Jackson’s memorial to be bigger global online event than Obama’s inauguration

October 8th, 2009 LONDON - US President Barack Obama and wife Michelle have given a makeover to White House with some modern and abstract artwork. The landscapes, still life and portraits of the past have been replaced by bold colours, irregular shapes and squiggly lines.

August 24th, 2009 Michael Jackson's mother praises Vienna tributeVIENNA — The King of Pop's mother said in a letter made public Monday that next month's global tribute for Michael Jackson in Vienna is "a wonderful idea" and an event that her son would have loved. The Sept. 26 concert — being planned by Jackson's brother Jermaine — will take place in front of a 17th-century palace in the Austrian capital.

July 13th, 2009 LA mayor: City should cover Jackson memorial costsLOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (vee-yah-ry-GOH'-sah) has criticized his staff for setting up a Web site seeking donations to cover the city's cost from the Michael Jackson memorial. Villaraigosa says the city is responsible for protecting public safety and should pick up the $1.4 million tab for police overtime and other services from the event last week at Staples Center.

July 11th, 2009 Jackson's hometown holds a memorial for pop iconGARY, Ind. — Michael Jackson's boyhood hometown bade farewell to the King of Pop on Friday with a celebration of his life and music.

July 10th, 2009 LA wants reports on Jackson memorial cost, revenueLOS ANGELES — The financial fallout from the Michael Jackson memorial service continues, with Los Angeles city officials calling for reviews on who should pick up the tab for municipal services related to the event. Councilman Dennis Zine said Friday he wants a report on how much the city spent on police overtime, sanitation and traffic control for the service, which was attended by some 17,000 fans at the Staples Center on Tuesday.

July 9th, 2009 Nielsen: 31.1 million watched Jackson memorialNEW YORK — Some 31.1 million people in the United States watched the Michael Jackson memorial on television, with millions more catching video streams on their computers. The Nielsen Media Research estimate on Wednesday provided only a slice of the audience for the Los Angeles event.

July 8th, 2009 Nielsen: 30.9 million watched Jackson memorialNEW YORK — Just under 31 million people in the United States watched the Michael Jackson memorial on television. Nielsen Media Research says that's a smaller audience than for Princess Diana's funeral or President Barack Obama's inauguration — but it's still impressive in today's TV world.

July 7th, 2009 List of guests invited to Jackson's memorialList of guests invited to public memorial service for Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles: Larry King Dionne Warwick LeVar Burton Mariah Carey Spike Lee Wesley Snipes Lou Ferrigno Stevie Wonder Usher Lionel Richie Brooke Shields Kobe Bryant Berry Gordy Jennifer Hudson Magic Johnson John Mayer The Rev. Jesse Jackson The Rev.

July 7th, 2009 Jackson memorial service under wayLOS ANGELES — A public memorial service for Michael Jackson has begun in downtown Los Angeles. Smokey Robinson opened the memorial Tuesday morning in the Staples Center arena by reading comments from Jackson friends.

July 4th, 2009 Hindus have suggested interfaith prayers at the public memorial service for entertainment icon Michael Jackson, reportedly planned to be held on July seven in Los Angeles.   Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, suggested that as Michael Jackson belonged to the whole world and he did provide “joy” to the citizens of the world irrespective of their traditions and background, it was very befitting to have prayers read from sacred texts of major world religions and denominations at his public funeral service by their respective clergy.

July 3rd, 2009 AEG Chief: Rehearsal footage may become motion picLOS ANGELES — The footage of Michael Jackson's last rehearsal may be coming to a theater near you. Randy Phillips, the CEO of concert promoter AEG, says there are over 100 hours of documentary footage of Jackson preparing for his comeback performances in London.

July 2nd, 2009 Jackson event could be held at L.A. Staples CenterLOS ANGELES — A person with knowledge of the situation says Los Angeles officials are holding closed-door talks about a possible event for Michael Jackson on Tuesday at a downtown arena.

January 29th, 2009 LONDON - Actress Rene Zellweger was desperate to attend US President Barack Obama's inauguration and at the last minute went to Washington DC alone. According to contactmusic.com, Zellweger went unrecognised at the capital joining millions of others to watch the swearing-in ceremony.

January 21st, 2009 LONDON - American actress Sharon Stone was left unhappy when her friends were turned away from one of the 10 glitzy balls held in Washington following US president Barack Obama's swearing-in Tuesday. Contactmusic.com quoted her as saying: 'My friends can't come in? Then I can't come in.

January 15th, 2009 LONDON - Barrack Obama’s British stepmother was given the royal treatment at Heathrow airport as she flew out for the ceremony of his inauguration as US president. Kezia Obama, 67, was received at the airport by a battalion of Virgin Atlantic staff Thursday - they even had a cake ready for her because she was also celebrating her birthday.