Latest news with #Medieval
The Herald Scotland
12 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Van driver admits causing crash which killed academic William Noel
Dr Noel tragically never recovered and died a fortnight later in hospital. The 58 year-old had been visiting the capital to purchase rare books for Princeton University in Pennsylvania in the USA, where he was the Associate Librarian for Special Collections. Gilmour today pleaded guilty to the causing the death of the Cambridge University graduate by dangerous driving. He will be sentenced next month. Dr Noel - originally from Yorkshire - had been with two colleagues during the visit to Scotland. The trio had been walking on the pavement back to their hotel when tragedy struck around 6pm that evening. William Noel (Image: NQ) Prosecutor Alex Prentice KC told the High Court in Glasgow: "As Gilmour drove his Citroen Relay van, he was under the influence of cannabis and was interacting with his telephone, which was not connected to a hands-free system. "He failed to pay attention to the road ahead causing the vehicle to leave the road in the direction of WIlliam Noel and his companions." The advocate depute added the van went up onto the pavement, initially clipped one of the academic's friends before hitting Dr Noel from behind. He was lifted onto the bonnet, struck the windscreen before landing on the ground. An off-duty doctor out walking her dog as well as a passing nurse immediately ran to help. Dr Noel was then rushed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. The victim's wife back in Pennsylvania was contacted and she flew over to Scotland to be with her husband. Dr Noel's brother also arrived from London. But, on April 29, he sadly passed away due to suffering severe head trauma as a result of the collision. The court heard cabinet maker Gilmour had been found to have 2.4mg of THC from cannabis use per one litre of blood. The legal limit is 2mg. Gilmour's KC Tony Graham today/yesterday said: "If he could do anything to take back what happened on that date, he would, but, of course, he cannot. "He appreciates words uttered may seem cheap, but he does offer an apology to those bereaved." READ MORE: Gilmour, of Dalkeith, Midlothian, had been on bail, but Mr Graham did not move for that to be continued. Lord Cubie remanded him in custody as sentencing was deferred for reports. The judge: "Nothing the court can say can possibly compensate the loss caused. "This offence appears to have arisen as a direct consequence of your lack of concentration, more concerned with your mobile phone than the road and potentially affected by drug consumption." Dr Noel specialised in the study of Medieval and Renaissance European books. He was described in court as a "highly regarded academic" and "very well known" having hosted TED talks and many public speaking events. Dr Noel had also previously been honoured by the Obama administration for his commitment to open science.
Medscape
2 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
The Longevity Paradox: Medicine Meets Silicon Valley
'For without friends, no one would choose to live.' - Aristotle Jeffrey Benabio, MD, MBA Last year, Bryan Johnson, a 46-year-old tech founder, spent 2 million dollars on a regimen that included monthly plasma transfusions from his teenage son. Why? Well, we live in an age when the wealthy inject themselves with young blood, undergo elaborate hormone replacement protocols, get infusions of NAD+, and gobble metformin pill-packs to optimize their biological age. The sell is seductive: Death is evitable. Aging is curable. And with enough money, one can live to be old and healthy. The venture capital bets might be recent, but the yearning is ancient. Herodotus wrote in the 5th century BCE about special waters the long-lived Macrobians drank and bathed in — waters that not only extended life but left their skin "glossy and smooth." Later, Alexander the Great, in his conquests, was said to have been on a quest to find the "Water of Life." He died at 32, which is probably why his product isn't a popular supplement on Amazon today. Lucas Cranach's "The Fountain of Youth," painted in the late Medieval period, shows old and infirm patrons swimming in magical waters and emerging vibrant and young on the other side. Perhaps those waters had rapamycin-producing Streptomyces growing in it — which is a top seller today. The Fountain of Youth by Lucas Cranach d.Ä. Behind the tempting pitch to live forever lies an uncomfortable question: Is this medicine? Should we be testing testosterone on an athletic 23-year-old? Or continuously monitor glucose for a healthy adult with no signs of diabetes? Few doctors would order these for patients, and fewer payors would pick up the tab if they were ordered. This is the disconnect between medicine and entrepreneurs. "The medical system is so patronizing," said a young venture capitalist on a popular startup podcast I was listening to. He was complaining about how doctors resist ordering MRIs or specialized tests because we doctors "think patients are idiots." We do not. He's missing the point that, as a healthy 30-something, medicine is not resourced to help him with wellness requests. Who should pay for his requested MRI? Who would interpret the results? We physicians cannot keep up with the demand for services from those who need us acutely. We've no plan for absorbing a new generation of the "worried well" — better named the "ambitious well" — while also caring for their boomer grandparents. We have a critical shortage of primary care physicians; one that will only worsen as our population ages. The Association of American Medical Colleges projects a shortage of up to 40,400 primary care doctors by 2036. What happens if a portion of that workforce begins dedicating their time to monitoring biomarkers and fine-tuning supplement regimens for patients who are not sick? Healthcare resources — physicians' time, diagnostic equipment, laboratory services — are finite. Every hour we spend with a healthy person seeking optimization is an hour not spent with a patient who is ill. For every primary care physician giving up their practice for a cash-paying longevity clinic, there will be 2000 or so patients who now have to be redistributed onto already burdened practices. When healthy 35-year-olds can get same-day MRIs at boutique practices while my father-in-law waits nearly 2 months for an MRI to characterize a renal mass seen on ultrasound, we've failed. Caring for cash-paying patients who can sit with you for an hour is preferable to the daily grind of 15-minute appointments for patients who actually need an hour of your time. Why shouldn't docs get to choose? For one thing, our training is publicly funded. Taxpayer dollars pick up the tab for more than $20 billion in graduate medical education every year. It seems not quite right that this education doesn't at least in part serve the public who funded it. Despite these concerns, we should acknowledge the import of the longevity movement. Prevention is indeed better than cure. Early intervention can avert costly medical problems. And individuals have a right to pursue health optimizations they value, using their own resources. The question is, how should longevity medicine relate to our broader healthcare system and societal priorities? I think transparency is essential. Longevity interventions should be clearly labeled based on the strength of supporting research. It's the standard we adhere to every day in practice. We also need to be clearer about necessity versus enhancement. Insurance coverage and public resources should prioritize interventions that address or prevent disease. Enhancement services should be demarcated as distinct from necessary medical care. Physicians working in longevity medicine might also acknowledge some societal obligations. Perhaps consider devoting a portion of their practice to underserved populations or contributing to research that benefits the broader public, not just those who can afford boutique services. We also surely must address the structural factors that push physicians toward concierge practices. If doctors are fleeing due to administrative burden and time constraints, improving those would help ensure care remains accessible to all. Lastly, we might recognize that the best determinants of longevity operate at the population not the individual level. Clean air and water, safe neighborhoods, access to nutritious food, and strong social connections likely do more to improve the health and longevity of a population than any supplement or monitoring device. Realizing the promise of longevity medicine requires more than scientific breakthrough; it demands clarity about how these advances should be distributed and what values should guide their application. As physicians we face a choice: Should we allow longevity to become another domain where privilege determines outcomes? Or could we build a system where the benefits of extended healthy life are available to all? Since Herodotus and after nearly 2500 years of searching, we still haven't found the water of life. Or maybe Aristotle actually discovered it just a few years later: gymnastics, moderation in food and drink, and good friends. It's hard to raise a series A with that pitch though.
Vogue Singapore
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vogue Singapore
'The more I experimented, the more I felt I was discovering myself': Musician Shazza on weaving the golden vein of culture through her artistic journey
My name is Shazza and I'm a musician. This past year, especially while preparing my sophomore album, has been an intense period of creativity, and it's also been a time of deep reflection on how fashion, particularly modest fashion, is so closely intertwined with my identity and artistic expression. Style started playing a defining role in my life around the age of 17. As I began my polytechnic education, I experienced my first real taste of 'fashion freewill'. My need for self-expression had heightened considerably then and I quickly realised that the way I dressed was a huge part of figuring out who I was. To me, fashion is a beautiful language—a way of wordlessly conveying who you are at first sight. The more I experimented, the more I felt I was discovering myself. This feeling, this pursuit of finding more of who I was meant to be simply by playing with how I dressed, is something I continue to chase. In an ever-changing world, it's a comforting outlet that helps me feel more in control. With the release of her new single, Medieval, musician Shazza illuminates narratives of empowerment and cultural pride. Courtesy of Shazza My journey with modest fashion has been a precious process. My faith is dear to my heart, and as I wear my religion on my head, honouring that through my clothing is important to me. This commitment calls for a deeper level of intentionality in my choices, making me more thoughtful and purposeful in how I present myself. Beyond my personal path, I want to share the message that modesty isn't an obstacle or a limitation. I hope people see that it's possible to express themselves boldly through style while dressing modestly. It does sometimes require getting a little creative, especially when styling pieces not inherently designed as modest wear, but I find that challenge keeps me on my toes. It's shown me how extremely fluid fashion is and that it becomes what you make it. There's nothing like the feeling of discovering or putting on an outfit that feels so wonderfully and serendipitously 'you'. That profound sense of intentionality has cultivated a comforting and reassuring dynamic with my personal style. I feel most empowered when my clothes are a genuine extension of me. 'To me, fashion is a beautiful language—a way of wordlessly conveying who you are at first sight.' My single, 'Medieval', became a clear channel for this desire to imbue my own culture into my art. It's the first song where I intentionally sought to do this; the track even features Indian percussion that we recorded live. To honour that heritage in every aspect, we embraced full-on traditional wear—a lehenga and gold jewellery—for the visuals, which was a special experience for me. The gold elements were chosen to represent boldness and excellence. The entire outfit was actually bridal wear, as 'Medieval' is a song about the struggles women face in this industry and the common tussles against society's sometimes reductive expectations. My stylist and I aimed to convey the idea of reclaiming one's power and challenging those expectations in one's unique way. Thinking beyond my projects, when it comes to the wider fashion industry, I believe brands could find more consistent ways to offer modest interpretations of their pieces. I would love to see a more concerted effort to include diversity in their branding, actively showing potential customers how various items can be styled in various ways. Fashion, in my opinion, is meant to be universal. 'My single, 'Medieval', became a clear channel for this desire to imbue my own culture into my art.' Navigating the expectations that can surround modest dressing—including a sense of perfection or a 'gold standard'— while still making space for my authentic expression is a key part of my journey. Ultimately, how one dresses is a personal thing. My guiding approach has always been to ensure that I am at peace with myself first and foremost. As much as I strive to bring more representation to the table, I don't want to live my life entirely for others, as that would inevitably erode my authenticity. The music industry isn't typically a place where modesty thrives, a reality I was largely aware of when I entered it. However, I believe anything is possible if your heart is in the right place, and for me, it always comes back to intention. Maintaining this can be a fine balance, but it's a challenge I welcome as it keeps me in touch with myself and my faith. If I were to offer any advice to someone navigating their style, particularly within modest wear, I would encourage them to have fun with the process and be creative. Fashion is wonderfully fluid, and there are no hard and fast rules. What matters most is that the way you dress aligns with your personal values and principles. In the end, the ability to get dressed on my own terms feels both purposeful and liberating. I take deep pride in how I dress myself because it's an act of intention, and that's precisely why it means so much to me. Vogue Singapore's June 'Gold' issue will be out on newsstands from 13 June and available to preorder online.
North Wales Live
6 days ago
- North Wales Live
The Gwynedd pub with one of the best views in North Wales
Few pubs enjoy the stunning location of The Anglesey Arms in Caernarfon. Mere yards from the domineering Edward I's Caernarfon Castle - a tourist-luring UNESCO World Heritage Site - and a short flight from the Eagle Tower dating from 1317, it gives lucky punters commanding views of the clear waters of the Menai Strait. From one of many outdoor tables customers can gaze over the lapping eddies, with kelp swaying merrily under the surface, to Pont yr Aber pedestrian swing bridge, the Afon Seiont, Coed Helen, a nature reserve, and the gentle coastline of Anglesey beyond. One visitor took to Tripadvisor to give this emphatic verdict: "There is outdoor seating which, when the weather is right, offers you that breathtaking view. Just. Fantastic." They weren't wrong. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday Its waterside location is undoubtedly enviably good but what about the food? I went along on a gloriously sunny Wednesday lunchtime to find out what visitors can expect. Despite some outdoor tables being free, I opted against eating al fresco. Some of us catch the sun too easily, so I went inside. You're confronted by a suit of armour in the doorway looking like a kind of metallic bouncer, perhaps in keeping with the Medieval environs. It was pleasantly cool inside the pub and fairly empty. So I sat at a plain, wooden table by the window. There is a surprisingly vast range of meals on the menu. It's all fairly predictable but sounds appetising. There are sandwiches, (a fish finger sandwich on white or multigrain bloomer bread with shredded iceberg lettuce and tartare sauce costs £8.99), baguettes and jacket potatoes and so on. There's scampi & chips (six wholetails of Whitby scampi with chips, garden pies and tartare sauce is £8.49) or cheddar, leek and potato pie (at the rather specific price of £13.79). But I fancied the Hunter's chicken baguette with chips, and ordered it at the bar. When it came it looked fine but I wondered if I should have ordered a salad to go with it. Still the chicken was coated in peppery breadcrumbs and tender. A rasher of bacon was tastily salty and the barbecue sauce was delicious It fell down though because the toasted baguette was unfortunately too dry and too chewy. There was only a trace of what could once have been butter or margarine. I devoured the chicken, bacon and cheese but left most of the doughy bread. Turning to the dessert menu, I hoped for better things.. The Dark chocolate and mint tart seemed appealing so I went back to the bar and ordered that one with vanilla ice cream. It also comes with custard or cream alternatives. It looked OK with icing latticework, and the tart contrasted nicely with the ice cream. It was satisfactorily gooey but the billed "chocolate biscuit base" rather flattered to deceive. There was barely a digestive in the whole concoction. The dessert was more of a mousse than a tart but it was nonetheless rich and chocolatey. Thirsty customers can take advantage of a range of beers here too. Wainwright Gold and Pedigree Ale vie with Inch's Cider, Birra Moretti and Peroni lagers to tempt you. Decor wise you'll see nods to Caernarfon's maritime heritage. Near my table there were two deep sea diving helmets on window sills, a ship's wheel on a wall and three oars, wrapped in thick coils of rope, on the ceiling with orange filament lights dangling charmingly below them. It's a memorable venue in a stunning location. The facts Location: The Anglesey Arms, Tyn-y-Cae, Harbour Front, Caernarfon LL55 1SG. ring 01286 672158. Food: A vast range of dishes including grills, burgers, jacket potatoes sandwiches. The bill: Hunter's chicken baguette (£8.99), Dark chocolate and mint tart (£6.29). orange cordial (50p) and Americano coffee (£2.05). Total: £17.83.
Geek Girl Authority
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
Mobile Game Monday: MEDIEVAL-IDLE PRAYER
Greetings, friends, and welcome to Mobile Game Monday, where we chat about games you can play on the go. If you like gaming on a phone or tablet , this is the place for you. Join us every week as we go on all sorts of adventures. Medieval-Idle Prayer Medieval-Idle Prayer (2025) is an idle tapping game developed and published by Playesta featuring the bizarre artwork of the Middle Ages. Pray your way through medieval times as Giovanni, who begins his tale as a desperate beggar. Use your tapping power to get Giovanni through everything from the plague to the Crusades. RELATED: June's Most Anticipated Video Games Ask and You Shall Receive There is a multitude of ways to accumulate prayers, the main way being simple tapping. Tap anywhere on the screen and watch your bounty multiply. Hold your finger down for continuous collecting. Praying takes a lot out of you so watch your energy bar which regenerates over time. Other ways to boost your blessings include your Guardian Angel, who collects prayers while you are away or completing simple designated goals. Screenshots courtesy of Cassie Holguin. Icons of various medieval animals occasionally float across the screen. Tap these critters to add them to your collection. After collecting enough creatures, you can open a chest that contains prayers or prophecy scrolls. Collect prophecy scrolls to activate and upgrade passive abilities. For example, the dancing fox increases your energy recovery, and the angry snail increases the speed of guardian angel prayer production. All of this is to raise your holiness level as you progress from a humble monk to the holiest of them all, the pope. As you achieve each level, the medieval illustrations illuminate, and you are blessed with a quote from a wise philosopher like Theophrastus, who said, 'Time is the most precious of resources.' I hear that, Theophrastus. RELATED: Mobile Game Monday: Plants Vs. Zombies Curse These Ads Watching ads will also grant you boons like Heavenly Prayer, which gives you ten times the prayers for 16 seconds. Or watch a couple of ads for double the passive prayers or tapping power. My favorite is the animals' prayer which prompts a parade of animals to inspire you. For the more intrusive ads, pay a one-time fee of $19.99 to remove them forever. Surviving in Style To maximize your prayer power in Medieval-Idle Prayer , you will constantly need to upgrade your resources. These will change depending on which chapter you are playing. In the beginning, as a beggar, your main resource is gold. However, as Giovanni's life changes, other things become more important. For example, after losing everyone to the plague, Giovanni decides to open a pharmacy to cure as many people as possible. Depending on the chapter, resources can be anything from weapons to herbs, even animals that will help you on the battlefield. Screenshots courtesy of Cassie Holguin. Obviously, style is directly associated with prayer effectiveness so it's important to update Giovanni's clothes and accessories. Watch your monk go from literal rags to riches as he dons silks, gold, and armor straight from the medieval style guide. Finally, to keep the blessings coming, it is most important to upgrade the good traits expected from a pious person. These include faith, mercy, wisdom, kindness, and charity. RELATED: F2P Friday: Razzopolis Leveling in Medieval-Idle Prayer is so satisfying and I loved seeing Giovanni's next outfit or animal companion. When you level the resources or clothes enough, the hand of God comes down and blesses you with more stuff on your screen. Just Chill Till the Next Episode Medieval-Idle Prayer plays out the episodic story of Giovanni which takes him from begging in the streets of Italy to the king of the castle. Each chapter features a new location, resources, and characters. After you complete all chapters of the first story, unlock tales from other characters' points of view. See how the meme Lion or the Monk fared through the same series of unfortunate events. Screenshots courtesy of Cassie Holguin. The story is surprisingly captivating and adds a little more depth than your average idle game. Normally with games like this, I obsess for a short while, get bored, and then delete. However, this time, I am genuinely looking forward to completing all of the stories in Medieval-Idle Prayer . RELATED: Summer Game Fest 2025: A New Era of Horror Begins With Resident Evil Requiem Our Adventure Ends Here Blessed are those who download Medieval-Idle Prayer . Mechanically speaking, once you have played one idle game, you have pretty much played them all. Typically, what makes an idle game stand out from the crowd is the theme. The medieval meme theme is a quirky breath of fresh air in an overcrowded genre. It is probably because I have been playing a lot of DOOM: The Dark Ages and Oblivion Remastered but the medieval aesthetic immediately drew me to this one. While the art may have drawn me in, the snarky humor and gratifying gameplay kept me playing. Screenshots courtesy of Cassie Holguin. This simple but satisfying gameplay makes Medieval-Idle Prayer a casual and low-stakes way to kill a little (or a lot) time. Often idle games make you wait forever to replenish resources but you can pretty much play this one as long as you want. Energy generates quickly enough and there are plenty of ways to earn prayers so there is always something to do. And always remember, no matter how bad things get, at least you don't live in the Middle Ages. RELATED: Read all of the Mobile Game Monday adventures here! Take it easy, and play it safe, gamers. Medieval-Idle Prayer is free in the Play Store and the App Store. Wholesome Games Direct 2025: 9 Games Release Today
