The royal baby has arrived

Get ready for a 62-gun salute, watch the water in the fountains turn blue, let the fireworks and street parties commence: The royal baby has arrived, and it's a boy.

Prince William and Duchess Kate's first baby, a future monarch, was born today at 4:24 pm local time in London's private St. Mary's Hospital, the palace announced. The announcement said the baby weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces, and William was present for the birth.

Mother and baby were both doing well, the announcement added. The name was not immediately announced and may not be known for up to a week.

Iberian Lynx Soon to Be Extinct Due to Climate Change

Southern Europe’s lynx is facing extinction and researchers have predicted that climate change will totally wipe out the remaining number of the species. Described as a type of bobcat by Americans, the Iberian lynx had been sharply declining in their number primarily because their main food, rabbits, has been over hunted by humans. (Photo : Reuters)

Southern Europe’s lynx is facing extinction and researchers have predicted that climate change will totally wipe out the remaining number of the species. Described as a type of bobcat by Americans, the Iberian lynx had been sharply declining in their number primarily because their main food, rabbits, has been over hunted by humans.

Philippe becomes king of Belgium

BRUSSELS - King Philippe I became Belgium's seventh monarch during a national holiday on Sunday after his father Albert abdicated as the head of this fractured nation.

After he took the oath at the parliament filled with representatives of the 6 million Dutch-speaking Flemings and 4.5 million Francophones, Philippe insisted "the wealth of our nation and our institutions consists in turning our diversity into a strength."

The ceremony capped a day of transition which started when Philippe's father, the 79-year-old Albert, signed away his rights as the kingdom's largely ceremonial ruler at the royal palace in the presence of Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, who holds the political power in this 183-year-old parliamentary democracy.

Less than two hours later, the nation got a new king