Prince Charles, Camilla arrive for Philadelphia visit

Philadelphia – The city where American colonists declared their independence from the British monarchy gladly began hosting a pair of royals Friday, welcoming Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, for a weekend showcase of urban renewal and youth programs.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall flew in on British Airways, in line with the prince’s recent announcement that he would forsake private jets to reduce his impact on the environment.

The royal couple’s official appearances begin today at Independence Hall, for greetings with the mayor, governor and other officials at the site where the Declaration of Independence was adopted. The couple then plan to meet with students at the Liberty Bell, followed by a reception with community leaders at the National Constitution Center.

Next on the itinerary are stops in West Philadelphia, which includes some of the city’s poorer and more violent neighborhoods, where the heir to the British throne will focus on youth development and urban revitalization.

The couple plan to visit one of the city’s 2,700 murals and meet community members and artists at a reception at a nearby church.

The couple then plan to stop at International House, a nonprofit organization housing nearly 400 students, scholars and interns from more than 65 nations.

The Academy of Music’s 150th anniversary concert is on tap for tonight.

B.B. King hospitalized, should be discharged today

Houston – B.B. King was hospitalized for a low-grade fever following the flu but was in good condition Friday, his management agency said.

The 81-year-old bluesman was expected to be discharged today, a hospital spokesman said. King’s agency said he plans to perform Tuesday in Fort Worth.

“He’s doing great,” said Tina France, vice president of Lieberman Management of New York. “He’s in good spirits and cracking jokes.”

King had been scheduled to perform Thursday at the Grand Opera House, but was admitted to The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, said Paul McCarthy, a hospital administrator.

King, who has a history of diabetes, was taking antibiotics for a 100-degree fever, France said. The ailment in a younger person wouldn’t have required hospitalization, but King is being monitored because of his age, she said.

His concerts in Galveston, Orange and Tyler, Texas, previously scheduled for this week and early next week, will be rescheduled for June, France said.

Michael Jackson is back in the U.S.; next stop, Japan

Tokyo – Since Michael Jackson forsook his Neverland Ranch, the King of Pop has popped up in some very unexpected places.

He’s taken up residence in the Gulf state of Bahrain, in France and even in a castle in Ireland. He showed up in Augusta, Ga., to give a eulogy at James Brown’s funeral, and materialized in London to accept an award for his contributions to the world of pop music. Lately he’s been spotted in Las Vegas on his famed shopping sprees.

So where is he now?

In a rare conference call, the singer emerged with his spokeswoman Friday to confirm to The Associated Press that he is back in the United States after more than a year in self-imposed exile following his acquittal in a high-profile child molestation trial that ended in June 2005.

They also said he is on the comeback trail – planning a pair of “fan appreciation events” in Japan in March, one of which will charge $3,300 for the opportunity to meet the Gloved One.

During the brief conference call, Jackson read a statement prepared for The Associated Press about his plans to visit Japan and allowed only one question: How are you?

“I’m fine, thank you,” was his reply.

Rocker Ted Nugent denies immigrant reference

Waco, Texas – Ted Nugent has denied reports that he made offensive remarks about non-English speakers during his performance at Gov. Rick Perry’s inaugural ball.

In a guest column in Thursday’s Waco Tribune-Herald, Nugent said allegations made by some people who attended the Jan. 16 ball were “pure, unadulterated lies.”

“In total defiance to the vicious lies and hateful allegations of ‘racism’ leveled at me by irresponsible, unprofessional and downright goofy media punks, I never said a word about immigration or language, specifically not the alleged slam against ‘illegal immigrants’ or ‘non-English-speaking’ anyone,” the outspoken 58-year-old rocker wrote.

Nugent, a hunting and guns-rights advocate, wrote that he will recruit more National Rifle Association members, provide hunting trips for needy children and wounded soldiers and their families, and fight the war on drugs and drunken driving.