Zayn Malik's debut solo album tops UK chart

Zayn has topped the UK album chart with his first solo album, Mind of Mine.

The former 1D singer knocked Adele's 25 from the top spot, after selling over 4,000 more albums. It follows the success of Pillowtalk, the record's lead single, which went straight to number one in February.

On hearing the news Zayn said: "I want to thank all the fans and my team"

"It's mind-blowing"

Zayn said "I can't believe that I have managed to achieve this as a solo artist.

"I am very proud coming from Bradford achieving this in my home country."

He added: "It's mind-blowing to me. I don't take the support I have received for granted. My life at 23 could have been very different."

From CBBC Newsround

Man base jumps off The Shard with parachute

A man jumped off The Shard, the tallest building in London, with a parachute on Saturday morning and landed safely on a street below.

The Shard in London is one of the tallest buildings in Europe

Witness Justin Knock captured images of the base jump and said the "dangerous" move was "skilfully" done with the jumper landing on his feet.

The base jumper landed at about 10.18am, police said, adding that no-one has been arrested.

The Shard stands at 310 metres and is one of the tallest buildings in Europe.

A spokesperson for The Shard said: "We are investigating an incident involving a member of the public this morning."

Eyewitness Mr Knock, said: "I was buying some cheese from the store opposite St Thomas's Street and looked up and this guy was coming down with his parachute.

"It was obviously a dangerous thing to do but he pulled it off skilfully."

He and another man bundled up the parachute within seconds of landing and left the scene. Police and staff from the building arrived at the scene soon after, Mr Knock said.

Robot receptionist starts work in Tokyo department store

A super-life-like robot has started work at a department store in Tokyo, Japan.

The robot will help to welcome customers who visit the shop, and offer directions.

Mio Sakai has been working as the store's human receptionist for two years now, and says she feels honoured to work alongside the robot-lady.

The new robo-receptionist will be welcoming visitors to the store for the next few days, before working elsewhere in the store as a guide.

From BBC Newsround

Dressed in a kimono and smiling, Aiko Chihira greets shoppers at the entrance of Tokyo's Mitsukoshi department store. But Chihira is no regular employee — she is a humanoid robot.

Developed by Toshiba last year, the robot made its debut at the store on Monday in a new role interacting with customers.

Speaking Japanese, Chihira, which has human-like features and blinks, can also be programmed to speak in other languages such as Chinese.

"It would be good if we can have her provide guidance, or recommend various things in Chinese," said Hitoshi Tokuda, Toshiba's new business development division group manager.

"... People can be looking around and think, 'Oh if Aiko is around, she can speak Chinese'. That's what I hope will happen."

Sign language

Toshiba has said Chihira has 43 motors which allow it to move. The robot is also programmed to do Japanese sign language.

At Monday's unveiling, Chihira accompanied Japanese opera singer Shoko Iwashita in a performance.

"I would like you to listen to the song that I've put a lot of effort into," the robot said.

After the performance, in which it appeared as if Chihira had lip-synched, the robot asked for applause for Iwashita.

Chihira, currently not programmed to respond to customer complaints or questions, is not the only robot to work in retail. Last year, Nestle said it would enlist SoftBank Corp's humanoid robots, Pepper, to help sell its coffee makers at home appliances stores across Japan.

From CBCNews

Jockeys of future in the Shetland Pony Grand National?

The London International Horse Show brings together some of the finest jockeys and horses in the world.

But for kids wanting to be a superstar jockey of the future, and take part in a race as big as the Grand National - where do they learn the skills needed?

Simple - The Shetland Pony Grand National.

Racing on small ponies called Shetlands, competitors aged between 9-14 speed around the arena on a miniature course with jumps like those seen at an Aintree Grand National.

From CBBC newsround

How are national flags designed?

New Zealand could have a new flag after the Prime Minister announced a public vote on whether to change its design.

Currently the flag features the Union flag - the UK's flag - but John Key, New Zealand's Prime Minister, thinks it should be removed.

He says it represents a time when the country was controlled by the UK, as part of the British Empire.

The stars on the flag represent the four brightest of the Southern Cross, a constellation, as it would be seen if you were looking into the night sky from New Zealand.

A new flag for New Zealand?

It has been suggested a design for the new flag could feature the New Zealand fern, used by the national rugby team.

The fern is a very important historical symbol at it represents the original tribal people of New Zealand - the Māori.

How is a national flag designed?

A vexillologist is someone who designs flags.

A vexillographer is someone who studies flags and what their shapes, patterns, colours and images mean.

Malcolm Farrow, President of the Flag Institute, thinks that flags play a bit part in a country's identity.

"A national flag is extremely important. It identifies a people and tells the story of a whole nation in one small rectangle," he says.

"In a multicultural society of different religions, backgrounds and languages it's the one thing that gives everyone a sense of identity and belonging in that country. It's the one thing a nation can unite under."

Often, the different colours, shapes and symbols on a flag aren't just because they look nice - they represent something.

Take for example one of the most famous and iconic flags in the world. The flag of the United States.

The history of the American flag

It is famous for the 'stars and stripes' - but each part represents something.

The flag has thirteen horizontal red and white stripes to represent the 13 original colonies that were formed when people first came to America.

The stars represent the 50 states that make up the United States of America.

South Sudan - new country, new flag

After civil war in Sudan the country split into two. In 2011, the Republic of South Sudan was formed.

South Sudan as a new country needed a new flag.

Sudan's flag

The new flag of South Sudan

This flag is similar to the old Sudanese flag but the colours here represent a new country after conflict.

Black represents the South Sudanese people, white is peace after the fighting, red stands for the blood shed, green represents the land and farming, blue represents the waters of the river Nile. The star represents the unity of states making up Sudan.

The challenge of designing a flag

Malcolm Farrow, President of the Flag Institute, thinks designing a flag needs a lot of thought.

He says, "Designing a great flag is very difficult, as you are trying to squeeze a whole nation into a small box."

"A great flag has a bold, simple design to grab people's attention. It should have no words and a maximum of four strong contrasting colours. It shouldn't be fashionable and it must be distinctive from other flags."

From CBBC newsround

The amphibious car helping flood-hit village

A car that can travel on BOTH road and water has been doing its bit to help a flood-hit village.

Much of Wraysbury in the Thames Valley has been left covered in water - but that's no problem for an amphibious car.

Peter Kavanagh owns the car for a bit of fun, but has found it's become really useful to get around and do things like picking up shopping and inspecting damage.

He's taken the BBC's David Shukman on a tour of the village to show him how the car works and how it can help.

Cute lion cubs on show at San Diego zoo

Two adorable lion cubs have posed for the cameras at San Diego Zoo in the US.

The six-week-old brother and sister are doing really well and growing up super fast, according to staff there.

The pair are starting to learn essential lion skills like learning to climb and jump.

The unnamed male and female, born Dec. 6 to Oshana, are being bottle-fed 30-40 milliliters of kitten starter formula every two hours. That amount will increase as they grow.

After their 8 a.m. feeding, the male weighed 5.5 pounds, and the female 3.5 pounds, according to the zoo.

Keepers say the female cub is very feisty, while the male cub is calm.

Both are vocal when they want something, such as food or attention from animal care staffers. They also call for each other when separated for feedings or measurements.

The zoo said the cubs can be viewed at the Safari Park between 10 a.m. and noon, but like adult lions, they can sleep about 20 hours per day.

The cubs were the first born at the park since 2007, according to the zoo.

From 

• CBBC newsround 
•  KPBShttp://www.kpbs.org/news/2013/dec/16/lions-cubs-limited-display-san-diego-zoos-safari-p/

UK's top selling singles of 2013 revealed

Pharrell Williams had three number ones in 2013

Well done to Pharrell Williams, who has scored 2013's top two biggest selling singles!

The American star features on Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke, as well as Daft Punk's Get Lucky.

Blurred Lines was the UK's most popular single of 2013, selling more than 1.47 million copies and spending five weeks at number one.

Pharrell also grabbed a third chart-topper with Happy in 2013, which is currently sitting at number one.

UK music fans bought 182.2 million singles last year - the second biggest year-end total in British music history (after 2012).

The UK's top 10 selling singles of 2013

1. Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke featuring T.I. and               Pharrell Williams

2. Get Lucky - Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams

3. Wake Me Up - Avicii

4. Let Her Go - Passenger

5. La La La - Naughty Boy featuring Sam Smith

6. Roar - Katy Perry

7. Thrift Shop - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

8. Just Give Me A Reason - Pink featuring Nate Ruess

9. Counting Stars - OneRepublic

10. Mirrors - Justin Timberlake

Click for less

Nelson Mandela- Madiba- has died aged 95

People around the world have reacting to the news that Nelson Mandela, one of history's greatest leaders, has died after a long illness aged 95.

Mandela led South Africa out of the racist system of apartheid, and into democracy, becoming the country's first black president.

He had been receiving intensive medical care at home for a lung infection after three months in hospital.

Announcing the news on South African TV President Jacob Zuma said: "Our nation has lost its greatest son."

"Although we knew that this day would come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss."

Mandela's story is an incredible journey - from prison to presidency.

After being jailed for 27 years he became South Africa's first ever black president.

He went on to play an important role in promoting peace and equality across the globe.

Global tributes

World leaders, celebrities and ordinary people have been paying their tributes to him.

Prince William, American President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron and sports stars David Beckham and Usain Bolt are among who've said how he inspired them. See more of that by Clicking here.

Inspiring kids

School children in the UK have been giving their reaction to the news.

Kids from Walworth Academy, in London, have been in touch with the BBC's School Report.

Hawa, in year 8, said: "When I found out that Nelson Mandela passed away I was in so much shock. He was a leader, a father and a husband. He was my hero."

Danny, in year 9 , said he is "very emotional and upset. However, I am happy that his legacy will live on".

Khalil said: "He was one of the most influential people of all time. Without him many black politicians would not be in power today, like Barack Obama."

And other pupils from Whalley Range in Manchester added their voices to the tributes.

They said: "As a school we are commemorating Nelson Madela's memory through a whole school minute silence and a tribute video that our media team have created."

Aya, a year 8 student, said: "Everyone is going to remember the difference he has made - He's a true pioneer for Black peoples' rights. People like me wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for people like Mandela fighting for our rights.'

And Maryan added: "He's a true legend and he's proven if you fight for your rights, you can make a difference."

You can pay your tributes to Nelson Mandela on our clicking here to go to our chat page.

Why was he so important?

Find out More about Nelson Mandela and why he as so important by 

clicking here.

From CBBC newsround

Giant spinning ice circle found in US river

Imagine coming across this on a walk in the countryside!

                               Really weird!

The mysterious ice whirl was discovered in a river in America.

It looks so perfect it could be man-made but apparently it occurred naturally.

From CBBC News

Volcano causes new island to pop out of the sea near Japan

A brand new island has popped out of the sea near to Japan.

It's tiny - about 200 metres wide - and it might not last very long because it's made out of volcanic rock that erodes quite easily.

It was caused by a volcanic eruption under the sea bed which forced lava and rock to burst through the surface of the water.

The molten rock has then cooled and hardened on the water, turning it into a mini island.

It was first spotted because of massive clouds of smoke blowing out into the air, and when coastguards went to investigate they saw land that wasn't there before.

It's not been named yet because experts want to wait and see if it will stick around, but if it does it's a new mark to make on the map!

From CBBC Neewsround

Most expensive diamond ever sold for £51million

This glamorous gemstone has become the most expensive ever after selling at auction for a whopping £51 million!

The Pink Star is described as a flawless oval-cut pink diamond set in a ring.

It went on sale in Switzerland on Wednesday and sold for a record breaking amount.

The winner of the auction said he had bought it on behalf of an anonymous buyer.

From CBBC Newsround

One Direction boys spotted surfing in Australia One Direction surfing in Australia

A sunny beach in Australia may seem like a lovely place to relax - but it isn't when One Direction are around!

Liam and Louis took time out from their tour of Australia to go surfing on Whale Beach in Sydney.

They were soon spotted by adoring fans and lifeguards had to step in to keep them away.

Even the news helicopter from Channel 7 News showed up to snap the boys riding the waves.

From CBBC newsround

Three African lions and two rare jaguars born at zoo

There's a baby boom at a zoo in Mexico!

Two rare jaguar cubs and three African lion cubs have been born there.

One is causing serious excitement because it's completely black!

The zoo's launched a competition for local children to help name them.

See the cute cubs.

From CBBC Newsround

White lion cubs born in South Korea

So cuuuuuute!

These two rare white lion cubs have been born at a zoo in South Korea.

There's only about three hundred white lion cubs left in the world so it's no surprise they're a big hit with visitors.

The cubs are being raised by the zookeepers for now. They'll be introduced to the rest of the lion family when they're seven months old.

From CBBC newsround

Milly, the miracle dog

A Chihuahua in Puerto Rico has been crowned the world's smallest dog by the Guinness Book of Records.

Miracle Milly is 9.6cm high and weighs just half a kilogram.

The brown Chihuahua named Miracle Milly is shorter than a soup can, standing at 3.8 inches (9.65 centimeters) tall when measured from backbone to paw, Guinness World Records announced Thursday.

She is nearly 2 years old, weighs roughly 1 pound (half a kilogram) and is known for often sticking out her tiny tongue when someone takes her picture.

"She knows how to pose," owner Vanesa Semler told The Associated Press.

Miracle Milly dethroned Boo Boo, a long-haired Chihuahua from Kentucky that stands 4 inches (10.16 centimeters) tall.

Guinness also has a second category for world's smallest dog when measured by length. That title is held by Heaven Sent Brandy, a Chihuahua in Largo, Florida, that measures 6 inches (15.24 centimeters) long.

When she was born, Miracle Milly weighed less than an ounce and fit in a teaspoon, Semler said. Her mouth was too tiny to nurse from her mother, so Semler gave her milk every two hours through an eyedropper.

She slept in a doll's crib next to Semler's bed, growing stronger as the months passed.

The Chihuahua now sleeps in a baby's crib and will eat nothing but food cooked by humans.

From

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/12/miracle-milly_n_3916833.html

Dutch police set to use sniffer rats to fight crime!

Police in the Netherlands are to use rats to help them solve crimes by sniffing out gunshot residues.

Dutch cops have recruited unlikely allies in the fight against crime: rats. Police in Rotterdam, Netherlands, are believed to be the first in the world to use specially trained rats to sniff out gunpowder and assist in shooting investigations. Five rats — who are reportedly named after famous fictional detectives, including Hercule Poirot and Thomas Magnum — are set to enter the field after successful experiments. According to Volksrant newspaper, trainer Monique Hamerslag realized rats could be used by police when she was traveling in Africa and encountered rats being used to sniff out land mines.

Sourcehttp://now.msn.com/sniffer-rats-trained-to-investigate-gun-crimes-in-rotterdam-netherlands

Police will be able to use the rats to see if a gun has been fired.

The team of five brown rats are named after famous detectives - including Agatha Christie's Poirot and the American private investigator Magnum.

Their trainer Monique Hamerslag says the rats' sense of smell is stronger than a dogs' sense of smell, and it's much quicker to train them.

Rats can take only ten days to train and dogs can take months or even years.

She says the little creatures could also be trained to detect other things like money or blood.

From CBBC newsround

Edinburgh zoo prepares for possible panda birth

It's the big question that nobody knows the answer to: is Tian Tian the panda pregnant?

Staff at Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland are preparing for what could be the first panda cub to be born in Britain.

They still can't say for certain whether their female panda - on loan from China - is pregnant but say she is showing all the right signs.

If Tian Tian is carrying a cub, the birth is expected to be in the next two weeks - so the wait goes on.

One of the reasons why there is so much excitement around the potential pregnancy is that giant pandas are very rare.

There are only between 1,000 and 2,000 thought to remain in the wild.

Tian Tian and Yang Guang are the first to live in the UK for 17 years.

Tian Tian and Yang Guang they seemed to be very much in love not long ago

Panda cubs are born blind, hairless and unable to move, making them very dependent on their mums for the first few months.

After six to eight weeks, cubs open their eyes for the first time. They feed on their mother's milk for the first year and start eating bamboo at around six months.

From CBBC newsround

The lawn mower with a difference at Chicago O'Hare airport

No doubt it's an unusual idea that seems to save money, noise and is very echological too.

Cute!

Chicago's bustling O'Hare airport has hired new crew to keep the grass cut: a herd of 25 goats, sheep, donkeys and llamas. Yes, llamas.

The rocky and hilly areas around the runways were tough to mow and was damaging the city's expensive equipment.

But apart from trimming the grass they have another important function - keeping wildlife, like birds, from interfering with flights.

Long grass isn't just messy, airport officials explained as they unveiled the new crew, It's also a breeding ground for the small rodents that attract hawks and other birds of prey.

It sounds like a match made in heaven.

From CBBC Newsround

Norway PM Jens Stoltenberg works as secret taxi driver

Norwegian PM Jens Stoltenberg spent an afternoon working incognito as a taxi driver in Oslo, he has revealed.

Mr Stoltenberg said it was the first time he had driven for eight years

Mr Stoltenberg said he had wanted to hear from real Norwegian voters and that taxis were one of the few places where people shared their true views.

He wore sunglasses and an Oslo taxi driver's uniform for the shift in June, only revealing his identity once he was recognised by his passengers.

His exchanges with his passengers were captured on a hidden camera.

The footage - made in collaboration with an advertising company - has been posted on the prime minister's Facebook page and made into a film which will be used as part of his campaign for re-election in September.

"It is important for me to hear what people really think," he told Norwegian media.

"And if there is one place people really say what they think about most things, it's in the taxi."

Driving errors

Some of the passengers who appear in the film had been told to wait for the taxi - without being told who would be driving - while others were picked up randomly and from taxi ranks.

Most of them appear to realise very quickly that there is something different about their driver, with one saying: "From this angle you really look like Stoltenberg."

Another says she was lucky to meet him as she "wanted to send a letter".

The conversation turns to politics in most cases.

Mr Stoltenberg engages one passenger on education, saying: "The main point is to make sure good students have something to stretch for, and to give those who struggle extra help."

None of the passengers was charged for the ride.

Mr Stoltenberg told the VG newspaper: "I'm pretty well known in Oslo, but I tend to sit in the back seat."

Most of the passengers realise quickly there is more to the driver than meets the eye

The Labour prime minister came in for criticism for his driving, at one point jolting the car abruptly when, he said, he mistakenly applied the brake pedal on the automatic car, thinking it was the clutch.

He said he had not driven in eight years.

Mr Stoltenberg is popular in Norway, but opinion polls suggest he is lagging behind the opposition ahead of the election.

But asked by VG whether he would consider becoming a taxi driver full time if he lost the election, Mr Stoltenberg replied: "I think the country and the Norwegian taxi passengers are best served if I'm the prime minister and not a taxi driver."

From BBC News