Liam Payne of One Direction revealed Thursday that he is working on a solo album, becoming the latest member of the boy band sensations to pursue his own career.
The 22-year-old heartthrob took to Twitter to announce that he had signed to Capitol Records to record his debut solo album.
"One Direction will always be my home and family but I'm very excited to see what this chapter brings," Payne said.
The announcement is certain to further predictions from One Direction's legions of pubescent fans that the band is no longer.
One Direction in November released its fifth studio album, "Made in the A.M.," with the group saying it was going on indefinite hiatus but not splitting up.
The band at that point had already seen the departure of founding member Zayn Malik who, shedding One Direction's squeaky clean image, released a racy, R&B-driven debut album, "Mind of Mine," in March.
Another One Direction member, Harry Styles, has reportedly also reached a lucrative recording deal with One Direction's label Columbia Records.
One Direction -- whose ranks also include Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan -- emerged in 2010 when the then teenagers appeared on British television contest "The X Factor."
The boy band went on to release an album of radio-ready pop each year in time for the holiday shopping season and became one of the highest-grossing live acts in the world.
Payne's deal marks a commercial coup for Capitol Records, a legendary label now under the Universal umbrella, as all other One Direction works have been on Sony marks.
AFP RELAXNEWS
Fri Jul 22 2016

The 22-year-old heartthrob took to Twitter to announce that he had signed to Capitol Records to record his debut solo album.

Social media platform X down again for thousands of users, Downdetector shows
Elon Musk's social media platform X was down again for thousands of users in the United States, according to Downdetector.com.

The end of cheap palm oil? Output stalls as biodiesel demand surges
Palm oil now trades at a premium over soybean oil, reversing past discounts.

UK Minister’s visit reinforces shared commitment to secure and resilient growth
The UK and Malaysia will step up cooperation to drive economic growth through trade and investment in key sectors.

Mark Carney, crisis-fighting central banker, to lead Canada through US trade war
Mark Carney argues Canada must fight Trump's tariffs with dollar for dollar retaliation and diversify trading relations in the medium term.

China vows utmost efforts for 'peaceful reunification' with Taiwan
China will also take all necessary steps to safeguard the country's territorial integrity, it's foreign ministry says.

Hanoi bans tours on Train Street
The tourism department urges travel agencies to warn staff about traffic accident risks near train street cafes.

Room for talks on opposition MP allocations - PM
PM says issues can be raised in meetings, and the draft MoU on opposition allocations can be amended if needed.

Philippines' Duterte says he will accept arrest if ICC issues warrant
The International Criminal Court is set to issue a warrant over Rodrigo Duterte's years-long "war on drugs" that killed thousands.

May 6 decision on Najib's representation to drop RM27 mln SRC money laundering charges
The prosecution is requesting a new case management date to update on the outcome of the representation.

Doctor rearrested over multiple indecent behaviour claims
According to police, the doctor's initial remand period ends today but he was rearrested in connection with the third police report.

Malaysia has to sign at least eight protocols to use nuclear energy - MOSTI
Chang Lih Kang says nuclear energy use is regulated by international conventions and UN Security Council resolutions.

Syria's Sharaa scrambles to contain deadliest violence in years
The clashes have already killed over 1,000 people, mostly civilians, and continue for a fourth day in Assad's coastal heartland.

No plans to expand implementation of extended hours - MOH
Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni says trials at select clinics failed to ease congestion, especially in the Green Zone.

South Korean police prepare for 'worst-case scenarios' ahead of Yoon impeachment ruling
South Korea's Constitutional Court rules whether to oust or reinstate impeached President Yoon Suk-Yeol.
![[COLUMNIST] From checklists to impact: Strengthening MyPCVE with evidence & expertise [COLUMNIST] From checklists to impact: Strengthening MyPCVE with evidence & expertise](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/51728873693_EMIR.jpg)
[COLUMNIST] From checklists to impact: Strengthening MyPCVE with evidence & expertise
IOOI drives evidence-based research, refining training and ensuring expertise is applied through standardised frameworks.

Number of flood evacuees rises in Sabah
The flood situation in Sabah has worsened, while the number of evacuees housed in relief centres in Sarawak remains unchanged tonight.

Trump says government shutdown is possible, but expects to avert it
Donald Trump remains hopeful that a temporary funding bill will secure enough votes for approval.

Ringgit opens stronger on higher expectation of US rate cut
Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid says the US DXY dropped to 103.830 points, suggesting an upside potential for the ringgit.

MOE bans sale of vape-like candies in schools - Fadhlina
The Education Ministry would take strict action against any party found selling food that could endanger students' safety.

Mark Carney wins race to replace Trudeau as Canada's prime minister
Mark Carney won with 86 pct of votes, defeating ex-Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland in a race with nearly 152,000 party members voting.