackson married Debbie Rowe the same year and had two children, before splitting in 1999. The couple never lived together.
Jackson has three children named Prince Michael I, Paris Michael and Prince Michael II, known for his brief public appearance when his father held him over the railing of a hotel balcony, causing widespread criticism.
(Additional Reporting by Jill Serjeant)
Copyright © 2008 Reuters
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Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
MACC nabs lecturer who demanded sex and money to pass students
KUALA LUMPUR: A lecturer at a private international university who allegedly demanded sex and money from his students in return for better grades has been arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
The man, a foreigner in his 40s who lectures in Cyberjaya, was arrested at about 5pm after a victim lodged a report with the MACC.
It is learnt the woman, 24, sat for a qualifying exam to enable her to continue her Masters’ degree.
After sitting for her papers, she was allegedly approached by her lecturer who told her she did not do well in her exam.
He then allegedly told her that he could help her provided she agreed to give in to his demands.
He was said to have initially asked her for sexual favours but when she refused, he demanded money as well if she wanted to pass the exam.
The lecturer was also said to have uttered words that caused the woman to be fearful.
MACC director of investigations Datuk Mohd Shukri Abdull confirmed the arrest but declined to elaborate.
Meanwhile, in Parliament, in his written reply to a question by N. Gobalakrishnan (PKR — Padang Serai), Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said the MACC has concluded two investigations into alleged money politics involving Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam.
Nazri said the investigation papers would be forwarded to the commission’s legal and prosecution department for a decision.
He added that the case involving a branch chief and Umno Rendang divisional delegates in garnering support for Mohd Ali as the Umno vice-president has been closed.
The case was decided as a ‘no further action’ case and closed on May 25.
In Putrajaya, the MACC arrested two men for making false statements over a housing loan application.
The suspects, aged 31 and 38, were said to have used a false architect’s certificate to apply for a home loan of more than RM152,000 from a bank.
They were detained in Kelantan.
Sumber
The man, a foreigner in his 40s who lectures in Cyberjaya, was arrested at about 5pm after a victim lodged a report with the MACC.
It is learnt the woman, 24, sat for a qualifying exam to enable her to continue her Masters’ degree.
After sitting for her papers, she was allegedly approached by her lecturer who told her she did not do well in her exam.
He then allegedly told her that he could help her provided she agreed to give in to his demands.
He was said to have initially asked her for sexual favours but when she refused, he demanded money as well if she wanted to pass the exam.
The lecturer was also said to have uttered words that caused the woman to be fearful.
MACC director of investigations Datuk Mohd Shukri Abdull confirmed the arrest but declined to elaborate.
Meanwhile, in Parliament, in his written reply to a question by N. Gobalakrishnan (PKR — Padang Serai), Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said the MACC has concluded two investigations into alleged money politics involving Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam.
Nazri said the investigation papers would be forwarded to the commission’s legal and prosecution department for a decision.
He added that the case involving a branch chief and Umno Rendang divisional delegates in garnering support for Mohd Ali as the Umno vice-president has been closed.
The case was decided as a ‘no further action’ case and closed on May 25.
In Putrajaya, the MACC arrested two men for making false statements over a housing loan application.
The suspects, aged 31 and 38, were said to have used a false architect’s certificate to apply for a home loan of more than RM152,000 from a bank.
They were detained in Kelantan.
Sumber
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Father's Day Jokes
Martin had just received his brand new drivers license. The family troops out to the driveway, and climbs in the car, where he is going to take them for a ride for the first time. Dad immediately heads for the back seat, directly behind the newly minted driver.
"I'll bet you're back there to get a change of scenery after all those months of sitting in the front passenger seat teaching me how to drive," says the beaming boy to his father.
"Nope," comes dad's reply, "I'm gonna sit here and kick the back of your seat as you drive, just like you've been doing to me all these years."
An Army brat was boasting about his father to a Navy brat.
"My dad is an engineer. He can do everything. Do you know the Alps?"
"Yes," said the Navy brat.
"My dad has built them."
Then the naval kid spoke: "And do you know the Dead Sea?"
"Yes."
"It's my dad who's killed it!"
"I'll bet you're back there to get a change of scenery after all those months of sitting in the front passenger seat teaching me how to drive," says the beaming boy to his father.
"Nope," comes dad's reply, "I'm gonna sit here and kick the back of your seat as you drive, just like you've been doing to me all these years."
An Army brat was boasting about his father to a Navy brat.
"My dad is an engineer. He can do everything. Do you know the Alps?"
"Yes," said the Navy brat.
"My dad has built them."
Then the naval kid spoke: "And do you know the Dead Sea?"
"Yes."
"It's my dad who's killed it!"
An honest lawyer Jokes
An independent woman started her own business. She was shrewd and diligent, so business kept coming in. Pretty soon she realized she needed an in-house counsel, and so she began interviewing young lawyers.
"As I'm sure you can understand," she started off with one of the first applicants, "in a business like this, our personal integrity must be beyond question." She leaned forward. "Mr. Peterson, are you an 'honest' lawyer?"
"Honest?" replied the job prospect. "Let me tell you something about honest. Why, I'm so honest that my dad lent me fifteen thousand dollars for my education and I paid back every penny the minute I tried my very first case."
"Impressive. And what sort of case was that?
"He squirmed in his seat and admitted, "My dad sued me for the money."
"As I'm sure you can understand," she started off with one of the first applicants, "in a business like this, our personal integrity must be beyond question." She leaned forward. "Mr. Peterson, are you an 'honest' lawyer?"
"Honest?" replied the job prospect. "Let me tell you something about honest. Why, I'm so honest that my dad lent me fifteen thousand dollars for my education and I paid back every penny the minute I tried my very first case."
"Impressive. And what sort of case was that?
"He squirmed in his seat and admitted, "My dad sued me for the money."
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Aksi Orang Pencen
Di suatu malam yang dingin, di dalam sebuah bilik yang sederhanabesar, diatas katil....... sepasang suami isteri yang telah lanjutusia baru masuk tidur.
Suaminya telah mula mengantuk tapi isterinya terbangkit perasaanghairah malam itu....
Si isteri bersuara,"Dulu-dulu tu..... abang selalu pegang tangan saya bila kita nak tido."
Suaminya dengan separuh sedar, menggenggam tangan isterinya, lepas tu mula mengantuk semula.
Beberapa ketika lepas tu, si isteri bersuara lagi,"Kemudian tu.... abang selalu cium saya."
Si suami dengan rasa terganggu, mengangkat kepalanya dan menyentuh bibirnya ke pipi si isteri. Lepas tu sambung tido balik.
Selepas beberapa saat, si isteri bersuara lagi,"Kemudian tu.... abang selalu gigit-gigit leher saya......."
Dengan perasaan marah dan geram, si suami melontar selimutnya dan bangun dari katil tu.
Si isteri bertanya, "Abang nak gi mana tu?"
Dengan marah suaminya menjawab,"Nak gi ambik gigi la ni!!!"
Suaminya telah mula mengantuk tapi isterinya terbangkit perasaanghairah malam itu....
Si isteri bersuara,"Dulu-dulu tu..... abang selalu pegang tangan saya bila kita nak tido."
Suaminya dengan separuh sedar, menggenggam tangan isterinya, lepas tu mula mengantuk semula.
Beberapa ketika lepas tu, si isteri bersuara lagi,"Kemudian tu.... abang selalu cium saya."
Si suami dengan rasa terganggu, mengangkat kepalanya dan menyentuh bibirnya ke pipi si isteri. Lepas tu sambung tido balik.
Selepas beberapa saat, si isteri bersuara lagi,"Kemudian tu.... abang selalu gigit-gigit leher saya......."
Dengan perasaan marah dan geram, si suami melontar selimutnya dan bangun dari katil tu.
Si isteri bertanya, "Abang nak gi mana tu?"
Dengan marah suaminya menjawab,"Nak gi ambik gigi la ni!!!"
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Photographer Jokes
The Smiths had no children and decided to use a proxy father to start their family. On the day the proxy father was to arrive, Mr. Smith kissed his wife and said, "I'm off. The man should be here soon".
Half an hour later, just by chance, a door-to-door baby photographer rang the doorbell, hoping to make a sale.
"Good morning madam. You don't know me, but I've come to...."
"Oh, no need to explain. I've been expecting you," Mrs. Smith cut in.
"Really?" the photographer asked. "Well, good! I've made a specialty of babies."
"That's what my husband and I had hoped. Please come in and have a seat. Just where do we start?" asked Mrs. Smith, blushing.
"Leave everything to me. I usually try two in the bathtub, one on the couch and perhaps a couple on the bed. Sometimes the living room floor is fun too; you can really spread out."
"Bathtub, living room floor? No wonder it didn't work for Harry and me."
"Well, madam, none of us can guarantee a good one every time. But if we try several different positions and I shoot from six or seven angles, I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results."
"I hope we can get this over with quickly," gasped Mrs. Smith.
"Madam, in my line of work, a man must take his time. I'd love to be in and out in five minutes, but you'd bedisappointed with that, I'm sure."
"Don't I know!!" Mrs. Smith exclaimed.
The photographer opened his briefcase and pulled out a portfolio of his baby pictures. "This was done on the top of a bus in downtown London."
"Oh my God!!" Mrs. Smith exclaimed, tugging at her handkerchief."And these twins turned out exceptionally well when you consider their mother was so difficult to work with."
The photographer handed Mrs. Smith the picture.
"She was difficult?" asked Mrs. Smith.
"Yes, I'm afraid so I finally had to take her to Hyde Park to get the job done right. People were crowding around four and five deep, pushing to get a good look."
"Four and five deep?" asked Mrs. Smith, eyes widened in amazement.
"Yes," the photographer said. "And for more than three hours too. The mother was constantly squealing and yelling. I could hardly concentrate. Then darkness approached and I began to rush my shots. Finally, when the squirrels began nibbling on my equipment I just packed it all in."
Mrs. Smith leaned forward. "You mean they actually chewed on your, er..,um.., ah.... equipment?"
"That's right. Well madam, if you're ready, I'll set up my tripod so that we can get to work."
"Tripod??" Mrs. Smith looked extremely worried now.
"Oh yes, I have to use a tripod to rest my Canon on. It's much too big for me to hold while I'm getting ready for action. Madam? Madam? Good Lord, she's fainted!!
Half an hour later, just by chance, a door-to-door baby photographer rang the doorbell, hoping to make a sale.
"Good morning madam. You don't know me, but I've come to...."
"Oh, no need to explain. I've been expecting you," Mrs. Smith cut in.
"Really?" the photographer asked. "Well, good! I've made a specialty of babies."
"That's what my husband and I had hoped. Please come in and have a seat. Just where do we start?" asked Mrs. Smith, blushing.
"Leave everything to me. I usually try two in the bathtub, one on the couch and perhaps a couple on the bed. Sometimes the living room floor is fun too; you can really spread out."
"Bathtub, living room floor? No wonder it didn't work for Harry and me."
"Well, madam, none of us can guarantee a good one every time. But if we try several different positions and I shoot from six or seven angles, I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results."
"I hope we can get this over with quickly," gasped Mrs. Smith.
"Madam, in my line of work, a man must take his time. I'd love to be in and out in five minutes, but you'd bedisappointed with that, I'm sure."
"Don't I know!!" Mrs. Smith exclaimed.
The photographer opened his briefcase and pulled out a portfolio of his baby pictures. "This was done on the top of a bus in downtown London."
"Oh my God!!" Mrs. Smith exclaimed, tugging at her handkerchief."And these twins turned out exceptionally well when you consider their mother was so difficult to work with."
The photographer handed Mrs. Smith the picture.
"She was difficult?" asked Mrs. Smith.
"Yes, I'm afraid so I finally had to take her to Hyde Park to get the job done right. People were crowding around four and five deep, pushing to get a good look."
"Four and five deep?" asked Mrs. Smith, eyes widened in amazement.
"Yes," the photographer said. "And for more than three hours too. The mother was constantly squealing and yelling. I could hardly concentrate. Then darkness approached and I began to rush my shots. Finally, when the squirrels began nibbling on my equipment I just packed it all in."
Mrs. Smith leaned forward. "You mean they actually chewed on your, er..,um.., ah.... equipment?"
"That's right. Well madam, if you're ready, I'll set up my tripod so that we can get to work."
"Tripod??" Mrs. Smith looked extremely worried now.
"Oh yes, I have to use a tripod to rest my Canon on. It's much too big for me to hold while I'm getting ready for action. Madam? Madam? Good Lord, she's fainted!!
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