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Space scientist 'delighted' at first official UK astronaut

Space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock told ITV's Daybreak she was delighted that Major Tim Peake would become the first official Briton in space.

She said that the astronaut would go to the International Space Station to study the "effects of space on humans".

Read: Astronaut Chris Hadfield's highlights in space

Picture: NASA captures Saturn's 'rose' north polar storm

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Dead baby's parents urged: 'Don't miss funeral'

Greater Manchester Police is urging the parents of the baby that was found on Ox Hey Lane, Lostock, on Thursday 14 March, to come forward. It is expected that representatives from the Bolton Council of Mosques will begin planning the funeral today, which is expected to take place on Tuesday.

The baby was born alive and lived independently for up to two hours; however officers are still trying to find out what happened and who the parents are.

We would be really keen to give the baby a name that means something to the parents.

I am grateful to members of the local community who have offered to cover the funeral costs.

I would very much like for the parents to be involved with the preparations for the funeral of their child.

If you think you can come forward...we will try and get you the help and support that you need.

– Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Jackson

It has been requested that this baby be given an Islamic burial and we will be ensuring this is done.

We want to appeal for help from all communities to come forward and put an end to this investigation.

There is help available to Alia's family and the grieving process could be easier for you if you come forward and use the help that is available.

You may not get another opportunity and we don't want you to end up regretting this for the rest of your life.

– Bolton Council of Mosques (BCOM)

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Tory MP: The party 'can't win' in gay marriage debate

Conservative MP Mike Freer has told Daybreak his party "can't win" amid the row over gay marriage.

"We get criticised if we don't debate as being spineless lobby fodder and when we do debate we're accused of being divided and fighting," he said.

Mr Freer, who is gay, said today's Commons debate is a "good thing" in the bill's passage despite the division in his party's ranks.

'No lifeguards' at hotel pool where child drowned

The parents of a British five-year-old who drowned to death in a hotel pool in Egypt claim there were no lifeguards on hand when the tragedy happened.

Chloe Johnson, from Forest Hill in south east London, died in a waterpark at the Coral Sea Waterworld Hotel, in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, on Friday.

Her parents Sarah and Tony told ITV's Daybreak: "There were no lifeguards there, at the pool she was found in, there was no one there. There were supposed to be two manned at the top."

Princes to open Help for Heroes recovery centre

Help for Heroes founder Bryn Parry told ITV's Daybreak that it will be "like welcoming part of the team back" when Prince William and Prince Harry officially open one of their four new recovery centres.

The charity is building, equipping and running four centres in Tidworth, Catterick, Colchester and Plymouth to provide ongoing support for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans.

Business leaders take aim at Eurosceptics in open letter

Sir Martin Sorrell and Sir Richard Branson were among the signatories to the letter attacking Eurosceptics. Credit: Chris Jackson / Rebecca Le May / Press Association

Some of the country's most prominent business leaders have accused Eurosceptic MPs of "putting politics before economics" by calling for Britain's withdrawal from the European Union.

The group, which includes the chairmen of BT, Deloitte and Lloyds along with Sir Martin Sorrell and Sir Richard Branson, said Britain's business interests and economy can only benefit from playing a central role in the EU.

In a letter to The Independent, they called for David Cameron to "strengthen and deepen" the European single market, adding: "The economic case to stay in the EU is overwhelming."

Read: Tory co-chairman in 'swivel-eyed loons' row

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Prince Harry & Prince William to visit Help for Heroes

Prince Harry, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke of Cambridge recently visited the set of the Harry Potter films
Prince Harry, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke of Cambridge recently visited the set of the Harry Potter films Credit: Chris Jackson/PA Wire

The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry will visit Tedworth House in Tidworth later as they offically open the new Help for Heroes Recovery Centre.

The Princes will meet injured service personnel, veterans and their families.

Prince Harry recently announced he would travel to the South Pole with wounded servicemen to raise funds for veterans' charities.

Neighbour felt 'sheer terror' hearing gas explosion

Neighbour Simon Hunter told ITV's Daybreak that he felt "sheer terror" when a gas explosion destroyed a house in Newark, Nottinghamshire.

He said: "There was a massive explosion, the house shook. I looked at my wife and it was just sheer terror, we just didn't know what was going on. My initial reaction was that, we've got a train line behind the property, a train had de-railed."

Youngsters 'need to know how to avoid' internet porn

There is no place for explicit materials in the classroom or school, even in the course of teaching about their dangers, but many young people are exposed to such materials on the internet and phones.

In the face of this young people need to know how to cope with and avoid these distorted views of relationships.

– Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers
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