‘Muhammad’ becomes England’s most popular baby name

Dec 6 2024

The latest statistics from the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) have revealed a significant shift in baby name trends in England and Wales.

For the first time, ‘Muhammad’ has surpassed ‘Noah’ as the most popular baby name for boys. These are followed by ‘Oliver’ which replaced ‘George’ as the third most popular.

The name, with its multiple variations, reflects the growing influence of Muslim communities in the UK, where it is commonly chosen in reverence to the Prophet Muhammad. This marks a notable shift in the UK’s culture and demographics, with ‘Muhammad’ showing a steady rise in the top rankings of recent years.

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This is also seen where unlike previous decades, it seems that names like Charles, Harry and George, which are synonymous with members of the royal family, are losing appeal. However, the ONS claims that parents are selecting fewer names for boys than for girls, which increases the occurrence of each boy’s name.

For baby girls, the top three most popular names have remained the same since 2022, starting with ‘Olivia’ followed by ‘Amelia’ and ‘Isla’ – with Olivia being the highest ranking name since 2016. The ONS also noted some new additions to the top 100 names. For girls these included ‘Lilah’, ‘Hazel’, ‘Raya’ and ‘Nevaeh’, whereas the new additions for boys included ‘Endo’, ‘Jax’, and ‘Bodhi’.

Depending on the season, some names were more popular than others; for example, ‘Summer’ and ‘Autumn’ were more prevalent in their respective seasons, while ‘Holly’, ‘Robyn’, and ‘Joseph’ were more popular in December.

Pop culture has also affected naming trends with a notable spike in baby names such as ‘Reign’ and ‘Saint’ after members of the Kardashian-Jenner family and those of artists like Billie Eilish and Lana Del Rey.

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Self Care SZN: De-Stress With Pearl Spas Exclusive Services

Dec 6 2024

The holiday season is a time of joy, but it can also bring its fair share of stress. Between shopping, gatherings, and endless to-do lists, it’s easy to forget about self-care. That’s where Pearl Spas come in—your ultimate destination for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Pearl Spas offer a vast array of individual treatments, tailored to melt away tension and leave you refreshed. This season, they’ve gone a step further with innovative, cutting-edge treatments featuring advanced technology and laser therapies. These groundbreaking services promise to elevate your wellness routine to the next level.

For a complete escape, explore Pearl Spa’s renowned Day Spa Packages, designed to immerse you in tranquility. Their Christmas Campaign features ten exclusive packages, combining luxurious treatments, access to premium indoor spa facilities, and indulgent all-inclusive buffet meals.

Don’t miss out on the mega offers running throughout December, with weekly surprises leading up to Christmas. Plus, every gift voucher purchased this month comes with a free skin analysis—a perfect opportunity to treat yourself or a loved one.

This holiday season, prioritise your well-being with Pearl Spa. Explore their offerings at www.pearlspas.com and discover why relaxation has never been so accessible.

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Five Signs You’re a Christmas Grinch

Dec 6 2024

The holiday season is here, with festive decorations, Christmas carols, and family gatherings taking over. For many, it’s a time to celebrate, but for some, it’s a period to endure rather than enjoy. If you find yourself dreading the merry atmosphere, you might just be a Christmas Grinch. Here are five signs that Christmas might not be your favorite time of the year:

You Can’t Stand Christmas Music
The festive tunes that others adore? Not for you. After hearing “White Christmas” or “All I Want for Christmas Is You” once, you’ve had enough. The idea of listening to these songs on repeat throughout the season makes you cringe.

You Refuse to Decorate Before December 8
Why rush the decorations? If it were up to you, you’d skip the holiday ornaments entirely. But if you must participate, it’s strictly after December 8th – no exceptions. You’re not a fan of excessive decorations, especially those that light up the neighborhood.

You Leave Christmas Shopping to the Last Minute
Shopping for gifts? No problem – you’ll do it all on Christmas Eve. A couple of hours, and you’re done, mostly with vouchers. Simple, quick, and straight to the point.

You Volunteer to Work on Christmas Day
The idea of skipping Christmas celebrations and being at work sounds perfect to you. No presents, no dinner, no fuss – just the quiet of the office. Your colleagues will appreciate your willingness to skip the festivities.

You Prefer Comfort Over Formality for Christmas Dinner
Dressing up for Christmas dinner? Not your thing. Why bother with uncomfortable clothes when you’d rather lounge on the couch after a hearty meal? Stretchy pants or pajamas are your preferred attire for the occasion.

If any of these sound familiar, you might be a Christmas Grinch !

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OSCE Has Reached An Agreement, Foreign Minister Announces

Dec 6 2024

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) announced a new leadership package on Friday, concluding months of negotiations over its top four posts.

The announcement came during the second and final day of the OSCE Ministerial Council held in Malta, where 57 member states convened for high-level discussions.

Feridun Sinirlioğlu of Türkiye was appointed OSCE Secretary General, Maria Telalian of Greece was named Director of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Christophe Kamp of the Netherlands took the role of High Commissioner on National Minorities, and Jan Braathu of Norway became Representative on Freedom of the Media.

This agreement follows extended negotiations, with earlier proposals requiring revisions under pressure from Greece and Türkiye to include their candidates.

Foreign Minister Ian Borg celebrated the breakthrough on social media, stating, “We have just reached a unanimous agreement that has been discussed for months among the 57 OSCE countries. Malta has once again been a protagonist for dialogue and peace.” He added that the OSCE now had certainty regarding its leadership for the coming years.

At a news conference, Sinirlioğlu expressed pride and commitment, acknowledging the challenges ahead, particularly the ongoing war in Ukraine. “My role will enable me to act as a bridge between participating states for consensus and solutions,” he said.

While the leadership agreement brings stability to the OSCE, no progress was reported on resolving the Ukraine conflict. Borg had earlier suggested the leadership package could help facilitate discussions on ending the war.

This marks a significant moment for Malta as the current OSCE chair, underscoring its role in fostering international dialogue during a tense geopolitical period.

#MaltaDaily