News Briefs

Michael Jackson to Make 'Announcement' in LondonKing of pop Michael Jackson has scheduled a conference for Thursday to discuss a possible comeback tour, reported CNN.com. No other details have been revealed yet, but Britain's Sky News reported that 50-year-old Jackson has agreed to do a series of concerts at London's O2 arena. Rumors have been circulating for years about whether or not there would be a tour especially since there has been speculation about his bad physical and financial health. When a London tabloid reported in December that Jackson was battling a potentially fatal disease that required a life-saving lung transplant, his publicist responded that he was "in fine health" and that the story was "a total fabrication."

Jailed Laborer Charged in Levy Murder

Ingmar Guandique of El Salvador has been charged with the 2001 first-degree murder of federal intern Chandra Levy, reported CNN.com. Guandique is serving a 10-year sentence in California for two assaults in Washington's Rock Creek Park that occurred around the time of Levy's disappearance. Levy's remains were found in the park. The Levy case became so public due to the fact that she was an intern to then-Rep. Gary Condit, a California Democrat. Condit and Levy had an affair, and police questioned Condit many times in connection with the murder.

Reintroduced Golden Eagle Poisoned in Ireland

After a golden eagle was found dead in Northern Ireland, the Irish government has considered banning poisoned bait, reported news.yahoo.com. Environment and Heritage Minister John Gormley said, "This is not the first case of poisoning of a rare reintroduced bird in Ireland. Last year we had incidences in County Kerry (in the southwest) where a white-tailed eagle was also killed after eating poisoned bait. I have been concerned since then that our laws regarding the use of poisoned bait are not strong enough, and that a very small number of people have been acting irresponsibly and possibly illegally in this regard."  The first eagle chick to be born in the country for almost 100 years hatched out in 2007.

Nebraska Man Stuffs Cat Inside Bong

While responding to a domestic disturbance call, police found a six-month-old cat inside a homemade bong, reported foxnews.com. Sgt. Andy Stebbing said, "This cat was just dazed. She was on the front seat of the cop car, wrapped in a blanket, and never moved all the way to the humane society." Authorities cited a 20-year-old man on suspicion of animal cruelty Sunday after catching him smoking marijuana from a contraption that had a cat stuffed inside its 12-by-6-inch base. The suspect was cited for misdemeanor animal cruelty and taken to the Lancaster County Jail on the arrest warrant. He was released after paying a $400 fine.