Jackson body 'going to Neverland'

Fans have gathered outside Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch following reports that the late singer's body will go on public view there.

Various sources claim a public viewing has been scheduled for Friday ahead of a private funeral on Sunday.

Vehicles and workers have been going in and out of the property, located about 150 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

Members of Jackson's family have met police and the California Highway Patrol to discuss funeral arrangements.

Unconfirmed reports suggest Jackson's body may be placed in a glass coffin and be transported from Los Angeles to Neverland in a "fairytale carriage".

A host of television satelilte trucks are already in situ outside the property

According to a California Highway Patrol spokesman, however, "details are still pending".

Shrine

It is unclear whether Jackson can be legally buried at the 2,500-acre property, which he bought in 1987 but had not lived at since 2005.

The site could reportedly be turned into a permanent tourist shrine to the singer, akin to Elvis Presley's Graceland home in Memphis.

Meanwhile, Jackson's tour promoter has said the star's ill-fated London show could be turned into a tribute gig featuring his family.

Randy Phillips, president of AEG Live, told Sky News he was "discussing with the family" the possibility of mounting the show in some form.

"I would imagine it could be done as a tribute with the family, with the brothers performing, some sisters, and the stars that were influenced by him," he said.

"The world needs to see this production. It would have been, which is the tragedy here, one of the most amazing shows ever."

Insomnia

OTHER STORIES AND RUMOURS Stevie Wonder pays tribute Globe and Mail Dolly Parton video tribute Youtube Jackson paternity questioned Daily Telegraph U2 cover Jacko songs on tour NME $500,000 for last Jackson shot Guardian Butter statue tribute planned Fox News The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

Phillips denied claims that Jackson had been daunted by the upcoming concerts and was too frail to perform.

According to a nutritionist who was working with the singer, however, he had been battling persistent insomnia.

In an interview with CNN, registered nurse Cherilyn Lee said she had repeatedly rejected his demands for the drug Diprivan, a powerful sedative which is given intravenously.

"This was a person who was seeking help, desperately, to get some sleep, to get some rest," she told the US news network.

It has been alleged that Jackson had been consuming painkillers, sedatives and antidepressants at the time of his death.

According to actor Lou Ferrigno, however, the 50-year-old singer had been entirely focused on his health in the run-up to his 50 London concerts.

"I've never seen him take drugs," said the Incredible Hulk star, who Jackson had been working out with.

"He was always talking about nutrition.

"When he was with me, he wasn't different. He wasn't stoned. He wasn't high. He wasn't being aloof or speedy."

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What Supersonic Looks Like

The breaking of the sound barrier is not just an audible phenomenon. As a new picture from the U.S. military shows, Mach 1 can be quite visual.

This widely circulated new photo shows a Air Force F-22 Raptor aircraft participating in an exercise in the Gulf of Alaska June 22, 2009 as it executes a supersonic flyby over the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis.

The visual phenomenon, which sometimes but not always accompanies the breaking of the sound barrier, has also been seen with nuclear blasts and just after space shuttles launches, too. A vapor cone was photographed as the Apollo 11 moon-landing mission rocketed skyward in 1969.

The phenomenon is not well studied. Scientists refer to it as a vapor cone, shock collar, or shock egg, and it's thought to be created by what's called a Prandtl-Glauert singularity.

Here's what scientists think happens:

A layer of water droplets gets trapped between two high-pressure surfaces of air. In humid conditions, condensation can gather in the trough between two crests of the sound waves produced by the jet. This effect does not necessarily coincide with the breaking of the sound barrier, although it can. To learn more, click here.

The aircraft carrier was participating in Northern Edge 2009, an exercise focused on detecting and tracking things at sea, in the air and on land.

• Gallery: Breaking the Sound Barrier
• The Greatest Explosions Ever
• What is a Sonic Boom?

In The Water Cooler, Imaginova's Editorial Director Robert Roy Britt looks at what people are talking about in the world of science and beyond. Find more in the archives and on Twitter.

• Original Story: What Supersonic Looks Like

LiveScience.com chronicles the daily advances and innovations made in science and technology. We take on the misconceptions that often pop up around scientific discoveries and deliver short, provocative explanations with a certain wit and style. Check out our science videos, Trivia & Quizzes and Top 10s. Join our community to debate hot-button issues like stem cells, climate change and evolution. You can also sign up for free newsletters, register for RSS feeds and get cool gadgets at the LiveScience Store.

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PM, Army Chief call on President

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani Wednesday called on President Asif Ali Zardari to discuss the issues relating to overall law and order situation in the country.

According to a presidential spokesman, in the meeting at the Presidency the counterinsurgency operation in Malakand and South Waziristan region, rehabilitation of displaced persons and overall security situation in the country were discussed.

According to the statement issued from the Presidency, President Zardari said the war against terrorism will be taken to its logical end until the absolute elimination of extremists.

He said the enduring peace would be established in the country by completely exterminating the militants from the troubled areas.

Zardari said government has in focus the relief and rehabilitation of Malakand affectees, adding government will ensure the safe return of all affectees.

President Zardari said any reconciliation with the extremists is out of question.

On the occasion, the Army Chief also apprised the President about his recent visits to France, Germany and Russia.

According to Geo News sources, the army chief informed the PM and the President about the ongoing operation and current situation in Malakand and Waziristan.

The sources said the military and political leadership agreed that the militants will have to accept the writ of government by surrendering with their arms.

It was agreed upon in the meeting that the war against terrorists will continue until the absolute elimination of militants with no option of backtracking on table.

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