Latest news with #culturalDiversity
Wall Street Journal
5 days ago
- General
- Wall Street Journal
To Counter Beijing, Try a ‘Many Chinas' Policy
Most American foreign-policy experts fundamentally misunderstand China. They think of it as a singular, homogeneous country, when in reality it is a patchwork of linguistic, cultural, religious, and political identities, often defined by centuries of uneasy tension. These fissures extend beyond ethnic minorities such as Tibetans and Uyghurs. Significant divisions exist within the Han majority, which includes groups whose local dialects are mutually unintelligible. The central government is affected by rivalries among these competing factions. The Cantonese, centered between Hong Kong and Guangzhou, are an economic juggernaut. Yet they are the most underrepresented of all major Han subgroups in the senior ranks of the Communist Party and the People's Liberation Army. Northern Chinese, including the current party and military leadership, have long distrusted the Cantonese as rebellious and disloyal.
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Baby names are getting more DIVERSE: Experts reveal the top names in the UK over the last 20 years - as parents pull inspiration from around the world
When it comes to choosing a baby name, there are endless options. Some parents might opt for a traditional 'Jack', while others may go for more multicultural names such as 'Arlo' or 'Luca'. Now, research has revealed how baby names in Britain have become more culturally and linguistically diverse over the last 20 years. Analysis of the top baby names from 2004, 2014 and 2024 found today's most popular baby names come from a much wider range of countries and languages than they used to. The favourite baby names at the turn of the millennium were predominantly of English, Hebrew and Latin origin. Now, two decades later, Italian, Arabic, Norse, and even Scottish-Spanish names also top the list. Experts say parents now have a much broader frame of reference, and that there's a 'real shift' away from traditional choices. So, do you have one of these more multicultural names? Love Island star Luca Bish has a name with Italian origins. In 2024, it was the seventh most popular name for newborn baby boys Analysis, carried out by English language classes platform Preply, showed the majority of the most popular names in 2004 were of English, Hebrew or Latin origin. These included Jack, Joshua, Daniel, Emily and Jessica. Other popular names from that era were of Greek, Germanic and Celtic origin. But fast-forward to 2024 and a range of other cultural names are also in the top 20 list. These include Isla, which is Scottish/Spanish, Luca, which is Italian, Freya, which is Norse, and Muhammad, which is Arabic. 'As a nation, we're much more exposed to and connected with other cultures than we've ever been,' a spokeswoman for Preply said. 'The media we consume, the communities we engage with online, and global migration, have all played a key role in this shift. 'Parents now have a much broader frame of reference. The top baby names in the UK in 2004, 2014, and 2024 Top boy names 2004 Jack - English Joshua - Hebrew Thomas - Aramaic James - Hebrew Daniel - Hebrew Samuel - Hebrew Oliver - Latin/French William - Germanic Benjamin - Hebrew Joseph - Hebrew 2014 Oliver - Latin/French Jack - English Harry - English Jacob - Hebrew Charlie - English Thomas - Aramaic George - Greek Oscar - Irish/Old Norse James - Hebrew William - Germanic 2024 Muhammad - Arabic Noah - Hebrew Oliver - Latin George - Greek Leo - Latin Arthur - Celtic Luca - Italian Theodore - Greek Oscar - Irish Henry - Germanic Top girl names 2004 Emily - Latin Ellie - English/Greek Jessica - Hebrew Sophie - Greek Chloe - Greek Olivia - Latin Lucy - Latin Charlotte - French Katie - English/Greek Megan - Welsh 2014 Amelia - Latin/Germanic Olivia - Latin Isla - Scottish/Spanish Emily - Latin Poppy - English Ava - Latin/Germanic Isabella - Hebrew/Spanish/Italian Jessica - Hebrew Lily - English Sophie - Greek 2024 Olivia - Latin Amelia - Latin/Germanic Isla - Scottish/Spanish Lily - English Freya - Norse Ava - Latin/Germanic Ivy - English Florence - Latin Willow - English Isabella - Italian/Spanish 'Now that we're familiar with more cross-cultural names, they feel modern, accessible, and stylish. 'Most of these names aren't necessarily new, they're just new to us!' They said names of Scandinavian and French origin, such as Evelyn and Mia, have begun making an appearance in the UK's top names lists, which they didn't in 2014 or 2004. 'This reflects a growing cultural diversity and openness to global influences in baby naming trends,' they added. 'We're also seeing a growing number of names with mythological or historical roots, like Phoebe and Ivy, being embraced by parents today. 'Overall, there's a real shift away from traditional choices in favour of names that feel unique and memorable.' The findings show that, as a nation, we're becoming more multicultural and linguistically diverse. 'Today, names of Arabic, Norse, Spanish, and Italian origin appear frequently in the top 20, names that didn't appear at all just 20 years ago,' the expert said. 'A key contributor is our desire for uniqueness. 'Rather than sticking with conventional name choices, we're selecting ones that feel more globally relevant.' 'Additionally, it demonstrates that we're being influenced by pop culture. 'The likes of celebrities, football stars, and even social media influencers are swaying our baby naming choices, often without us even realising.
Hospitality Net
26-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Nathalie Leduc has been appointed Business Development Consultant for Asia at VERTU Hotels and Resorts
Nathalie Leduc is a hospitality and cross-cultural relations expert with a versatile background in international innovation, institutional partnerships, and luxury hospitality. She brings to VERTU Hotels and Resorts a unique combination of heartfelt cultural insight and a grounded understanding of what makes an exceptional guest experience. Earlier in her career, Nathalie contributed to guest satisfaction at renowned hotel brands such as Hilton, Marriott, and Millennium Hotels. Her deep-rooted appreciation for high-touch service and guest-centric hospitality was born in these formative years. In her most recent roles, Nathalie worked within the field of innovation, where she played a key role in forging connections between institutions, governments, and international partners. Her experience welcoming foreign delegations and building relationships across cultural lines has prepared her to represent VERTU Hotels and Resorts across Asia's rich and diverse hospitality landscape. Nathalie is fluent in French and English, and is expanding her command of various Asian languages to better understand the local contexts she works in. She approaches every opportunity with humility, curiosity, and a sincere belief that listening is the foundation of any successful partnership.
CNA
21-05-2025
- General
- CNA
What's Coming Up - On The Red Dot On What It Means To Call Singapore Home
Immigrants account for a large percentage of Singapore's total population. In this brand new On The Red Dot series, we find out from four immigrants to find out what their journeys to becoming Singaporean entail.
The National
16-05-2025
- The National
What Donald Trump will see inside Abu Dhabi's Abrahamic Family House
Abu Dhabi's dedication to religious tolerance is enshrined in the Abrahamic Family House, the stunning cultural and spiritual precinct on Saadiyat Island. The complex is also on the schedule for US President Donald Trump on the final day of his four-day Gulf trip. He has already visited Riyadh and Doha before arriving in the UAE capital. Launched in 2023, the space celebrates the shared values of Islam, Judaism and Christianity with a mosque, synagogue and church on one site. Designed by Ghanaian-British architect Sir David Adjaye, the Abrahamic Family House is open daily to worshippers and visitors for tours and prayer services. If you are visiting for the first time, here is what to expect. Driving to the Abrahamic Family House is relatively straightforward. Take the Saadiyat Island exit off Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street. The site is beside the soon-to-open Zayed National Museum and Louvre Abu Dhabi is also nearby. After parking in the underground car park and passing through a security scan, visitors are ushered towards the Welcome Centre. The large rectangular space is filled with warm lighting and has an elegant yet minimal reception booth. It also doubles up as an events space. The walls display historical milestones that led to the creation of the Abrahamic Family House. The centrepiece is the Document on Human Fraternity – a joint statement signed by the late Pope Francis as head of the Catholic Church, and Sheikh Ahmed El Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar, in Abu Dhabi in 2019. The overall atmosphere is calming and sets the tone for a journey of contemplation and reverence. The elevated space, accessed via a set of stairs or a lift, is an ideal point to begin your visit. It allows you to appreciate the Abrahamic Family House's collective objective as the garden, which contains more than 200 local plants, connects all three houses of worship. Look carefully and you can see surrounding Saadiyat Island residential communities, Louvre Abu Dhabi, NYU Abu Dhabi and Berklee Abu Dhabi university. It brings the significance of the Abrahamic Family House to light. This is a place that connects faith with community, and the wisdom and treasures of the past with the enterprising promise of the future. The three houses of worship share similar architectural elements and materials, but each has its own style. Named after the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, the Imam Al Tayeb Mosque can hold 300 people. The exterior's minimalist design is made up of seven arches, reflecting the importance of the number in Islam. Separate ablution areas flank the mosque and there are plenty of cubby holes in which to place shoes before entering. Step inside and you enter a space as intimate as it is cavernous. Instead of ornate chandeliers, a feature of most mosques, there are discreet and powerful spotlights. The high ceilings are domed to ensure the sound reverberates richly, while the soft auburn carpet has ingrained lines to help worshippers align themselves for prayer. Generous shafts of light pierce through windows, which are engraved with Islamic motifs. It is a tranquil space suited for moments of reflection. The Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue has seven pillars on the ground and eight above, supporting the roof. The message being, according to our guide, that God is bigger than any human creation. The synagogue is named after the 12th-century Jewish scholar and astronomer who worked in Morocco and Egypt. There is a mikveh – a bath used for ritual immersion – outside the prayer hall, as well as a smaller space for religious studies. The Ten Commandments are printed in Hebrew and flank the walls of the prayer hall. A suspended bronze mesh structure descends from a central skylight inside. Our guide says the zigzag shapes of the structure are similar to tents and represent the Jewish communities of old congregating to practise their religion. A plain golden crucifix hangs in the middle of the Catholic St Francis Church, to welcome Christians of all denominations. It is an airy and acoustically pristine space defined by floor-to-ceiling windows and a wooden canopy. The altar is slightly elevated and the pews are spacious enough to accommodate up to 300 people. Outside is a small triangular pool of water to symbolise the Trinity of Christianity and the three Abrahamic faiths. Regular prayer services take place, including the predawn fajr at the mosque. A programme of events, from cultural discussions to community gatherings, take place across the site. In addition to ticketed daily guided tours, each house of worship organises events relevant to its faith. Interfaith events, from guest lectures to conferences, are also held at the venue. All events are regularly updated on the Abrahamic Family House's website and social media channel. Information about the Abrahamic Family House is available at
