MICHAEL JACKSON SUED

An Arab sheikh suing Michael Jackson for £4.7m was trying to get the pop star to sing the sheikh's own songs, the High Court has heard.
Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain's second son, had set Jackson up with a recording studio at his Neverland ranch and then sent him his compositions.
Bankim Thanki QC, for the sheikh, alleged that the day after the Thriller star's child molestation trial ended in California, he recorded one of the songs.
The sheikh had wanted it released as a charity single to help victims of the Boxing Day tsunami, Mr Thanki said.
The barrister promised the judge that a recording of the song would be played in court during the trial.
It shows the quality of Sheikh Abdulla's song writing skills and that of Mr Jackson's voice.Barrister on an alleged song composed by the sheikh for Jackson
The sheikh had plans to revive Jackson's musical career, releasing records through their own musical label.
Mr Thanki said his client was first asked by an assistant of Jackson for $35,000 to pay utility bills at Neverland, in March 2005.
The following month, Jackson asked for $1m through an assistant, the court heard
"Sheikh Abdulla made many more payments on his behalf or to others," said Mr Thanki.
The sheikh is suing the pop music legend for allegedly reneging on a $7m (£4.7m) deal designed to repay money he advanced to Jackson during his worst financial troubles.
But Jackson is contesting the claim, insisting there was no valid agreement and that the sheikh's case is based on "mistake, misrepresentation and undue influence".
In his pleaded defence, Jackson says the payments he received were "gifts" and that no project was ever finalised