McCARTNEY PROTECTED BY ISRAELI SECRET SERVICE.

LATEST: SIR PAUL McCARTNEY will be guarded by Israeli secret service agents at his historic concert in the country this month (Sep08) to ensure his protection following death threats by Muslim extremists. The Beatles legend is due to play a show in Tel Aviv on 25 September (08) 43 years after a Fab Four concert in the country was scrapped by officials amid fears it could corrupt youngsters. Extremists have called the singer "an enemy of Muslims", insisting McCartney would be targeted by "sacrifice operatives" if he chose to go forward with the concert, meant to mark Israel’s 60th anniversary.

And now Israeli politicians have reportedly ordered officers from their secret service operation Mossad to protect the star, amid fears of an attack by suicide bombers. An Israeli official tells British newspaper The Sun: "Anyone who tries anything will be meeting Allah sooner than they thought." McCartney remains adamant his solo show will go ahead despite urges to cancel, insisting to local newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth on Friday (12Sep08), "I refused. I do what I think, and I have many friends who support Israel."

THRILLER ADDED TO NATIONAL REGISTRY.

MICHAEL JACKSON's THRILLER album has been named among the 25 recordings that will be added to America's National Recording Registry by Library of Congress officials. The 1982 smash-hit, which has just been remixed, remastered and re-released for its 25th anniversary, joins Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' Tracks of My Tears, Herbie Hancock's Headhunters and For the Roses by Joni Mitchell among the albums and recordings honoured. Officials pick the 25 recordings to be added to the registry annually. Those chosen are considered "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" to the history of American music.