Latest news with #Christendom
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- NZ Herald
James of thrones: A new book on the monarch who created modern Britain
'The wisest fool in Christendom': King James I. Photo / Getty Images Compelling, meticulous account of the life and aspirations of the monarch who created modern Britain. What do you know of James I? Your answer might include 'gunpowder plot', 'Bible', 'witches', and maybe, 'Was he the gay one?' But do you then draw a blank? Here's a highly readable, meticulously researched book to fill those gaps and give you a broad understanding of this fascinating period of history, when the world order was undergoing profound changes that would ripple down through the centuries. The events of James I's reign took place 400 years ago, but we're still dealing with their consequences today. British historian Anna Whitelock says The Sun Rising isn't a biography. 'Rather it is a reframing, a 'provocation' which seeks to move beyond traditional accounts, to place James in a global context, as a 'politician' who … laid the foundations for the future development of Britain; its identity, ambition and place in the world.' The result is a fascinating insight into Britain and beyond at the start of the 17th century. It includes riproaring tales of adventure – sometimes tragic, often comic, always gripping – and is brought to life with contemporary quotes that give a real flavour of the times. James I was 36 when he ascended to England's throne in 1603. He'd already been King James VI of Scotland since the age of one. He was the first monarch of the Stuart dynasty and the first king of both England and Scotland, and was committed to uniting those two kingdoms. During his reign, modern Britain was born, with the creation of a common currency and a British flag – now called the Union Jack. For the first time, ambassadors were appointed to represent 'the King of Great Britain'. The European powers – Britain, Spain, Portugal, France and the Netherlands – were jostling for position, particularly when it came to trade. It's a brave author who discusses the origins of colonialism, but Whitelock does this brilliantly, plunging us into the mindset of the times, never excusing, only laying out the facts, the context and the history. Part one discusses James's ascension to the throne. When Elizabeth I died, this most stubborn of queens had failed to name her successor and people were nervous. Civil war was a distinct possibility and the English worried that European countries would use the excuse of a contested succession to invade. But James – and here we see the canny Scot – had spent years secretly planning for this, cultivating alliances with both Catholic and Protestant courts in Europe, as well as significant players in England. Of note is his secret correspondence with Elizabeth's closest adviser, Robert Cecil. This was dangerous for Cecil – Elizabeth liked to know everything. We learn that James's code name for Cecil was '10', while Cecil referred to James as '30'. When Elizabeth died, James proceeded to London with great ceremony. 'It was to be a truly unprecedented progress: a king of Scotland travelling south … to peacefully claim the crown of England after centuries of acrimonious rivalry and warfare between the two nations.' Nevertheless, we learn that more than 4000 soldiers were deployed across London and that eight ships were moored on the Thames in case of foreign invasion. The English were mostly happy with James as successor, not least because he already had two male heirs (he'd been married to Anne of Denmark for 13 years). Plus, he was a direct descendent of Henry VII, his grandmother being Henry's eldest daughter. James's greatest desire was for peace in Christendom and he worked hard to towards this end. He didn't achieve it but left as his legacy the King James Bible, first published in 1611: 'James hoped the new translation would unify his kingdom and build a national identity in which he, the Bible and the church stood together. A single Bible translation equalled a unified church, and a unified church was the first step to a unified country.' In part two we head overseas. Britain desperately needed to secure trade routes, because at the end of Elizabeth's reign, England was broke. 'My hairs stand upright to think of it,' Cecil wrote in 1601. This is the meatiest part of the book with tales of early settlers in Virginia, and trade wars and bumbling fiascos in the East. The author tells a great tale, and the descriptions of those voyages of exploration, those meetings with sultans and shoguns and shahs, have the flavour of historical fiction, except they're true. Anna Whitelock: A fascinating account of early 17th-century life. Photos / Supplied In part three we're back to Protestants vs Catholics, and we learn of the lengths to which James went to secure peace in Europe. He attempted to keep the Catholics on side by marrying his eldest son to the Spanish infanta (it didn't happen), while also supporting his powerful Protestant son-in-law Frederick, the Elector Palatine of the Rhine. It was an impossible task and James died without achieving his dream, as Europe became embroiled in the Thirty Years War. James I was described by a contemporary as 'the wisest fool in Christendom'. Whitelock writes, 'James could be pragmatic, shrewd and adept. A highly educated man with extensive views on issues ranging from theology and political philosophy to witchcraft, from tobacco use to silkworm-farming, he showed guile during his reign, balancing principle with pragmatism …' I was impressed, particularly with his focus on peace. However, we also see the beginnings of the struggle between parliament and the monarchy that would lead to the English Civil War. There are portraits, illustrations, and maps of 17th-century London, Asia and the Americas – a great addition to what is already a highly readable account of James and the dawn of a global Britain. The Sun Rising: James I and the Dawn of a Global Britain by Anna Whitelock (Bloomsbury, $44.99) is out on July 29.
India.com
6 days ago
- General
- India.com
Immediate Need? How to Arrange Funeral Services Singapore Quickly
At a time of sudden loss, families are typically unprepared to make fast but sensitive decisions. The emotional burden of mourning, along with the practicalities of arranging a funeral, can seem like a lot. This is exactly where trustworthy Funeral Services Singapore comes into play – helping with advice, consolation and quick arrangements, when time is running out. In Singapore, the multicultural and multi-religious society means that funeral arrangements have to be adjusted to suit diverse customs and traditions. Whatever method is used, the funeral planning should be as respectful and timely as possible in order to properly honor the deceased and provide comfort to a bereaved family. This article takes you through the key aspects of doing a funeral in secret in Singapore where you can also find great service providers whose service you can utilise in your time of need. Understanding the Urgency of Funeral Planning Sudden death, particularly when it happens at home or outside the hospital, demands the immediate help of an expert practitioner. In Singapore, the process of the law and the procedures after one's death are well laid out but have to be done properly and speedily. These include getting a Certificate of Cause of Death, letting the relevant authorities know and getting a funeral director in place to start the required preparations. The pressure to plan is not giving parents much direction, and they are confused and terrified. Here's where experienced Funeral Services Singapore professionals come into the picture – a systematic and supportive approach to eliminate guesswork and slashes time lags. A reliable funeral firm will take care of legal issues, religious ceremonies and all the intricacies so that things are handled in a most orderly manner that reflects proper respect and honour to the departed. First Steps: What to Do Immediately After a Death Grief, desperate earnestness, delirium, fear: The first few hours when a loved one has died can be flooded with confusion. But knowing what to do can help make a little sense of the chaos. At time of death in a hospital, the attending medical staff is generally responsible for a death certification and death certificate. If the death takes place at home, a doctor must be summoned to certify the cause. As soon as you have the certificate in your hands, prompt families should call a licensed funeral director. Reliable funeral service providers in Singapore also have 24/7 hotlines set up for grief-stricken families to call upon. They will then send a team to manage the transfer of the body and make arrangements, in the event that the funeral is taking place at a parlour, void deck or at a place of worship. Their participation early on means time-critical jobs don't get put on hold. Choosing the Right Funeral Package Quickly Established service providers provide complete sets that cover various religions such as Buddhism, Taoism, Christendom, Catholicism, Hinduism and freethinker. These packages cover everything necessary – casket, embalming, transportation, viewing, prayer items, and coordination of religious leaders. Families may lack the time, in urgent circumstances, to compare every detail. A reputable agency is able to guide families to the perfect package for their values and their price, with pricing up front and immediate confirmations. Selecting an event package is a great way to relieve stress and make certain that every detail-whether it's big or small-is taken care of and done your way, and on your time. Coordination of Venue and Logistics Finding a location for the wake, and arranging for transportation are some of the logistical details that must be taken care of when one's time is limited. From void deck to HDB multi-purpose hall, church, or funeral parlour and a private home, funeral services providers can easily discuss with town councils, management offices and religious leaders, and arrange for booking and follow ups. This happens when you engage in the services of the leading Funeral Services Singapore enterprises due to networks and in-depth local knowledge put at their disposal. Their crew will also take care that tentage, electrical installation and water supply permits are in effect ahead of time to prevent delays. Dead and mourners are transported punctually and without hitch, using hearse and shuttle services. Professional Embalming and Body Preparation When you're having to plan a funeral on short notice, the preparation of the body for visitation is a sensitive and most necessary consideration. A professional embalmer is dispatched to wash, embalm, and clothe the body in accordance with religious traditions. Families sometimes want one last opportunity to see their loved one at peace, and embalming can enable an open-casket wake. Funeral directors can also help to choose appropriate clothing, makeup if desired and religious items, such as prayer beads or texts, to be set with the body. All of which is conducted in the most respectful and professional manner, families will find extreme comfort knowing that their loved one is being taken care of with respect. Conducting Religious and Cultural Rites Singapore has a mixed race with many religious traditions and funerals frequently have certain rites that need to be performed within certain time-marks. The monks, priests, pastors, or other spiritual leaders must be informed immediately for the fast preparation of the funeral. Each tradition might have its own particular needs — chanting sessions, offerings, prayer services, or wakes that take multiple days. A professional Funeral Services Singapore has experience in the spiritual aspects of this. They take care of the religious, the offering, the service arrangements and guide the family through everything. This means that the funeral will maintain its meaning and significance as a spiritually based funeral, and will not lose its relevance if it is arranged at short notice. Live Streaming and Remote Participation In today's global world, many families have family members living in other parts of the world where they cannot be present at the funeral. For emergencies, this only makes it harder. Live funeral streaming Funeral homes in Singapore can organize a live stream service where the friends and family from around the world can participate in it virtually. This is a particularly useful offering in the context of travel bans, or for those requiring additional time to return home. With the high quality of video and clear audio, those at a distance can see rites, recite prayers and express condolences — allowing the farewell to be inclusive and comforting for both parties. Post-Funeral Support and Documentation There are still things to deal with after the burial or cremation — death registration and certificate collection, memorial services and estate matters, for instance. We don't leave the family at this point,' funeral-service providers insist. For grieving families, struggling through this sudden loss, their ongoing support offers helping hands. Knowing that the support lasts beyond the funeral helps families properly grieve without being burdened by logistics. Why Choosing the Right Funeral Partner Matters in Urgent Situations When planning a funeral fast it is important to move quickly, but also to be sensitive. Unfortunately, not all providers are capable of making urgent plans empathically and promptly. The right funeral partner won't just step in when the time comes but will treat every stage with the care, attention and respect it deserves. What makes them unique is their expertise in dealing with a variety of funerals, their understanding of legal regulations, as well as their capability to arrange your requirements under one platform. Families in need should search for a provider with a quality track record and positive testimonials, and one that has a strong passion for serving people during one of the hardest times of his or her life. Conclusion When you lose someone you love suddenly, there is nothing more important than providing a swift and dignified funeral. With the best Funeral Services Singapore, families are assured that all aspects—logistics, rites, location, and care—will be managed with professionalism and empathy, even for last minute arrangement. If you are in immediate need of dependable funeral services that prioritize respect, compassion, and efficiency, trust . Having served all religions and races for funeral service in Singapore for over many years, Ang Brother is a 24 hour funeral parlour that is here to support and assist you through this difficult time with compassion and sensitivity. Disclaimer: This article is from the Brand Desk. User discretion is advised.
Scottish Sun
12-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
The unique city that straddles two continents and is a must-visit for shopping, food and culture
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) the name evokes intoxicating images of incense-filled mosques, historic palaces and bustling bazaars, air filled with exotic aromas. I've been desperate to visit the city for years to experience everything it has to offer, including its fabulous food, and here I was finally - smack-bang in the middle of it all. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 The streets of Istanbul are a colourful delight Credit: Supplied 8 Gerry was captivated by the Blue Mosque in Istanbul Credit: Supplied 8 The landmarks are a true Turkish delight Credit: Supplied Istanbul is a place like no other, the only city in the world to straddle two continents. But it's unique for many reasons. Not long after my Turkish Airlines flight had landed, I was checking in at the Marmara Pera in the vibrant Beyoglu district where I found streets packed with bars, cafes and kebab shops to investigate. My hotel was a stone's throw from the Istiklal Street, the city's shopping hub, a one-mile stretch from Taksim Square to Galata Tower, rammed with retail giants and independent stores, and thronged with tourists and local families. But it was the Historical Peninsula I made a bee-line for. It hosts some of Istanbul's most beautiful and ancient buildings, rich in culture. The stunning Topkapi Palace, offers an interesting glimpse into the country's colourful history. The welcoming courtyard and manicured gardens lead into the museum, packed with artefacts from the Ottoman empire and beyond. I'd heard so much about the beauty of The Blue Mosque, one of the world's most recognisable buildings, but nothing prepared me for just how beautiful it actually is. It's one of those places you really do need to see with your own eyes. Built in 1609, it's stunning blue interior tiles, six minarets, and impressive size left me literally open-mouthed. To this day the Ottoman-era mosque is place of worship from Muslims and a draw for tourists. The nearby Hagia Sophia grand mosque is equally as stunning. Built in 360AD, it was the largest cathedral in all of Christendom before it was converted to an Islamic holy base by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror. One in three travellers admit they have no idea how to pack a suitcase efficiently It was turned into a museum in 1934 before reverting back to a mosque in 2020 and has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 1985. The incredible structure includes columns brought in from the Temple of Artemis in Ephessus used in the naves, as well as eight columns brought from Egypt that support the domes. No matter what religion you are, or if you're not interested in any faith, it's absolutely worth visiting. After a morning and afternoon of visiting the various attractions, it was time to sample Istanbul's famous gastronomy and where better than at Galeyan restaurant. As soon as the Turkish 'balloon' bread was dished out with salads, I knew that I wasn't going to be hungry. The table was soon heaving with dishes of hot and cold meze, and I devoured the delicacies. Eggplant dip and pitta breads packed with cheese soon vanished, followed by various lamb dishes and the freshest veg possible. 8 Gerry soaked up all the culture, food and shopping that Istanbul had to offer Credit: Supplied 8 Gerry stayed at the Marmara Pera hotel 8 The hotel is smack bang in the middle of Istanbul Needing to walk off my over-indulgence, my pals and I took a stroll through a few of the many neighbourhoods in the vast city, stopping off to taste Boza, a fermented drink loved by Turks at the Vefa Bozacisi shop. Then it was time to hit shopping heaven (if you like shopping, that is!) at the city's famous 600-year-old Grand Bazaar, below — the oldest covered market in the world. It was every bit as big and crazy as I'd expected but I absolutely loved the experience. There's just about everything you could possibly think of for sale here, from Turkish Delight to tea and decorative tiles. My nose was quickly hit by the aroma of spices, soaps and leather items and my eyes literally popped out of my head at the crazy amount of jewellery stores. It was crazy, chaotic and totally sensational but boy, was I glad to get a bit of peace and quiet back in my lovely, cool and comfortable room at the Marmara Pera hotel. GO: INSTANBUL GETTING THERE: Turkish Airlines flies from Edinburgh to Istanbul twice daily with baggage-inclusive round trip fares starting from £265. See STAYING THERE: Double rooms at the The Marmara Pera start from around £130 per night. See MORE INFO: For more on visiting Turkey see Rested and revived, it was time to experience Istanbul after dark and what better way then cruising along the Bosphorus as the sun set. Our luxurious yacht dropped us directly in front of the Ruby restaurant which even has its own mooring spot. It's definitely one of the THE places to be, loved by the great and good of Istanbul. With locally produced red wine flowing, we were soon sampling the tastiest kebabs, sensational seafood and endless side plates, laden with delicious local delicacies. Although Istanbul is renowned for stunning past, the city has many contemporary attractions and many can be found in the trendy Galataport area. The nearby Istanbul Modern Museum has art displays over several floors, including wacky interactive exhibitions. But it was the cool vibe of the nearby Karakoy district I loved most. It's got tonnes of bars and cafes all nestled in packed little streets, bustling with local life. 8 Istanbul draws visitors back again and again to explore its magical historical sites Credit: Supplied 8 The shopping quarter is a true highlight Credit: Supplied The fancy Octo restaurant there was an ideal place to have lunch. Its slow-cooked beef rib was just sensational, as were the views over the port and the Bosphorus. Next on the menu was a look at Istanbul's food but from the perspective of various artists. The Is Sanat museum was showcasing an exhibition called 'Taste and Art: Delicious Paintings', which went down a treat with everyone. And looking at all those fabulous food paintings and pictures made us hungry for the real thing and we were lucky enough to bag ourselves a table at the acclaimed Michelin-starred Neolokal — a fitting place to have our last meal. It's set in a former bank building and the food is fancy — very fancy — but it doesn't compromise on taste. There's everything from seafood to vegetarian and meat dishes, as well as stunning deserts which wouldn't look out of place in that 'Taste And Art' show back at the Is Sanat museum or one of the city's many art galleries. My first visit to Istanbul was a real Turkish delight — and I'm already planning a return.
Black America Web
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Black America Web
Charlie Kirk Goes Full ‘Great Replacement Theory' In Rant Against Anti-ICE Protesters In Los Angeles
Source: Andrew Harnik / Getty The cognitive dissonance of MAGA-white America is a thing that should be studied. Imagine adhering to the Great Replacement Theory — a belief system that, at its core, insists that white people have an inherent right to dominate a region — while also denying the reality of white supremacy. Anyway, Charlie Kirk has an opinion again, or whatever. President Donald Trump has deployed military personnel, including thousands of National Guard troops, to Los Angeles against the wishes of its mayor, California's governor and the Los Angeles Police Department in order to quell what officials have described as sporadic violence during largely peaceful protests — and Kirk wants Trump to do more of that because he's deathly afraid white people are being replaced. 'They all hate Christendom,' the TurningPoint USA founder said of anti-ICE protesters who are taking a stand against the invasive, inhumane, discompassionate, due process-skirting tactics of the Trump administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 'They hate Western civilization. They hate what we have built. This is a global movement of freaks.' 'I think President Trump should fully deploy the military in the streets,' Kooky Kirk Kontinued . 'Do it and do it fast. We're not going to allow Floyd-a-Paloosa to happen again. Civilization is on the line.' So, if I call Charlie Kirk and every MAGA American like him a white nationalist or white supremacist, I'm just using accurate terminology, no? After all, Kirk is, out of his own white supremacist and white nationalist mouth, equating 'Christendom' and 'Western Civilization' with whiteness, and crediting white people with every advancement of the civilization they 'built.' And if you're still not convinced… 'This is the Great Replacement Theory,' Kirk said. 'Remember, we talked about — they want to replace white Anglo-Saxon Christian Protestants with Mexicans, Nicaraguans, with El Salvadorians?' 'You have seen the result of the great replacement,' the podcast host continued. 'In California, 1 in 4 people have been born outside the U.S. … You can see the white population collapse in LA That's intentional.' Yeah — I've written about this before: The Great Replacement Theory, also referred to as 'White Replacement Theory,' is a theory that essentially originated with the Klan, which spent generations warning about the infiltration of color that was tainting (or replacing ) white purity. It's also a theory that was referenced in a manifesto left by Buffalo shooter Payton Gendron, who, of course, went on to target and gun down 10 Black people in cold blood. You know what else gives big Grand Wizard energy? Justifying racism through Bible references. 'We want our country back, and we have a big heart,' Kirk preached. 'We have had it open. You know, oh yes, we're going to take care of everybody, but as it says in the Bible, we're going to build the wall like it says in the book of Nehemiah.' 'We're going to build it strong and we're going to build it high, and if you do not assimilate and if you are an agent of disorder, chaos, and confusion, adios, hasta la vista, baby, we will find you and your family, and we will return you,' he added. 'All 20, 25, 30 million. Every single one of you are going back.' White power! SEE ALSO: Massachusetts Workers Caught On Video Being Racist While Setting Up For High School's Graduation Ceremony Dear Black Folks: The Protests Against ICE Are Absolutely Our Fight Too [Op-Ed] SEE ALSO Charlie Kirk Goes Full 'Great Replacement Theory' In Rant Against Anti-ICE Protesters In Los Angeles was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Arabian Post
03-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Why is the dollar falling?
Matein Khalid My macro crystal ball begins to vibrate ominously whenever a perma-bull talking head joins the Squawk Box on CNBC, my spiritual, philosophical and financial lodestar in life and La Dolce Vita of the mercati monetari globali. After all, our beautiful business began as a money lender's bench in Renaissance Florence 600 years ago and if we ever ran out of cash, they ruptured our banco – i.e bankrupted us. The biggest money lenders in Europe were the Medici, whose family bank was the Citicorp of medieval Europe, a family that provided Christendom with a succession of Roman Popes and two Queens of France, both evil murderesses. Sadly, the Banco Medici did not survive the English King Edward IV's sovereign default during the Wars of the Roses. Trump, Modi and Putin have taught us an ancient lesson that we ignore geopolitical risk at our own peril since money is the greatest aphrodisiac in the chancelleries of power as another great Florentine Niccolo Machiavelli taught us in his magnum opus – The Prince. ADVERTISEMENT I have been warning investors in the GCC to protect their purchasing power by bailing out of the US dollar in favour of gold, the Euro and sterling since early January with all the subtlety of a broken record. The DXY was 110 then. Gold traded at 2640 an ounce, the Euro was 1.0260 and the British pound was 1.22. Hopefully you drank the currency kool aid the pied piper of Dubai offered you in successive money rants since gold is now 3377 an ounce, the Euro is 1.1431 and the British pound is 1.3540. So I must pay homage to the values of my real homeland Italia – Mamma, Pasta, Discoteca, which is a lot more fun than unity, faith and discipline, three fronts where I have dismally failed to excel in my life. Viva Italia, il paese più bello del mondo! The Bible says that man does not live by bread alone and I say that the $28 trillion US economy does not live on ChatGPT alone. Housing is the ultimate supersector and US homebuilder stocks are down 30-35% on Wall Street since a 7% 30-year fixed mortgage rate and a 2% real Fed funds rate virtually guarantees a recession that will begin sometime when I am doing my best to forget the world woes on the beaches of Cap d'Antibes and my beloved Villefranche on the exquisite Côte d'Azur in August. Powell is resisting Trump's pressure to cut rates since he is paranoid about tariff-ignited inflation risk at a time when the Bank of England, the Bank of Canada, the RBA, the ECB and Swedish Riksbank have all pivoted to easy money. This means the US dollar should strengthen but exactly the opposite is happening. Why? Because the cognoscenti know that the hard data will turn soft very soon and Powell will be forced to bring the Fed funds rate back to neutral at the September FOMC conclave with a 'shock and awe' 50 basis point rate cut. The money market is insane since it prices in only two rate cuts. To me, a neutral Fed funds rate is 2.5%, so I expect at least 6 or 7 rate cuts till the summer of 2026. This means the US dollar will be leprosy for those poor souls who still believe in Pax Americana, whose only sacred rule is 'In Trump We Trust', all others must pay cash or TrumpCoin! My macro view also takes me to Euro defense stocks, British inflation linked gilts, Swedish banks and South Korean chaebol/securities firms. This is an opportune moment to accumulate long duration treasury notes now that the yield on the 10 year is 4.46% and the TLT tracker trades at 84.50. I want to buy call options on TLT to generate a 20% USD return to compensate me for Trump's foreign exchange goonda tax, which Lord Keynes euphemistically called seigniorage when the apostles of supermoney met all those years ago at Bretton Woods in the morning of creation. ADVERTISEMENT In my valuation paradigm, the S&P 500 index offers a negative risk premium and the equity bulls will be left with as bloodier derriere as those locos who run with the bulls in Pamplona. I have seen the festival of San Fermín and it is a carnival of human insanity run amok as the bulls charge to gore the fleshiest backsides on offer with their razor-sharp horns. There was a reason why the commodities king Marc Rich was known as the matador as he loved to kill every energy bull market he saw. RIP to the King of Oil and King of Zug! Also published on Medium. Notice an issue? Arabian Post strives to deliver the most accurate and reliable information to its readers. If you believe you have identified an error or inconsistency in this article, please don't hesitate to contact our editorial team at editor[at]thearabianpost[dot]com. We are committed to promptly addressing any concerns and ensuring the highest level of journalistic integrity.
