Blue Ivy is about to become a big sister – twice over.
Beyonce and Jay Z announced that the superstar singer is pregnant with twins yesterday.
“We have been blessed two times over. We are incredibly grateful that our family will be growing by two,” the singer said.
The news accompanied a photo of Beyonce wearing just a bra, underwear and a veil, kneeling in front of a backdrop of flowers (above).
The news triggered half a million tweets in 45 minutes.
Firmino road ban
Liverpool player Roberto Firmino has been fined and given a driving ban for drink-driving the day after his house was burgled.
The Brazilian-born forward was stopped by police while he was driving his Range Rover in Liverpool city centre at 3am on Christmas Eve. Michael Hogan, defending the 25-year-old, said the incident happened the day after the footballer’s family home was targeted by burglars who were “prepared to use extreme force”. The thieves reportedly took £70,000 (€82,260) worth of jewellery, watches and clothes.
The footballer, who admitted drink-driving, was fined £20,000 and banned from driving for a year.
Dutch ballot fears
All ballots in the Netherlands’ March 15 national elections will be counted by hand in order to guard against the possibility of automated tallying systems being hacked, RTL News reported.
The broadcaster quoted interior minister Ronald Plasterk as saying that there was a chance the elections could be hacked and that there were indications that some parties, “for example the Russians”, could be interested in the Dutch electoral process.
“For the coming elections we should fall back on good old paper,” he said.
Grammy goodie bags
Grammy performers including Adele, John Legend and Metallica will be treated to a goody bag containing more than €23,500 worth of treats, including a week-long stay at a luxury spa.
The stars will scoop up a swag bag that also contains expensive exercise gear, smart home tech and a Swiss post-party rehydration remedy, Phizz, to help them recover from the big night.
