Michael Jackson’s London Concerts: The ‘Final Curtain Call’

For days rumors have circulated that Michael Jackson was startin’ somethin’. And Thursday afternoon, before a couple of thousand screaming fans at London’s 02 arena, the King of Pop revealed what has been referred to as “the worst kept secret in the world”

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Jindal earns bad reviews in national debut

It was billed as a "coming out party" for one of the GOP’s most promising young stars. But after nearly universal criticism was heaped on Gov. Bobby Jindal’s high-profile response to President Obama’s address to Congress Tuesday night, the Louisiana Republican may be wishing he had stayed home.

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With a New Budget, Now Californians Brace for the Pain

Thanks to the California state budget that was approved early Thursday morning, my husband and I — relatively new citizens of the Golden State — will help bridge the extraordinary $42 billion deficit next year by paying approximately $1,000 in additional taxes, fees and loss of dependent tax credits. And this figure will remain at that level only if we make no purchases for 12 months in an effort to avoid the new 1-cent-on-the-dollar increase in sales tax. It is, of course, a better option than getting laid off, not receiving our 2008 tax refund or being unable to drive through an abandoned highway repair project — the brutal realities of a state in freefall with no balanced budget

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Former addict gives homeless veterans a second chance

Following a faint trail through a dense patch of woods in Florida’s Palm Beach County, Roy Foster is a man on a mission. Foster, 53, is searching for homeless veterans — and he knows where to look. Whether in a vacant lot behind a supermarket or a small clearing off the highway, homeless vets aren’t that hard to find: One in three homeless adults has served in the military, and more than 150,000 veterans nationwide are homeless on any given night, according to the Veterans Administration.

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A Historian’s Take on Obama

Last year’s gripping campaign and the wave of popularity behind Barack Obama have focused tremendous attention on the White House and the presidency. As the country marks Presidents Day, TIME spoke with author and historian Richard Norton Smith about America’s “schizoid” relationship with its President, the lofty expectations for Obama and the way history’s verdicts can shift over time. What interests you as a historian about our new President There is a theory, and I think it holds some credence, that every 30 years or so America is in a regenerative mood

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EU envoy expelled over Chavez ‘dictator’ jibe

A European parliament envoy who was to serve as observer during the upcoming referendum on President Hugo Chavez’s term limits was expelled from Venezuela on Friday after calling Chavez a "dictator". In a statement, Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry said it had “invited” Luis Herrero, a European Union parliamentarian from Spain, to leave the country in order to preserve a “peaceful climate” before the February 15 referendum

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Panetta: From Washington Insider to CIA Outsider

For Leon Panetta, the CIA’s presumptive new boss, the hard part is yet to come. A confirmation hearing by the Senate Intelligence Committee was hardly the trial-by-fire that some had predicted for President Barack Obama’s nominee, and since he has been unanimously confirmed by the panel, his ratification by the full Senate is expected to be uncomplicated. But Panetta must now take charge of an agency battered by years of controversy and scandal, ranging from failure to anticipate the 9/11 attacks and faulty intelligence about Saddam Hussein’s weapons programs to the torture of terrorism suspects and, most recently, allegations of rape by the agency’s Algeria station chief.

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Chelsea begin search for new manager

Chelsea began their hunt for a successor to Luiz Felipe Scolari on Tuesday with Guus Hiddink and former boss Avram Grant the early favorites to replace the sacked Brazilian. Russia coach Hiddink was odds-on with most English bookmakers with Grant also reported to be in the running, just eight months after departing Stamford Bridge following Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester United in the Champions League final. Dutchman Hiddink has an impeccable record in club and international football and his agent Cees van Nieuwenhuizen told BBC Radio Tuesday that he would be open to an offer from Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich

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