Michael Jackson settles tax debt

Pop superstar Michael Jackson has settled an outstanding tax bill of $600,000 (€807,000) relating to his now-abandoned Neverland Ranch.

The 'Thriller' hitmaker made the payment for the tax lien on his Los Olivos, California mansion last week, according to state records in Santa Barbara County.

However, the singer is still struggling to pay off a debt of $23m (€31m) after defaulting on a loan taken out against the sprawling Neverland estate.

The property has been vacant since 2005, when Jackson was acquitted of child molestation charges.