‘Number Ones’ drops 3 places on the Australian Music DVD Chart this week to #18.

‘Live In Bucharest - The Dangerous Tour’ rises 10 places #24.

Source: ARIA

Michael Jackson’s former personal assistant told a British court Friday that a Bahraini sheik who is now suing the singer was a generous friend, eager to give Jackson money and other gifts.

Grace Rwaramba said Sheik Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa referred to Jackson as his brother and frequently offered the singer gifts and money.

“He would say, ‘What can I do for my brother?’ ‘What can I give the children?’” Rwaramba said. “Mr. Jackson had a back pain and he told me to get Tiger Balm for him.”

Rwaramba, who also was nanny to Jackson’s three children, said she considered the sheik’s behavior “sweet”.

She was testifying as a defense witness in a $7 million lawsuit brought against Jackson by Al Khalifa, the second son of the king of Bahrain. The sheik says Jackson reneged on a contract to produce an album, a candid autobiography and a stage play after accepting millions in advances. Jackson claims the money was a gift.

The money at issue includes sums of $35,000 and $1 million paid into Rwaramba’s bank account by the sheik. Rwaramba said the money was intended for Jackson, who did not have a bank account of his own.

Rwaramba said she was “flabbergasted” when she received the first payment of $35,000, which she considered a large sum.

She said the sheik “apologised that it was a little. He said next time it would be more.”

The court heard that Al Khalifa paid for hotel rooms for Jackson and his entourage and trips to Toys R Us to buy Christmas presents for the singer’s guests.

Rwaramba said the sheik never suggested any money would have to be paid back.

Jackson is due to take the witness stand at London’s High Court on Monday.

Source: Associated Press

In an interview to BET on Tuesday, producer Quiny Jones not only expressed his love for Michael Jackson, but also noted that a hectic schedule would prohibit complete focus on Michael`s comeback set.

“I didn’t state that I didn’t want to work with Michael Jackson, I stated that I have too many projects to work with Michael, big difference.

I love Michael; he’s part of my soul, but I got nine movies, three albums I’m in the middle of, my foundation and my kids; I have a lot to do. You have to focus on everything you do or you don’t do it well.”

Source: BET

‘King Of Pop: The Swedish Hit Collection’ drops 10 places this week on the Swedish Album Chart to #30.

Source: Swedish Charts

‘Number Ones’ drops 9 places on Billboard’s Top Pop Catalogue Albums chart this week to #24.

Source: Billboard

Michael Jackson has agreed to appear in person at a London court to respond to a Bahraini sheik’s $7 million lawsuit, the singer’s lawyer said Today.

Jackson had asked to testify by a video link from the U.S. because of an unspecified illness. But his lawyer, Robert Englehart, informed the court Thursday that Jackson “has been cleared by his medical advisers to travel in two days time.”

The singer is scheduled to give evidence at the High Court on Monday.

Source: Associated Press

After the huge worlwide success of the ‘Thriller 25th Anniversary Edition’ SonyBMG is planning to release a 30th Anniversary Edition of ‘Off The Wall’ in 2009. A final release date is not available yet, but it might be released around February or March.

Additional information will be published as soon as we receive it.

Source: SonyBMG, MJFC-USA

Michael Jackson might be too sick to travel to London to testify in a suit claiming he owes an Arab sheik $7 million, the pop star’s attorney said Tuesday.

Jackson is seeking to give his testimony by video link from the United States.

“It would be unwise for him to travel, given what’s he’s got now,” lawyer Robert Englehart said, declining to elaborate “for the obvious reasons.”

The judge in the current case, Nigel Sweeney, said he would decide the question of Jackson’s travel on Thursday to allow time for medical experts on both legal teams to talk.

Al Khalifa was in court Tuesday for the second day of arguments and testimony.

Source: Associated Press

Today, a trial started in the High Court of London. Sheikh Abdulla Bin Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, son of the King of Bahrain, is suing Michael Jackson for £4.7million for allegedly breaching a contract between the pair.

The Sheikh had housed Michael Jackson in Bahrain after he was acquitted of child molestation charges in 2005. In return for his hospitality, the Sheik claims, Michael Jackson agreed to record new material and write an autobiography. Lawyers for the Sheikh said the money was given to Michael Jackson as an advance on the book and joint recording project with the sheikh, who is an amateur songwriter.

The court heard today how the pair developed a “close personal relationship” during Michael Jackson’s stay. The Sheik’s lawyer Bankim Thanki said a track Michael Jackson recorded would be played to the court during the 12-day trial.

Michael Jackson has contested that a deal was struck between the pair and said the financial donations were “gifts”. The Sheik’s case is based on “mistake, misrepresentation and undue influence”, he added. Thanki acknowledged that Al Khalifa gave some gifts to Michael Jackson but said that most of what he received was part of a business deal.

Neither Michael Jackson nor Al Khalifa were in attendance as the trial opened. According to the BBC, an application has been made for Michael Jackson to appear via video link from the USA.

Source: BBC News

‘King Of Pop’ drops 18 places on the UK Album Chart this week to #63.

Source: BBC Radio 1