Katherine Jackson wins temporary custody of Michael's Kids

Michael Jackson's mother has become the temporary guardian of his three children.

Katherine Jackson was granted the order - which sees her caring for Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II - by the Los Angeles Superior Court yesterday (29.06.09) but she was denied temporary guardianship of the kids' estate.

Speaking outside his home in Encino, California, Michael's father Joe Jackson said: "We're the parents. This is where they belong. We're going to take care of them and give them the education they're supposed to have."

In a petition lodged by Katherine, it is claimed Prince Michael and Paris have "no relationship with their biological mother", Debbie Rowe.

Joe confirmed: "Debbie Rowe has nothing to do with what we're doing."

Appearing to confirm rumours Michael had kept his children segregated from other youngsters, Joe added: "We have kids back there, small ones like they are. They were never around other kids. They're happy."

However, it has been claimed Michael was keen for his sister Janet Jackson to look after his children if he passed away.

Although the 50-year-old King of Pop - who claimed his father physically abused him when he was young - was said to have forgiven Joe for the treatment he received as a child, he thought his kids would be better cared for by his 43-year-old sister.

A source said: "Everyone is expecting Katherine and Joe to raise the children. But it is understood Michael's will could prevent this from happening.

"He was determined his kids would be brought up in much better circumstances than the strict rule he had to endure. Janet is the one who Michael would want them to be with."

It has also been claimed Debbie has tried to contact Michael's family since his death.

Marc Schaffel - who worked with Michael and is friends with Debbie - said: "We've been trying to reach them at different numbers, but we don't know if who we've been leaving messages with have gotten the messages.

"In all fairness I wouldn't say they are avoiding her. Our understanding, though, is that the Jackson family does want to have contact with Debbie."

A hearing will take place on August 3 to determined whether Katherine will become the children's permanent guardian.

Katherine is also keen to become the guardian of the estate of Michael - who died following a suspected cardiac arrest last Thursday (25.06.09) - to make sure his kids are the beneficiaries. Michael's father Joe has supported the petition.

Katherine's lawyer Burt Levitch claims Michael had many bank accounts which are being controlled by third parties.

There is also concern over the late singer's stake in the Sony-ATV Music Publishing Catalogue - which includes the Beatles' back catalogue - as Levitch claims no-one is now looking after it.

Levitch is worried someone claiming to have Michael's power of attorney could try to do something with his assets.

According to gossip website TMZ, a court has made Katherine administrator of her son's estate pending a hearing next Monday (06.07.09).

In the petition filed by Michael's parents to probate his estate, they claim he died "intestate" - without making a will.

However, it has been alleged Michael made a will before his death which is currently with lawyer John Branca.

Branca - who stopped working with Michael in 2006 but was rehired three weeks ago - claims the document is the most recent of Jackson's will and says he will file it in 30 days.

BON JOVI SINGS STAND BY ME FOR IRAN

Jon Bon Jovi has recorded a new version of Ben E. King's Stand By Me in Farsi in a bid to promote peace and unity in Iran.

The rocker has teamed up with exiled Iranian singer Andy Madadian and Was (Not Was) star Don Was to record the track and an accompanying video.

A statement suggests the song, produced by Was, is "a musical message of worldwide solidarity" to the Iranian people, in the wake of violence following the country's controversial recent election.

Was tells Billboard.com the song was recorded in Los Angeles on 24 June, after he and pal Madadian discovered Bon Jovi and bandmate Richie Sambora eating lunch outside the studio they had hired to work on new material.

Was and Madadian were already planning to record the tune "just to send out a little message of solidarity... believing music can change things," and they asked the rockers to join them.

Was recalls, "They asked what we were doing, I told them, and Jon said, 'Look, man, if you do it right now we'll do it with you.' So we did."

Bon Jovi even sings the first verse of the song in Farsi - the first language of Iran.

Sambora plays guitar on the track and Was played bass.

The producer adds, "We just cut it and the video is the session. It took about four hours and just fell into place nicely... It is not for sale, it wasn't intended to be on the Billboard charts, it wasn't meant to be a hit record or even pressed on a CD. It's intended to be downloaded and shared by the Iranian people. The whole idea was to get it into Iran and tell them... to carry on, that the world is watching and we're with you."

Madadian has lived in America since the Iranian revolution in 1979.

Funeral for Charlie's Angels star Farrah Fawcett

The funeral for 62-year-old Fawcett, who died last Thursday following a long-running battle with cancer, will take place at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown LA.

She died in hospital with her long-time partner Ryan O'Neal at her beside.

Announcing the death he said: "After a long and brave battle with cancer, our beloved Farrah has passed away.

"Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world."

Born in Texas in 1947, the actress rose to fame in the 1970s through the highly successful show about three beautiful private detectives.

Fawcett played the role of Jill Munroe, winning a People's Choice Award in the process.

Her fame was confirmed through the sales of posters depicting the actress in a one-piece red swimming costume, a picture which adorned the walls of many teenage boys' bedrooms in the late 1970s.

She also won female fans as a result of her hairstyle, with the "Fawcett do" a popular request at hairdressers of the time.

Her career post-Charlie's Angels included a performance as a battered wife in the TV movie The Burning Bed, a role for which she received an Emmy Award nomination.

She also received a Golden Globe nomination for the movie version of the controversial off-Broadway play Extremities.

In September 2006 she began to suffer from exhaustion and after two weeks of tests it was confirmed she was suffering from anal cancer.

O'Neal, with whom she had a 17-year relationship, was a constant companion throughout her illness, escorting her to hospital for chemotherapy sessions.

Earlier this month, the actor asked his long-time companion to marry him and she agreed. They would wed "as soon as she can say 'yes'," O'Neal said at the time.