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From The Associated Press
Michael Jackson has refinanced Neverland ranch in time to save his famed California spread from a public auction that was scheduled for later this month.
Jackson attorney L. Londell McMillan told The Associated Press on Thursday that the pop star has worked out a “confidential” agreement with Fortress Investment Group, LLC. The deal allows him to retain ownership of the famed property in Los Olivos, Calif.
“Neverland and MJ are fine,” McMillan said.
An auction date had been set for March 19 because of $24.5 million the singer owed on the 2,500-acre spread northwest of Santa Barbara.
A source close to the singer who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter said it’s not clear whether Jackson will keep Neverland. Jackson has not lived there since his acquittal on child molestation charges in 2005.
Terry Pratchett said Thursday he is donating $1 million for research into Alzheimer’s, the disease he was diagnosed with last year.
The best-selling fantasy writer said it’s “a shock and a shame” that less money was spent on Alzheimer’s research than on fighting cancer. His donation will go to the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, a British charity.
He said Alzheimer’s was “a nasty disease, surrounded by shadows and small, largely unseen tragedies.”
Pratchett, best known for his satirical “Discworld” fantasy saga, has sold more than 55 million copies of his books worldwide.
The 59-year-old writer said he had reacted to his diagnosis with “a sense of loss and abandonment (and a) violently coherent fury that made the Miltonic Lucifer’s rage against heaven seem a bit miffed by comparison.”
Britney Spears is relishing her new role on “How I Met Your Mother.” Spears has been taping her much-hyped cameo on the CBS sitcom for the March 24 episode, in which she portrays a receptionist in a dermatologist’s office named Abby who crushes on Ted (Josh Radnor).
“Working at ‘How I Met Your Mother’ has been so terrific,” Spears said in a statement Thursday. “Everyone, including the cast, the crew and the producers, has been wonderful and Abby is such a fun girl to play. I’m having a blast!”
Michael Jackson has refinanced Neverland ranch in time to save his famed California spread from a public auction that was scheduled for later this month.
Jackson attorney L. Londell McMillan told The Associated Press on Thursday that the pop star has worked out a “confidential” agreement with Fortress Investment Group, LLC. The deal allows him to retain ownership of the famed property in Los Olivos, Calif.
“Neverland and MJ are fine,” McMillan said.
An auction date had been set for March 19 because of $24.5 million the singer owed on the 2,500-acre spread northwest of Santa Barbara.
A source close to the singer who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter said it’s not clear whether Jackson will keep Neverland. Jackson has not lived there since his acquittal on child molestation charges in 2005.
The best-selling fantasy writer said it’s “a shock and a shame” that less money was spent on Alzheimer’s research than on fighting cancer. His donation will go to the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, a British charity.
He said Alzheimer’s was “a nasty disease, surrounded by shadows and small, largely unseen tragedies.”
Pratchett, best known for his satirical “Discworld” fantasy saga, has sold more than 55 million copies of his books worldwide.
The 59-year-old writer said he had reacted to his diagnosis with “a sense of loss and abandonment (and a) violently coherent fury that made the Miltonic Lucifer’s rage against heaven seem a bit miffed by comparison.”
“Working at ‘How I Met Your Mother’ has been so terrific,” Spears said in a statement Thursday. “Everyone, including the cast, the crew and the producers, has been wonderful and Abby is such a fun girl to play. I’m having a blast!”
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