No Moss, but Rolling Stones May Gather Fine

(NEWSER) - Hundreds of fans are camped out in the front of the O2 arena in London where Michael Jackson was to begin his 50-concert stand today, the BBC reports. “I want to feel a bit closer,” said one of the approximately 600 fans. “We’ve been reminiscing and sharing memories with everyone. When more people arrive there will be quite a party atmosphere.” More»

Reviews of 'superdrunk,' 'confused' performance get guitarist riled up

(NEWSER) - Keith Richards, the man who ate a cigarette onstage and snorted his father’s ashes, has reached his limit. The 63-year-old Rolling Stones guitarist wants Swedish newspaper critics to apologize for scathing reviews of a concert this month in which they called Richards “superdrunk” and “a bit confused,” the AP reports. More»

New law clears the air in enclosed spaces

(NEWSER) - The English ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces, including bars, workplaces, and public buildings, went into effect at 6am today. The effort to improve indoor air quality and inconvenience some smokers into quitting will cause grumbling, says the country's chief medical officer, but "on the whole, the majority of smokers and non-smokers wanted this change." More»

National Health Service imposes four-week window before surgery

(NEWSER) - Smokers in Britain must kick the habit for at least four weeks before undergoing routine surgery or the National Health Service will deny them the operations, the Daily Mail reports. Doctors will use blood tests to enforce the new policy, which could affect up to 500,000 smokers awaiting procedures for non-life-threatening conditions each year. More»

60-something musicians want to go out on top

(NEWSER) - The Rolling Stones are planning a 50th-anniversary tour that will also serve as a farewell tour, the Daily Mail reports. "They want to bow out on top of their game, and not short-change their fans," a source says of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, and Ronnie Wood—whose combined age will be 268 when the tour launches next year.. More»