Kate Middleton made her first appearance as a mother as she presented the royal baby to the waiting crowds on the steps of the Lindo Wing today.
As one of the most scrutinized women in the world – and at this most high profile of moments with all the world watching – Kate Middleton would have labored over her outfit choice today.
Kate Middleton made her first appearance as a mother as she presented the royal baby to the waiting crowds on the steps of the Lindo Wing
In the event, Kate Middleton chose a crepe de chine polka dot dress by Jenny Packham – a designer she has turned to on multiple occasions for public events – which was made bespoke for her.
The cornflower blue was a nod, no doubt, to her baby’s gender – the same gesture made by her mother during her own visit earlier in the day.
Kate Middleton cradled the baby as she stood alongside Prince William, her husband wrapping a protective arm around her waist before taking the infant into his own arms.
“We’re still working on a name,” Prince William told the assembled Press.
Hundreds of thousands of Catholics have gathered at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro for the opening of the World Youth Day festival.
The highlight of the festival will be a visit on Thursday by Pope Francis.
Pope Francis arrived on Monday for his first trip abroad since becoming head of the Roman Catholic Church.
The pontiff’s visit is taking place under tight security, after weeks of protests against the government and corruption.
Tuesday’s evening mass at Copacabana Beach will be led by Rio’s Archbishop Orani Joao Tempesta.
Hundreds of thousands of Catholics have gathered at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro for the opening of the World Youth Day festival
Pope Francis will welcome pilgrims to the five-day festival, which is expected to draw about 1.5 million people from around the world.
The Pope, who is from neighboring Argentina, has no public events scheduled for Tuesday and was spending time at a private residence.
Correspondents say Brazil is reviewing security around the 76-year-old pontiff after he was mobbed by adoring crowds following his arrival in Brazil on Monday.
Many were able to stop the Pope’s motorcade as it travelled through Rio and reach their hands inside his car’s open window.
“The Pope’s secretary told me he was terrified, but the Pope kept smiling,” Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told reporters.
Pope Francis was officially welcomed at the state governor’s palace by President Dilma Rousseff. However, police outside later fired tear gas to disperse people who were protesting against the government, but also against the cost of the papal visit.
On Wednesday Pope Francis will visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in Sao Paulo state, where a homemade explosive device was discovered on Sunday.
The authorities said the device was “of low power” and nowhere near the area where the Pope and pilgrims will visit.
China has decided to ban the construction of government buildings for the next five years, according to state media.
The move comes as part of a campaign by President Xi Jinping to show that the ruling Communist Party (CPC) is cracking down on corruption and waste.
Glitzy new government buildings, sometimes in impoverished areas, have been a source of public outrage.
The directive forbids luxury makeovers and expansions done under the guise of repair work, Xinhua newspaper said.
The notice says some departments and local authorities have built huge government office compounds against regulations, tainting the image of the CPC.
Chinese state-owned drug company building decorated to mimic France’s Versailles palace, complete with gold-tinted walls and chandeliers
Among the buildings that have attracted widespread disapproval in recent years is the western-style government office building in the city of Fuyang in Anhui province, in eastern China.
It reportedly cost 30 million yuan ($4.89 million) to build and is referred to as the “White House” by residents.
A state-owned drug company also caused outrage after photographs emerged apparently showing a building decorated to mimic France’s Versailles palace, complete with gold-tinted walls and chandeliers.
Some government agencies have reportedly built luxury offices in seaside resorts where officials can stay for free or at deeply discounted prices.
The ban – described as an “across-the-board halt” – includes training centres, hotels or government motels, Xinhua said.
It also says government organizations should not receive sponsorship or donations towards construction projects, or collaborate with private companies.
“Banning the building of new government buildings is important for building a clean government and also a requirement for boosting CPC-people ties and maintaining the image of the CPC and the government,” Xinhua quoted the directive as saying.
Tackling corruption has been President Xi Jinping’s most high-profile policy since he became China’s leader earlier this year.
Xi Jinping has warned that “corruption and bribe-taking by some party members and cadres” pose “severe challenges” to the Communist Party’s rule.
Penelope Cruz has welcomed her second child – a baby daughter – on the same day as the Royal baby.
Penelope Cruz, 39, already has a two-year-old son, Leonardo, with husband Javier Bardem.
Penelope Cruz has welcomed her second child, a baby daughter
While the Royals are expected to let the public know about their child, Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem are notoriously private and kept the details of their first child under wraps as long as possible.
Penelope Cruz recently said of her children: “I want my son and my kids – if I have more – to grow up in a way that is as anonymous as possible. The fact that his father and I have chosen to do the work we do doesn’t give anybody the right to invade our privacy.”
The actress was last seen just a couple of days ago when she looked ready to pop.
On Saturday she even attended a concert in Madrid despite looking heavily pregnant and so close to her due date.
Ahead of the gig Penelope Cruz was seen walking along with Javier Bardem as they headed for a bite to eat while her huge bump hung over her jeans.
The actress, who was thought to be due to give birth back in June, then looked as if she was ready to welcome her second child at any moment as her stomach swelled against her T-shirt at the Los Veranos de la Villa Music Festival.
Penelope Cruz and husband Javier Bardem – who had been friends for years – started dating in 2007 and married in early July 2010 in an intimate ceremony at a friend’s home in the Bahamas.
According to new reports, Amanda Bynes has been placed on involuntary psychiatric hold after allegedly starting a fire on Monday night in a residential driveway.
Amanda Bynes, 27, was found about 9 p.m. standing near the fire burning at a house in Thousand Oaks, California, according to reports.
She was questioned by Ventura County Sheriff’s Department deputies who determined she needed to be hospitalized on a so-called 5150 hold, TMZ reports.
Amanda Bynes has been placed on 5150 hold after starting fire in residential driveway
The 5150 hold is named after the California state code that allows for involuntary hospitalization for a mental health evaluation.
A person can be held against their will for up to 72 hours under such a hold.
The elderly woman who lives at the home said she had no idea what was happening until authorities knocked on her door.
Deputies asked if she knew Amanda Bynes or if someone had a vendetta against her and the woman replied no to both queries, according to TMZ.
Authorities told the woman that a young lady carrying a “little red gas tank” had lit a fire in her driveway.
The homeowner said the deputies told her Amanda Bynes had burned a part of her own clothing.
A male caller to 911 reported a piece of cloth burning on a gasoline tank on a driveway and a second female caller confirmed a gasoline tank and fire, according to a report in TMZ.
Amanda Bynes’ parents, Rick and Lynn, are considering going to a judge to seek conservatorship of Amanda, but must act take legal control quickly before she is released from her psychiatric hold, a source told RadarOnline.
The former actress was born and raised in affluent Thousand Oaks, which is about 35 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.
Amanda Bynes also had a run-in with police on Sunday after she was turned away from a Thousand Oaks retirement home because she appeared drunk.
Staff at the retirement home accused her of trespassing and called a taxi for her, but the situation deteriorated, according to TMZ.
After getting in the cab, Amanda Bynes reportedly said: “Get me the f*** out of here. … I don’t have any money.”
The driver promptly evicted her from the cab and Amanda Bynes walked back toward the retirement community, which prompted a call to the police.
There was no record of an arrest, but Amanda Bynes may have received a trespassing ticket.
The taxi driver told TMZ that Amanda Bynes was at the retirement village to visit a relative.
Amanda Bynes underwent a psychiatric evaluation in May after being arrested in New York City for investigation of drug possession and alleged evidence tampering for throwing a b**g out of her high-rise window.
Britney Spears was infamously placed on a 5150 hold in 2008 after a public mental breakdown.
The move to hospitalize Britney Spears came after months of erratic behavior, including a head-shaving incident, speaking in a British accent and other bizarre incidents.
Amanda Bynes has her own lengthy list of odd behavior.
According to Forbes magazine, Lady Gaga is the top earning celebrity under 30 years old.
Lady Gaga made an estimated $80 million in the last 12 months, despite cancelling part of her tour to have hip surgery.
Last year she was ranked at number four, while Taylor Swift, who topped the poll in 2012, has dropped to third place with $55 million.
Justin Bieber is in second place again this year with $58 million.
The Forbes website claims that Lady Gaga would have earned even more had she not had to cancel part of her world tour in February.
She recently announced her next album, Artpop, would be released in November with a single due out on August 19.
To make the list, Forbes magazine estimated the entertainment-related income of celebrities between June 2012 and June 2013 by talking to agents, managers, producers and executives.
Lady Gaga is the top earning celebrity under 30 years old
The other artists in the top five are Calvin Harris with $46 million and Rihanna, who earned $43 million.
Adele, who made the list for the first time last year, was ranked number eight making an estimated $25 million.
Earlier this year Adele won an Oscar for the James Bond theme Skyfall.
Star of The Hunger Games, Jennifer Lawrence, is the highest entry on the list not to work in the music industry.
Jennifer Lawrence placed at number seven, with earnings of $26 million.
Completing the top 10 are Twilight co-stars Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner who both made $22 million.
The royal baby left hospital with his parents, who revealed they had not yet chosen him a name.
Prince William and Kate Middleton waved and smiled broadly to the waiting cameras as they held their prince on the steps of the private Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in London, 26 hours after he was delivered, weighing 8lbs 6oz.
Kate Middleton said: “It’s been very emotional. Any parent will know what this feeling is like.”
Prince William had followed the steps his parents Charles and Diana took with him 31 years ago, when he was born there on June 21, 1982.
“He’s a big boy, quite heavy. We’re still working on a name,” he told reporters.
“Well he has a good pair of lungs on him, that’s for sure.”
Confirming that the prince was overdue, the Duke said: “I will remind him of his tardiness when he is older.”
With a huge smile Prince William then added: “He’s got her looks thankfully.” to which Kate Middleton responded: “No, no, no I’m not sure about that.”
The royal baby left hospital with his parents, who revealed they had not yet chosen him a name
The royal baby is now third in the line of succession, displacing Prince Harry to fourth and the Duke of York to fifth, although he may not become sovereign for half a century or more.
Prince William, Kate Middleton and Baby Cambridge will travel home to Kensington Palace tonight, spending two weeks there while the Duke is on paternity leave.
Huge crowds of well-wishers and journalists from all over the world have been waiting outside the west London hospital ward for weeks, first to be there when Kate Middleton went into labor and now as the couple left with her firstborn child.
Meanwhile, this evening the Queen told guests at a Buckingham Palace reception she was “thrilled” at the birth of her great-grandson.
Earlier the royal baby’s grandparents met him for the first time, and soon afterwards Kensington Palace confirmed the Duke, Duchess and baby would leave this evening.
Kate Middleton’s sister Pippa is said to be there waiting for her.
Soon afterwards Kensington Palace confirmed: “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge will be discharged this evening.
“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their son will travel home to Kensington Palace.
“Their Royal Highnesses would like to reiterate their thanks to the hospital for the care and treatment they have all received.”
Earlier Carole Middleton described her grandson, the future king, as ‘absolutely beautiful’ after she and her husband visited him.
The Duchess of Cambridge’s parents said their first grandchild is “absolutely beautiful” and his parents are coping “fabulously”.
Beyoncé’s hair got caught in a fan during her performance in Montreal on Monday night.
Beyoncé, 31, didn’t even bat an eyelid when her mane of curls became tangled in a giant fan in the middle of her rendition of Halo.
In a video posted onto her Instagram page, Beyoncé was taken by surprise when she got a little too close to the device, leaving her locks suddenly trapped in the blades.
Although a look of shock momentarily registered on her face, Beyoncé continued her flawless performance regardless, while her aides rushed to her side in a desperate attempt to free her.
Looking utterly flabbergasted and at a loss of what to do, the baffled security guards crowded around the singer, before one of them eventually managed to cut her loose.
Luckily, Beyoncé managed to see the funny side of the incident, and later posted a handwritten note on her Instagram page, hilariously re-writing the lyrics to Halo to fit in with the fan calamity.
Beyoncé’s hair got caught in a fan during her performance in Montreal
The singer wrote: “Gravity can’t begin, to pull me out of the fan again/ I felt my hair was yankin/ From the fan that’s always hatin.”
A source later revealed toUsmagazine.com that the incident occurred because Beyoncé had made her way off the stage to greet a young fan in the front row.
The source said: “There was a girl in the front who was holding up a sign with a bucket list on it of all the things she wanted to do with her life. It was things like <<graduate from college>> and all the boxes were checked except the last one, which was <<Sing With Beyonce!>>.
“Beyoncé was so moved she went down into the pit to sing Halo with the girl to give her final wish. She wasn’t even thinking of the fan – she was focused on the girl she was trying to do something nice for and it was unprompted. It really came from a good place.”
Beyoncé is in the middle of the North American leg of her Mrs. Carter Show world tour.
Marks & Spencer have launched Sculpt and Lift jeansthat allows you to cheat your way to the perfect perky bottom.
For those hoping to transform the untoned bottom into something Kim Kardashian would be proud of, the Sculpt and Lift jeans could be the answer.
M&S Sculpt and Lift jeans use back stitching and new fabric to lift the bottom for a sculpted silhouette
The design features back stitching which claims to enhance the bottom for a better shape, while clever pocket placement gives the illusion of more pertness.
They also promise not to lose their magical lifting power after being thrown in the washing machine as a so-called ‘high power stretch fabric’ claims to retain its ‘great shape’ no matter how many times it is washed.
The jeans are available in three styles, skinny, straight leg and boot leg.
Al-Qaeda has claimed two mass jailbreaks in Iraq, which freed hundreds of prisoners including senior leaders of the Islamist militant group.
In an online statement, al-Qaeda said Sunday’s attack was the final one in a campaign aimed at freeing inmates.
At least 20 security guards died when gunmen stormed the Abu Ghraib and Taji jails near Baghdad.
Abu Ghraib gained global notoriety in 2004 when images were released showing US guards abusing Iraqi detainees.
Iraqi officials had previously tortured regime opponents in Abu Ghraib during Saddam Hussein’s rule.
On Tuesday, an al-Qaeda affiliate calling itself the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant said it carried out the attacks on the prisons.
At least 20 security guards died when gunmen stormed the Abu Ghraib and Taji jails near Baghdad
The group, which was formed of al-Qaeda groups in Iraq and Syria, said it had spent “months planning” the attacks on Abu Ghraib to the west of the capital and Taji to the north.
The group also claimed some 500 militants were among the hundreds of prisoners who had escaped.
Iraqi authorities initially denied any prisoners had escaped in the assaults, but later acknowledged “some” prisoners escaped.
The Iraqi interior ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that the gunmen had received help from some of the prison guards.
Fighting raged for several hours after the jails came under attack on Sunday night.
Gunmen fired mortar rounds at the prisons, and then used car bombs at the entrances.
The situation was eventually brought back under control on Monday morning, with the use of military helicopters.
Justice ministry spokesman Wissam al-Firaiji earlier said the attackers, whom he called terrorists, had been well-armed.
“The attack against Taji jail alone was carried out by nine suicide bombers and three car bombs driven by suicide bombers,” he told reporters.
“The attackers also lobbed more than 100 mortar shells,” he said, adding that the inmates were “under control” again.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Honourable Artillery Company carried out the ceremonial of gun salutes to mark the birth of the royal baby.
Gun salutes are fired for the birth of every prince or princess, no matter where their place is in the line of succession. The last royal salute for a birth was for Princess Eugenie in 1990.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, wearing full dress uniform, paraded past Buckingham Palace on the way to Green Park, where they staged a 41-gun royal salute.
They went from their forward mounting base in Wellington Barracks into Green Park, where 71 horses pulled six First World War-era 13-pounder field guns into position for the royal salute at 2 p.m.
Each of the six guns fired blank artillery rounds at 10-second intervals until a total of 41 shots were fired. The horses and riders then collected the guns and escorted them back to Wellington Barracks.
Major Mark Edward, commanding officer of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, said: “The opportunity to mark the birth of the child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge by firing a 41-gun royal salute, comes as a huge honor for the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.”
The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC), the City of London’s Army Reserve Regiment, also fired a 62-gun salute from Gun Wharf at the Tower of London at 2 p.m.
Whilst a royal gun salute normally comprises 21 guns, this is increased to 41 if fired from a royal park or residence.
Uniquely, at the Tower of London, which is a royal residence, 62 rounds are fired as this also includes an additional 21 guns for the citizens of the City of London to show their loyalty to the monarch.
Bells also sounded at Westminster Abbey in celebration of the royal birth, with the three ringers having performed the same task for the new Prince’s father more than 30 years ago.
Royal Artillery sound series of gun salutes to mark the birth of the royal baby
When Prince William was born in June 1982, Clarke Walters helped ring a peal at the iconic church in central London in honor of the newest member of the royal family.
Clarke Walters said it was ‘wonderful’ to now be performing the peal for Prince William’s own baby son.
He also rang the celebratory bells for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding at the Abbey two years ago.
A team of 10 from the Westminster Abbey Company of Ringers rang a full peal on the Abbey’s 10 bells from 2pm to coincide with the gun salute in Green Park.
The complex peal is made of 5,000 changes, and known as the Cambridge Surprise Royal and lasts for over three hours.
Clarke Walters said: “It’s always a great honor to ring at the Abbey especially for a big occasion like this one. It’s a bit of a thrill even though I’ve been ringing for more than 30 years. “I do love the connection that three of us rang the peal for William’s birth, the same three were in the wedding peal and the same three are here today. That’s a nice link back to William.”
Celebrations are not confined to London, as all of Her Majesty’s ships – in home or international waters – are flying the Royal Navy Ensign flag from their mast to mark the birth of the prince.
HMS Lancaster, deployed on a patrol task in the Caribbean, added its own congratulatory message to the Duke and Duchess, spelling out “It’s A Boy!” on the deck of the ship.
Staff from RAF Valley, where Prince William serves as a search and rescue pilot, were among the first to offer their congratulations.
Station commander Group Captain Adrian Hill sent a congratulatory message to the couple on behalf of the RAF Valley. “We’re all delighted to learn that Flight Lieutenant Wales and the Duchess of Cambridge are now proud parents of a new-born son,” he said. “We wish them all the very best for the future. From everyone at RAF Valley, congratulations.”
The Ministry of Defence said other units connected to Prince William also marked the birth, including the Army regiment he was commissioned into from Sandhurst, the Household Cavalry, which is partly deployed in Afghanistan.
The Irish Guards, of which Prince William is the colonel, toasted the birth with a traditional glass of Irish stout at their barracks in Aldershot and at bases in London.
Kate Middleton visited the battalion this year and last year to present shamrocks to all ranks on St Patrick’s Day, a role carried out for many years by a female member of the Royal Family.
Trafalgar Square’s famous fountains were lit with blue lights last night and London mayor Boris Johnson said they will be lit for the next six days in celebration of the royal birth.
Westminster City Council celebrated the announcement of the baby boy’s birth with blue lighting in the fountains in Marble Arch and the Golden Jubilee Bridge. They will remain lit up until midnight tonight.
Carole and Michael Middleton are the first visitors to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after the birth of their son.
Kate Middleton and Prince William earlier thanked hospital staff for their “tremendous” care.
It is understood the family will leave hospital on Tuesday evening or on Wednesday morning.
Gun salutes in Green Park and the Tower of London and the ringing of bells at Westminster Abbey have marked the birth of the third in line to the throne.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a 41-gun salute in Green Park at 14:00 BST, after riding past Buckingham Palace.
At the same time, the Honourable Artillery Company – the City of London’s army reserve regiment – fired a 62-gun salute from Gun Wharf at the Tower of London.
Carole and Michael Middleton are the first visitors to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after the birth of their son
Meanwhile, the church bells of Westminster Abbey, where William and Catherine were married in April 2011, began ringing out – a celebration set to last for three hours.
Carole and Michael Middleton arrived at private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital, in Paddington, west London, by taxi shortly after 15:00 BST.
They were greeted by its lead clinician, Jonathan Ramsay, and paused briefly on the steps for the mass of photographers gathered outside before going inside.
Prince William was at the hospital for the birth at 16:24 BST on Monday, and stayed with his wife and son overnight.
Kensington Palace said in a statement: “Mother, son and father are all doing well.”
The couple said: “We would like to thank the staff at the Lindo Wing and the whole hospital for the tremendous care the three of us have received. “We know it has been a very busy period for the hospital and we would like to thank everyone – staff, patients and visitors – for their understanding during this time.”
Prince William had earlier said the couple “could not be happier” following the birth of the 8lb 6oz boy.
There has been no word yet on what Kate Middleton and Prince William plan to name the royal baby.
Kelly Osbourne and her father Ozzy stepped out last week for a slap-up meal with Kelly’s fiancé, chef Matthew Mosshart.
They enjoyed a bite to eat at Beverly Hills restaurant Chin Chin on Thursday evening, just days after Kelly Osbourne, 28, announced her engagement to professional chef Matthew Mosshart – the younger brother of The Kills’ singer Alison Mosshart.
Matthew Mosshart and Kelly Osbourne got engaged while holidaying on the Caribbean island Anguilla, two years after they met at the wedding of supermodel Kate Moss to musician Jamie Hince
While her long-haired fiancé looked typically casual in a creased white T-shirt, skinny jeans and boots, Kelly Osbourne made sure she caught the eye courtesy of her garish lilac colored hair as she exited the eatery hand-in-hand with Ozzy.
Kelly Osbourne – currently a judge on hit show Fashion Police – wore a trendy black and white varsity jacket, an off the shoulder black top and matching trousers for her evening out with the two men in her life.
Her look was completed by a pair of gold hoop earrings and a large black bag that served as a continuation of her understated neutral theme.
Matthew Mosshart and Kelly Osbourne got engaged while holidaying on the Caribbean island Anguilla, two years after they met at the wedding of supermodel Kate Moss to musician Jamie Hince, Alison Mosshart’s band-mate in The Kills.
Matthew Mosshart had previously relocated from his home in New York to be closer to Kelly Osbourne, who lives close to her family in Los Angeles.
Pope Francis has been greeted by tens of thousands of Brazilian pilgrims as he toured Rio de Janeiro in an open car and then met President Dilma Rousseff at the state governor’s palace.
After the pontiff left, police fired tear gas to disperse protests against both the government and the cost of the visit.
Pope Francis is in Brazil to attend the Roman Catholic World Youth Day festival.
In a speech soon after his arrival, the Pope urged young Catholics to “make disciples of all nations”.
“I came to meet young people coming from all over the world, drawn to the open arms of Christ the Redeemer,” he said at the governor’s palace, referring to Rio’s famous vast statue of Jesus.
“They want to find a refuge in his embrace, right near his heart to hear his call clearly and powerfully.”
About an hour after the welcoming ceremony, police fired stun grenades and tear gas against the demonstrators outside the palace.
It was the latest rally against what the protesters described as endemic government corruption across the country.
But some were also unhappy about $53 million in public fund being spent for the pontiff’s visit.
There was little damage and few arrests, but it was a reminder that there is still a real possibility the pontiff’s high-profile visit to a huge Catholic festival in Rio could be overshadowed by political events.
Crowds mobbed Pope Francis’ car in Rio de Janeiro as it made its way from the airport
In a separate development, the military said a homemade explosive device had been discovered at a shrine between Rio and Sao Paulo that the Pope is due to visit on Wednesday.
The device at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Conception of Aparecida was described as being “of low power” and was destroyed.
As Pope Francis disembarked from the Alitalia plane in Rio’s airport earlier on Monday, he was welcomed by President Dilma Rousseff to cheers and applause from the waiting crowd. A choir sang an anthem linked to Youth Day and he was presented with a bouquet of flowers.
The Pope waved before being taken by motorcade to the centre of Rio, where thousands of pilgrims have gathered.
Pope Francis looked relaxed and jovial as he was driven into Rio de Janeiro in a modest family car, with the window wound down and security officials struggling to keep back the crowds.
There were chaotic scenes as his car became stuck in one of the city’s infamous traffic jams, after the pope’s driver reportedly took the wrong turn and missed lanes that had been cleared by the security services.
Crowds immediately gathered round the vehicle hoping to catch a glimpse or touch Pope Francis. One woman passed her baby through the window for a kiss from the Holy Father.
Once in the city centre, the Pope switched to an open-air Popemobile, waving at the tens of thousands who lined the streets he travelled through.
The authorities have increased security during the Pope’s seven-day visit, following weeks of nationwide protests against corruption and bad governance.
Pope Francis refused to use an armored Popemobile, despite requests from Brazilian officials. Some 30,000 security staff – army and police are on duty throughout his visit.
More than a million young Catholics are expected to gather in Rio for World Youth Day, which takes place every two years, and is a celebration of the Catholic faith.
The Argentina-born Pope – who became head of the Catholic Church in March – is due to lead a prayer service on Copacabana beach on Thursday. He will also visit one of Rio’s shanty towns.
Speaking to reporters on his flight from Rome, the Pope said young people were “at this moment are in crisis,” in an apparent reference to the continuing economic crisis across Europe.
“We run the risk of having a generation that hasn’t worked,” he said, even though work confers dignity.
Pope Francis also criticized what he said was a “culture” of socially rejecting the elderly who were “thrown away” as if they had nothing to offer.
Selena Gomez took a break from her 21st birthday festivities on Monday to chat with entertainment reporter Dean Richards via satellite, but she was clearly blindsided by a series of probing questions regarding her on-off flame Justin Bieber.
The on air chat was for Chicago’s WGN Entertainment network as their resident showbiz critic queried Selena Gomez about her troubled boyfriend.
Dean Richards, said: “You’re, you know, probably as close a friend to Justin Bieber as they come.
“Is there something about him that we don’t get or we don’t understand?
“I mean, there is one story after another of, you know, pretty outrageous behavior that we’re reading about.”
The line inquiry was in reference to Justin Bieber’s recent act of public urination as he defaced a portrait of erstwhile President Bill Clinton, as well as allegedly threatening his neighbors, and various other displays of delinquent behavior.
Selena Gomez abruptly ended interview after she was asked to explain Justin Bieber
As Dean Richards asked the penetrating questions, Selena Gomez was clearly at a loss for words and unprepared for the direction of the interview.
Selena Gomez looked around in bewilderment as she was most likely expecting a predictable session of softball questioning.
But Dean Richards – a fearless interviewer – persisted, asking: “What don’t we get about him or what is it that he’s not getting out there?”
But he was ultimately left unsatisfied as Selena Gomez merely smiled uncomfortably and abruptly ended the interview by closing the line.
Despite the childish response, Dean Richards softly chuckled to himself as he realized he had just been hung up on.
But just the day prior Selena Gomez seemed to be in a much more candid mood as she answered similarly difficult questions when interviewed by Ryan Seacrest onE! News.
When asked if she was dating Justin Bieber again, Selena Gomez said: “No, I’m not. I think I’m okay with being content right now. I think that’s what I’m happy with. And then whatever happens happens.”
However, Selena Gomez did admit she found it difficult to deal with the pressure their relationship was under from outside forces.
She said: “Yeah. I’m sure you could actually see those pictures of me being way stressed about it.
“And it’s hard because what do you do, do you sit in your house and hide and not go anywhere.
“I was 18 when we started to date and you just have to be an 18-year-old and go through everything.”
And considering she used to date Justin Bieber, some will be shocked to find out her most desired attributes in a man.
Selena Gomez said: “Honestly: egos turn me off big time. And I mean it’s hard to date in this industry. It really is.”
It appears James is a clear favorite for the name of the little Prince among the betting public.
At 2/1, James overtook the earlier leader among boys’ names, George, which is now 5/1 as is Henry – Prince Harry’s real name.
Most punters had clearly expected a girl, with Alexandra the favorite at 7/4.
Bookmakers Coral said the royal birth was the biggest non-sporting betting event in the company’s history with cash staked on everything including hair color and weight.
The name Prince William and Kate Middleton choose will set a trend for a generation of babies, with other new parents having a boy anxious to copy them.
James has links to both families, but Prince William already has a cousin called James – the Earl and Countess of Wessex’s son Viscount Severn.
George has been the name of six Kings of England and was the Sovereign name of the Queen’s father, George VI, whose actual first name was Albert.
The name Prince William and Kate Middleton choose will set a trend for a generation of babies, with other new parents having a boy anxious to copy them
It is also one of Prince Charles’ middle names.
From Prince William’s side of the family both his father’s name, which the Prince of Wales share with Princess Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer, and his grandfather’s are likely favorites.
At the bookies however, Charles did not even hit top ten with William Hill, and Phillip-betters will take home 40 times the money if they win.
Kate Middleton and Prince William are also likely to take inspiration from Kate’s side of the family, possibly honoring her father Michael, or picking Francis, which is both her father and her grandfather’s middle name.
According to British scientists, the prospect of reversing blindness has made a significant leap.
An animal study in the journal Nature Biotechnology showed the part of the eye which actually detects light can be repaired using stem cells.
The team at Moorfields Eye Hospital and University College London say human trials are now, for the first time, a realistic prospect.
Experts described it as a “significant breakthrough” and “huge leap” forward.
Photoreceptors are the cells in the retina which react to light and convert it into an electrical signal which can be sent to the brain.
However, these cells can die off in some causes of blindness such as Stargardt’s disease and age-related macular degeneration.
There are already trials in people to use stem cells to replace the “support” cells in the eye which keep the photoreceptors alive.
Now the London-based team has shown it is possible to replace the light-sensing cells themselves, raising the prospect of reversing blindness.
An animal study in the journal Nature Biotechnology showed the part of the eye which actually detects light can be repaired using stem cells
They have used a new technique for building retinas in the laboratory. It was used to collect thousands of stem cells, which were primed to transform into photoreceptors, and injected them into the eyes of blind mice.
The study showed that these cells could hook up with the existing architecture of the eye and begin to function.
However, the effectiveness is still low. Only about 1,000 cells out of a transplant of 200,000 actually hooked up with the rest of the eye.
Lead researcher Prof. Robin Ali said: “This is a real proof of concept that photoreceptors can be transplanted from an embryonic stem cells source and it give us a route map to now do this in humans.
“That’s why we’re so excited, five years is a now a realistic aim for starting a clinical trial.”
The eye is one of the most advanced fields for stem cell research.
It is relatively simple as the light sensing cells only have to pass their electrical message on to one more cell in order to get their message to the brain, unlike an attempt to reverse dementia which would require cells to hook up with far more cells all across the brain.
The immune system is also very weak in the eye so there is a low chance of the transplant being rejected. A few cells can also make a big difference in the eye. Tens of thousands of stem cells in the eye could improve vision, but that number of stem cells would not regenerate a much larger organ such as a failing liver.
Tough-guy Dennis Farina, who was a Chicago policeman for years before entering show business, has died aged 69, his publicist has said.
Dennis Farina died in Scottsdale, Arizona, after developing a blood clot in his lung, publicist Lori De Waal said.
The actor was recently known for his role as police detective Joe Fontana on New York-based cop show Law and Order.
Dennis Farina also appeared as a mobster in action comedies such as Midnight Run (1988) and Get Shorty (1995).
He is survived by his partner of 35 years, Marianne Cahill, three sons and six grandchildren.
Tough-guy Dennis Farina, who was a Chicago policeman for years before entering show business, has died aged 69
Dennis Farina appeared as Joe Fontana during the 2004-6 seasons of Law and Order, among other television appearances.
He acted on the series Crime Story during the 1980s and most recently, starred alongside Dustin Hoffman in an HBO programme called Luck.
Dennis Farina’s first credited role was as a minor character in the 1981 Michael Mann film Thief.
He also appeared in Saving Private Ryan and Out of Sight, and was a mainstay of the Chicago theatre scene.
Dennis Farina was born in Chicago on 29 February 1944 and became an actor when he was almost 40, after spending many years as a Chicago police detective.
In a 2004 interview with the Associated Press, Dennis Farina recalled his first day of work as an actor.
“I remember going to the set that day and being intrigued by the whole thing,” Dennis Farina said.
“I liked it. And everybody was extremely nice to me. If the people were rude and didn’t treat me right, things could have gone the other way.”
Prince Charles and his wife Camilla are “overjoyed” at the arrival of his first grandchild as he went ahead with a scheduled visit to York.
He did not want the impending birth of his first grandchild to interfere with his royal duties, but he couldn’t hide his delight after the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to a baby boy.
Prince Charles said: “Both my wife and I are overjoyed at the arrival of my first grandchild.
“It is an incredibly special moment for William and Catherine and we are so thrilled for them on the birth of their baby boy.
“Grandparenthood is a unique moment in anyone’s life, as countless kind people have told me in recent months, so I am enormously proud and happy to be a grandfather for the first time and we are eagerly looking forward to seeing the baby in the near future.”
Prince Charles and his wife Camilla are “overjoyed” at the arrival of his first grandchild as he went ahead with a scheduled visit to York
Later in the evening as Prince Charles left a function at Harewood House, near Leeds, was asked if there was any news from the hospital.
He laughed as he replied: “No. You’ll hear before I do, I suspect.”
His comments come as the Queen returned to London after spending the night at Windsor Castle, travelling by car to Buckingham Palace.
But while the Queen decided to return to London, Prince Charles remained more than 200 miles away in the North of England, showing that not even the most exciting family drama can stop him carrying out his Royal duties.
He arrived at the National Railway Museum in York by steam train as he began a two-day visit to Yorkshire.
Prince Charles stepped off the Royal Carriage through clouds of steam, to applause and cheers from the crowd.
The carriage was pulled into the museum by Bittern, the sister engine of Mallard, which marked 75 years as the world’s fastest steam train earlier this month.
Kate Middleton has given birth to a baby boy, Kensington Palace has announced this evening.
The baby was delivered at 16:24 BST at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, west London, weighing 8lb 6oz.
Prince William said in a statement the couple “could not be happier”.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will remain in the hospital overnight.
The news has been displayed on an easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace in line with tradition.
A bulletin – signed by the Queen’s gynaecologist Marcus Setchell, who led the medical team that delivered the baby – was taken by a royal aide from St Mary’s to the palace under police escort.
The document said: “Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 4.24 pm today.
“Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well.”
The news of royal baby boy arrival has been displayed on an easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace in line with tradition
When the news was announced, a large cheer went up from well-wishers and journalists outside the hospital while a large crowd greeted the posting of the bulletin outside Buckingham Palace.
The Kensington Palace press release said Prince William was present for the birth of his son, who will be known as the Prince of Cambridge.
“The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news,” it said.
And the Prince of Wales, in a separate statement, said he and the Duchess of Cornwall were “overjoyed at the arrival of my first grandchild.
“It is an incredibly special moment for William and Catherine and we are so thrilled for them on the birth of their baby boy,” he added.
“Grandparenthood is a unique moment in anyone’s life, as countless kind people have told me in recent months, so I am enormously proud and happy to be a grandfather for the first time and we are eagerly looking forward to seeing the baby in the near future.”
Prince William and Kate Middleton spent time bonding with their son before they told the family their news, according to new reports.
Royal doctor Michael Setchell described the new arrival as “wonderful baby, beautiful baby”.
PM David Cameron, speaking outside Downing Street, hailed the “wonderful news”.
“It is an important moment in the life of our nation but I suppose, above all, it’s a wonderful moment for a warm and loving couple who’ve got a brand new baby boy,” he added.
He said the Royal Family could “know that a proud nation is celebrating with a very proud and happy couple tonight”.
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said: “I am sure that people across Scotland will be absolutely thrilled to hear the news of the birth of a baby boy to the Royal couple and will want to join me in wishing the proud parents many congratulations.”
And Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones congratulated the couple “on behalf of the people of Wales” as “they enter their journey into parenthood”.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, meanwhile, said he was “delighted to congratulate the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the arrival of their baby boy”.
“Along with millions here and around the world, I share in their joy at this special time,” he added.
“May God bless this family with love, health and happiness in their shared life ahead.”
Kate Middleton’s baby boy was overdue, royal sources have confirmed.
What does this mean for the birth?
Fewer than one in 20 women gives birth on their “due date” – the expected date of delivery given at the start of pregnancy.
Around half of pregnant women go into labor up to two weeks later, or labor is medically induced during this period because of worries about the health of mother and baby.
Prof. Andrew Shennan, an internationally renowned specialist, says it is more accurate to talk about a “due month” of birth because each woman’s circumstances are different.
Andrew Shennan, who works as professor of obstetrics based at St Thomas’ Hospital, London, said his unit’s policy is not to intervene until a woman reaches 42 weeks of pregnancy – two weeks overdue – unless there is cause for concern.
It is thought that Kate Middleton was 41 weeks pregnant today and comfortably within the normal margin for giving birth.
Prof. Andrew Shennan said: “Most women want to give birth naturally when possible and if there is no reason to induce, we’d rather not because it involves using drugs.
“Only about four per cent of women deliver on their due date, it’s better to talk about a due month, because when they are giving birth naturally around half will deliver later.”
Kate Middleton’s baby boy was overdue
The placenta – the baby’s support system in the womb – is equipped to last for about 40 to 42 weeks which means if labor hasn’t started there is a risk of the baby running out of nutrients at a time when it has never been bigger and more needy.
Another reason for intervening earlier is when there are signs of pre-eclampsia, which raises blood pressure and can threaten the lives of mother and baby.
When a decision is taken to induce labor, a number of drugs may be used to soften up the cervix – the neck of the womb – and start contractions including prostaglandin pessaries and oxytocin through a drip.
Obstetricians take a stepwise approach and if something works, there’s no need to continue with another drug, said Prof. Andrew Shennan.
These are normally given in hospital because the baby’s vital signs should be monitored throughout, he added.
Like thousands of other first-time mothers, Kate Middleton was asked to keep track of her contractions, the early signs of labor, at home.
She would have had instructions to contact her medical team when they were strong and regular, coming at the rate of two or three every 10 minutes, or if she was worried at any time.
Contractions are the tightening of muscles in the womb to push the baby down.
Prof. Andrew Shennan said: “It’s OK to stay at home at this stage and there is some evidence that women do better as a result.
“When they increase to three or four every 10 minutes then normal labor has started and she will need to set off for the hospital, allowing for time of day and traffic conditions.
“A lot depends on the level of discomfort and the woman’s pain threshold.”
The early stages of labor – which led to Kate Middleton’s admission to hospital around 5.30 a.m. this morning – may last some time, but when contractions speed up and the labor becomes established the timeline is carefully monitored.
The neck of the womb dilates, or widens, by one centimetre an hour and needs to get to 10 centimetres.
Often the second half of labor is signaled by the waters breaking – when the sac of amniotic fluid which protected the baby during pregnancy begins to leak.
Prof. Andrew Shennan, a leading researcher for the baby charity Tommy’s, said the early stages of labor can “niggle” for days.
“But when labor is established it’s a much clearer picture and ideally there will be good progress over 12 hours.
“Any longer and we would be considering a Caesarean section to ensure the safety of mother and child,” he added.
Watching television shows, movies, and Internet videos on your TV has never been easier thanks to Roku 3. This all-access device is starting to make cable, satellite, and even over-the-air stations a bit nervous. Check out the five ways Roku 3 will change your streaming experience.
5. Access to Content
Image via Flickr by thetechbuzz
With Roku 3, you’ll have access to a very broad range of channels and content providers. Unlike cable where you buy a channel bundle that may include several channels you never watch, Roku 3 lets you pick which channels you want. Channels include big names such as Netflix, Hulu, Major League Baseball TV, and HBO.
Beyond the well-known brands, have fun sampling other content providers. For example, some popular tourist destinations offer their own channels with fun videos. Think beyond TV show shows and movies. Use your TV to watch comedic material from Funny or Die, or enjoy listening to your favorite radio station, even if it’s in another city, with Tune In. Spend hours diving into the depth of content that’s available to stream through your Roku.
4. On Demand Viewing
Most content available through Roku 3 is on demand. That means you watch it on your schedule, not when it’s broadcast or shown on cable. This changes the way you watch television shows because you no longer have to view episodes in order. While you’ll probably still want to watch “Downton Abbey” episodes in sequential order, choose whichever episode of “How It Works” that piques your interest.
3. Watch, Listen, Play
Before the Roku, there weren’t many devices that allowed you to stream TV or movies, listen to music, and play games all with a single unit. However, Roku makes it possible to do all three using one device and one remote. This means you’ll spend less time switching between your equipment and more time watching or doing the things you love. This is one more reason Roku has developed such a strong following: It brings together many functionalities in a single device.
2. Put Your Content on Screen
When you have friends or family over to your home, enjoy showing off photos of the kids or the fun you had on your last vacation with a photo slide show on your TV. It’s simple to do with the Roku app for your smartphone that puts your photos on the flatscreen.
1. Stream Content Quickly
Make sure you have reliable, fast Internet access, such as the 4G from CLEAR internet plans, so you can completely enjoy the streaming experience of Roku 3. Earlier versions of this technology took a bit of time to load content, or even pull up a different channel, but the latest iteration of Roku is built for speed.
The speed of this device may deal a fatal blow to Redbox, the DVD rental’s last ditch effort to make a comeback. With many new releases available to rent from Vudu for viewing via Roku streaming, you may have just watched your last rented DVD.
As Roku keeps introducing better, faster devices, all other traditional distributors of content such as cable,satellite, and DVD rental companies should pay attention, and probably start to worry.
Kate Middleton gives birth to a baby boy, Kensington Palace has announced.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have welcomed a healthy baby boy, and the nation celebrates the birth of a future king.
Kate Middleton gives birth to a baby boy
Prince William and Kate Middelton’s son weighed 8lb 6oz and was delivered at 4.24 p.m. today at the private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington with his proud father, Prince William, looking on.
Kate Middleton and the baby are both doing well and will remain in hospital overnight, said a spokesman for the palace.
The long-awaited baby will be given the title His Royal Highness and be known as Prince of Cambridge, after the Queen moved earlier this year to change almost a century of royal tradition.
The Queen issued a formal proclamation in January to end a convention brought in by George V which meant that a royal title was restricted to the children of the sovereign and the children of the sovereign’s sons.
Well-wishers have gathered outside Buckingham Palace as the world anxiously waits for Kate Middleton to give birth to the future king or queen.
Despite being the hottest day of the year so far, thousands of people have gathered in London to celebrate the royal baby’s arrival while the Queen is now waiting at her home for her great-grandchild to be born.
Kate Middleton, who has Prince William by her side, was driven from Kensington Palace to the private Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, west London, at around 5.30 a.m. today.
A team of royal protection officers rushed Kate Middleton in via a rear exit, the same route taken by Princess Diana when she gave birth to Prince William in 1982.
This afternoon there was a large police presence around the hospital as royal fans gathered as they waited for news about the soon-to-be mother and baby.
Well-wishers have gathered outside Buckingham Palace as the world anxiously waits for Kate Middleton to give birth to the future king or queen
Meanwhile, many more gathered outside Buckingham Palace, where the official announcement of the baby’s birth will be made on an easel to be placed at its gates.
Excitement reached feverish levels outside Buckingham Palace this afternoon when the Queen arrived home from Windsor Castle, where the huge crowd surged dangerously as she was driven through the gates.
Scores of people ran towards her vehicle screaming “The Queen!”, while others reached into their pockets to grab their camera phones in an effort to catch Her Majesty’s fleeting appearance.
The months of speculation and anticipation – dubbed the Great Kate Wait – built to a climax this morning amid news that the Duchess of Cambridge had been admitted to hospital in the early stages of labor.
