Ben Stiller's dolphin crusade

Ben Stiller wants to save dolphins - but not if it affects his summer holiday.

The 43-year-old actor made the admission during a screening of new documentary 'The Cove', which follows the work of ex-dolphin trainer Richard O'Barry as he tries to stop the slaughter of the animals in Japan.

Speaking about the film, Ben joked: "It made me want to get up out of my seat and go to Japan and be an activist. I didn't, of course, because I had a rental in Nantucket that lasted until the end of the month."

'The Cove' was made in 2007, when a group of activists secretly filmed dolphin fishing in Taiji, Wakayama, where more than 2,500 of the mammals are slaughtered annually.

In order to get the footage, the filmmakers used cameras disguised as rocks.

Ben is not the only star to show an interest in the plight of Japanese dolphins.

In 2007, 'Heroes' star Hayden Panettiere joined a group of protestors in Taiji who were trying to save the animals.

Her actions led to an arrest warrant being issued against her in the country.

taken from : China Daily

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Kungfu star Bruce Lee's new movie to be shot

A hand puppet is placed next to a life-sized wax figure of the late Bruce Lee during an exhibition which celebrated the works of the martial arts legend at a shopping mall in Hong Kong July 8, 2009. [Agencies]

Robert Lee (L) and Phoebe Lee at a press conference on Monday, July 20, 2009. [Photo: sohu.com]

Thirty-six years to the day after martial-arts film legend Bruce Lee died, a Beijing-based movie company announced Monday, that it would work with Lee's family to producea movie portraying "the truest Bruce Lee" for his fans worldwide.

Robert Lee, Lee's younger brother, will be the movie producer and his older sister, Phoebe Lee, will also help in making the movie, a news Web site Zhejiang online reported Monday.

It is the first time that Lee's family has authorized a movie about the legendary star.

Last year, a Bruce Lee's 40-part television series was aired on the Chinese mainland. The latest movie about the star was made 16 years ago in United States.

"The movie will have three episodes describing the star's youth , his martial-arts film time, his great success and unexpected death," Robert Lee said at the movie's kick-off ceremony held Monday here.

"There are many books or movies about my brother, but I think they are not even close to truth. I want to make the movie of a true Bruce Lee and then I have no more regrets in my life," 70-year-old Phoebe Lee said.

The first part of the series will be shot next year, which will premier November 27, Lee's birthday.

The production company says it has prepared four years for the movie. It did not reveal any candidates of the movie director and actor.

Born in America in 1940, Bruce Lee had his first performance on screen during childhood. He then became an outstanding martial artist and star of Kung fu movies, bringing Hong Kong films worldwide attention in the 1970s.

Lee made 46 Kungfu movies. He died at age 32 in 1973, while starring and directing the movie "Game of Death" in Hong Kong.

taken from : China Daily

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Heather Mills' cancer karma

Heather Mills thinks anyone who has written lies about her should get cancer.

The former glamour model - ex-wife of Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney - believes in karma and is convinced people who have given her a hard time in the past will get their comeuppance by getting a life-threatening disease.

She said in an interview with Britain's Food Monthly magazine: "The truth always outs in the end... no one gets away with those things. Certain journalists have written horrible things, and then they've got cancer, or they've had a tumour, or they've died. And it's terrible for them, but they've done really evil things. I truly believe things come back around."

The mother-of-one also hit out at claims she copied the late Princess Diana in campaigning against the use of landmines in war and insists she was fighting the cause long before Diana received worldwide attention.

She said: "Princess Diana helped for eight months, and because she was such a shining light and went to one minefield, suddenly everyone was into landmines, but then only because she died did we get the extra 100 people to sign.

"Which was terrible, but that was one of her huge legacies in life, plus many other things. But then everyone used to say, 'Oh, Heather's copying Diana!' And everyone in the landmine industry just laughed, because they said, 'Well, Heather's been doing this for six years...' "

taken from : China Daily

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Yauch! It's cancer

Beastie Boy Adam Yauch (pictured) has cancer, a label representative announced Monday.

"Adam 'MCA' Yauch of Beastie Boys was diagnosed last week as having a cancerous tumor in his left parotid (salivary) gland," the statement began. "Luckily it was caught early and is localized in one area, and as such is considered very treatable. It will however require surgery and several weeks of additional treatment."

"Fortunately the cancer is not in a location that will affect Yauch's vocal chords. Beastie Boys have canceled all upcoming concert appearances to allow time for Yauch's surgery and recovery," the statement concluded. "The release of the band's forthcoming album Hot Sauce Committee Part 1 will also be pushed back."

Paraphrasing from a video statement on http://beastieboys.com/, Yauch said: "I just need to take a little time to get this in check, and then we'll release the record and play some shows. It's a pain in the neck (sorry had to say it) because I was really looking forward to playing these shows, but the doctors have made it clear that this is not the kind of thing that can be put aside to deal with later."

taken from : China Daily

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Emma Watson reveals university choice

Emma Watson has announced which Ivy League school she'll be attending in the autumn.

The 19-year-old, who plays Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter franchise, previously said that she was attracted to American universities because of the anonymity she feels they can afford her.

The actress has now confirmed that she will be a student at Brown University in Rhode Island, People reports.

"I am [going to university in the autumn] - to Brown, which is an Ivy League establishment in the USA. I've got a place there to read literature," she said.

Her choice of school was also accidentally leaked by co-star Daniel Radcliffe in an interview with The Guardian, after speculation grew following her tour of US schools last October.

Watson recently admitted that she hoped her college roommate wouldn't be a Potter fan.

taken from : China Daily

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Beyoncé: 'Sweet Dreams'

It's not without its faults, but Beyoncé's I Am... Sasha Fierce album certainly has strength in depth. Having already given us a classic-sounding pop song with lyrics about gender role reversal ('If I Were A Boy'), one of the most reliable floor-fillers in recent memory ('Single Ladies') and a power ballad for the noughties ('Halo'), it's now spinning off Beyoncé's first electropop tune.

What's more, it's a bit of a corker. Built on a bassline that wouldn't sound out of place on Thriller or Bad, 'Sweet Dreams' snares you with its irresistible chorus hook, then keeps you intrigued by placing a hint of darkness ("You could be my sweet dream, or my beautiful nightmare...") just beneath the shiny, synthy surface. Oh, and if you're still in any doubt as to Beyoncé's credentials generally, consider this: she's just named her first electropop tune after one of the most famous electropop tunes ever... and pulled it off.

taken from : China Daily
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Unseen Jackson U.K. footage on the way

Fans sign a wall in memory of singer Michael Jackson in his hometown of Gary, Indiana July 10, 2009. [Agencies]

LONDON– ITV is promising exclusive unseen footage of Michael Jackson from the private collection of the singer's friend Uri Geller in a forthcoming documentary, "My Friend Michael Jackson: Uri's Story," its production and distribution division said Friday.

The documentary will show Jackson on a midnight shopping spree at London department store Harrods and visiting the grounds of Exeter soccer club, as well as footage from Geller's private archive showing the singer acting as best man at Geller's wedding.

It will also feature interviews with Geller offering his frank recollections of the star and some of the controversies that surrounded him.

"This is the real Michael Jackson, the way that just a handful of friends were privileged to see him -- relaxed, witty, loving, smart, sincere and genuine," said Geller. "This film gives audiences around the world the opportunity to experience the reality of life with Michael."

The documentary will be distributed by ITV Global Entertainment.

taken from : China Daily

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Report: Abdul's return to 'American Idol' doubtful

In this Monday, July 6, 2009 file photo, Paula Abdul is shown during the taping of her show 'Drop Dead Diva' in a studio in Peachtree City, Ga. [Agencies]

NEW YORK – Paula Abdul's (ab-DOOL') new manager says she may not be returning to "American Idol."

According to a Los Angeles Times report, David Sonenberg says he doesn't have a proposal for a new contract for Abdul. He says it doesn't appear she'll be back.

Sonenberg began representing Abdul a few weeks ago.

Auditions for the ninth season of the highly rated Fox talent competition begin next month.

Abdul said recently she'd been invited to remain as an "American Idol" judge and was optimistic about negotiating a new contract.

Earlier this year, Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly called Abdul "an integral part of the show."

The other "American Idol" judges are Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and newcomer Kara DioGuardi (KA'-ruh dee-oh-GWAHR'-dee).

taken from : China Daily

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Tito Jackson blames doctor for death

Tito Jackson claims Dr. Conrad Murray's "panicking" helped cause his brother's death.

Tito - who was left devastated when brother Michael of a suspected cardiac arrest last month - accused the pop legend's physician of wasting vital minutes by not getting help quickly enough after he collapsed and stopped breathing.

He said: "My opinion is that he panicked when my brother didn't wake up.

"I think the doctor probably figured he was in trouble and he tried to revive Michael. He did have a pulse but he couldn't bring him back.

I don't know what the time lapse was between the doctor finding him and when he called paramedics.

"But I believe if he had immediately called for help we might still have my brother here today, he would definitely still be alive."

Tito also accused Murray of failing to carry out CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) correctly. In the aftermath of Michael's passing it was revealed the physician CPR on the dying star while he lay on a soft bed instead of the accepted practice of a hard surface.

Tito, 55, added in an interview on Spanish TV: "The CPR attempt is one of the things I noticed that was very strange.

"CPR is one of the first things you learn to do as a doctor, and you don't do it on a soft bed."

When asked whether he thought Michael had been murdered, Tito replied: "Anything is possible.

"It's a very strong word, the police are investigating what happened. Until there is some kind of revelation, I don't want to comment. Everything is on the table."

Meanwhile, Michael's mother has asked for a judge's ruling on whether she can challenge the authority of the two men named in his will as the executors of his estate.

Although the filing does not challenge the appointment of lawyer John Branca and music executive John McClain, a favourable ruling for Katherine Jackson could help her gain control of her son's estate, which is valued at more than $500 million.

taken from : China Daily

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Rain in the Alps

South Korea's pop star Jung Ji-hoon, also known as Rain, models for his own clothing line "Six to Five", which was launched at the end of last year.

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taken from : China Daily

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Bruce Lee's siblings authorize Chinese biopics

A hand puppet is placed next to a life-sized wax figure of the late Bruce Lee during an exhibition which celebrated the works of the martial arts legend at a shopping mall in Hong Kong July 8, 2009. [Agencies]

Bruce Lee's older sister and younger brother have authorized a Chinese company to make a series of biographical films about the late kung fu icon, saying they want to produce a historically accurate account of their brother's life.

Phoebe Lee and Robert Lee appeared at a signing ceremony with J.A. Media in Beijing on Monday, 36 years to the day after Bruce Lee died in Hong Kong at age 32 from swelling of the brain.

It wasn't immediately clear who will play Lee in the film series.

Producer Manfred Wong said the company plans at least three installments, with the first to tackle Lee's teenage years, adding he wanted to focus more on the late actor's personality.

"There will be kung fu ... But more importantly, we want to portray the real Bruce Lee. What is the real Bruce Lee like? He was very humorous. He was very obedient to his parents. He was very kind to his family," Wong said, according to footage of the ceremony on the Chinese news Web site Sina.com.

Robert Lee said he wanted to give an authoritative account of his brother's life.

"We've read many books and seen many movies about Bruce Lee, but there are many inaccuracies in them. They made up things," he said, without referring to specific works or factual mistakes.

"I'm more than 70 years old. I'm old. I want do something for my younger brother — to promote Bruce Lee's life story," Phoebe Lee said.

Most recently, China Central Television （CCTV） aired a 50-part prime-time series about Lee last year.

Wong did not say how much the movies will cost. Calls to the company Tuesday seeking more detail went unanswered.

taken from : China Daily

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Jackson Reunion Tour in the Works?

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Michael Jackson's

death left a huge void in the music world. His brothers may be trying
to fill at least one of them with the rebirth of the Jackson….four.

It appears that the King of Pop's passing may spurn a mini-reunion tour for the surviving members of the Jackson 5.

Jacksons Tito, Randy, Marlon and Jermaine are reportedly in talks with concert promoters AEG to perform at the O2 Arena in London, according to the Los Angeles Times.

That would be the same venue where the King of Pop was set to stage his comeback with 50 shows, before he died June 25.  

While a rep for AEG has yet to comment, according to the L.A. Times, any show put on by the brothers would not be a one-off: They are reportedly negotiating for several dates at the U.K. venue.

Countdown to when Jermaine calls the paper a liar in 3...2...1...

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Joey McIntyre's New Kid on the Block

Joey McIntyre is to become a father for the second time.

The New Kids on the Block singer has announced his wife Barrett - with who he has 20-month-old son Griffin - is pregnant with a boy, and is expected to give birth in December.

Joey said: "I still can't get over it. We feel so blessed. "My wife actually took the pregnancy test but she thought it was negative. She came out and gave me this look like, 'No.' Then she showed me the test and I said, 'It's positive! What the hell?' "

The 36-year-old singer added the couple initially thought they were having a girl, and had even picked out her name. But Joey is thrilled to be welcoming another boy into the family, enthusing it will be a "trip" to have two sons. Griffin is also excited at the prospect of becoming a big brother and can't wait for the baby to be born.

Joey explained to People magazine: "He keeps kissing mommy's belly. We say to him all the time, 'Do you want us to bring home a baby?' and he always replies, 'Please!' "I think we have a deal to keep going until we have a girl. That's what my wife says."

taken from : China Daily

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Will Smith's award-winning sex

Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith had sex on the way to this year's Oscars.

The actress - who raises three children with the 'Men in Black' star - admits the pair got carried away while they were being driven to the prestigious ceremony in Hollywood.

She told Shape magazine: "When you have three kids, you've got to take your opportunities when they come. In a limo, on the way to the Academy Awards this year, Will started looking at me in this way that drives me wild. We started kissing passionately, and the next thing I knew, well, let's just say we missed the red carpet and I ended up with almost no make-up on."

This is not the first time Jada has opened up about her adventurous love life with her hunky husband.

She recently claimed having sex at a friend's house keeps relationships alive as does getting intimate in cars or workplaces.

She said: "Be sneaky - your girlfriend's house at a party. The bathroom. A bedroom.

"Think of places outside that are comfortable to have sex.

"Does he have access to his office? Have a fantasy date. Be his secretary! Pull over on the side of the road... Just switch it up.

"Anything like that can keep it going. Anything it takes to keep the flame alive."
taken from : China Daily

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Harry Potter loses box-office magic

A poster of "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince"

Harry Potter no longer casts the same spell over Shanghai cinema fans.

Many cinemas in the city said that yesterday's opening-day ticket sales for "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," the sixth film in the series, were not as good as they were for "Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen."

Zhou Qiong, an official with Stellar Cinema City, said that as of 7pm on Wednesday, ticket sales totaled 100,000 yuan (US$14,635) for "Half-Blood Prince," 50 percent less than "Revenge of the Fallen" earned on its opening day.

Advance bookings also showed Potter wasn't as popular these days.

Yonghua Cinema City had sold about 100 tickets by 7pm on Tuesday for screenings yesterday. More than 1,200 tickets for "Revenge of the Fallen" had been booked by the same time the day before it opened.

Grand Cinema, which had prepared 1,350 seats for Harry Potter fans, had just 200 tickets booked by 7pm on Tuesday.

The Grand Cinema manager, surnamed Yang, said most Potter fans are aged about 20 and lack spending power while Transformers fans are in their 30s and are able to spend money on what they like.

Zhou said "Revenge of the Fallen" also benefitted from its release date as it faced no big rivals during its first two weeks in cinemas.

"The 'Half-Blood Prince' will not be so lucky as it will face competition on July 24 from two new films - the domestic cartoon 'McDull Wudang' and the Hong Kong spy thriller 'Overheard'," Zhou said.

The five previous Potter movies, which are based on the books by JK Rowling, have made about 370 million yuan on the Chinese mainland.

taken from : China Daily

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Video of Jackson 1984 Pepsi burn accident surfaces

FILE - In this Jan. 27, 1984 file photo, singer Michael Jackson looks out from an ambulance as he arrives at Brotman Memorial Hospital in Culver City, after suffering second-degree burns on his scalp while filming a Pepsi commercial, according to officials. Us Weekly magazine has obtained video it says shows never-before-seen footage of Michael Jackson's head catching on fire during filming of his 1984 Pepsi commercial. [Agencies]

NEW YORK – Us Weekly magazine has obtained video it says shows never-before-seen footage of Michael Jackson's head catching on fire during filming of his 1984 Pepsi commercial.

Jackson suffered severe burns after a pyrotechnics mishap caused his hair and scalp to catch afire. Still photos of the accident have been seen before, but the new video on Us Weekly's Web site shows the moment Jackson's hair caught on fire and the top of his head became engulfed in flames.

Jackson didn't realize his hair was on fire. In the video, he's still dancing as the flames are on his head. When he spins, the flames go out. People on the set tackle him to extinguish the fire, and his brother Jermaine Jackson, playing the guitar in front of him and oblivious to the commotion, turns around. When Michael Jackson emerges from the pile of people trying to help him, the top of his head is bald.

The accident, witnessed by thousands of stunned fans at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, came at the height of Jackson's fame, about a year after the release of his best-selling "Thriller" album. It marked what would be the beginning of serious, lifelong pain for Jackson, who had been treated for painkiller addiction and has been described by relatives and friends as being hooked on pain medication at the time of his death last month at age 50.

Jackson, who was photographed in an ambulance with a bandage on his head and his trademark sequined white glove on his right hand, required several surgeries and needed skin grafts to treat the injury.

In his autobiography, "Moonwalk," he described the cause of the accident as "stupidity, pure and simple."

As he described the accident, he wrote: "... bombs went off on either side of my head, and the sparks set my hair on fire. I was dancing down this ramp and turning around, spinning, not knowing I was on fire. Suddenly I felt my hands reflexively go to my head in an attempt to smother the flames."

As a result of the accident, Pepsi gave Jackson $1.5 million, which he donated to a burn center named after him.

A representative for Us Weekly had no immediate comment on where the video came from.

taken from : China Daily

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Cameron Diaz inspired by parents

Cameron Diaz says her late father's love "burns inside her".

The 'My Sister's Keeper' actress, whose dad Emilio Diaz died last year from pneumonia, continues to feel inspired by her parents' strong marriage.

She told FOX News: "It's a bond that is so true, so pure, and so powerful, it is the most beautiful and inspiring thing that I have ever witnessed - the eternal love that my mom and dad shared. It was what has given me the strength and courage to live this extraordinary life and it is what powers the light that burns inside of me."

Cameron also praised her parents for supporting her career choices and for teaching her and her 39-year-old sister Chimene good manners.

The 36-year-old blonde added: "I was very fortunate to have a very wonderful, supportive family who instilled a great work ethic in me and to treat other people the way you want to be treated and it sticks with you. "Teach your kids well."
taken from : China Daily

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Courteney Cox Screams again

Courteney Cox Arquette and David Arquette have signed up to star in 'Scream 4'.

The married couple are looking forward to reprising their roles in the horror franchise in which they first met when they starred alongside each other in 1996's 'Scream'.

David - who played Deputy Dewey Riley in the original film - said: "I fell in love with my wife on 'Scream', so the opportunity to bring Dewey back to life and for my wife to play that really b****y character again, it's just going to be really fun. It's just great."

Courteney, 45, played TV reporter Gale Weathers in the original 'Scream'. She and David also appeared in sequels 'Scream 2' and 'Scream 3'.

David, 37, hopes the team behind the original film will reunite for the next instalment.

He added: "Kevin Williamson is writing the script at this moment, and hopefully Wes Craven is going to direct."

Although main star Neve Campbell has reportedly turned down the opportunity to reprise her role, David would love her to change her mind and return.

He said: "I hope Neve does it. I really hope so."

taken from : China Daily

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Janet Jackson wants Michael's kids

Janet Jackson wants custody of Michael Jackson's three children.

The late 'Man in the Mirror' star had reportedly discussed his wishes for his kids - Prince Michael I, 12, Paris, 11, and Prince Michael II, seven, known as 'Blanket' - in the event of his death and was even planning to draft a new will to amend custody details.

A source said: "There was a lot of rifts in the family, but Janet was the one person he spoke to regularly and he made sure the children kept in touch with her too.

"Ultimately, he wanted Janet to look after the children, with help from his mother Katherine, and was planning to draft a new will to reflect those wishes. He trusted Janet implicitly.

"When he had health concerns, he had a talk with Janet about how much she meant to him and the children, and how if anything happened to him, he wanted her to make sure the children would be loved and cared for in the same way he was raising them. She told him of course she would."

Michael's most recent will, written in 2002, named Katherine as the children's guardian but Janet - who accompanied the children to their family home to retrieve their belongings after the singer's death last month - has the support of her siblings in taking over as primary carer.

The source added to Britain's Grazia magazine: "The family think this could be a great idea - they are supportive of Katherine, but although she is in good health, she is nearly 80 and they are worried she is not up to the task.

"Janet is blossoming into a woman with tremendous untapped maternal instincts. The children automatically turn to her for comfort and direction."

taken from : China Daily

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Jackson's ex-wife denies giving up kids

Michael Jackson and ex-wife Debbie Rowe pose for a wedding photo minutes after their wedding ceremony in California in this November 14, 1996 file photo. [Agencies]

LOS ANGELES- An attorney for Michael Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe on Tuesday angrily denied reports that she had agreed to take millions of dollars to give up parental rights to her two children with the King of Pop.

In a letter to the New York Post, attorney Eric George said that Rowe, who was married to Michael Jackson from 1996 to 1999 and is the mother of his two oldest children, "has not and will not" give up her parental rights.

Nor will Rowe, whose attorneys have been in talks with lawyers for Michael Jackson's parents, Katherine and Joe, take any money beyond the spousal support to which she and the singer agreed upon years ago, George's letter states.

In a 2002 will signed by Michael Jackson, he said he had "intentionally omitted" to provide for Rowe.

The New York Post reported on Tuesday that Rowe had agreed to take about $4 million to give up her parental rights to children Prince Michael Jr, 12, and Paris, 11.

George has asked the newspaper to publish a retraction.

In a statement, New York Post editor in chief Col Allan said, "The Post stands by its story."

Katherine Jackson, 79, was granted temporary guardianship of her son's three children on June 29, only days after the "Thriller" singer died.

George's letter states that no agreement has been reached between Rowe and the Jacksons on custody or visitation.

Jackson, who died on June 25 after suffering cardiac arrest at his rented Los Angeles mansion, was the father of a third child named Prince Michael II, 7, but the boy's surrogate mother has never been identified.

Rowe in 2001 sought to give up parental rights to her children, but she later went to court to contest her waiver of those rights and it never went into effect.

A custody hearing on Jackson's three children is set for this coming Monday.

Also on Tuesday, an official from the LA Coroner's office, which is one of several law enforcement agencies investigating Jackson's death, visited the office of Dr. Arnold Klein, the singer's dermatologist, to obtain medical records.

Craig Harvey, a spokesman for the LA Coroner, said results of an autopsy on Jackson will not be released this week or next, as final work is being completed on the case.

taken from : China Daily

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