Michael Jackson, the sensationally gifted child star who rose to become the “King of Pop” and the biggest celebrity in the world only to fall from his throne in a freakish series of scandals, died Thursday. He was 50.

Jackson died at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. Ed Winter, the assistant chief coroner for Los Angeles County, confirmed his office had been notified of the death and would handle the investigation.

The circumstances of Jackson’s death were not immediately clear. Jackson was not breathing when Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to a call at his Los Angeles home about 12:30 p.m., Capt. Steve Ruda told the Los Angeles Times. The paramedics performed CPR and took him to the hospital, Ruda told the newspaper.

Jackson was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. PDT (2126 GMT) after arriving at a Los Angeles hospital in full cardiac arrest, said Fred Corral of the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office. The cause of death was not known and an autopsy would likely take place on Friday, he said.

Jackson was taken ill at home and his personal physician tried to resuscitate him but could not, his brother Jermaine told reporters. He was taken by paramedics to the hospital, where doctors worked for more than an hour to try to revive him before pronouncing him dead, the brother said.

Late Thursday, his body was flown by helicopter from the hospital to the coroner’s office.

The self-styled “King of Pop,” whose hits that included “Thriller” and “Billie Jean,” leaves behind a mountain of debt and an unfulfilled series of comeback concerts set for London in July. Many hoped the shows would rake in millions and erase his financial troubles.

Jackson’s dramatic, one-gloved stage presence and innovative dance moves were imitated by legions of fans around the world who mourned his death.

His lifetime record sales tally was believed to be around 750 million, and with his 13 Grammy Awards and boundary-breaking music videos he was one of the most successful entertainers of all time.

But Jackson’s belief that “I am Peter Pan in my heart,” his preference for the company of children, his friendship with a chimp, his high-pitched voice and numerous plastic surgeries also earned him critics and the nickname “Wacko Jacko.”

Jackson led a reclusive life after his acquittal in 2005 on charges of child molestation, the second time he had faced ultimately unproved allegations of abuse of young boys.

Government has given striking nurses and other health workers up to Monday June 29, to return to work or face dismissal.

Health Minister, Kapembwa Simbao, told journalists in Lusaka that nurses who would not report to work by Monday should consider themselves dismissed.

The minister has since advised qualified nurses to consider applying for vacant positions that would be created by striking nurses and other health workers who will fail to meet the deadline.

Mr Simbao said striking nurses and other health workers will with effect from tomorrow not be allowed to gather within hospital grounds.[quote]

He reminded the striking nurses that terms and conditions of service for public service workers stipulate that any worker who absconds from work for 10 continuous days is liable for dismissal.

He also assured nurses and other health workers, who are not reporting to work for fear of victimisation by fellow workers that adequate security measures have been put in place.

He said government is still engaged in negotiations with the workers’ unions over possible adjustments of other allowances among them housing, hence wondered why workers should rush to striking.

He also urged workers to take seriousness President Rupiah Banda’s announcement of the formation of the Salaries Commission to address concerns of workers.

Nurses and other health workers went on a nationwide strike to press government to increase risk, uniform and night allowances among others.

ZANIS

The newly formed UPND-PF political pact has expressed dissatisfaction at President Rupiah Banda’s national address through his second press conference held at State House yesterday.

The pact observed that the President’s statement that workers in the public service would use up 50 per cent of Zambia’s 2009 budget might displease some citizens.

Opposition Patriotic Front (PF) spokesperson, Given Lubinda argued that one per cent of the country’s population could not consume half of the K10.6 trillion budget.

Speaking at a UPND-PF joint press briefing in Lusaka today, Mr. Lubinda said President Banda’s statement was not fair, adding that it might cause the majority Zambians to rise up against the civil servants.

He stated that Mr. Banda should not have disclosed how much money the public service workers would use up this year following the salary increment of 15 per cent.

On President Banda’s calls for people to sacrifice, Mr. Lubinda said the President should consider reducing his salary to enable poor people meet their daily needs.

He noted the civil servant’s salaries were meager, a situation he said was demoralizing them in their work.

And speaking earlier UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma expressed disappointment at the President’s press conference saying it did not give hope to many Zambians.

He said the President should have restricted himself t addressing issues of striking public service workers.

Yesterday, President Banda addressed a press conference at State House in which he addressed various economic, social and political issues affecting the nation.

Among the issues the President addressed was that of striking civil servants, with whom he pleaded to return to work because government did not have money to meet all their demands.

He said this year, government budgeted to increase public service workers’ salaries only by 11 per cent, which however, unions rejected and settled at 15 per cent.

This overstretched the budget for personal emolument for public workers from K5.1 trillion to K5.2 trillion.

ZANIS

Former Local Government and Housing Minister, Sylvia Masebo, has written to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry local government to request for documents on the controversial procurement of 100 hearses and boats.

Ms. Masebo, who is also Chongwe Member of Parliament says the files and documents should be made available to enable her respond to growing public concern over the purchase of hearses.

President, Rupiah Banda, yesterday authorized Ms Masebo to explain to the nation issues surrounding the ordering and procurement of the hearses.

Ms. Masebo said she could only clarify that the hearses were purchased at US9 000 per unit and not US29 000 per unit as being alleged once relevant documents are made available.

She said this in a letter addressed to Local Government and Housing Permanent Secretary, Coillard Chibbonta, copied to President Rupiah Banda, Vice president George Kunda, Local Government and Housing Minster Ben Tentamashimba, Secretary to the Cabinet Joshua Kanganja and made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today.

Ms Masebo complained that she has been made to explain details of the transactions even when there is a serving minister and support staff as well as documents to clarify the transaction without her involvement.

She also cited the Keep Zambia Clean and Health programme, Trucks and the Construction at Lusaka Girls School as other issues that she is been asked to explain to the public

ZANIS

The Patriotic Front (PF) in Kasama Central Constituency has officially complained to the Speaker of the National Assembly Amusa Mwanamwambwa that there is nothing the Kasama Central Member of Parliament Dr. Saviour Chishimba has been doing to develop the area.

This is according to a complaint letter dated 18th June, 2009 and signed by PF Kasama Central Constituency Chairperson, William Chanda and his Youth Secretary, Sunday Musanya made available to ZANIS this morning.

The PF states that Dr. Chishimba has not visited his constituency for a long time since he was elected as MP on the party ticket in 2006.

The party also wondered why Dr. Chishimba should continue receiving his salary and other emoluments like fuel and sitting allowances when he is allegedly not representing his constituency.[quote]

The PF accused the MP of interfering in the disbursement of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), thereby hindering development in Kasama District.

The party also charged that Dr. Chishimba is allegedly showing disrespect to his constituents by using abusive language against them.

The opposition party says it wants the Speaker to guide the people of Kasama whether Dr. Chishimba is in order to continue getting his allowances as MP at the expense of the electorate in Kasama Central Constituency, who are in dire need of development.

The complainants said they have decided to seek the indulgence of the Speaker, following repeated pressure from Kasama residents over the alleged failure by their MP to spearhead development in his constituency.

They said it is morally wrong for a non-performing MP to line his or her wallet for allowances not worked for, describing the practice as tantamount to plundering the tax-payers’ money at national level.

They further alleged that Kasama residents are threatening to take legal action against Dr. Chishimba if nothing tangible is done to address their plight.

Efforts to get Dr. Chishimba’s comments on the allegations proved futile.

ZANIS