Jacko settles in Gulf

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson has been shopping for real estate in Bahrain, in the Persian Gulf. He's also going for a a consultant's job with a Bahrain-based company that plans to set up theme parks and music academies in the Middle East. AAJ Holdings, owned by Bahraini businessman Ahmed Abu Bakr Janahi, said it wanted to hire Jackson, 47, to give advice on setting up entertainment businesses.

Back home Jackson has been accused of animal cruelty by activist campaigners. Animal rights group Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) says giraffes, elephants and crocodiles are being neglected at his Neverland ranch. Campaigners claim they have been all but abandoned since Jackson left the US in June after being cleared of child sex charges.