Shakira confirms pregnancy

Miami: Ending weeks of speculation, Colombian singer Shakira confirmed Wednesday that she and Spanish soccer star Gerard Pique are expecting their first child and that she has decided to cancel all the promotional activities she had scheduled.

"As some of you may know, Gerard and I are very happy awaiting the arrival of our first baby!," she said Wednesday on her web page. "At this time we have decided to give priority to this unique moment in our lives and postpone all the promotional activities planned over the next few days," she added. "This means I will not be able to be a part of the iHeartRadio Music Festival, but I`m sure this weekend in Las Vegas will be spectacular and I will be closely following everything that happens there!," Shakira said. "Big kiss! And will see you very soon!, Shakira." The songstress is scheduled next spring to join the television programme "The Voice" along with R and B icon Usher as temporary replacements for Christina Aguilera and Ceelo Green. On Sep 6, Shakira released a video on which she sang - together with her father - a song from the soundtrack of the film "Love in the Time of Cholera" and that recording served as her birthday gift to him on his 81st birthday. IANS