Latest news with #Pokémon
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Facebook groups hit with 'mass suspensions' after Meta technical error
Meta is warning users that it has suspended thousands of Facebook Groups due to a technical error. The company says its working to fix the issue but has not shared what's causing the widespread suspensions Meta is facing global outrage after a spate of mass bans has swept through Instagram and Facebook, now hitting Facebook Groups hard with scores of users barred from one of the social media platform's key features. TechCrunch reports that thousands of groups around the world have been suspended, sparking outrage and coordinated efforts on other platforms like Reddit to exchange information. Meta's spokesperson, Andy Stone, acknowledged the problem, confirming that the tech giant was on the case. "We're aware of a technical error that impacted some Facebook Groups. We're fixing things now," he stated in an email. The cause behind the widespread bans remains a mystery, but speculation points towards a glitch in AI moderation systems. Affected users have shared that many of the banned groups were unlikely targets for moderation, focusing on harmless topics such as money-saving tips, parenting advice, pet ownership, gaming, Pokémon, and mechanical keyboard aficionados. Admins of the Facebook Groups have been left baffled by ambiguous warnings citing violations for "terrorism-related" content or nudity, which they vehemently deny ever posting, reports the Express. The scale of the issue is significant, with both small and large groups affected, some boasting memberships ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands, and even reaching into the millions. Users caught up in a recent Facebook group ban wave are being advised by their peers to hold off on appealing the suspension, hoping it will be lifted automatically once a bug is fixed. Reddit's Facebook community (r/facebook) is currently awash with posts from frustrated group admins and members upset over the sudden removal of their groups. Reports are flooding in about entire groups being taken down in one fell swoop, with some users expressing disbelief at the reasons given for the bans, such as a bird photography group with nearly a million followers being flagged for nudity. Some users insist their groups were diligently moderated against spam, citing examples like a family-friendly Pokémon group with close to 200,000 members that was accused of referencing "dangerous organisations," or an interior design group with millions of members receiving the same charge. A few Facebook Group admins who have invested in Meta's Verified subscription, which promises priority customer support, have managed to receive assistance. However, others have shared that their groups faced suspension or complete deletion without resolution. The connection between this issue and the broader pattern of bans affecting individual Meta users remains uncertain, but it appears to be part of a larger problem plaguing social networks. Alongside Facebook and Instagram, social networks such as Pinterest and Tumblr have also been hit with complaints about mass suspensions in recent weeks. This has led users to suspect that AI-automated moderation efforts are the culprits. Pinterest at least owned up to its blunder, stating that the mass bans were due to an internal error, but it denied that AI was the problem. Tumblr stated its issues were linked to tests of a new content-filtering system but did not specify whether that system involved AI. When questioned last week about the Instagram bans, Meta declined to comment. Users are now rallying behind a petition that has already collected more than 12,380 signatures, urging Meta to tackle the issue. Others, including those whose businesses were impacted, are seeking legal recourse. Meta has yet to reveal what's causing the issue with either individual accounts or groups.
Irish Daily Mirror
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
'My friend named daughter after a food and baby's nickname is even worse'
Choosing a baby name isn't always easy, especially when you consider your family and friends' opinions on your favourite monikers. But one woman has become a laughing stock among her friends after announcing her daughter's unusual name at her gender reveal party, reports The Mirror. Taking to Reddit to share her shock, a friend said: "One of my parents' friends are pregnant and just had their baby shower. I attended and after the gender reveal (it's a girl), the name was announced: Paprika - like the spice. "They said that they did this so that they could call her Pika, like Pikachu. The baby shower was Pokemon themed. "Their family was visibly confused and didn't know how to react." Wanting to hear other people's thoughts on the name, she shared it on Reddit's tragedeigh thread, a group created to share names that have been "deliberately misspelled or completely made up to appear more unique than they actually are". Commenting on the moniker, one user said: "Wouldn't people end up calling her Prika or Rika? They like Pika but chose a longer name that they will shorten and drop a middle letter. But not the longer name from which they got Pika. It all makes sense!" Another user added: "At least they spelled it correctly." A third user said: "Name reveal is a terrible idea. If you meet a baby and the baby is introduced, you can react about how cute the baby is, who they look like, or whatever. "If you're told a baby has been born, you can react with interest about all sorts of things. But with a big Name Reveal, you're going to be expected to react to the name specifically, which is awkward if you don't love it." Another user said: "My neighbour's yappy Maltese is named Pika(chu)." One more user added: "As a long time Pokémon fan, this is absolutely ridiculous." Another user said: "If I was that baby honestly I'd rather be named Paprika rather than literal Pikachu. Not a good name, but we have literal food names playing in the playground. It's not the worst." A final user said: "It's legal to name the kid Pikachu, why not?" While it's not illegal to name your child after a Pokémon in the UK or Ireland, there's an ever-growing list of banned monikers worldwide. In Sweden, in 1996, a family wanted to name their child 'Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116'. However, unsurprisingly, this was not approved by the government despite the family's insistence that it's pronounced Albin. When the name was rejected, the family tried to name their son A instead - again pronounced Albin - but this was also turned down. In the end, they ended up calling him Albin, pronounced as such. In Japan, a couple sparked controversy after attempting to name their son Akuma, which means devil. In 1994, the father explained how he chose the name because he wanted his son to stand out in life with an unforgettable moniker, making him appear powerful. The family faced a legal battle to keep it but ended up backing down and changing their son's name.
Indianapolis Star
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
Charismatic? Real quiet? Your 2025 vibe is the Kentucky Derby winner the year you were born
The names of horses racing in this year's Kentucky Derby are as interesting as ever. Personally, we're enamored with Journalism and Publisher (what, like you're surprised?). Others include Tiztastic, Sovereignty, Owen Almighty and Final Gambit — named after a fighting-type move in Pokémon. Only one of the 20 horses listed in this year's derby will be crowned the winner. If you've ever wondered what horse won the year you were born, see our list below. Who knows, perhaps it's your vibe for 2025. Here are all 150 winning names of every Kentucky Derby racehorse since 1875. Who won the Kentucky Derby from 2000 - 2024? Date Winner May 4, 2024 Mystik Dan May 6, 2023 Mage May 7, 2022 Rich Strike May 1, 2021 Mandaloun Sept. 5, 2020 Authentic May 4, 2019 Country House May 5, 2018 Justify May 6, 2017 Always Dreaming May 7, 2016 Nyquist May 2, 2015 American Pharoah May 3, 2014 California Chrome May 4, 2013 Orb May 5, 2012 I\'ll Have Another May 7, 2011 Animal Kingdom May 1, 2010 Super Saver May 2, 2009 Mine That Bird May 3, 2008 Big Brown May 5, 2007 Street Sense May 6, 2006 Barbaro May 7, 2005 Giacomo May 1, 2004 Smarty Jones May 3, 2003 Funny Cide May 4, 2002 War Emblem May 5, 2001 Monarchos May 6, 2000 Fusaichi Pegasus What's your Kentucky Derby horse name? Use our name generator to find out! Who won the Kentucky Derby from 1980 - 1999? Date Winner May 1, 1999 Charismatic May 2, 1998 Real Quiet May 3, 1997 Silver Charm May 4, 1996 Grindstone May 6, 1995 Thunder Gulch May 7, 1994 Go for Gin May 1, 1993 Sea Hero May 2, 1992 Lil E. Tee May 4, 1991 Strike the Gold May 5, 1990 Unbridled May 6, 1989 Sunday Silence May 7, 1988 Winning Colors May 2, 1987 Alysheba May 3, 1986 Ferdinand May 4, 1985 Spend a Buck May 5, 1984 Swale May 7, 1983 Sunny\'s Halo May 1, 1982 Gato Del Sol May 2, 1981 Pleasant Colony May 3, 1980 Genuine Risk Story continues after photo gallery. Who won the Kentucky Derby from 1960 - 1979? Date Winner May 5, 1979 Spectacular Bid May 6, 1978 Affirmed May 7, 1977 Seattle Slew May 1, 1976 Bold Forbes May 3, 1975 Foolish Pleasure May 4, 1974 Cannonade May 5, 1973 Secretariat May 6, 1972 Riva Ridge May 1, 1971 Canonero II May 2, 1970 Dust Commander May 3, 1969 Majestic Prince May 4, 1968 Forward pass May 6, 1967 Proud Clarion May 7, 1966 Kauai King May 1, 1965 Lucky Debonair May 2, 1964 Northern Dancer May 4, 1963 Chateaugay May 5, 1962 Decidedly May 6, 1961 Carry Back May 7, 1960 Venetian Way Who won the Kentucky Derby from 1940 - 1959? Date Winner May 2, 1959 Tomy Lee May 3, 1958 Tim Tam May 4, 1957 Iron Liege May 5, 1956 Needles May 7, 1955 Swaps May 1, 1954 Determine May 2, 1953 Dark Star May 3, 1952 Hill Gail May 5, 1951 Count Turf May 6, 1950 Middleground May 7, 1949 Ponder May 1, 1948 Citation May 3, 1947 Jet Pilot May 4, 1946 Assault June 9, 1945 Hoop, Jr. May 6, 1944 Pensive May 1, 1943 Count Fleet May 2, 1942 Shut Out May 3, 1941 Whirlaway May 4, 1940 Gallahadion Story continues after photo gallery. Who won the Kentucky Derby from 1920 - 1939? Date Winner May 6, 1939 Johnstown May 7, 1938 Lawrin May 8, 1937 War Admiral May 2, 1936 Bold Venture May 4, 1935 Omaha May 5, 1934 Cavalcade May 6, 1933 Brokers Tip May 7, 1932 Burgoo King May 16, 1931 Twenty Grand May 17, 1930 Gallant Fox May 18, 1929 Clyde Van Dusen May 19, 1928 Reigh Count May 14, 1927 Whiskery May 15, 1926 Bubbling Over May 16, 1925 Flying Ebony May 17, 1924 Black Gold May 19, 1923 Zev May 13, 1922 Morvich May 7, 1921 Behave Yourself May 8, 1920 Paul Jones Who won the Kentucky Derby from 1900 - 1919? Date Winner May 10, 1919 Sir Barton May 11, 1918 Exterminator May 12, 1917 Omar Khayyam May 13, 1916 George Smith May 8, 1915 Regret May 9, 1914 Old Rosebud May 10, 1913 Donerail May 11, 1912 Worth May 13, 1911 Meridian May 10, 1910 Donau May 3, 1909 Wintergreen May 5, 1908 Stone Street May 6, 1907 Pink Star May 2, 1906 Sir Huron May 10, 1905 Agile May 2, 1904 Elwood May 2, 1903 Judge Himes May 3, 1902 Alan-a-Dale April 29, 1901 His Eminence May 3, 1900 Lieutenant Gibson Who won the Kentucky Derby from 1875 - 1899? Date Winner May 4, 1899 Manuel May 4, 1898 Plaudit May 12, 1897 Typhoon II May 6, 1896 Ben Brush May 6, 1895 Halma May 15, 1894 Chant May 10, 1893 Lookout May 11, 1892 Azra May 13, 1891 Kingman May 14, 1890 Riley May 9, 1889 Spokane May 14, 1888 Macbeth II May 11, 1887 Montrose May 14, 1886 Ben Ali May 14, 1885 Joe Cotton May 16, 1884 Buchanan May 23, 1883 Leonatus May 16, 1882 Apollo May 17, 1881 Hindoo May 18, 1880 Fonso May 20, 1879 Lord Murphy May 21, 1878 Day Star May 22, 1877 Baden-Baden May 15, 1876 Vagrant May 17, 1875 Aristides Rodriguez jockey Mike Smith has shot at Kentucky Derby history Saturday at Churchill Downs Your Kentucky Derby pick is likely wrong. Why each horse can, can't win Run for the Roses John Shirreffs has another Kentucky Derby winner in Baeza, if he enters field | C.L. Brown Luxor Cafe jockey Joao Moreira looks to deliver first Kentucky Derby victory to Japan Lonnie Briley finally has Kentucky Derby contender in Coal Battle: 'I never dreamed of it' John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@ Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff.
USA Today
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'I need this': Fans react as Lego and Pokémon announce new partnership starting in 2026
Get ready to not only catch 'em all, but build 'em all next year. Lego and Pokémon announced on Tuesday that they have entered a multi-year partnership to bring "Lego Pokémon" to life in 2026. The announcement doesn't share details about the partnership, whether folks can expect Pokémon building sets; a Lego Pokémon video game; or limited edition playing cards, but fans have already begun to speculate. Instead, a short teaser video featuring a Pikachu tail made of Lego bricks bounces across the screen. "I need this, I need this," TikTok user Eric Bricks said in a video on Tuesday. "I can already see this theme selling like hot cakes. We know how crazy Pokémon fans are." With the news hot off the presses, here's what we know so far about the Lego and Pokémon partnership. What does the Lego Pokémon partnership include? As of Tuesday, Lego and Pokémon's announcement remains quite vague for what their "multi-year partnership" includes. Fans are encouraged to check in on the Lego Pokémon website for updates at Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. When will Lego Pokémon be released? Lego Pokémon will be released in 2026, the companies shared. Have Lego and Pokémon worked together before? No, Lego has not made Pokémon building sets before. Up until now, popular Pokémon buildable sets have almost exclusively been created and sold by Mattel under the company's Mega Bloks brand. What are builders, trainers saying? Lego and Pokémon fans alike have taken to social media to share their excitement for the collaboration. "I have lost count of the amount of times people have asked me what my dream Lego theme would be and I always answer the same way: 'Pokémon. Give me Pokémon.' And it's finally happening," TikTok user Block Party UK said in a video sharing the news. TikTok user cjBricklz, a Lego ambassador, said he hopes the brands release each of the first generation Pokémon (think Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle) as brick-build characters. "I think those would be some amazing 18+ sets and I would spend hundreds on those," cjBricklz said in his video. The Pokémon collaboration isn't the first time Lego has dipped its toes in the video game waters. Over the years, Lego has released Super Mario Bros., The Legend the Zelda, Minecraft and Animal Crossing sets. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
