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France 24
a day ago
- Politics
- France 24
Japanese manga scares tourists away with doomsday prediction
12:32 From the show Superstitious tourists from Hong Kong and China have been cancelling their trips to Japan, partly due to a manga – first published in the 1990s – predicting that a major catastrophe will hit the country in July. We take a closer look. But first, South Korea heads to the polls on June 3 to elect its new president. The snap election comes six months after the now-deposed ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol plunged the country into an unprecedented political crisis by declaring martial law. Yuka Royer speaks to Youngmi Kim, Senior Lecturer in Korean Studies at the University of Edinburgh, about what's at stake in the vote. Plus, French President Emmanuel Macron wraps up his tour of Southeast Asia with a keynote address at the regional Shangri-La Dialogue security conference. During his tour of Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore, Macron sought to pitch France and Europe as reliable trade and security partners, a "third way" alternative to the US and China.
The National
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The National
James Tait Black Prizes 2025 announced
The James Tait Memorial Black Prize, now in its 106th year, is the only major British book prize to be judged by literature scholars and students. This year is the first time that both prizes – which are awarded in fiction and biography – have been awarded to translated works. READ MORE: Warning after 'five lamb heads' found dumped in Glasgow park's pond It is also only the second time a writer and translator have been awarded a prize together in the history of the awards. The prizes were first opened to translations in 2021, with authors and translators honoured equally. The winning authors receive a £10,000 prize. See the winners of this year's prizes below. James Tait Memorial Black Prize winners 2025: Fiction: My Heavenly Favourite, Lucas Rijneveld, translated by Michele Hutchison (Faber & Faber) Biography: My Great Arab Melancholy, Lamia Ziade, translated by Emma Ramadan (Pluto Press) Lucas Rijneveld's winning fiction title, My Heavenly Favourite, translated by Michele Hutchison, charts a rural veterinarian's obsession with a young woman. The novel was commended by judges for its unique voice and uncompromising storytelling. Rijneveld is a Dutch writer known for his emotionally intense and stylistically bold work. His debut novel, The Discomfort of Evening (2018), won the 2020 International Booker Prize. READ MORE: Japanese ambassador meets John Swinney during Scotland visit Translator Hutchison is a British writer and translator specialising in Dutch-language literature, and also won the 2020 International Booker Prize for her translation of Rijneveld's debut novel. Rijneveld said: 'What a glorious honour to be added to the tremendous list of literary giants who preceded me in receiving this wonderful award.' Hutchison added: 'What an honour to share this year's prize with Lucas Rijneveld for My Heavenly Favourite which certainly was a challenging book to translate. 'I've long been aware of the prize's reputation and its sterling catalogue of winners so to be included among them is a genuine thrill." The fiction prize judging panel, led by University of Edinburgh academics Benjamin Bateman and Hannah Boast, said: "Lucas Rijneveld's challenging, inventive novel is a major literary achievement that confirms his status as one of Europe's most exciting new writers. "Our panel praised his distinctive and vivid language, which was rendered in a stunning translation by Michele Hutchison. My Heavenly Favourite is a uniquely claustrophobic and compulsive read.' The biography prize has been awarded to Lamia Ziade for My Great Arab Melancholy, translated by Emma Ramadan. The text traces the lives of Arab intellectuals from the mid-20th century onward, exploring the cultural and political upheaval of the Arab world, capturing a sense of collective loss and longing. READ MORE: 'Do something!': Question Time audience member in fiery row with Labour MP on Israel Beirut-born Ziade is a French-Lebanese author and illustrator, while Ramadan is an award-winning literary translator, specialising in French to English work. Commenting, Ziade said: 'It is a great honour to receive this prestigious prize. I want to thank the jury from the bottom of heart for granting such distinction to a book so passionately supportive of the Palestinian cause. 'In the horrific times we are living through, I am doubly touched by this honour. I am also very grateful to David Shulman, my editor at Pluto Press, for publishing this book so unusual in both its form and its subject, and to my translator Emma Ramadan for her excellent work.' Ramadan said: 'My deepest gratitude to the jury for recognizing this essential book by Lamia Ziadé that uplifts the undersung stories of martyrs, revolutionaries, and dreamers of the Arab world, decrying the imperialist forces that wreaked havoc in this region, and revealing the ripple effect in our current climate. 'This award for a hybrid work of writing and illustrations, is a recognition of bravery and originality in storytelling and publishing.' Biography prize judges Dr Simon Cooke and Desha Osborne said: "My Great Arab Melancholy presents a visually striking and poignant blend of text and image that tells a story of overwhelming loss and perseverance for the people of the Middle East. "The images – historical and traumatic – linger in the memory long after turning the page. The words - beautifully translated - speak only when necessary and yet are inseparable from the images. "Both speak to the past, present and future of a world through the eyes of its author-illustrator.' A ceremony to recognise the winning titles and the shortlisted entries will take place on Friday.
Edinburgh Live
2 days ago
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh woman fears 'life-changing' charity will disappear from funding cuts
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A woman who dropped out of university amid a battle with mental illness says an Edinburgh charity at risk of critical funding cuts 'changed her life'. Lauren Stonebanks, 45, atteded four and a half years of medical school at the University of Edinburgh before dropping in 2002 out when her mental health "deteriorated". The Meadowbank resident went through a slew of diagnoses in following years - including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder - before an Edinburgh charity turned her life around. Lauren discovered CAPS in 2011 and has been an active member of the independent advocacy organisation for 14 years. However, the charity is looking down the barrel of extensive funding cuts from the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board (EIJB), which announced its intention to make £2.2 million in cuts to social care charities. CAPS offers individual and collective advocacy, providing safe spaces to explore shared issues. Lauren soon found a community of accepting people with similar experiences. According to advocates at CAPS, they provide the only pathway for people diagnosed with personality disorders in Edinburgh and the Lothians. They worry that without their services, people with personality disorders will not have access the life-saving community that CAPS facilitates. (Image: Edinburgh Live) After receiving a diagnosis for borderline personality disorder, Lauren said she was initially devastated. She later was re-diagnosed as having ADHD and autism, but says CAPS taught her to battle the stigma associated with her original diagnosis. She said: "I spent two weeks feeling absolutely dreadful. There's not much good said about people with borderline personality disorder. It's all bad. That's what I was being taught in the late 90s and early noughties. "[CAPS] changed my life because it showed positives. It just changed my entire perspective on it. I wasn't toxic, I wasn't a monster. I wasn't manipulative and evil. I was somebody in a lot of pain and trauma, and just as deserving of compassion." Through CAPS' commitment to collective advocacy, Lauren began using her lived experience with mental illness to educate social care professionals on how to work positively with people with personality disorders. She began delivering training for mental health nursing students at Napier University as well as occupational therapy students, art therapy students, clinical psychologists, and social workers. She also organises exhibitions and advocates for LGBTQ and minority ethnic people. Lauren added: "I can make a difference to the attitudes of all those people." Prior to CAPS, she reported being too shy to speak to people. She continued: "It made such a difference." CAPS services are facing the axe this year with potential funding cuts from the EIJB and millions of pounds of funding cuts to social care charities on the docket. When Lauren found out about the proposed cuts, she said: "I cried, and then I got angry. "[At CAPS] I've gained a family. My [biological] family was kind of emotionally abusive and not accepting of my sexuality or gender identity. They also didn't [understand] the mental health stuff and kind of blame blamed me." She spoke on the change in her confidence CAPS has afforded her in her 14 years of involvement: "I used to run away if I had to give presentations, I would flee and speak in front of people. It gave me the confidence to actually challenge the diagnosis." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Katharina Kasper, Chair of the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board said: "The IJB funds a range of non-statutory services with third sector providers, through block contracts and service level agreements. We are currently carrying out a review of this spend, with the aim of reducing annual spend by £2.2 million. This will enable us to focus scarce resources on the provision of core, statutory services which help keep the people who most need our help safe and well cared for, while allowing our partners to meet their legal duties. "We have decided to take more time to consider this proposal until the IJB meets on August 26. This is to make sure we have taken the time to fully understand the services being provided, to assess the data and evidence on the impacts of any changes, and to consider the concerns raised by providers, service users and others. "We recognise the concern this may cause, however we are now in a position where unfortunately these difficult decisions have to be made in order to protect the essential support we provide for some of Edinburgh's most vulnerable people."
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Legendary Scottish pianist who embodied the 'spirit of jazz' dies aged 63
Brian Kellock was one of the best-known pianists on the UK jazz scene. 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... Tributes have poured in for legendary Scottish jazz pianist Brian Kellock, who has died aged 63. Mr Kellock, who was one of the best known pianists on the UK jazz scene, died following an illness. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Born in Glasgow, Mr Kellock graduated with a degree in music from the University of Edinburgh in 1986. He then established his position in the UK jazz scene, working with Herb Geller, Sheila Jordan and Art Farmer. He later often performed in a trio, with Kenny Ellis on bass and drummer John Rae. In a joint statement, the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, Jazz Scotland and the Glasgow Jazz Festival said Mr Kellock would be 'truly missed'. They said: 'Legendary Scottish jazz pianist Brian Kellock passed away last night in Glasgow. One of Scotland's most talented musicians, he was famous for his fast-playing virtuoso style. He was a key player for the last 40 years in Scotland, starring at jazz festivals, collaborating with international stars and winning many jazz awards. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'He will truly be missed by everyone. Our thoughts go out to his family.' Scottish jazz pianist Fraser Urquhart recalled Mr Kellock as someone who played with 'pianistic abandon'. Colin Steele and Brian Kellock He said: 'He never really seemed to play like the people we all listen to. He had this own vibe. 'It was witty and alive. You were always able to hear glimpses of what he loved that had stuck on him: the drama he got from Monty Alexander and Oscar Peterson for instance; some of that offbeat, free edginess from Jaki Byard and the pianist we always liked to discuss – Jimmy Rowles. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'He knew how to shape a song into something unusual, something that no one had ever heard before – every single time something new. He took chances on every chorus - the sound of surprise, the spirit of jazz.'
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
After a stroke, more time in bed may affect memory, experts reveal
Research indicates that increased time in bed after a mild stroke or TIA may negatively impact cognitive function. The study, involving brain scans and cognitive assessments, revealed a link between longer time spent in bed and poorer thinking and memory skills. These findings suggest disturbed sleep could signify adverse brain health in stroke survivors. A good night's sleep is essential for health and emotional well-being. However, the same cannot be said for people who survived a stroke of transient ischemic attack (TIA). After a stroke or TIA, spending more time in bed, either sleeping or trying to sleep, may not be beneficial for cognitive function, reveals new research. According to a new study published in Neurology , added sleep duration is associated with poorer thinking and memory skills. To understand the link between sleep and brain function in individuals who suffered a stroke, the researchers studied 422 adults with an average age of 66 from Edinburgh and Hong Kong who had recently experienced a mild stroke or TIA. One to three months following the event, all participants underwent brain scans, were asked to complete sleep questionnaires, and take cognitive assessments. They found that spending more time in bed was linked to lower scores on tests of thinking and memory skills and changes in their brains that can lead to dementia or a second stroke. What is a stroke A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. A transient ischemic attack (TIA), often referred to as a 'mini stroke,' involves a brief blockage of blood flow. While symptoms usually resolve within minutes or hours, a TIA can be an early warning sign of a more serious stroke. Sleep after a stroke The researchers observed that spending more time in bed does not equate to sleep. Difficulty falling asleep, fragmented sleep, poor quality sleep, or other problems are signs of a sleep disorder. The study found that both people with longer in-bed times and with longer sleep durations were more likely to have these brain changes. The study, however, does not prove that these sleep issues cause these brain changes and thinking problems; it only shows an association. What do experts think Disturbed sleep is not great for health. 'These results show that disturbed sleep may be a marker of adverse brain health, even for people with mild strokes or TIAs. While many people know that a lack of sleep can lead to health issues, less is known about the effects of sleeping longer at night or spending a long time in bed trying to make up for having trouble sleeping—whether people are doing this consciously or not,' study author Joanna M. Wardlaw, MD, of the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom said in a statement. RFK Jr. Openly Tells World To Exit 'Bloated' WHO As Global Health Officials Watch Silently In the study, the researchers found that people who spent a longer time in bed were more likely to have signs of damage to small blood vessels in the brain, including a greater volume of white matter hyperintensities, or areas in the white matter of the brain where brain tissue has been damaged. These participants were also more likely to have slightly lower scores on the test of thinking and memory skills. People who had longer sleep duration were more likely to have small areas of microhemorrhages, or microbleeds, in the brain. 'More research is needed to confirm these findings and also to look at whether prolonged sleep has negative effects on people who have never had a stroke or TIA. Of course, research is also needed on whether improving people's sleep patterns after stroke could ward off some of these possible detrimental effects,' Wardlaw added. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
