Latest news with #Messiah
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
23 baby names banned around the world, from Nutella to King
In some countries parents have to choose from a list of approved baby names while others ban names such as Lucifer, Saint, Facebook and Tom. You might think choosing a baby name is down to the parents, but there are some monikers you can't give to a newborn, depending on where you live. Earlier this year, New Zealand, which has strict naming laws, released a list of all the baby names officials rejected in 2024. Many of the names were linked to royalty, with King, Prince and Princess noted as the top three most rejected name choices. Crown, Pryncess, Royal and Emperor were also among the names turned down. Other names parents were banned from using included Saint, Fanny, Ice and Messiah. In total, there were 71 instances of a name being declined. By law, names in the country must not be offensive, resemble a title or rank, include numbers or symbols, or be unreasonably long. This isn't the only example of baby names being banned around the world. Hungary and Iceland are just two of a number of countries where parents have to choose their baby names from an approved list. If they want to give their child a more unique name, they must put in a request and wait to see if it's approved. In other countries, there are laws around names using traditional spellings. In fact, various baby names have been banned around the world for a whole host of reasons. Here are some of them. Banned baby names Metallica Maybe these Swedish parents were huge fans, but when they tried to give their daughter an ode to their favourite heavy metal band in 2007, officials outlawed it, deeming it inappropriate. However, after public outcry, authorities withdrew their objections. Tom If you're considering having a baby in Portugal, there is a list of approved names to choose from. Nicknames are not allowed as a full, formal name – so Tomás is okay, but Tom isn't. Nutella In 2015, a court in Valenciennes, France, decided that a couple would not be allowed to name their daughter Nutella. The judge ruled it wouldn't be in the child's best interest to be named after a chocolate spread. Facebook In today's internet-obsessed society, it's only a matter of time before someone tries to name their child after a social media site. The state of Sonora in Mexico banned parents from naming their baby Facebook in 2014 because it is 'derogatory, pejorative, discriminatory or lacking in meaning". The same state has also banned the names Robocop, James Bond, Circumcision, Traffic and Lady Di. @ Before you roll your eyes, the meaning behind this is quite sweet. In China, the @ symbol is pronounced 'ai-ta' and means 'love him'. Still, when parents tried to name their child this in 2007, authorities didn't think it was appropriate. However, it wasn't revealed if the name was eventually allowed or not. Ikea Parents in Sweden wanting to name their children after the country's Scandinavian-inspired superstore could fall foul of the country's naming law, enacted in 1982. J Turns out Swiss naming authorities aren't keen on initials as first names. When parents tried to pay tribute to two grandparents, Johanna and Josef, with the name J, the court in Switzerland suggested Jo instead. Gesher Back in 1998, Norwegian authorities jailed a woman for two days when she failed to pay a fine for giving her son an "unapproved" name – Gesher, which is Hebrew for bridge. Cyanide In 2017, a Welsh mother was banned by a high court from calling her baby daughter Cyanide (her twin brother was named Preacher). Despite her arguments that Cyanide was a "lovely, pretty name", the court ruled that the "unusual" choice might harm the child growing up. Saint The moniker that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West chose for their son may have been fine in the US, but, in New Zealand, where you can't give your kids names that resemble official titles, it's not. In 2024, one set of parents had this name rejected by the naming officials within the government. Daemon A French couple, in 2012, were keen to name their child after the character of Damon from The Vampire Diaries. They added an 'e' to make it sound more French, but authorities banned it for sounding too demonic. However, the parents were allowed to keep the name after a court battle. Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii This unique moniker of Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii belonged to a nine-year-old girl from New Zealand before a judge had her renamed during a custody battle. "It makes a fool of the child," he said. Akuma In 1994, Japanese parents called, or should we say tried to call, their son Akuma, which means devil. The authorities decided this was an abuse of the parents' rights to decide a child's name. Chow Tow AKA Smelly Head While some countries are gradually loosening their name laws, Malaysian authorities have been clamping down on unsuitable titles in recent years. Case in point: Cantonese moniker Chow Tow, which means 'Smelly Head'. Ah Chwar AKA Snake The 2006 tightening of Malaysia's naming restrictions also meant the banning of Hokkien Chinese Ah Chwar, which means 'Snake'. Peppermint Germany has certain criteria for baby name bans. Pfefferminze ("Peppermint") was rejected because it might cause ridicule. Equally, the moniker Stone was outlawed due to the fact that "a child cannot identify with it, because it is an object and not a first name". Linda In 2014, the relatively inoffensive-sounding Linda made Saudi Arabia's banned baby names list, thanks to its association with Western culture. Fañch In 2017, a French court ruled a couple could not use the moniker Fañch they'd chosen for their baby. The court in Quimper, north-west France, ruled that the new parents would not be able to use the character ñ (called a tilde) in their baby's name. Venerdi AKA Friday In 2008, a court banned an Italian couple from calling their baby boy Venerdi, which translates to Friday. But although naming a baby after the best day of the week doesn't sound that bad, the judges believed the name, taken from Robinson Crusoe, would expose the child to "mockery" and was associated with "subservience and insecurity". Fraise When a French couple attempted to name their child after a strawberry, the courts claimed that the name Fraise would incur teasing. The parents insisted that they were only trying to give their little one an original name, and eventually went with 'Fraisine' instead. Lucifer Earlier this year, The Times reported that a court in Germany had intervened when a couple tried to call their child Lucifer. Other names that have been rejected in the country include Satan, Judas and Gucci. Anus A child in Denmark was very nearly named after this particular part of the human anatomy. Unsurprisingly, the application was denied. Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116 No, we didn't just nod off on the keyboard. That is an actual name a Swedish couple tried to give their baby back in 1996. Apparently, the name is pronounced 'Albin' (yeah, we're not sure how either), and the parents chose it as a protest against Sweden's strict naming laws. Are any baby names banned in the UK? In the UK, there are no strict rules around names. In fact, more than 60,000 unique names and spellings were given to babies born in England and Wales in 2023. However, names that are racist or considered harmful to the child could be illegal and banned, according to the UK Deed Poll Office. Names could also be rejected by the registering officer if they: Are impossible to pronounce Include numbers, symbols or punctuation marks like exclamation points (hyphens and apostrophes are fine) Are considered offensive, vulgar or blasphemous Infer the child has a rank or title, like Doctor or Lord Read more about baby names: 9 baby names no one else in your child's class is likely to have (Yahoo Life UK, 7-min read) I had some baby name regret, after choosing my daughter's name in a rush (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read) 36 baby names inspired by food, from Margherita to Clementine (Yahoo Life UK, 9-min read) Solve the daily Crossword
Al-Ahram Weekly
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Al-Aqsa Mosque unalienable right of Muslim Ummah, not subject to historical revision or force: Al-Azhar Observatory - Foreign Affairs
Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem is a divinely blessed Islamic site whose status is not subject to historical distortion or military force, the Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism affirmed on Tuesday. The statement was made in response to recent claims by Israeli Rabbi Menachem Brod, as published in an article on the Hebrew-language site Haredim 1, where he sought to promote the concept of constructing the so-called 'Third Temple' in the Jewish collective consciousness. According to the observatory, Brod's article argues that the denial of Jewish ties to the Temple Mount — where Al-Aqsa Mosque is located — by what he calls the "enemies of the Jews" is a 'heavenly sign' urging Jews to renew their spiritual connection to the site. Brod further alleged that early Islam acknowledged the existence of Solomon's Temple beneath the Dome of the Rock, but claimed that contemporary Muslims have rewritten history to erase this acknowledgement. He called on Jews to deepen their spiritual and intellectual relationship with the Temple Mount — even without physically visiting it — by studying its history and teaching future generations about its significance. The article also invoked the phrase 'The Temple Mount is in our hands,' first declared during the 1967 war, describing it as a symbol of Jewish spiritual restoration. Brod claimed that a Third Temple will eventually be built by the awaited Messiah (HaMashiach) and will serve as a 'house of prayer for all nations' and a 'bridge to world peace' — suggesting, according to his religious interpretation, that Muslims will willingly relinquish the mosque upon the Messiah's arrival. In response, Al-Azhar Observatory condemned these views as part of an extremist religious discourse aimed at legitimizing occupation and asserting supremacy in the name of faith. The observatory emphasized that while Islam honours the legacy of all prophets, it firmly asserts that Al-Quds (Jerusalem) is a blessed city for all faiths — yet Al-Aqsa Mosque is a sacred Islamic endowment (waqf) and an unalienable right of the Muslim Ummah. Located in occupied East Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam, after the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina. The mosque compound includes the iconic Dome of the Rock, whose golden dome has become a defining symbol of both Palestinian identity and the city of Jerusalem. According to Islamic tradition, the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven from this very site during the Night Journey (Isra and Mi'raj). While Jews are permitted to enter the compound, they are forbidden from praying there due to concerns that such acts may inflame tensions with Muslim worshippers. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Jason Momoa on son Nakoa-Wolf's Dune 3 debut: 'He's going to be way better than I've ever been'
Actor Jason Momoa is beaming with pride as his 16-year-old son Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha Momoa prepares to make his acting debut in 'Dune 3,' the final installment of Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi trilogy. Speaking at the premiere of his OTT series 'Chief of War,' Momoa shared that while he initially resisted the idea of his son entering the industry, he now believes Nakoa-Wolf will surpass him. Jason Momoa says his son did it on his own According to a report in Entertainment Tonight, Jason Momoa shared that his son expressed interest in acting, but he initially discouraged him, telling him he couldn't act and wouldn't be part of the industry. However, his son pursued it on his own and proved his dedication. Momoa admitted that his son is already showing signs of being a better actor than him and added that, like him, the boy is loud—something they have in common. He expressed pride in seeing his child follow his passion and push forward independently. Momoa's comments reflect a mix of disbelief, admiration, and emotional acceptance of his son's decision to follow in his footsteps. The actor also joked about shooing his son away during red carpet interviews. Nakoa-Wolf reportedly cast as Leto II Atreides While the studio has yet to officially confirm the role, multiple sources suggest Nakoa-Wolf will play Leto II, the son of Paul Atreides played by Timothée Chalamet and Chani played by Zendaya, in 'Dune: Messiah.' His twin sister Ghanima will reportedly be portrayed by Ida Brooke, marking a generational shift in the franchise's narrative arc. A legacy passed on through the sands of Arrakis Momoa previously played Duncan Idaho, the loyal swordmaster to 'House Atreides,' in Dune of the year 2021. Though his character met a tragic end, Duncan remains a fan favorite. In Dune 3, Momoa returns as the character Hayt, which is a clone of Duncan Idaho, as it is reintroduced to Paul Atreides as part of the Messiah storyline. The father-son casting adds another meaningful layer to the franchise, which symbolized continuity at a generational level and emotional depth. As Denis Villeneuve adapts 'Dune: Messiah,' the emergence of new characters like Leto II and Ghanima signals a shift toward legacy, prophecy, and transformation.
The Irish Sun
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Please, Sir Keir, racing is being battered and we NEED your help before it's too late
SIR KEIR, are you listening? Do you know what is going on? Has anyone talked to you? Tax nightmares. Affordability checks. Labour peer frustrations. 1 Racing is booming at the moment with punters returning to tracks - but huge headwinds in the shape of harsh taxation lie in wait Credit: PA It appears racing is being battered in every direction. Who is listening? It remains hard to know. I've written before and I'll write it again. Considering horse racing is loved by the King and Queen downwards, it's quite extraordinary that it seems anyone who is part of the sport seemingly finds it impossible to get the ear of the Prime Minister. But while everyone is shouting from the rooftops about the current mayhem and possible nightmares around the corner, whether those in charge of Government have any idea what is happening behind the scenes is just a guessing game. We know Sir Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria, like horse racing. Remember the day after the General Election? Victoria was having a day out at the Eclipse at Sandown. Not so long ago Sir Keir was also at Doncaster for the St Leger to watch Jan Brueghel land his victory for Aidan O'Brien. And yet, there is every chance the Labour Government is on the verge of lumping a huge taxation on the Sport of Kings that could be the beginning of the end. Most read in Horse Racing For those of you who don't know, that's because there is a current Treasury proposal to harmonise remote gambling tax rates, which could result in a raise to the rate on sports betting (including horseracing) from 15 per cent to 21 per cent. It all comes at a time when racing attendances are up - although no doubt partly due to good weather - allowing the sport to remain as the second most watched in the country. Above all that, though, horse racing already contributes over £4billion to the national economy and supports in the region of 85,000 jobs. Why would you even contemplate wrecking that? All this is going on at the same time Lord Allen continues to sit on the bench while he decides whether he wants to become BHA chairman. Many in racing think he is sent from God to make everything all right, although as of yet I've seen nothing on paper to back that up. That all said, everyone knows the governance needs a massive change. We really only hear one side of the Lord Allen 'will he join or won't he join' saga. But I'm led to believe he's put forward a proposal which basically says accept it or I walk. I am also led to believe he wants a hefty salary for whoever he makes CEO in place of Brant Dunshea. I can't back this up. It's just the word on the street. If Lord Allen is the Messiah, though, you would have thought he'd have already been talking to Sir Keir and messages would be coming back to racing about the tax issue. It's been silent as far as I am aware. So Sir Keir. The question is simple. Do you hear us? Do you know what is going on? FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Michelle Monaghan joins John Cena and Eric Andre in 'Little Brother'
Hollywood actor Michelle Monaghan , best known for her role in the third season of the HBO's acclaimed series "The White Lotus" and films such as "Mission: Impossible III", and "Source Code", is set to star in the upcoming comedy feature "Little Brother". The 49-year-old actor will appear alongside the previously announced cast comprising John Cena and Eric Andre , according to the entertainment news outlet Deadline. Directed by Matt Spicer of "Ingrid Goes West" fame, "Little Brother" follows a famous real estate agent whose carefully curated world is upended when his eccentric little brother unexpectedly reappears. The film is produced by David Bernad alongside Ruben Fleischer for Middle Child Pictures. The script has been penned by Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel. Actors Chris Meloni, Ego Nwodim, Sherry Cola , Caleb Hearon, and Ben Ahlers round off the cast of the film. Besides "Little Brother", Monaghan will next star in the action comedy "The Family Plan 2", a sequel to the 2023 release from Simon Cellan Jones. She will also feature in the upcoming Netflix film "The Whisper Man", based on the crime thriller novel with the same title. The film is directed by James Ashcroft and will star Monaghan alongside Robert De Niro . The film is slated to release in 2026. 'Messiah' Trailer: Michelle Monaghan, Mehdi Dehbi starrer 'Messiah' Official Trailer
