Liam Payne: Former One Direction star dies in Argentina

Tributes have been pouring in for the 31-year-old singer who fell from a third-floor balcony at a hotel in the capital Buenos Aires.

Former One Direction star Liam Payne has died after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina.

The 31-year-old singer suffered “extremely serious injuries” after falling from the third floor at the hotel in the capital Buenos Aires, police said.

Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, said on Argentinian television that Payne, who had a seven-year-old son with former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl, fell into a courtyard of the CasaSur Hotel in the city’s Palermo neighbourhood.

The official declined to answer questions about how he came to fall from the balcony.

Mr Crescenti said authorities were investigating the circumstances of his death and conducting a post-mortem.

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Meanwhile, a transcript has been released of the emergency call the hotel desk manager made to 911 after the fall.

The hotel manager is heard saying he has a “guest drunk with drugs and alcohol”, adding: “He is breaking everything in the room.”

He later tells the operator they “need to send someone with urgency because I don’t know if the guest’s life is in danger because he is in a room with a balcony”.

The hotel manager continues: “We are afraid he could do something that threatens life.”

The 911 operator says the police and emergency medical workers have been sent to the scene.

Argentinian media reported that Payne was in Buenos Aires to attend the concert of his former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan earlier this month.

Fans flocked to the hotel after news of Payne’s death broke, with many expressing shock and heartbreak.

One Direction fans from across the world have also been sharing poignant tributes to Payne on social media.

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In the hours before his death, photos shared from the singer’s Snapchat account showed him with his partner Kate Cassidy.

There was also clips, including one where he said it was a “lovely day here in Argentina”.

It appears the videos were filmed earlier in the week and then posted in his final hours.

“Just enjoying coffee and breakfast, even though it’s like 1pm,” he said. “Literally sleep in every day until like 12. We’re such losers.”

The star spoke about “going to ride some horses” and said: “Think I’m going to play polo again which is going to put me out of action for about six weeks.”

“It’s going to be a nice day,” he added.

Payne had embarked on a solo career after One Direction announced they were going on an indefinite hiatus in 2015.

The band was formed on The X Factor in 2010, with Payne featuring alongside Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Harry Styles. They were mentored by Simon Cowell who had also created the show.

The group finished third before signing with Cowell’s “Syco” record label and going on to become one of the best-selling boybands of all time.

Payne’s relationship with Cheryl, who was a judge on the X Factor, began in 2016 and ended in 2018. They named their son Bear.

Britain’s Got Talent, another show created by Cowell, has cancelled its auditions in Blackpool today in light of Payne’s death.

It comes as tributes from the Entertainment industry have been pouring in for Payne since news of the tragedy emerged.

In a post from its official X account, the team at the X Factor wrote: “We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne.

“He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world.”

Separately, Dermot O’Leary, a former host of the show, posted a photo of himself and Payne on Instagram, writing: “The worst news. I remember him as a 14-year-old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.”

TV presenter Rylan Clark, a former X Factor contestant, said: “Extremely sad news. (Very) tragic and so young. RIP Liam.”

Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, Hip hop icon Flavor Flav, boxer Chris Eubank Jr and former Cultural Club singer Boy George are also among those who have paid tribute.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also offered his condolences, with his official spokesman saying: “The Prime Minister’s sincere condolences are with Liam’s family and friends at this time.

“One Direction were one of the biggest bands in history and their music had a huge impact on many millions of fans around the world.”

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https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.673.0_en.html#goog_1746462811Play Video – Liam Payne’s X Factor auditionLiam Payne’s X Factor audition

Payne, who was born in Wolverhampton, had a complicated personal life and spoken openly about his struggles with alcoholism and mental Health. He was also diagnosed with ADHD as an adult.

He had previously spoken about suffering with suicidal thoughts, admitting that he was “lucky to still be here”.

In 2019, Payne addressed his mental Health on Sky show Straight Talking with Ant Middleton, where he spoke about his struggles with fame.

Describing fame as like “having a weird midlife crisis”, Payne said: “For some certain circumstances, I’m quite lucky to be here still.”

Since October 2022, Payne has been linked to iNFLuencer Cassidy, recently posting on Instagram that they “make each other better people”, and adding: “For the first time in my life I’m happy to be me and that’s priceless.”

He was previously engaged to Maya Henry, with their relationship ending in 2022.

Earlier this week, it was reported she had issued legal proceedings – instructing lawyers to issue a cease and desist letter to Payne – and she posted a video on TikTok claiming the singer had been repeatedly sending her unwanted messages.

Last week, the Sun reported Payne had parted with his management company and shelved plans for a second solo album.

What is The Orange Dot at the Top of My iPhone?

If you’ve ever noticed a tiny orange dot in the top corner of your iPhone screen, you’ve probably wondered what it symbolizes. This strange dot, which appears to be innocuous but is actually quite concerning, has perplexed and alarmed many users.

`The rumor mill has produced tales about this dot being an indication that someone is secretly listening in on your talks, sending shivers down your spine and prompting concern. However, the truth is not as ominous as the misconceptions spreading on social media would have you assume.

With the release of iOS 14, Apple added these colored indicators as a security feature. The orange dot indicates that an app is now using your iPhone’s microphone. Similarly, its green equivalent denotes an app that uses either the camera or both the camera and microphone functions.

When to Worry (And When Not To)

Contrary to popular belief, the presence of an orange dot does not necessarily indicate that someone is listening in on your talks. Instead, it merely refers to a program that uses the microphone. It could be a social media site or chat app that needs access to the microphone to function properly.

If the orange dot makes you anxious, you may control app permissions on your iPhone. Go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, and finally Microphone. From there, you can select which apps can access your microphone and withdraw permissions for those you are unhappy with.

Managing iPhone’s Orange Dot

When that tiny orange dot appears, here’s how you can take control of your iPhone’s privacy:

Step 1: Investigate the culprit
Swipe down from the upper right corner of your screen to reach the CoMMAnd Center. If an app recently used your microphone, a notification will show on top. Tap it to reveal the app responsible for the dot.

Step 2: Take Control in the Settings
If you locate an app to which you are uncomfortable providing microphone access, it is time to change. Navigate to iPhone Settings, then Privacy, then finally Microphone. You can evaluate which apps have requested access to your microphone and adjust permissions accordingly.

Step 3: Adjusting the Accessibility Settings
For individuals who find the orange dot bothersome or confusing, there is an option to change its look to a square. Navigate to Settings, select Accessibility, and then Display & Text Size. To transform the orange dot into a square shape, toggle on “Differentiate Without Color”.

Extra iPhone Measures for Peace of Mind

Remember, it’s not just about the orange dot; it’s about being comfortable with how your apps use your device’s functionality. If you’re concerned about camera access, the green dot, or general app permissions, repeat the procedures in Privacy settings to control access to your camera and other features.

Ultimately, your iPhone gives you control over app permissions. You have the authority to authorize or refuse access to any data gathering device, including the microphone and camera.

The presence of an orange dot on your iPhone is not reason for alarm. With an understanding of its significance and the ability to change app permissions, you can confidently traverse your device’s privacy landscape.

Understanding the orange dot’s purpose allows you to make more educated decisions about your privacy settings. It is not a hint of impending danger, but rather a warning that an app is accessing your microphone. By remaining aware and maintaining your app permissions, you can maintain control over your iPhone’s privacy and use it confidently.