Latest news with #ArkoftheCovenant
Irish Examiner
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Colin Sheridan: Is a €8m handbag a sign that moral rot within society is beyond redemption?
Last week, while most of us were trying to figure out whether we could stretch a pack of sausages to Wednesday, a handbag — yes, a handbag — sold for over €8m at auction. Not just any handbag, mind you. This was Jane Birkin's handbag, a Hermès Birkin, apparently so fabulous it makes the Ark of the Covenant look like something you'd pick up in Mr Price. Can you live in the handbag? Will the handbag score 12 goals from midfield for your favourite football team? Does the handbag masquerade as a consultant obstetrician? I had to check the headline thrice to be sure it wasn't satire. But no, some anonymous collector with more money than shame decided that owning a dead woman's carry-all was worth liquidating the GDP of Latvia. One wonders if the buyer realises that, in the end, it's still a leather sack for lugging around tampons, loose Polo mints, and the odd receipt from Boots. We are in a golden age for absurdity. The global elite, presumably bored of space travel and tax avoidance, have turned to auctions to alleviate their crushing ennui. They'll throw millions at anything with a whiff of celebrity: Hair clippings, stained lyric sheets, Willie Joe Padden's bloodstained head-sock. The only criterion is that it must be fundamentally useless. Consider, if you will, the painting by the American artist Robert Ryman, which sold for $20m. A lovely canvas of — wait for it — white paint. Just white. You'd be forgiven for thinking someone had accidentally left the undercoat unfinished and called it a day. The shredded Banksy painting 'Love is in the Bin' exhibited at the Museum Frieder Burda in Baden-Baden in 2019. Picture: Uli Deck, DPA via AP The Sotheby's catalogue, in all seriousness, described it as 'an exploration of absence and presence'. Fools! I would've given them twice as much absence and presence for half the price. Then there's the shredded Banksy. You remember that one: Girl with Balloon, which was run through a hidden shredder the moment the hammer fell. The partial destruction somehow made it more valuable. It's now called Love is in the Bin and sold for €21m. Because nothing says 'serious art' like a prank worthy of a drunk teenager. You can't even hang the thing without a health-and-safety risk assessment in case it completes the shredding mid-dinner party. Not just about visual art Lest you think this is purely a visual art problem, let's not forget the world of music memorabilia. Kurt Cobain's battered cardigan from MTV Unplugged went for €300,000. Not because it was woven from unicorn wool — though at that price, it ought to be — but because it still had a few cigarette burns in the sleeves. Some poor intern probably spent the entire auction standing guard over it in a humidity-controlled glass box, as if it were the Shroud of Turin. Of course, nothing tops the slice of stale wedding cake from Charles and Diana's nuptials, which fetched €1,800. Imagine explaining that to your dinner guests. If ever proof was needed that the British monarchy has warped the collective brain, there it is. I realise that by now, I sound like the man shouting at a shredded cloud. But can we acknowledge that an €8m handbag is a sign that the moral rot within society is perhaps beyond redemption? Jane Birkin herself was reportedly ambivalent about the bag's absurd symbolism, once complaining that it was too heavy to be practical. Indeed, if you were the owner of such a thing, you'd be terrified to take it to Dunnes Stores for fear someone would brush against it with a trolley and take €200,000 off its resale value. What do the owners do with this stuff? Keep it in a bank vault? Gloat over it at dinner parties? Invite friends round to sniff the lining? 'Go on, that's the authentic aroma of 1960s Gauloises and existential dread.' And yet the madness persists. We live in a time when working people must remortgage their house if they want a new boiler, but if you're rich enough, you can drop seven figures on the decaying remnants of someone else's broken dreams. The whole ecosystem thrives on scarcity and snobbery. There's no limit to the price as long as it remains tantalisingly out of reach for the rest of us. One could argue there's poetry in it — a reminder of the surreal hierarchy of value humans assign to the meaningless. But I'd wager it's mostly ego and the desperate need to be seen as a connoisseur. In reality, the only thing you're a connoisseur of is spectacular bad taste and the art of burning cash. So, to whoever bought Jane Birkin's handbag: Congratulations. May you treasure your absurd purchase as a monument to the world's most expensive nonsense. And when the day comes that the bottom falls out of the collector's market — and it always does — you can use it to carry your tears.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jonathan Isaac's Unitus Launches Faith-Forward Activewear
A bold new collection calling men and women to train hard, trust God, and move by faith. ORLANDO, Fla., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Unitus, the faith-forward apparel brand founded by NBA player Jonathan Isaac, today announced the launch of its first-ever activewear collection for men and women. Designed for performance and rooted in Scripture, the collection debuts with a clear message from 2 Corinthians 5:7: Move by faith, not by sight. The Move by Faith campaign invites believers to trust God with their goals, their movement, and their daily lives. Each piece serves as a physical reminder to walk in obedience, endure through uncertainty, and draw strength from Christ. All products feature the Unitus logo—a modern interpretation of the Ark of the Covenant— reminding wearers that God is with them wherever they go. Engineered for both training and daily wear, the 2025 activewear collection blends minimalist design with breathable materials and thoughtful details. New women's offerings include seamless sports bras, lightweight leggings, and boxy crop tees. Men's styles feature moisture-wicking tech tees, versatile trainer shorts, and lightweight hoodies. "When sight says stop, faith keeps going," said Jonathan Isaac. "That's the heart behind this collection. We want believers to remember that in Christ, they have a supernatural strength. We go further when we go by faith." This release also introduces new Unitus ambassadors: Jason Jackson Jr., Kylie Jean Tannehill, and Doug Elks—influencers and faith leaders known for living boldly and inspiring others to do the same. Explore the full collection now at For press inquiries, please contact press@ Unitus is a faith-forward footwear and apparel brand founded by NBA player Jonathan Isaac. The first to launch a signature basketball shoe with a visible Bible verse, Unitus creates products that help believers stay connected to Christ and live out their faith. Through apparel, content, and community giveback initiatives, Unitus pursues a more united world in Christ. Learn more at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE JDA Worldwide
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jonathan Isaac's Unitus Launches Faith-Forward Activewear
A bold new collection calling men and women to train hard, trust God, and move by faith. ORLANDO, Fla., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Unitus, the faith-forward apparel brand founded by NBA player Jonathan Isaac, today announced the launch of its first-ever activewear collection for men and women. Designed for performance and rooted in Scripture, the collection debuts with a clear message from 2 Corinthians 5:7: Move by faith, not by sight. The Move by Faith campaign invites believers to trust God with their goals, their movement, and their daily lives. Each piece serves as a physical reminder to walk in obedience, endure through uncertainty, and draw strength from Christ. All products feature the Unitus logo—a modern interpretation of the Ark of the Covenant— reminding wearers that God is with them wherever they go. Engineered for both training and daily wear, the 2025 activewear collection blends minimalist design with breathable materials and thoughtful details. New women's offerings include seamless sports bras, lightweight leggings, and boxy crop tees. Men's styles feature moisture-wicking tech tees, versatile trainer shorts, and lightweight hoodies. "When sight says stop, faith keeps going," said Jonathan Isaac. "That's the heart behind this collection. We want believers to remember that in Christ, they have a supernatural strength. We go further when we go by faith." This release also introduces new Unitus ambassadors: Jason Jackson Jr., Kylie Jean Tannehill, and Doug Elks—influencers and faith leaders known for living boldly and inspiring others to do the same. Explore the full collection now at For press inquiries, please contact press@ Unitus is a faith-forward footwear and apparel brand founded by NBA player Jonathan Isaac. The first to launch a signature basketball shoe with a visible Bible verse, Unitus creates products that help believers stay connected to Christ and live out their faith. Through apparel, content, and community giveback initiatives, Unitus pursues a more united world in Christ. Learn more at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE JDA Worldwide Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Irish Independent
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Today's top TV and streaming choices: Housewife of the Year, Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Better Sister
Dragon Hearts RTÉ One, 6.30pm In 2020, Ireland's first dragon boat-racing club was formed in Dublin. Here, those who are passionate about the fast-growing sport explain why it's so important to them, revealing its impact on them both physically and mentally. Code of Silence Virgin Media One, 9pm We're reaching the halfway point of the gripping drama, and matters are about to get even more dangerous for Alison. She uncovers important information by following Braden and Liam to a building site, but begins to question the bond she has formed with the latter. Housewife of the Year RTÉ One, 9.30pm Feature-length, award-winning documentary. It takes a look back at the Housewife of the Year contest, which was broadcast annually on TV between 1967 and 1995. Some of those who took part discuss their experiences. Raiders of the Lost Ark RTÉ One, 3.30pm Steven Spielberg's perfect bank holiday film stars Harrison Ford as adventurous archaeologist Indiana Jones who comes face to face with Nazis while on the trail of the Ark of the Covenant. Karen Allen co-stars. Dept. Q Netflix, streaming now DCI Carl Morck may be an excellent investigator, but there's no hiding from the fact that he's a terrible co-worker. There's the small matter of his scathing sarcasm, which has left him without a single friend in the Edinburgh police force. Then there's the rather more serious issue of him having fatally shot a young officer and permanently injured his partner. Unsurprisingly enough, following this tragic turn of events, Morck is relegated to Department Q: a cold-case unit which was created as a publicity stunt. Although the force is thrilled to see Carl go, he soon sets about assembling a group of outcasts who are all keen to prove themselves. Yes, it does sound a bit like Slow Horses, which is quite the gauntlet for Netflix to throw. Only time will tell if it's worthy of comparison. With yer man from Leap Year (Matthew Goode) essentially playing a hybrid of Gary Oldman's Jackson Lamb and Jack Lowden's River Cartwright, I wouldn't hold my breath. A Widow's Game Netflix, streaming now Picture it: August 2017. In a Valencia parking lot, a man is found stabbed seven times. The city's Homicide Group, led by a veteran inspector, races to solve the case, which appears to be a crime of passion. Their investigation soon takes a shocking turn, pointing to an unlikely suspect: Maje, the victim's seemingly sweet and stoic widow, married to him for less than a year. Mission: Impossible Fest Disney+, streaming now We can never get enough of the Mission: Impossible movies, it seems. You can now watch all the prequels to the recently released The Final Reckoning if you're so inclined. Bono: Stories of Surrender Apple TV+, streaming now Behold Bono's one-man stage show, exploring the personal experiences that have shaped him as a son, father, husband and activist. Oh, and as one of the planet's biggest rock stars. If Owen Wilson's signature shtick is more to your liking, The Stick lands Wednesday. Good Boy Prime Video, streaming now In order to combat crime in a perilous underworld, a group of former medal-winning athletes exchange the podium for police badges. In an exciting, action-packed ride, Yun Dong-ju (Park Bo-gum) and his group battle a formidable criminal syndicate. Also on Prime Video, we have season 2 of The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy, courtesy of producers Maya Rudolph and Natasha Lyonne. The Better Sister Prime Video, streaming now D'you know what society needs? More portrayals of women being pitted against each other. Based on Alafair Burke's novel, however, this eight-part thriller attempts to turn things. When media executive Chloe (Jessica Biel) and her estranged sister Nicky (Elizabeth Banks) are reunited after a murder, they must unravel long-buried family secrets to uncover the truth.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Christian perspective: Don't put Ten Commandments in Idaho classrooms
Idaho is debating whether to place the Ten Commandments in school classrooms. We are all familiar with the Ten Commandments. They are an important part of several major religions. These Commandments were etched into stone tablets thousands of years ago. In all probability, they were never displayed publicly. Jewish tradition required that they be put in a chest, called the Ark of the Covenant. The original tablets would have never been seen in classrooms, courtrooms, the halls of government or even on the walls of the temple. Instead, they were hidden away in the Holy of Holies, the most hidden and sacred part of the temple. One might think that placing these commandments in school classrooms would help our children learn God's law, but it is just the opposite. By doing so, we are only abdicating our responsibilities. Wise pastors are heard to say that the problem isn't that there is not prayer in our schools, but rather that there is not prayer in our homes. So too with the truth of God's Commandments. The responsibility lies with us, the parents. Do we really want anyone else teaching morality to our children? Of course, we can only teach what we know. This is why Moses told the people to write the Commandments on the doorpost of their houses and on their gates, and to bind the law as a sign on their hand and between their eyes. He was reminding the people that the law was to be written on their hearts, both to inform how they think and guide what they do. In other words, it was not about their neighbor. Each person knew that they were personally called to obedience to God. There is another important reason why posting the Ten Commandments falls short. Namely, they deal with what we should not do. In this way they are not unique. Many ancient civilizations had similar moral codes. Jesus took the law to a new, higher level. He made most laws a matter of our heart and our intentions. This changed everything. No longer was the focus on what we must not do. Jesus emphasized that the foremost principle is to 'love your neighbor as yourself.' This became known as the 'Royal Law' among his disciples. And while there is a temptation to pick and choose who our neighbor is, Jesus doesn't give us this option. In his parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus teaches that loving your neighbor is meeting the needs of anyone around you. This is true even if they are different than you. Loving our neighbor is love in action. It is this 'action' that reveals a transformed heart and genuine love. Repeatedly, the teachings of Jesus encourage us to rise above legalistic obedience to the Ten Commandments. For example, while the commandment says, 'Thou shall have no God's before me,' Jesus tells us to love God with all our heart, soul and mind. We express this love by not only loving him but obeying his commandment to: 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' This is our highest calling. If we aspire to be a Christian nation, we should follow the teachings of Jesus. For when we love our neighbor, we go beyond the laws of the Ten Commandments. When Jesus' words are written on the hearts of Christians, men and women will become living monuments and take God's love and righteousness into every classroom, business, government office and church across the nation. Few will ignore those who are willing to love their neighbor as themselves. Our children will learn from our example that their is a higher love, one that calls for everyone to follow Jesus' teachings. There is nothing more important than this. The one who helps his neighbor, not caring about their religion, ethnicity, nation or color of their skin is fulfilling the highest law. Only this will change the world. John Watson was a 35-year local golf professional, now retired. Larry Lilly has been a professional landscaper and longtime Bible teacher, also now retired. Together they have written and published the book, 'Roadblocks to God; A Book of Heresy.'
