Latest news with #Deaths
7NEWS
29-05-2025
- 7NEWS
Family ‘in the dark' after death in custody of Indigenous man with disability at Coles supermarket in Alice Springs
Disturbing details have emerged about the death of a young man in custody at a Coles supermarket on Tuesday. The young man, who died after being pinned to the ground by police, was a 24-year-old Warlpiri man from Yuendumu, a remote community about three-and-a-half hours northwest of Alice Springs. The young man, who lived with a disability, had been in Alice Springs for a number of years, and was under a guardianship order and on an NDIS plan. He was confronted by security guards who believed he was shoplifting in the confectionary aisle of Coles about 1.10pm. NT Police Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst said the 24-year-old man was then 'taken to the ground' after a scuffle with the guards, and held there for 'a number of minutes'. Plain-clothed officers then arrived and handcuffed the young man — this is when police determined he had lost consciousness. The handcuffs were removed and police began CPR until paramedics arrived and took the 24-year-old man to Alice Springs Hospital, where he was declared dead about 2.20pm. His cause of death was unable to be determined by a preliminary autopsy, and the forensic pathologist is required for further investigation. Calls for inquiry amid reports 'knee was behind his head' There is no independent inquiry into the death at this stage. While Wurst said police will approach the 'complex investigation' with an 'objective lens', calls are mounting for additional scrutiny. One woman told NT News that she witnessed people calling out to police during the incident: 'This fella has a disability, he's disabled, just be a bit more careful.' 'And then all of a sudden he started fitting on the ground, like he was having a seizure,' the woman said. One witness told the outlet they saw an officer's 'knee was behind his head', and another witness told the ABC: 'It looked pretty violent, and then they slammed him to the ground.' Wurst said police would not 'provide specifics in relation to the actual incident and the conduct of the security guards or officers', when he was questioned about these witness reports during a press conference. Amnesty International Australia called for an investigation to be conducted, independent of NT Police, to 'ensure impartiality and to maintain public confidence in the process'. 'The death of yet another young Aboriginal person in police custody is unacceptable and demands immediate action,' an Amnesty spokesperson said. There have been 593 Indigenous deaths in custody recorded since the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. Community mourns, family left 'in the dark' The young man's grandfather, Yuendumu elder and Warlpiri man Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, said the family has been left 'in the dark about what really happened'. He has called for access to the CCTV and bodycam footage, which Wurst said is currently informing the police investigation. 'Family representatives need to see all available footage of this incident immediately, both CCTV and bodycam, so we can understand what happened to my jaja (grandson),' Hargraves said. 'We are terrified. We are shattered. We are frustrated. This is happening again and again. 'They (police) are saying they want to come and say sorry to us — no. We can't go on saying sorry, sorry, sorry.' The Yuendumu community were a fortnight away from receiving the coronal findings about the death of Kumanjayi Walker, a Warlpiri and Luritja teen, also from Yuendumu, who was shot three times at close range by former NT police officer Zachary Rolfe in 2019. An inquiry into the shooting found Rolfe not guilty on all charges over the 19-year-old's death in 2022. After years of waiting, Hargraves said the community is now considering postponing the visit from NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage, who was set to reveal her findings to them on June 10. 'Because of all these troubles happening right now, it's too much,' Hargraves said. 'Criminalisation of disability' The First Peoples Disability Network said the death highlighted 'the increasing criminalisation of disability' and exposed failings with the guardianship system and the NDIS. Senator Lidia Thorpe called the young man's death yet another case of 'brutal force' used against Indigenous people. 'He was hungry and he needed care. Instead, he was met with brutal force,' she said in a statement. 'This is not an isolated tragedy — it's part of a brutal pattern where our people die at the hands of police and in prisons. We won't stop speaking out until it ends.' Indigenous Australians Minister and NT Senator Malarndirri McCarthy described the incident as devastating — that a man 'just searching for some food' had died. A senior relative of the man said in a statement his Warlpiri people were devastated by the death and angry that another young man had 'lost his life at the hands of the police'. 'What are the police doing using such force on a vulnerable young man in a supermarket? Did they even try to de-escalate? 'Why was he there alone, where were the carers who were supposed to be responsible for him?' 'We cannot tolerate this situation, with continued brutality and lack of respect.'
New York Post
16-05-2025
- General
- New York Post
These popular US baby names are surprisingly banned in this country
It's a name fit for a king — unless you're a Kiwi. New Zealand just released its most recent list of banned baby names, with King topping the list of monikers outlawed in the country, per CNN. It's perfectly legal in the US, where more than 1,000 babies were given the name King in 2024, according to the Social Security Administration. All 11 New Zealand parents who applied to call their newborn King were asked to give it a second thought, John Crawford-Smith, Principal Advisor of the Department of Internal Affairs in New Zealand, revealed. 'We continue to urge parents to think carefully about names,' Crawford-Smith told CNN. 'Names are a gift.' In 2024, more than 1,000 children in America were named King. nataliaderiabina – Meanwhile, Prince ranked second in the latest list of banned names in New Zealand with 10 rejected applications, followed by Princess with four — a royal pain for some hopeful parents. Other royal-related names that are forbidden in the country — which regulates baby names under a strict registration law — include Duke, Emperor, Majesty, Queen and Crown. Names like Kingi, Kingz, Prinz, Prynce, and Royallty were also banned. Crawford-Smith said that New Zealand registered 60,000 births last year and 38 proposed names were rejected. New Zealand just released its latest list of banned baby names. Reddit/r/tragedeigh Under the country's registration law, baby names cannot be offensive, unreasonably long, include numbers and symbols, and must not resemble official titles or ranks 'without adequate justification,' the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 2021 proclaims. However, parents are given the chance to explain their reasoning behind the name choice before the Registrar General makes their final decision. New Zealand is part of the British Commonwealth and calls King Charles III its King — though it's unclear if the parents hoping to give their children a regal name meant it as a tribute to him. Other names such as Sativa and Indica, strains of cannabis, were rejected, perhaps due to community perceptions of the potential names. Fanny — which was once a popular name — was also banned.
CNN
15-05-2025
- General
- CNN
More than 1,000 US kids were named ‘King' last year. But in New Zealand, that name is banned
It seems some parents in New Zealand just can't get the message. Once again, King has topped the list of baby names rejected by the country's Registrar General. The royal title led the list of banned baby names for 14 years in a row until 2023 when it was replaced by Prince, which ranks second in the latest iteration. Other regal references including Duke, Majesty and Emperor are also a no-go in the country, which polices birth names under its strict registration law. New Zealand registered 60,000 births last year and rejected 38 proposed names, according to a letter from John Crawford-Smith, Principal Advisor of the Department of Internal Affairs, in response to a written inquiry. Under the law, baby names must not be offensive, unreasonably long, or include numbers and symbols. They must also refrain from resembling official titles and ranks 'without adequate justification,' according to the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 2021. New Zealand is part of the British Commonwealth and a constitutional monarchy that calls Charles III its King. It's not known if the 11 parents who applied to call their child King meant it as an ode to Charles, but all were asked to have a rethink, according to Crawford-Smith. In 2024, more than 1,000 children in the United States were called King, according to the Social Security Administration. (Liam and Olivia were the top US names last year). Most of New Zealand's rejected names had royal links. Ten applications for Prince were rejected, followed by four for Princess. Names like Kingi, Kingz, Prinz, Prynce, and Royallty were also banned – potentially because department staff also consider how names sound when spoken when deciding if they'll be approved. Officials also consider community perceptions of the proposed name. That may be why other names, including Sativa and Indica, both strains of cannabis, were rejected. Fanny, once a popular first name, was also declined. Parents are given an opportunity to explain their rationale before the Registrar General makes a final decision. 'We continue to urge parents to think carefully about names,' Crawford-Smith wrote in the letter. 'Names are a gift,' he added. New Zealand is not the only country that imposes laws to regulate newborns' names. In 2015, a French judge in the northern part of the country refused to let two parents name their child Nutella because of the risk of humiliation. Sweden also has a naming law and has nixed attempts to name children 'Superman,' 'Metallica,' and 'Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116.' In the United States, some naming fights have centered on adults. In 2008, a judge allowed an Illinois school bus driver to legally change his first name to 'In God' and his last name to 'We Trust.' But the same year, an appeals court in New Mexico ruled against a man – named Variable – who wanted to change his name to 'F— Censorship!'
Courier-Mail
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
From Pope to Ranga: The 89 banned baby names in Australia
Don't miss out on the headlines from Babies. Followed categories will be added to My News. For all the wild baby names that are out there at the moment, you'd think that nothing is off-limits when it comes to naming your child. But it turns out that Australia has some strict name rules, and there are actually 89 monikers that parents are banned from giving their babies Down Under. While each Australian state and territory has its own Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act, the names on the list are those that are illegal nationwide in the Births, Deaths, and Marriages Registration Act 1996. The legislation sets the guidelines for what names are off-limits, including those that are obscene or offensive, too long, include symbols without phonetic significance, or are contrary to the public interest. X Illegal baby names The first type of baby names that receives a thumbs down includes official titles, ranks, and words related to royalty. That means that King, Queen, Prince, Princess, Admiral, Baron, Marshal, and Duke are a no-go. Some religious and mythical names are also banned, including Bishop, Pope, God, Dalai Lama, Devil, Saint, and Jesus Christ. Meanwhile, brand names and food-themed names won't get the tick of approval, so parents-to-be should steer clear of trying to name their kid Nutella, Ikea, Facebook, iMac, and Medicare. Names that are downright offensive or rude on the list include Adolf Hitler, Nazi, D**khead, G-Bang, Panties, Scrotum, Seaman, S**thead, Thong, and Terrorist. Other rogue names that are prohibited include Monkey, Passport, Bonghead, Cyanide, Harry Potter, and Ranga. Our country's name is also banned from being used, but Aussie or Ozzy are allowed if you're really set on honouring Australia. For practical reasons, you also can't choose a name that is longer than 50 characters. There are 89 banned names in Australia. Picture: iStock Baby name expert weighs in Baby naming consultant Michelle Casey told that she's not surprised about the banned list as she's noticed a rise in parents exploring bold, unconventional baby names. 'They often dance right on the edge of what's considered unique or out-there,' she explained. Having helped parents name their children since 2019, Ms Casey said she's witnessed a growing desire for creative names that feel 'meaningful and reflective of personal values or heritage' – a trend amplified by social media and the popularity of making 'name announcements'. 'That said, while parents might tiptoe with the thought of using those braver, more out-there choices, most still end up landing on something that sits in the sweet spot – fresh, but still familiar,' she noted. 'The bolder names often come up in the early brainstorm, but they're usually more of a guilty pleasure name – loved, but not always chosen, or perhaps they fit perfectly in the middle name spot – balancing out the familiar with the bold!' If you do have your sights set on one of the names on the banned list, don't fret – Ms Casey said she's seen certain ones accepted, including Saint, Duke, Justice, and Malek. On an Instagram video she posted about the topic, her followers also shared names they had come across in the wild, such as Honour, ANZAC, Princess, and Major. Some names can get accepted through certain loopholes. Picture: iStock Baby name loopholes So, how can you get a banned name approved? It turns out that the names on the list aren't automatically rejected, and state-by-state exceptions can be made. For example, according to the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages (RBDM), applications to register a banned name will be considered. 'Before making a decision that a name is prohibited, RBDM takes into account relevant factors including family and cultural relevance and how that name would be perceived in the community,' they said. Victoria's Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) also states, 'If you are seeking to register a name that might be prohibited, BDM will work with you to ensure your child's name — or your own — is meaningful to you, reflects community expectations, and can be registered'. So, if you're keen on submitting a name from the list and seeing if it gets approved, check out the full list below. Mother holding her little cute sleeping baby boy Banned baby names in Australia Admiral Adolf Hitler Anzac Australia Baron Bishop Brigadier Bomb Bonghead Brother Cadet Captain Chief Christ Chow Tow Colonel Commander Commissioner Commodore Constable Corporal Cyanide Dalai Lama Dame Devil Dickhead Doctor Duke Emperor Facebook Father G-Bang General God Goddess Harry Potter Honour Ikea iMac Inspector Jesus Christ Judge Justice King Lady Lieutenant Lord Madam Mafia Majesty Major Marijuana Marshal Medicare Messiah Minister Mister Monkey Nazi Ned Kelly Nutella Officer Osama bin Laden Panties Passport Pope Premier President Prime Minister Prince Princess Professor Queen Ranga Robocop Saint Satan Scrotum Seaman Sergeant S**thead Sir Sister Smelly Snort Socceroos Terrorist Thong Virgin Originally published as From Pope to Ranga: The 89 banned baby names in Australia
The Herald Scotland
09-05-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
New Zealand rejected these 40 baby names in 2024: See the list
Names with ties to marijuana were also requested and rejected - Sativa and Indica, which are two popular marijuana strains. Both were only requested and rejected once. "We continue to urge parents to think carefully about names. Names are a gift. Generally, the name registered will be with the individual for the rest of their lives," a document published by New Zealand's Department of Internal Affairs states. Here's a look at the full list of names that were declined last year and the reasoning behind why. What names were declined? Can't see the chart above? Visit Why were these names declined? According to New Zealand's 2021 Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Act, names cannot: Be offensive Resemble a title or rank without adequate justification Be unreasonably long Include numbers or symbols Names that may fall into one of the above categories is reviewed to determine how it make be perceived in the community, how it is spelt and sound when spoken, how the name could impact others, and when appropriate, why the parents wish to register the name, according to a documents published by New Zealand's Department of Internal Affairs. If a name is declined, the parents of the child are contacted and are able to provide further justification for the name they requested. Often though, a new name is chosen, federal documents state. What other countries have strict baby naming laws? Aside from New Zealand, some other countries with strict baby naming laws include Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Iceland, according to legal advisor Angie Newnham. The U.S., on the other hand, has very few restrictions on baby names, with each state having its own set of rules. Generally, names are allowed if they are not obscene or derogatory, and some states have limitations on symbols and special characters being added. For example, in Texas, a baby's first, middle, and last names are restricted to a maximum of 100 letters total, with special characters, numbers and diacritical marks being prohibited. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
