The pop star and former X Factor judge Cheryl has given birth to a baby boy.
The 33-year-old singer said on her Instagram page that she and One Direction's Liam Payne had welcomed the new arrival on Wednesday.
A photo showed Liam cradling an infant with dark hair.
The caption below the picture read: "On Wednesday 22nd March Liam and I became parents to an incredibly beautiful, healthy baby boy, weighing 7lb 9 and looking like a dream.
"Although he still doesn't have a name he is already stealing hearts."
She added: "We are all madly in love and overwhelmingly happy with our little arrival.
"Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers around the world.
"A day that now has a different meaning to me forever."
Liam, 23, posted the same photo on his Instagram account, writing: "My close friends and family know there are very few times when I'm left speechless...wow!
"I'm incredibly happy to welcome our new baby boy into the world, it's a moment that I will never forget for the rest of my life and my favourite memory I have so far."
He added: "I'm completely in awe of his incredible mother and how she has been the whole way through this, she's really made my dreams come true.
"We haven't named him yet but he's already capturing hearts including mine.
"I feel very blessed.
"Happy Mother's Day everyone!"
Cheryl's former Girls Aloud bandmate Nadine Coyle was among those offering congratulations.
She tweeted: "Congratulations @cherylofficial I am so so happy for you & your precious little boy & family! Sending you loads of love!"
Reality TV star Khloe Kardashian also tweeted: "Congratulations doll!!!!! God bless your family!!!!! I couldn't be happier for you love!"
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Amber Heard reveals she was warned coming out as bisexual would end career
Danish Girl actress Amber Heard has said she was told revealing her bisexuality would end her movie career.
Johnny Depp's ex-wife said film-makers doubted whether she could play a straight woman in a romantic lead role after she revealed her sexuality seven years ago.
Speaking at The Economist's Pride & Prejudice event in New York, she said: "It did impact my career, it was difficult.
"It was not easy. I was the only one working in this way, so it was definitely difficult because no one had done it.
"I did that even though everyone told me it would end my career, without a doubt."
The 30-year-old said she has never hidden her sexuality and did not make any big "coming out" announcement as has been reported.
"When I hear someone comment about me coming out, I think it's funny because I was never in," she said.
Heard said she was asked directly about her sexuality by a reporter at the time and she answered "honestly" and "off the cuff".
"Then I realised the gravity of what I had done," she added.
"I started to understand why so many people - studio execs, directors, advisers, agents, producers - why everyone was so adamant about this not being the label that comes before my name.
"I quickly became, not actress Amber Heard, but out lesbian Amber Heard."
Heard was in a relationship with photographer Tasya van Ree and then began dating Depp after they met making the 2011 film The Rum Diary.
They married in 2015 but she filed for divorce the following year, amid claims of domestic violence.
Depp vehemently denied he had been "verbally and physically abusive" throughout their four-year-relationship.
Under the divorce settlement she dropped a claim the Pirates of the Caribbean star had assaulted her.
In a joint statement issued at the time, they said: "There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm".
Johnny Depp's ex-wife said film-makers doubted whether she could play a straight woman in a romantic lead role after she revealed her sexuality seven years ago.
Speaking at The Economist's Pride & Prejudice event in New York, she said: "It did impact my career, it was difficult.
"It was not easy. I was the only one working in this way, so it was definitely difficult because no one had done it.
"I did that even though everyone told me it would end my career, without a doubt."
The 30-year-old said she has never hidden her sexuality and did not make any big "coming out" announcement as has been reported.
"When I hear someone comment about me coming out, I think it's funny because I was never in," she said.
Heard said she was asked directly about her sexuality by a reporter at the time and she answered "honestly" and "off the cuff".
"Then I realised the gravity of what I had done," she added.
"I started to understand why so many people - studio execs, directors, advisers, agents, producers - why everyone was so adamant about this not being the label that comes before my name.
"I quickly became, not actress Amber Heard, but out lesbian Amber Heard."
Heard was in a relationship with photographer Tasya van Ree and then began dating Depp after they met making the 2011 film The Rum Diary.
They married in 2015 but she filed for divorce the following year, amid claims of domestic violence.
Depp vehemently denied he had been "verbally and physically abusive" throughout their four-year-relationship.
Under the divorce settlement she dropped a claim the Pirates of the Caribbean star had assaulted her.
In a joint statement issued at the time, they said: "There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm".
Fanta Sprite could be Toxic to Human Cells
The Benson Idahosa University, Edo State, has faulted the clarification by the Federal Government that Fanta and Sprite beverages manufactured in Nigeria by the Nigeria Bottling Company were safe for consumption.
A Lagos High Court had ordered the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control to compel the NBC to include a written warning that the drinks could not be consumed with Vitamin C.
The Federal Ministry of health had on March 18, 2017, declared that the products were healthy for consumers, having conducted a routine inspection in 2016, through the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, at NBC, which it said turned out satisfactory.
It had, however, directed the company and other bottling companies to include the advisory warning on their products to protect the health of Nigerians.
But the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie, who spoke at a press briefing in Benin, said that the position of the government fell short of addressing the safety concerns raised by the court.
Izevbigie stated that the Federal Government was silent on the usage of the colourant, sunset yellow, which he said had no nutritional value and also belonged to a chemical class of azo dye, that could be toxic to different cells in the human body and create problems.
He explained, “Although azo dyes do not occur in nature, they are metabolizable due to the presence of azoreductase enzymes in the body, which reduce the azo group to produce two compounds with amino groups.
“Scientific literature shows that sunset yellow is implicated in cytotoxicity, carcinogenesis, allergies and hyperactivity in three to nine-year-old children.”
The professor of biology and biochemistry also said that benzoic acid, a microbial preservative contained in the drinks, were almost twice the amount used in neighbouring Ghana and could be converted to benzene, “a known compound that causes cancer”.
According to him, the essence of the advisory warning recommended by the Federal Ministry of Health was already defeated, since Fanta and Sprite contained Vitamin C in the form of Ascorbic acid.
He said, “You are telling me not to take these products with Vitamin C but you already have Vitamin C in it. It seems to me that the purpose of the advisory warning is already defeated.”
He, therefore, urged NAFDAC to live up to its responsibility in scientific research and regulation, adding that the issue of human safety must override profit.
The vice-chancellor said, “There should be a reduction of benzoic acid or sodium benzoate concentration to below 150 milligrams per kilogramme, as recommended by the World Health Organisation and is obtainable in the UK that has a low temperature than Nigeria and Ghana which has the same climatic condition as Nigeria.
“Vitamin C should be removed as an ingredient in Fanta due to concerns raised from benzene toxicity; the use of natural dye could be considered, for example, beta-carotene, as is done for the NBC product, 5 Alive Pulpy Orange.”
A Lagos High Court had ordered the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control to compel the NBC to include a written warning that the drinks could not be consumed with Vitamin C.
The Federal Ministry of health had on March 18, 2017, declared that the products were healthy for consumers, having conducted a routine inspection in 2016, through the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, at NBC, which it said turned out satisfactory.
It had, however, directed the company and other bottling companies to include the advisory warning on their products to protect the health of Nigerians.
But the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie, who spoke at a press briefing in Benin, said that the position of the government fell short of addressing the safety concerns raised by the court.
Izevbigie stated that the Federal Government was silent on the usage of the colourant, sunset yellow, which he said had no nutritional value and also belonged to a chemical class of azo dye, that could be toxic to different cells in the human body and create problems.
He explained, “Although azo dyes do not occur in nature, they are metabolizable due to the presence of azoreductase enzymes in the body, which reduce the azo group to produce two compounds with amino groups.
“Scientific literature shows that sunset yellow is implicated in cytotoxicity, carcinogenesis, allergies and hyperactivity in three to nine-year-old children.”
The professor of biology and biochemistry also said that benzoic acid, a microbial preservative contained in the drinks, were almost twice the amount used in neighbouring Ghana and could be converted to benzene, “a known compound that causes cancer”.
According to him, the essence of the advisory warning recommended by the Federal Ministry of Health was already defeated, since Fanta and Sprite contained Vitamin C in the form of Ascorbic acid.
He said, “You are telling me not to take these products with Vitamin C but you already have Vitamin C in it. It seems to me that the purpose of the advisory warning is already defeated.”
He, therefore, urged NAFDAC to live up to its responsibility in scientific research and regulation, adding that the issue of human safety must override profit.
The vice-chancellor said, “There should be a reduction of benzoic acid or sodium benzoate concentration to below 150 milligrams per kilogramme, as recommended by the World Health Organisation and is obtainable in the UK that has a low temperature than Nigeria and Ghana which has the same climatic condition as Nigeria.
“Vitamin C should be removed as an ingredient in Fanta due to concerns raised from benzene toxicity; the use of natural dye could be considered, for example, beta-carotene, as is done for the NBC product, 5 Alive Pulpy Orange.”
'Socially intelligent' robots with a human touch
Scientists have showcased "socially intelligent" robots which they believe will help tackle loneliness.
One, called Pepper, can hug, dance, and give people high-fives. It has been developed as a customer services robot to help in shopping centres. It will greet shoppers and guide them to wherever they want to go.
Pepper's developers, at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, believe that it could, in future, be deployed in healthcare to support social interaction between elderly individuals, reducing feelings of isolation, encouraging them to play games and reminding them to take medication.
The robot has been on display at the European Robotics Forum 2017 in Edinburgh. Around 800 roboticists from the European Union have gathered to showcase the new generation of robots.
Professor David Lane, director of the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics, told Sky News: "Robots are helping us in the way that we work in manufacturing, in hazardous environments and in healthcare.
"There are going to be lots of applications where robots will be working as assistants alongside people."
Another such robot is Icub, which can see, hear and learn. Fifty-three motors control arm, hand and head movements.
It's designed to learn human skills with a view to interacting with them emotionally. Its makers think It might one day help assist people with autism or dementia.
Its developer, Dr Katrin Lohan, told Sky News: "The robot changes over the time if it's existence. It's unique in terms of its capabilities, it can move, it can talk and it's very human-like.
"We would like to create a natural interaction interface. When robots are out there in the wild with us, we don't want to sit behind a computer and programme them.
"Instead, we want them to understand us. We want them to hear what we are saying and just follow our suggestions and actually teach them like we teach our children."
One, called Pepper, can hug, dance, and give people high-fives. It has been developed as a customer services robot to help in shopping centres. It will greet shoppers and guide them to wherever they want to go.
Pepper's developers, at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, believe that it could, in future, be deployed in healthcare to support social interaction between elderly individuals, reducing feelings of isolation, encouraging them to play games and reminding them to take medication.
The robot has been on display at the European Robotics Forum 2017 in Edinburgh. Around 800 roboticists from the European Union have gathered to showcase the new generation of robots.
Professor David Lane, director of the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics, told Sky News: "Robots are helping us in the way that we work in manufacturing, in hazardous environments and in healthcare.
"There are going to be lots of applications where robots will be working as assistants alongside people."
Another such robot is Icub, which can see, hear and learn. Fifty-three motors control arm, hand and head movements.
It's designed to learn human skills with a view to interacting with them emotionally. Its makers think It might one day help assist people with autism or dementia.
Its developer, Dr Katrin Lohan, told Sky News: "The robot changes over the time if it's existence. It's unique in terms of its capabilities, it can move, it can talk and it's very human-like.
"We would like to create a natural interaction interface. When robots are out there in the wild with us, we don't want to sit behind a computer and programme them.
"Instead, we want them to understand us. We want them to hear what we are saying and just follow our suggestions and actually teach them like we teach our children."
George Osborne receives 'overwhelming support' from Tatton Tories over six jobs
George Osborne has claimed he has "overwhelming support" from his local Conservative Party in Cheshire, despite being appointed editor of London's Evening Standard and having a total of six jobs.
The former chancellor's new job has proved controversial after he said he intends to combine the newspaper role with that of representing his constituents in Tatton in Parliament.
A Whitehall sleaze watchdog announced a review of its guidance on MPs' second jobs in the wake of Mr Osborne's move into journalism.
But the chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Lord Bew, insisted that the review was not prompted solely by the Osborne case, saying that it had been under consideration for some time.
:: Former chancellor has HOW many jobs?
Speaking after an annual general meeting of the Tatton Conservatives held in private, Mr Osborne said: "We had a great annual meeting.
"I'm so grateful for the overwhelming support I got from Tatton Conservatives tonight. It's a huge honour to be the local MP here."
Patti Goddard, president of the Tatton Conservative Association and chairman of the AGM, described Mr Osborne as "our star".
"There was unanimous support among the members for our local MP, George Osborne," she said.
"He's always been able to work hard as a local MP as well as being a big figure on the national stage - whether as Chancellor or an editor.
"We've got complete confidence in his ability to do so in the future."
Mr Osborne, 45, will succeed Sarah Sands as Evening Standard editor and oversee the newspaper an average of four days each week while balancing the needs of his constituents.
His other jobs include being an adviser to investment firm BlackRock, which requires 48 days' work a year in exchange for £650,000.
He is also a speaker at the Washington Speakers Bureau, a chairman of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, and a fellow at US think-tank the McCain Institute.
The former chancellor's new job has proved controversial after he said he intends to combine the newspaper role with that of representing his constituents in Tatton in Parliament.
A Whitehall sleaze watchdog announced a review of its guidance on MPs' second jobs in the wake of Mr Osborne's move into journalism.
But the chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Lord Bew, insisted that the review was not prompted solely by the Osborne case, saying that it had been under consideration for some time.
:: Former chancellor has HOW many jobs?
Speaking after an annual general meeting of the Tatton Conservatives held in private, Mr Osborne said: "We had a great annual meeting.
"I'm so grateful for the overwhelming support I got from Tatton Conservatives tonight. It's a huge honour to be the local MP here."
Patti Goddard, president of the Tatton Conservative Association and chairman of the AGM, described Mr Osborne as "our star".
"There was unanimous support among the members for our local MP, George Osborne," she said.
"He's always been able to work hard as a local MP as well as being a big figure on the national stage - whether as Chancellor or an editor.
"We've got complete confidence in his ability to do so in the future."
Mr Osborne, 45, will succeed Sarah Sands as Evening Standard editor and oversee the newspaper an average of four days each week while balancing the needs of his constituents.
His other jobs include being an adviser to investment firm BlackRock, which requires 48 days' work a year in exchange for £650,000.
He is also a speaker at the Washington Speakers Bureau, a chairman of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, and a fellow at US think-tank the McCain Institute.
Three hurt in shooting near Lille metro station
Three people, including a teenager, have been hurt in a shooting near a metro station in northern France.
Witnesses told police a gunman opened fire near the station in Lille on Friday night before fleeing.
The suspect is believed to be still on the run following the attack in a car park near the station.
Investigators found 10 shell casings at the scene.
None of the injuries are life-threatening, police said.
According to reports, a 14-year-old boy was shot in the leg, while a second victim was hit in the neck and was described as more seriously injured.
A third wounded person was also taken to hospital following the shooting close to the Porte d'Arras metro station in the south of the city.
The motive for the attack has not been confirmed, but it is not thought to be terror-related.
Newspaper La Voix du Nord and radio France Bleu Nord reported the shooting may have been a settling of scores between criminals.
France is on high alert with a state of emergency still in place following a series of terror attacks.
Last weekend, a radicalised Muslim on a crime watchlist shot a policewoman in the head at a road check before attacking a soldier at Orly airport in Paris.
The attacker, known as Ziyed B, assaulted a patrol of three counter-terrorism soldiers at the terminal, and wrestled one of them to the floor, trying to take her gun.
The man was shot dead by troops.
Witnesses told police a gunman opened fire near the station in Lille on Friday night before fleeing.
The suspect is believed to be still on the run following the attack in a car park near the station.
Investigators found 10 shell casings at the scene.
None of the injuries are life-threatening, police said.
According to reports, a 14-year-old boy was shot in the leg, while a second victim was hit in the neck and was described as more seriously injured.
A third wounded person was also taken to hospital following the shooting close to the Porte d'Arras metro station in the south of the city.
The motive for the attack has not been confirmed, but it is not thought to be terror-related.
Newspaper La Voix du Nord and radio France Bleu Nord reported the shooting may have been a settling of scores between criminals.
France is on high alert with a state of emergency still in place following a series of terror attacks.
Last weekend, a radicalised Muslim on a crime watchlist shot a policewoman in the head at a road check before attacking a soldier at Orly airport in Paris.
The attacker, known as Ziyed B, assaulted a patrol of three counter-terrorism soldiers at the terminal, and wrestled one of them to the floor, trying to take her gun.
The man was shot dead by troops.
Friday, March 24, 2017
Khalid Masood: What we know about Westminster terror attacker
The Westminster attacker - 52-year-old Khalid Masood - had a range of previous convictions but none terrorism-related.
Islamic State has claimed Masood - whose birth name was Adrian Russell Ajao - was one of its "soldiers".
He "carried out the operation in answer to calls to target the people of coalition states", the terror group said.
According to a Sky source who met him in a professional capacity, he had a wife and three children.
The source described Masood as "a big bloke", adding: "He looked like he was a bodybuilder, (you) wouldn't want to mess with him."
He added that Masood was a "very religious, well-spoken man", who had "converted" to Islam.
"You couldn't go to his home in Birmingham on Friday because he would be at prayer," the source said.
According to reports Masood had previously worked as an English teacher, though not in any of England's state schools.
Some reports suggested he had spent four years in Saudi Arabia, leading to speculation he may have been radicalised there.
:: 'Hero' PC Keith Palmer's family: He was 'a friend to everyone'
Police said Masood had been "known by a number of aliases".
While he was born in Kent on Christmas Day 1964, detectives believe he had been living most recently in the West Midlands.
His name is also registered as living at addresses in Brighton, Eastbourne, Luton and London.
A neighbour at his most recent address in Winson Green, Birmingham, said Masood was a keen gardener who had a wife and young child.
The neighbour said her experience of him was of a "nice man".
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said there was "no prior intelligence about his intent to mount a terrorist attack".
:: Timeline of terror in London
Islamic State has claimed Masood - whose birth name was Adrian Russell Ajao - was one of its "soldiers".
He "carried out the operation in answer to calls to target the people of coalition states", the terror group said.
According to a Sky source who met him in a professional capacity, he had a wife and three children.
The source described Masood as "a big bloke", adding: "He looked like he was a bodybuilder, (you) wouldn't want to mess with him."
He added that Masood was a "very religious, well-spoken man", who had "converted" to Islam.
"You couldn't go to his home in Birmingham on Friday because he would be at prayer," the source said.
According to reports Masood had previously worked as an English teacher, though not in any of England's state schools.
Some reports suggested he had spent four years in Saudi Arabia, leading to speculation he may have been radicalised there.
:: 'Hero' PC Keith Palmer's family: He was 'a friend to everyone'
Police said Masood had been "known by a number of aliases".
While he was born in Kent on Christmas Day 1964, detectives believe he had been living most recently in the West Midlands.
His name is also registered as living at addresses in Brighton, Eastbourne, Luton and London.
A neighbour at his most recent address in Winson Green, Birmingham, said Masood was a keen gardener who had a wife and young child.
The neighbour said her experience of him was of a "nice man".
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said there was "no prior intelligence about his intent to mount a terrorist attack".
:: Timeline of terror in London
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