LONDON: Britain’s famous parliament clock tower is to be renamed Elizabeth Tower in honor of the queen’s diamond jubilee, officials announced yesterday.
The change comes after dozens of lawmakers signed up to a campaign to change the name of the tower — officially named the Clock Tower but commonly known as Big Ben — in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th year on the throne.
Big Ben is technically the name of the huge bell at the top of the 96-meter tower, one of London’s best-loved landmarks.
“The House of Commons Commission welcomed the proposal to rename the Clock Tower Elizabeth Tower in recognition of HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and will arrange for this decision to be implemented in an appropriate manner in due course,” a spokesman said.
Lawmakers have accepted that the iconic tower, which sounds out the hours over central London with distinctive “bongs,” will continue to be known colloquially as Big Ben.
The change mirrors an honor bestowed on queen Victoria — the only other British monarch to celebrate a diamond jubilee back in 1897 — who gives her name to the other tower at the west end of Parliament.
A spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron said the name change was “a fitting tribute to the queen and the service she has given to our country in this Jubilee year.”
Big Ben bells to toll for Elizabeth
Big Ben bells to toll for Elizabeth
‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ longlisted for 2026 BAFTAs
DUBAI: Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania’s “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” which is supported by Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Foundation, has been longlisted for Best Film Not in English Language and Best Director at the 2026 BAFTA Awards, which were unveiled on Friday.
The film tells the story of Hind Rajab Hamada, who was fleeing the Israeli military in Gaza City with six relatives last year when their car came under fire.
The sole survivor of the Israeli attack, who was then shot and killed, her desperate calls recorded with the Red Crescent rescue service caused international outrage.
The movie has several famous names attached as executive producers, including actors Joaquin Phoenix and Brad Pitt, and Oscar-winning directors Jonathan Glazer (“The Zone of Interest”) and Mexico’s Alfonso Cuaron (“Roma”).
Following the BAFTA longlist reveal, the Red Sea Film Foundation shared its reaction on Instagram, highlighting the film’s impact and journey. “From the very beginning, this film carried an urgency that demanded to be heard,” the foundation wrote. “We’re proud to have supported its journey and to see it continue reaching audiences beyond borders, reminding us why these stories matter and why they need space to be told.”
The movie has also been selected as Tunisia’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards and has earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture — Non-English Language.
The 83rd Golden Globes takes place on Jan. 11.
