Tag Archives: Michael

24 Dec, 2020 11:49 PM2 minutes to read

The former waitress of The King of Pop has uncovered the secrets of Neverland Ranch including unsettling claims about the late singer. Video / Nine Networks

This article was originally published on RNZ and republished with permission.

Michael Jackson’s famous Neverland Ranch in California finally sold, more than 10 years after the death of the pop star who left the property following his trial on charges of molesting a boy there.

Billionaire investor Ron Burkle, a former friend of the Jackson family, recently purchased a 2,700 acre (1,100 acre) estate, his spokesman said on Thursday.

The Wall Street Journal said the estate, which was renamed Sycamore Valley Ranch several years ago, was selling for $ 22 million (about $ NZ31 million) according to public records. In 2015, the asking price was US $ 100 million and in 2017 it was re-registered to be US $ 67 million.

Room with double-sided mirrors overlooking the Neverland cinema. Photo / Leaving Neverland

A Burkle spokesman said entrepreneurs saw investment as a land banking opportunity.

He views the estate from the air while looking at other locations and contacts Tom Barrack, founder of real estate investment firm Colony Capital LLC, to seal the sale.

The farm was not on the market at the time.

Other fair attractions at the Ranch. Photo / Getty Images

Jackson, who died of an overdose of the drug Propofol in 2009 at the age of 50, bought the property in Los Olivos, about 193 km north of Los Angeles, in 1988 for US $ 19.5 million.

After financial problems, in 2008 he transferred the title to Colony Capital LLC, which held the loan for the property.

Neverland, named after the story of “Peter Pan” about a boy who refuses to grow up, has become Jackson’s favorite resting place and is famous for featuring zoos, trains and amusement park rides.

It was also where he entertained the children, one of whom filed abuse charges against the singer which resulted in the 2005 trial and Jackson’s acquittal of all charges.

Jackson vowed never to return to Neverland after the trial.

Burkle is the controlling shareholder of Soho House, a private member club that attracts people in the entertainment and media industry and which owns properties in New York, London, Los Angeles and Hong Kong.

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New Zealand

America’s Cup 2021: A blow to Team New Zealand in training race abandoned | Instant News

December 14, 2020 NewsDesk

Sports|Cruise

14 Dec, 2020 04:454 minutes to read

Team New Zealand’s plan to test themselves against the opposition in the first official practice race ahead of the American Cup World Series was thwarted twice by the winds on Monday.

By Michael Burgess

The New Zealand team didn’t get a chance to flex their muscles on Monday, after INEOS Team UK pulled out of the trial race scheduled for the start.

After training without an opponent last Friday – as all three challengers chose to stay on land, for various reasons – it was another largely unproductive session for the Kiwis, in terms of boat-on-boat duels.

But the mysterious problems plaguing the England team continue and unresolved issues quickly become the most compelling story in preparation for this weekend’s World Cup America.

After not taking part in last week’s trials – due to unspecified hardware issues – Ben Ainslie’s team appeared set to depart on Tuesday, heading to Field A with three other teams, which are located between Rangitoto Island and the East Coast Gulf.

The New Zealand team again couldn't flex their muscles against the opponent. Photo / Dean Purcell — The New Zealand team again couldn’t flex their muscles against the opponent. Photo / Dean Purcell

They started their pre-start maneuver against Team New Zealand, but pulled the pin less than two minutes into that phase. It seemed that they stopped immediately after completing one insult.

The British ship, supported by the largest single sponsor in shipping history, then returned to the Viaduct port base under the crane, while Te Rehutai completed one stage of the course.

That means the English team only has one more chance to finish the test races (Tuesday) before the World Series kicks off on Thursday.

The mystery deepens around the hardware issue that INEOS Team UK is reporting after another non-start. Photo / Dean Purcell

Team New Zealand’s first test scheduled for Monday – also against England – was canceled due to a lack of wind on a frustrating afternoon at Auckland harbor.

The only consolation for the Kiwi syndicate is that they have at least spent more valuable time on the water, and have once again looked chic in their brief period on track.

Peter Burling’s team also had four days of training without hardware damage or problems, unlike other teams.

The breeze meant only one trial was completed on Monday, but it was exhilarating for Luna Rossa fans.

In breezes of between eight and ten knots, it was an impressive performance from Jimmy Spithill and his crew, beating American Magic from the start and extending their lead on both legs.

It’s too early to draw definitive conclusions, and syndicates have different goals in practice races, as they try different things. But these trials support the general consensus that Luna Rossa will be strong in lighter air, while the Patriots might do better in tougher conditions, as the New York-backed team has seen training well at 20 knots or more in recent weeks.

American Magic and Luna Rossa on the water on Monday. Photo / Dean Purcell

On Monday Luna Rossa won the start and was about 10 seconds ahead at the first mark. Dean Barker and the Americans tried to break through but were unable to close the gap.

The Europeans had extended their lead by the second mark to around 30 seconds, before the trial was over.

The challengers are still in the process of learning what additional work will be in the lead up to the expected summit for the Prada Cup in January and February next year.

American Magic was defeated in the only practice race completed that day. Photo / Dean Purcell

“Every day when you go, you learn something new and we just started this race,” Luna Rossa chief executive Max Sirena told the Herald last week.

“We know the improvements will be enormous across all teams and the ship’s performance will change according to weather and wind strength.”

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Italy

GP Emilia-Romagna: Pierre Gasly returned to play to ensure P4 on the grid | Instant News

October 31, 2020 NewsDesk

Pierre Gasly was fourth for AlphaTauri, leading the F1 chase ahead of Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon; Gasly won the Italian GP in September and has become one of the star drivers of F1 2020

By Matt Morlidge

Last Updated: 10/31/20 16:35

It may not be as surprising as his incredible win at Monza earlier this year, but Pierre Gasly delivered another unexpected result in Italy on Saturday by making AlphaTauri qualifier fourth for the Emilia-Romagna GP.

Quick from the start on Saturday, Imola’s slower-than-usual opening day of Formula 1 comeback, Gasly provided the closest challenge to Valtteri Bottas, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen with a car that has more often been the seventh fastest on the grid this season.

“Looks like I’m fast in Italy!” said Gasly, one of the stars of the season and who wore the Ayrton Senna helmet this weekend at Imola. “Behind the two Mercedes and Max, we can’t do better than that.”

It is an extraordinary day for AlphaTauri in general, with both cars entering the top 10 for the first time in 2020.

But Gasly is once again their leader, and his form is also notable for equaling his best qualifying result – also finding second row with Red Bull last season – and because it happened at the end of a week in which his stay at AlphaTauri was confirmed. for 2021.

Gasly was not considered for the vacant Red Bull seat for 2021 despite his strong form, but beat Alex Albon, their current rider and the man who replaced him with the team last season, on Saturday.

Valtteri Bottas happily took pole in the final qualifying round at Imola

“I have to say I felt fast the whole day,” he told Sky F1. “The training is good, we made some changes to qualification and they improved the car.

“In qualifying, I managed to put in a few strong laps, drove my way, and matched my best qualifier in Formula 1.”

Gasly will start Sunday’s race ahead of Renault drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Albon, while he admits he will keep an eye on Charles Leclerc’s pace from seventh with AlphaTauri chasing Ferrari in the championship.

Gasly admits being ‘surprised’ he didn’t run at Red Bull

In Friday’s press conference, Gasly expressed “surprise” that he was not “really considered” to return to Red Bull for the 2021 season.

“I am not disappointed, I would say. I was just shocked in 14 years [of the team] Seb (Vettel) won the race with Toro Rosso, the only other racer to win the race.

“Seb was promoted to Red Bull and won four titles with the team.

Red Bull’s Alex Albion took a spin during qualification for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix

I have to say I’m just surprised I didn’t really consider it. I have two podiums with Toro Rosso, I think this season will be fine, and on my side the only thing I can do is try to put in some strong performances. [together] to give me a chance in the future. “

Gasly was demoted to the Red Bull brothers team last summer after only 12 disappointing races, with Albon replacing him.

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Italy

GP Emilia-Romagna: Pierre Gasly returned to play to ensure P4 on the grid | Instant News

October 31, 2020 NewsDesk

Pierre Gasly was fourth for AlphaTauri, leading the F1 chase ahead of Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon; Gasly won the Italian GP in September and has become one of the star drivers of F1 2020

By Matt Morlidge

Last Updated: 10/31/20 16:35

It is an extraordinary day for AlphaTauri in general, with both cars entering the top 10 for the first time in 2020.

Gasly was not considered for the vacant Red Bull seat for 2021 despite his strong form, but beat Alex Albon, their current rider and the man who replaced him with the team last season, on Saturday.

“I have to say I felt fast the whole day,” he told Sky F1. “The training is good, we made some changes to qualification and they improved the car.

“In qualifying, I managed to put in a few strong laps, drove my way, and matched my best qualifier in Formula 1.”

Gasly admits being ‘surprised’ he didn’t run at Red Bull

In Friday’s press conference, Gasly expressed “surprise” that he was not “really considered” to return to Red Bull for the 2021 season.

“I am not disappointed, I would say. I was just shocked in 14 years [of the team] Seb (Vettel) won the race with Toro Rosso, the only other racer to win the race.

“Seb was promoted to Red Bull and won four titles with the team.

Gasly was demoted to the Red Bull brothers team last summer after only 12 disappointing races, with Albon replacing him.

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Italy

GP Emilia-Romagna: Pierre Gasly returned to play to ensure P4 on the grid | Instant News

October 31, 2020 NewsDesk

Pierre Gasly was fourth for AlphaTauri, leading the F1 chase ahead of Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon; Gasly won the Italian GP in September and has become one of the star drivers of F1 2020

By Matt Morlidge

Last Updated: 10/31/20 16:35

It is an extraordinary day for AlphaTauri in general, with both cars entering the top 10 for the first time in 2020.

Gasly was not considered for the vacant Red Bull seat for 2021 despite his strong form, but beat Alex Albon, their current rider and the man who replaced him with the team last season, on Saturday.

“I have to say I felt fast the whole day,” he told Sky F1. “The training is good, we made some changes to qualification and they improved the car.

“In qualifying, I managed to put in a few strong laps, drove my way, and matched my best qualifier in Formula 1.”

Gasly admits being ‘surprised’ he didn’t run at Red Bull

In Friday’s press conference, Gasly expressed “surprise” that he was not “really considered” to return to Red Bull for the 2021 season.

“I am not disappointed, I would say. I was just shocked in 14 years [of the team] Seb (Vettel) won the race with Toro Rosso, the only other racer to win the race.

“Seb was promoted to Red Bull and won four titles with the team.

Gasly was demoted to the Red Bull brothers team last summer after only 12 disappointing races, with Albon replacing him.

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