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Michael Jackson was more than $500m (£395.3m) in debt when he died in 2009, new court documents allege.

The King of Pop was in a deep financial hole when he died aged 50 of acute propofol intoxication, according to a petition the executors of his estate filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court and seen by Sky’s US partner network NBC News.

“At the time of Michael Jackson‘s death, Michael Jackson’s most significant assets were subject to more than $500 million of debt and creditors’ claims, with some of the debt accruing interest at extremely high interest rates, and some debt in default,” the filing said.

Michael Jackson performs during the halftime show at the NFL's Super Bowl XXVII in Pasadena, California, in this January 31, 1993 file photo. The body of Michael Jackson has been released to his family, a Los Angeles County coroner's spokesman said on June 27, 2009 after an autopsy failed to immediately determine what killed the troubled pop star. Members of Jackson's family were said to be gathering at his parent's home in suburban Los Angeles to make final arrangements for the "King of Pop," w
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Michael Jackson performing at the Super Bowl in 1993. Pic: Reuters

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The pop superstar had been preparing for a 50-show concert residency called This Is It at London’s O2 Arena before he died on 25 June 2009 – 18 days before the first performance had been scheduled.

His death left his estate financially liable for $40m (£31.6m) to the tour promoter, AEG, the filing said.

The filing requests that money from Jackson’s estate be used to reimburse the executors’ lawyers for legal services and other expenses.

Pic: AP
Former US singer and popstar Michael Jackson who died on 25 June 2009 in the age of 50. | usage worldwide Photo by: Frank Leonhardt/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images


Photo Details
ID:	17333399267436
Submission Date:	Nov 29, 2017 11:05 (GMT)
Creation Date:	May 2, 1997 11:05 (GMT)
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The singer died aged 50 in 2009. Pictured here in 1997. Pic: AP

Jackson was also facing lawsuits in several states and countries when he died, the petition said. More than 65 creditors’ claims had been filed, which prompted more lawsuits.

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The executors, however, have settled or disposed of most of the creditors’ claims and litigation, the filing said.

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Jackson’s physician Dr Conrad Murray, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in 2011 for providing the drug that killed the singer.

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Scottish artist Nnena Kalu wins Turner Prize 2025 for hanging Barcelona sculptures and Liverpool exhibition

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Scottish artist Nnena Kalu wins Turner Prize 2025 for hanging Barcelona sculptures and Liverpool exhibition

Scottish artist Nnena Kalu has won the 2025 Turner Prize with two exhibitions, including a series of brightly coloured sculptures.

The Glaswegian, 59, took home the visual arts prize along with £25,000 at an award ceremony on Tuesday in Bradford, this year’s UK City of Culture.

As reported by The Guardian, she is the first artist with a learning disability to win the award.

Nnena Kalu, from Glasgow, is the winner of this year's Turner Prize. Pic: Nnena Kalu/ActionSpace/PA
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Nnena Kalu, from Glasgow, is the winner of this year’s Turner Prize. Pic: Nnena Kalu/ActionSpace/PA

Along with Hanging Sculpture 1-10, which European art exhibitors Manifesta commissioned her to create at a disused power station in Barcelona, Ms Kalu won for her presentation in Conversations, a group exhibition at Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool.

For the sculpture series, the artist created the vividly-coloured works from repeated lines and wrappings of different materials, making nest or cocoon-like forms.

Hanging Sculpture 1 - 10 by Nnena Kalu. Pic: PA
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Hanging Sculpture 1 – 10 by Nnena Kalu. Pic: PA

The installation consisted of 10 large brightly-coloured sculptures that hung from grey concrete pillars of the industrial site.

Meanwhile, for Conversations, Kalu presented work in pen, graphite and chalk pen on two pieces of paper.

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Conversations by Nnena Kalu. Pic: PA
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Conversations by Nnena Kalu. Pic: PA

The jury, which was chaired by Alex Farquharson, the director of Tate Britain, commended Kalu’s “bold and compelling work” and praised the “lively translation of expressive gesture” in the abstract sculpture and drawing.

The panel also acknowledged her scale, composition and colour, highlighting “the powerful presence” her works have.

Nnena Kalu's nominated Turner Prize works. Pic: PA
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Nnena Kalu’s nominated Turner Prize works. Pic: PA

Kalu is also a resident artist at ActionSpace’s studio, which supports learning disabled artists across London at Studio Voltaire, and beat out fellow shortlisted artists Rene Matic, Mohammed Sami and Zadie Xa.

The works by the four artists are currently available to see at a free exhibition at Bradford’s Cartwright Hall Art Gallery until 22 February.

Jonathan Orrell views work by Nnena Kalu for the Turner Prize. Pic: PA
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Jonathan Orrell views work by Nnena Kalu for the Turner Prize. Pic: PA

Named after British painter JMW Turner, this year’s prize marked the 250th anniversary of his birth.

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Previous winners include artist Damien Hirst in 1995 and filmmaker Sir Steve McQueen in 1999, while last year’s winner, Jasleen Kaur, picked up the prize for Alter Altar – which covered a red sports car with a giant ornamental doily mat.

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Rappers Bob Vylan sue Irish broadcaster RTE over claim lead singer led ‘antisemitic chants’ at Glastonbury gig

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Rappers Bob Vylan sue Irish broadcaster RTE over claim lead singer led 'antisemitic chants' at Glastonbury gig

Punk-rap duo Bob Vylan are suing Irish national broadcaster RTE for defamation, claiming it misrepresented chants led by the band when they played this year’s Glastonbury festival.

The group, which performed at Dublin’s Vicar Street last month, claim they were defamed in a report by RTE News that said the lead singer led antisemitic chants when they played the Somerset festival in June.

During their performance, singer Pascal Robinson-Foster, whose stage name is Bobby Vylan, led a chant of “death, death, to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]”.

File pic: PA
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File pic: PA

Pic: PA
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Pic: PA

It provoked widespread criticism of the artist, including from Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis, and the BBC, which live streamed their show.

Phoenix Law launched legal action on behalf of Robinson-Foster and drummer Wade Laurence George at Ireland’s High Court on Monday, according to court records.

The firm said: “The proceedings arise from a broadcast aired by RTE News following Bob Vylan’s performance at Glastonbury Festival on 28 June 2025.

“During this broadcast, comments were made alleging that the lead singer of Bob Vylan led antisemitic chants. These allegations are categorically denied by our clients and are entirely untrue.”

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Phoenix Law said Bob Vylan had made statements expressing support for Palestinian self-determination and criticising military actions by the IDF (Israel Defence Forces).

His comments did not target Jewish people or express hatred towards any group, the firm said, suggesting they were “politically charged but not antisemitic in nature”.

Solicitor Darragh Mackin said the pair “are no stranger to utilising their freedom of expression to speak out against the genocide in Gaza“.

Mr Mackin said there was “a fundamental distinction between speaking critically about the role of the Israeli state forces, and being antisemitic”.

“The former is speech within the confines of political expression, whereas the latter is a form of hatred directed towards Jewish people,” he added.

Read more on Sky News:
Who are Bob Vylan?

The BBC apologised, including to the Jewish community, and said it regretted not pulling the live stream of the set and promised not to live stream “high-risk” acts in future.

It partially upheld complaints made over the broadcast, accepting the live stream broke the corporation’s editorial guidelines.

Ofcom’s chief executive, Dame Melanie Dawes, said the BBC needed to “get a grip quicker” on handling such controversies and complete its internal reports and investigations sooner.

Last month, the Metropolitan Police said detectives would take no further action over similar alleged chants made at a Bob Vylan gig in London in May.

The individual was not arrested but an investigation was ongoing, the Met said.

Avon and Somerset Police said a man, in his 30s, understood to be Mr Robinson-Foster, had voluntarily attended an interview in relation to the band’s Glastonbury performance. Enquiries are ongoing, the force said on Tuesday.

The US condemned the act’s “hateful tirade”, revoking their visas, while several festivals cancelled their upcoming appearances.

Speaking to Louis Theroux in October, Bobby Vylan said he had no regrets about the chants and would do it again “tomorrow”.

Sky News has contacted RTE for comment.

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Rapper Ghetts pleads guilty to causing death by dangerous driving

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Rapper Ghetts pleads guilty to causing death by dangerous driving

Rapper Ghetts has pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

The 41-year-old also pleaded guilty to driving dangerously before the fatal collision shortly after 11.30pm on 18 October.

The musician, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, appeared for a hearing at the Old Bailey via videolink from Pentonville prison, wearing a green polo shirt.

Yubin Tamang, 20, a student from Nepal, died two days after being hit by Clarke-Samuel’s BMW M5 in Redbridge Lane, Ilford, northeast London.

Ghetts, a two-time Mercury Prize nominee and MOBO winner, has been in custody since a preliminary appearance at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on 27 October.

He will now be sentenced in February.

The rapper was first nominated for the prestigious Mercury Prize in 2021, for his third album Conflict Of Interest. His second nomination for his fourth album, On Purpose, With Purpose, in 2024.

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