Latest news with #Judah
Scotsman
24-06-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Book reviews: Sanctuary by Marina Warner
Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It is a melancholy sign of the times that the meanings of the subjects of these books – sanctuary and retreat – have become so commodified, solipsistic, similar and etiolated. That they even seem synonymous is a measure of our collective mental laziness. Sanctaury is sought, retreat is chosen; and neither involve bergamot balm nor Seishin Sekai stones. Both require bravery and abnegation, not luxury and indulgence. Caveat lector: although the same price, one is deep and one is hasty. Illustration showing Judah seeking sanctuary at the altar, taken from the Philologus Hebraeo-Mixtus by Johann Leusden, professor of Hebrew, Utrecht, 1657 | Getty Images Stagg's book could have been a decent three-part radio feature, but the work is spread thin. The plurals of the subtitle are misleading: it features a philosopher (Ludwig Wittgenstein), a poet (David Jones) and a theologian (Simone Weil), though the labels are fairly arbitrary – they are also labelled as saint, hermit and martyr; and all could reasonably be termed mystics. The areas of commonality – such as 'all three struggled with doubt' or 'all three of them could be naïve, self-righteous and earnest to the point of insufferable' – are so broad as to carry little insight. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It would be difficult to write about these three without including interesting, provocative and deep matters. But I yearned for more of the subject and less of the writer. It is like standing in front of a picture with someone blocking your view and telling you their opinions. There is little real engagement with Jones's poetry ('The Anathemata' warrants a solitary quote); nothing about Weil's significant reading of The Iliad, or even Wittgenstein's final yearning for a philosophy that made philosophy disappear. But there is rather too much room for what commissioners call 'the journey'. Stagg forgets to bring swimwear to Austria. He sees a weathered sign for a chocolate factory on Caldey Island, and the alliteration of 'the slop of soup and the slap of spoons and the gulp of swallowed mouthfuls' conveys a kind of disgust at the monastic refectory. In France he meets someone else called Guy. And your point being?, as an old tutor used to say. More worrying, although the text is footnoted, there was one point – a rather gruesome description of Charles II of Spain – that was not referenced, but is almost word for word identical with a passage on the Wikipedia page (itself citing a book in Spanish, but no page number). Such moments undermine trust, and make even the 'revelations' – 'I understood now that withdrawing was no guarantee of happiness' – suspect. (And who on earth told you it was anyway?) There are no such qualms with the new book from Marina Warner, who is every bit as ingenious and meticulous as she was in 1976's Alone of All Her Sex, which by coincidence was my bedtime reading last month. If some of the chapters here are a bit of a stretch to the theme – in particular, the section on Puccini's Turandot – well, it is fascinating nevertheless. Other than Turandot, the major part of the book studies historical seekers of asylum: the Holy Family fleeing from Herod, Empress Helena's 'discovery' of the True Cross and how its splinters then sanctified refuges, the Virgin Mary's 'home' of Loreto, transported, rebuilt, cloned, shrouded and recreated, and the ironies of Dido and Aeneas, two city-founding refugees whose tragic love underwrites – justifies? – epic conflict. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This is followed by a section on Warner's work with the 'Stories in Transit' initiative. It might seem modest, but given how shrill and vituperative the voices ranged against displaced people are it seems all the more necessary. 'Ownership of one's story' can seem trite, but in the context of having lost almost everything else, it is fundamental; not just for those fleeing but for those with a moral duty to understand their new neighbours. Warner provides the intellectual scaffolding for the endeavour, particularly in terms of how narratives migrate between cultures, and the way in which national myths can be traced to itinerant and 'alien' origins. Part of the exhilaration of reading any work by Warner is the breadth of reference. It is the opposite of dilletantism, a purposeful, sharp stitching: she will link and pierce from Anglo-Saxon Vercelli Manuscript to Jacobus de Voragine's Golden Legend, Evelyn Waugh, Old King Cole, Seamus Heaney, Orhan Pamuk to Charles III's coronation gift from the Pope. She adeptly brings in visual art and architecture: I was mildly disappointed Nathan Coley's wonderful Lamp of Sacrifice; 286 cardboard 'places of worship' in the Edinburgh Yellow Pages – and therefore all sanctuaries – did not make the cut, even if just to remind us sanctuaries still exist. It is appropriate, particularly here, that the disciplinary borders are so porous. In a clever neologism, Warner refers to 'spories', a portmanteau of story and spore, and playing with the Greek meaning both the scatter and the sow – it is, significantly, a ghostly presence in diaspora, a community more self-consciously bound by its stories. Warner is alert to the fact that knowing something is a fiction does not mean it has any less emotive force. She wryly notes that Ellisland Farm describes itself as the 'most authentic' of the homes of Robert Burns (despite the fact it is now a museum, not a home). The idea of the story as a site (a camp-fire, a well, a glade) of exchange and safety and imagined possibility gives a fixed point to Warner's capacious mind. More importantly, she reminds us why we call the discipline 'the humanities'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The World Within: Why Writers, Artists and Thinkers Retreat, by Guy Stagg, Scribner, £20.
Mint
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
What do Israel-Iran war codenames signify? ‘Rising Lion', ‘True Promise 3', ‘Midnight Hammer' meaning explained
In a surprise move, Israel launched a "targeted military operation" against Iran on June 13. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it "Operation Rising Lion'. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired retaliatory strikes against Israel and codenamed it 'Operation True Promise 3'. Days later, the United States launched "Operation Midnight Hammer', striking three nuclear sites in Iran. What's behind these three codenames — 'Operation Rising Lion', 'Operation True Promise 3' and "Operation Midnight Hammer — as Israel-Iran conflict rages on? Here we decode: Israel's Operation Rising Lion is aimed at foiling Iran's nuclear ambitions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on Friday, June 13, that his country struck at the heart of the Islamic regime's nuclear programme, including its main enrichment facility in Natanz. The strikes also left key military commanders and nuclear scientists dead. Israel's codename for the operation could be inspired by and signify several aspects of the conflict with Iran. First, think about the animal itself. What characteristics do you gather? A lion represents dominion, fierceness and might. In ancient times, the animal symbolised kingship and victory. By using the name 'Operation Rising Lion', Israel could compare its strength and power to that of a lion and signify its dominance and victory over Iran. Second, 'Operation Rising Lion' could refer to the pre-1979 Iranian national flag, a lion before a rising sun. Third, it could also have a biblical significance. A day before Israel launched strikes on Iran, Netanyahu reportedly placed a note at the Western Wall with a verse from the Torah, from which the inspiration for the name of the military's operation was drawn. The note quoted the Book of Numbers 23:24, reading: "Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion," the Jerusalem Post reported. The full verse reads: "Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: He shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, And drink the blood of the slain." The Israeli PM reportedly shared a picture of the note on the wall, known as the Wailing Wall or Kotel — a sacred Jewish religious site located in the Old City of Jerusalem. Besides, the lion holds deep significance for Israel, primarily as a symbol of the Tribe of Judah and its associated concepts of strength, courage, and royal lineage, reports claimed. The origin of the title "Lion of Judah" can be traced back to Genesis 49. According to in Genesis Chapter 49, Jacob, Judah's father, blesses Judah on his deathbed. He states that Judah is a like a '"...lion's whelp"', or lion's cub. The lion would symbolise Judah's power, bravery, success in battle, and leadership for him and his descendants, the report added. Operation 'True Promise 3" was launched by Iran in retaliation for Israel's "Operation Rising lion", targeting Israeli cities and infrastructure. The codename "True Promise" was first used during Iran's first-ever direct attack on Israel on the night of April 13-14, 2024. Iran had then unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones on Israel in response to April 1's suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus, which had killed 13 people. This massive Iranian attack was dubbed by Tehran 'Operation True Promise'. Six months later, about 200 ballistic missiles[16] at targets in Israel, Iran launched 'Operation True Promise 2', firing about 200 ballistic missiles at targets in Israel. It was the second direct attack by Iran against Israel after a series of high-profile assassinations — including that of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, and Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah — according to Press TV. The United States' strikes on Iran late Saturday (June 21) were codenamed 'Operation Midnight Hammer'. It was at aimed crippling Iran's nuclear program. 'Our objective was the destruction of Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world's No. 1 state sponsor of terror,' US President Donald Trump said after the US attacked nuke sites in Iran -- Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The name 'Midnight Hammer' signifies the timing of the massive and unprecedented attacks by the US on Iran. According to a timeline provided by the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, massive 'bunker buster" bombs were dropped on two of the nuclear sites in Iran around 6:40 PM ET Saturday in the US, placing the time of the attack around 2:10 am local time Sunday in Iran, CNN reported. Besides, "hammer" in the codename signals the overwhelming force, targeted blow and precision with which the US attacked Iran on the night of June 21 and 22. The US attacked Iranian sites using B-2 bombers and bunker buster bombs. It also involved strikes with GBU 57 MOP (Massive Ordnance Penetrator) weapons, Tomahawk missiles and a decoy operation.
Scoop
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
City Welcome Michelob ULTRA 'Superior Call Up' Winner
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee – Auckland City FC Welcomes Michelob ULTRA 'Superior Call Up' Winner Judah Negron. Auckland City FC is proud to welcome Judah Negron, winner of the Michelob ULTRA 'Superior Call Up' contest, to the club's Team Base Camp in Chattanooga, Tennessee for the FIFA Club World Cup USA 2025™. Despite a difficult result against Bayern Munich in their opening match, the mood in camp remains upbeat—and Judah's arrival has provided a timely lift. Hailing from North Dakota, Negron has been a long time loyal supporter of the Navy Blues and has a deep connection to the team making him a fitting recipient of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. As part of his prize, Judah will enjoy unprecedented insider access to Auckland City FC's tournament campaign. He will join the team at training sessions, travel on the team bus, and be embedded in the squad environment—including locker room access and pitch-side moments—throughout the competition. Negron arrived in Chattanooga on Friday and expressed his excitement at joining the Auckland City FC family as they prepare to face Bayern Munich, SL Benfica and Boca Juniors—the giants of Europe and South America—on the global stage. This whole experience has been incredible so far,' Negron said. 'Thanks to Michelob ULTRA, I've been able to fulfil a lifelong dream by joining Auckland City FC at the Club World Cup. 'Being welcomed by the team and seeing what goes on behind the scenes has been unforgettable – I'll never forget it.' Judah was officially welcomed to the team hotel by General Manager Gordon Watson, club captain Mario Ilich, senior players Dylan Manickum, Regont Murati, Angus Kilkolly, and Adam Mitchell, board member Colin Cook, and kit manager Keith Coton. The team presented him with a signed Auckland City FC jersey featuring the Michelob ULTRA branding across the front. 'We're thrilled to welcome Judah into the Auckland City FC family,' said Watson. 'He's a genuine fan who has followed our journey for over a decade, which made him the perfect choice for Michelob ULTRA's Superior Call Up. 'Michelob ULTRA has been an outstanding partner – creative, forward-thinking, and aligned with our values. Judah's presence is a natural and authentic extension of that relationship. 'Our players and staff are genuinely excited to have him with us. We're confident this experience will be memorable not only for Judah, but for everyone involved in our Club World Cup campaign.'
Spectator
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
Israel's Iran attack has done the West a favour
Israel's overnight strikes on the Islamic Republic of Iran represent the initial salvo of what Jerusalem is calling Operation Rising Lion. In Genesis 49, Jacob tells his sons: 'Judah is a lion's cub/ from the prey, my son, you rise up/ He lies down and crouches like a lion/ like a lioness — who dares disturb him?' Israel rose up after years of warning the world of Iran's plot to acquire nuclear weapons. In a series of daring precision strikes, it has targeted key regime figures, ballistic missile supplies and the Natanz nuclear facility. Israeli intelligence reportedly learned that Tehran had produced enough enriched uranium to build 15 nuclear bombs and was approaching 'the point of no return'. Israel is describing its actions as a 'preemptive strike', hinting that the possibility of an Iranian attack on Israel was growing.
USA Today
30-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
New Crumbl locations coming soon: See where cookie chain is expanding
New Crumbl locations coming soon: See where cookie chain is expanding Show Caption Hide Caption Watch 2-year-old's must-see reaction to Cookie Challenge In Nashville, TN, 2-year-old Judah burst into tears and shared his extra snack with his mom during the viral "Cookie Challenge" after she received none. Crumbl has opened over 1,000 locations in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico since being founded in 2017, and the company is showing no signs of slowing down. The dessert company is planning to open "just under 100 stores" in 2025, with a majority of those in the U.S. and a few in Canada, Crumbl spokesperson Mallory Moore told USA TODAY. So far this year, the company has opened 27 new locations in the U.S. and three in Canada. The cookie and dessert chain touts its "rotating flavors, open-concept kitchens, and famous Pink Box" as reasons for its success. Co-founders Jason McGowan and Sawyer Hemsley teamed up in 2017 on a "quest to bake the perfect chocolate chip cookie" and opened the company's first location in Logan, Utah, according to the Crumbl website. Here's a look at where the company is opening locations this year and where it has recently opened new ones. Where is Crumbl opening new locations? Moore provided USA TODAY with a list of nine Crumble locations opening this summer, including: Poughkeepsie, New York Homestead, Florida Midwest City, Oklahoma Hagerstown, Maryland Santa Fe, New Mexico Bowie, Maryland Tradition, Florida Cape Girardeau, Missouri Deerfield Beach, Florida Where has Crumbl already opened new locations in 2025? The Crumbl spokesperson said these 30 locations it has already opened so far in 2025: Tuscaloosa, Alabama Moreno Valley, California Cottle, California Cupertino, California Lakeshore, California West Torrance, California Westminster, Colorado Wheat Ridge, Colorado Oakland Park, Florida Wildwood, Florida Coralville, Iowa National Harbor, Maryland Hyannis, Massachusetts Grove St. Station, New Jersey NC State, North Carolina NW Rockwell, Oklahoma Altoona, Pennsylvania Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Peach Street, Pennsylvania Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania Caguas, Puerto Rico Cranston, Rhode Island Aiken, South Carolina Pentagon City, Virginia Waynesboro, Virginia Blacksburg, Virginia La Crosse, Wisconsin Canada: Upper Oakville, Ontario Woodbridge, Ontario Guelph, Ontario Contributing: Saleen Martin, USA TODAY Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@
