Jackson’s Neverland ranch sold after £57m price drop
Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch in California has been sold for $22 million (£16.2m).
Billionaire businessman Ron Burkle purchased the 2,700-acre property in Los Olivos, near Santa Barbara, after seeing the site from the air and putting in an offer.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the sale of the property to Mr
Burkle, an associate of the late pop star and co-founder of the investment firm Yucaipa Companies, who sees the investment as a land banking opportunity.
The asking price of the property was $100m (£73.6m) in 2016 then dropped to $67m a year later.
Moscow: An intercity bus veered off a road in western Russia, killing four people and injuring another 11, authorities said yesterday.
The bus, driving from Moscow to Volgograd, swerved into a ditch and overturned in the Ryazan region, about 155 miles south of Moscow. Four people including the driver died and at least 11, including several children, were taken to hospital with injuries after the overnight crash, authorities said.
Police said the driver may have lost control of the bus after falling asleep.
Paris: Ivry Gitlis, an acclaimed violinist who played with famed conductors, rock stars and jazz bands around the world and worked to make classical music accessible to the masses, has died in Paris at the age of 98.
France’s culture minister announced his death, hailing him as “a magnificent performer, a generous musician” who dedicated his life “to serving all kinds of music”.
The cause of death and plans for funeral arrangements were not immediately announced.
Recognisable in recent decades by his long, white hair and distinctive caps and scarves, Gitlis began playing in the 1920s and performed into the 2010s.
Madrid: Spain’s King Felipe VI has used his traditional Christmas Eve speech to make a renewed call for the country’s leaders to demonstrate exemplary behaviour.
He delivered the message amid a financial scandal centring on his father, the country’s previous monarch.
Felipe said in a televised address that citizens demand “principles that apply to everyone, without exception, and that are above any other considerations, including personal or family (bonds)”.
The message was widely interpreted as a rebuke to the alleged financial improprieties that are threatening to tarnish the once immaculate reputation of King Emeritus Juan Carlos I.
Bethlehem: Coronavirus has led to Christmas in 2020 taking on a different appearance around the world – from subdued scenes in Bethlehem to an early start to Midnight Mass.
A strict lockdown dampened celebrations in the traditional birthplace of Jesus in the West Bank, with few worshippers on hand to see marching bands.
And the absence of the faithful was also seen in the Holy Land, where Christmas vigil Mass in St Peter’s Basilica was held at 7.30pm to ensure compliance with Italy’s10pm curfew.