The future of nightlife? Spending time with friends at a very different kind of club

Published

2 months ago

December 16, 2024

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The future of nightlife will be going out to the club a wellness club, that is.

That’s according to Jonathan Leary, the 34-year-old founder of Remedy Place. Billing itself as the “world first social wellness club,” it offers vitamin IVs, cryotherapy chambers, and red light beds. Its aim is to be not just a destination for self-care but also a new way for New Yorkers to socialize.

When you go out with your friends, it’s [usually] drinks or dinner, [but] alcohol is a dissociative and it’s a depressant.” he told NY Next. Our goal with the club is to use self-care as a new form of entertainment … This is where you book a date. This is where you’d come with your friends after work. This is what you do on a Friday night or Sunday morning … but instead of food and alcohol, we have self-care experiences that are made to be shared.”

In November, Remedy opened its third location, a 7,400-square-foot space in Soho that’s designed for group activities. The six ice baths are grouped together for cold plunging with friends or colleagues, the lymphatic drainage room is built for two, and the sauna is large enough for nearly half a dozen people.

Remedy also makes nods to more traditional social clubs. The common area has space to lounge around and is stocked with games like backgammon, and you can order food and drinks albeit bone broth, matcha and protein bars.

Remedy also pays homage to traditional nightclubs with its bottle service. But instead of tequila or vodka, there’s a selection of 750-ml bottles of water that costs as much as $155.

That most expensive bottle is the Amazon Air Water, which is collected from the rainforest moisture in the air in Brazil, while more affordable options include the $14 Splendor Volcanic Water from a volcano in Ecuador.

I’m trying to take what people would normally do when they socialize, but replace it with something healthy, Leary said. It still feels like a fun bottle service moment.

While Remedy is all about health, Leary recognizes that New Yorkers are often more concerned with work than wellness.

We have a working ‘drip suite’ where you can actually work on a laptop, take conference calls while getting an IV … [and our] Our hyperbaric chambers are upright because if people want to work they can work,” he said. We really want to cater to the needs of everyone. In New York, we find people want to really be productive.”

Leary, who divides his time between New York City and Los Angeles, applauds the NYC hustle and thinks it’s one of the healthiest places in America.

New York is the best city in the world — I think we’re more socially connected than any place in the world you can walk out, meet a million different people, be in a million different environments. New York City sets you up for success to have those [quality relationships].

“And it’s spontaneous you can’t control your life in New York. New York kind of has its own mind and its own plan for you. And I think that is singlehandedly the reason why people actually are healthy right here.”

Leary always wanted to start some version of Remedy but, after graduating from Southern California University of Health Sciences with a Doctorate in Chiropractic and Alternative Medicine, he was saddled with debt, preventing him from getting a business loan.

He opened a concierge-style alternative-medicine practice to pay off his debts while refining his business plan for Remedy Place.

What Leary heard over and over again from patients My issues are gone but youre ruining my social life [with all this health stuff]” strengthened his belief in his idea. And, he even ended up raising money thanks to his patients.

“[They] became my mentors and they became my investors,” he said. “I figured out the business side. I figured out how to raise money.”

Remedy isn’t cheap. Memberships which include unlimited access to technologies like cryotherapy, saunas and oxygen therapy, plus a personalized assessment start at $9,000 a year. Leary is collecting data to make a case for how effective various treatments are. He hopes to eventually win over insurance companies and get them to foot part of the bill

If we can have hundreds of thousands or millions of data points a year showing these things work. I think governments and insurance companies are going to have to start accepting it,” Leary said. “And the day that that happens and all of these things are covered by insurance, it becomes a very different business and industry.”

While the first Remedy Club opened in 2019 in LA, Leary has been focused on New York City in recent years. The Flatiron location debuted in 2022, followed by the newest spot on Greene Street.

Looking ahead, he sees plenty of opportunities for growth in Gotham given the demanding lifestyle and thirst for wellness treatments.

“Living in New York is high paced. Life is nonstop. People are working so hard they’re probably not sleeping as much,” he said. “We can remedy those things.”

Plus, he added “There’s just so many people here.”

This story is part of NYNext, a new editorial series that highlights New York City innovation across industries, as well as the personalities leading the way.

World

Pope Francis has ‘initial, mild’ kidney problem and still in critical condition, says Vatican

Published

2 hours ago

February 23, 2025

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Pope Francis has 'initial, mild' kidney problem and still in critical condition, says Vatican

The Pope remains in a critical condition and is now showing an “initial, mild” kidney problem – but is “vigilant” and took part in Mass in hospital with those caring for him.

The Vatican statement said Francis hadn’t had any more “respiratory crises” since Saturday evening.

However, a problem with his kidneys has emerged, with blood tests showing “an initial, mild, renal insufficiency, which is currently under control”, according to the update.

The 88-year-old Pope is still having “high-flow oxygen therapy” into his nose, while his hemoglobin value has increased after being given blood transfusions on Saturday.

The Pope has been at Rome’s Gemelli hospital since 14 February and is being treated for double pneumonia and chronic bronchitis.

Sunday evening’s statement said he was “vigilant and well oriented”, but due to the complexity of his case the prognosis is “reserved”.

“During the morning, in the apartment set up on the 10th floor, he participated in the Holy Mass, together with those who are taking care of him during these days of hospitalization,” the update added.

On Sunday morning, the Vatican said the Pope had a “tranquil” night and confirmed he would not lead prayers for the second week running.

Instead, Francis, who has been Pope since 2013, prepared words to be read on his behalf at the recitation of the Angelus.

‘I ask you to pray for me’

The Pope’s message said: “I am confidently continuing my hospitalisation at the Gemelli Hospital, carrying on with the necessary treatment; and rest is also part of the therapy!

“I sincerely thank the doctors and health workers of this hospital for the attention they are showing me and the dedication with which they carry out their service among the sick.

“In recent days I have received many messages of affection, and I have been particularly struck by the letters and drawings from children.

“Thank you for this closeness, and for the prayers of comfort I have received from all over the world! I entrust you all to the intercession of Mary, and I ask you to pray for me.”

The message is understood to have been written in the last few days.

On Saturday night, the Vatican said the Pope was in a critical condition after a “prolonged respiratory crisis” that required a high flow of oxygen.

It said he’d had blood transfusions after tests revealed thrombocytopenia, which is associated with anaemia.

Millions around the world have been concerned about his increasingly frail health – and his condition has given rise to speculation over a possible resignation.

Faith is never lost but it feels optimism is fading

By Lisa Holland, Sky correspondent in Vatican City

It’s hard to imagine a Sunday in the Vatican City without the Pope. Every week – unless he’s travelling – he is a constant, appearing at the same Vatican windows to deliver his message.

Instead, his written words were distributed by Vatican officials. In his message, the Pope thanked his doctors and people around the world for their good wishes.

But it seems the upbeat message was written before the dramatic downturn in the Pope’s health, which has left him in a critical condition. The business and the events of the Church are continuing in his absence.

Faith is never lost but it feels like optimism is fading and we are living through the last days of Pope Francis.

In St Peter’s Square the sun shone – and a gentle light fell on the ancient stone of the basilica.
The beauty and pageantry of columns of deacons and visitors filing in for a special mass as part of the Catholic Church’s jubilee year sat awkwardly with the prognosis of the Pope’s ailing health.

The visitors and deacons who’d come from around the world to take part, and hoped to see the Pope, were left disappointed. Though they said they felt his presence. “It is what it is,” said one.

They know the Pope is an 88-year-old man who has spent the last few years assisted by a wheelchair and walking stick. Throughout his life he has been dogged by lung issues.

It leaves an almost philosophical mood ahead of what the coming days may bring.

Doctors said on Friday that he was “not out of danger” and was expected to remain in hospital for at least another week.

They also warned that while he did not have sepsis, there was always a risk the infection could spread in his body.

Sepsis is a complication of an infection that can lead to organ failure and death.

Pope Francis has a history of respiratory illness, having lost part of one of his lungs to pleurisy as a young man. He also had an acute case of pneumonia in 2023.

Environment

Volvo Penta set to show off its new BESS subsystem at bauma 2025

Published

4 hours ago

February 23, 2025

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Volvo Penta set to show off its new BESS subsystem at bauma 2025

Volvo Penta BESS subsystem to be Bauma highlight

Volvo Penta will debut its latest modular and scalable battery energy storage system (BESS) platform for the off-grid construction and mining industries at the bauma equipment show – here’s what you can expect.

Best-known for its marine engines and gensets, Volvo Penta is the power production arm of the Volvo Group, specializing in putting energy to work. Operating under the tagline, ‘Made to Move You’, Volvo Penta is headed to bauma 2025 with a plan to keep construction, port shipping, and mining operations moving productively and competitively throughout their transitions to battery and (in theory, at least) hydrogen power.

To that end, the company will show off a job site ready version of the scalable and modular BESS subsystem concept shown last year.

Volvo says its new, modular BESS subsystem will enable other OEMs and third party system integrators to seamlessly deploy electric power to meet the ever-exceeding energy needs in construction and mining.

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“Our modular and scalable battery-electric platform is designed to support the electrification ecosystem—combining high-performance drivelines with the crucial energy storage subsystems for efficient charging and operation in construction and mining,” says Hannes Norrgren, President of Volvo Penta Industrial. “We want to meaningfully collaborate with our customers on value-added customization that will enable them to stay productive, efficient, and future-ready.”

The Penta substation at bauma will be built around the company’s “Cube” battery pack, an energy-dense solution with a favorable C-rate designed to make it easy for BESS manufacturers to offer more compact job site solutions capable of charging and discharging energy with high levels of speed and efficiency, enabling both stationary and mobile BESS configurations that can change and grow to meet the evolving needs of a given asset fleet or project.

A Volvo Penta-developed DC/DC unit converts the voltage from the Cube battery packs (600 V) into lower voltage (24 V) for powering auxiliaries and portable offices.

Electrek’s Take

BESS concept packed with Penta Cube batteries; via Volvo.

Volvo Penta has always provided power. Historically that’s been from combustion, but the company is looking ahead, developing products that will bring energy to job sites, tractors, and more long after the last ICE engine shuts down.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Volvo Penta.

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World

Exit poll may appear decisive – but path to coalition is not clear yet

Published

5 hours ago

February 23, 2025

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Exit poll may appear decisive - but path to coalition is not clear yet

Initial exit polls appear to confirm what we have known for weeks: that the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) and their Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU) have got the most votes in the federal election, with Friedrich Merz most likely to be the next chancellor.

While this result isn’t a surprise, it doesn’t mean the path to power will be easy.

First off, the CDU-CSU don’t have a majority so they need to try to build a coalition.

Their most obvious choices as partners are the third-place Social Democrats. A two-party coalition is preferred as it can avoid excess bickering but the SPD and CDU disagree on several key points including sending long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.

Follow live: Germany’s election results

Forming a government can take months but Mr Merz is keen to speed up the process – aware of the pressing issues both at home and abroad.

One of those is the rise of the far right, with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party celebrating historic results.

The initial results suggest that for the first time since the Second World War, a far-right party has got the second highest number of votes.

That could also cause serious issues for the next government.

As a result of Germany‘s Nazi history, mainstream parties have a long-running pact known as the “firewall” which says they will not work with the far right.

Even before the polls had closed, AfD leader Alice Weidel echoed Donald Trump and released a video statement urging people to “observe” the ballots being counted and to “protect democracy”.

Many of the AfD’s supporters have said not allowing the second most popular party into government is undemocratic, threatening to take to the streets.

The US vice president JD Vance also sparked outrage when he spoke out against the firewall at the recent Munich Security Conference and suggested the new Trump administration would be ready to work with the AfD.

Conversely, in the run-up to the election, hundreds of thousands of Germans have protested to demand that the firewall remains.

In January, Mr Merz caused controversy when a draft motion got through parliament with AfD support, he’s since vowed he will not go into government with them.

If he sticks to that pledge then he is likely to see right-wing demonstrations as well becoming a target of prominent AfD backers including Elon Musk.

The AfD’s result also cannot be ignored. While some of the vote may be a protest, the party has expanded its traditional base in the east to pick up support in the west.

Dissatisfaction over migration, the economy, rocketing prices and the war in Ukraine have all helped to grow its ranks as people feel ignored by mainstream parties.

Mr Merz has already tried to win back some of its voters by proposing tough migration reforms including permanent checks on the borders and potentially turning away some asylum seekers when they try to enter.

If he fails to deliver on these promises then the AfD will continue to make gains.

Other urgent to dos for the next government include sorting out Germany’s economy following two years of recession and restoring its position at the centre of the EU.

Ministers must also face up to the fact their traditional allies are no longer guaranteed.

The Trump administration appears to be ripping up the rule book when it comes to being a protector of Europe and its ongoing support for Ukraine.

If America steps back, as Europe’s largest power and Ukraine’s largest European backer, Germany will have to step up.

Again, that’s going to be a big challenge as its military needs to be transformed.

The final results are not even confirmed yet but whatever form it takes, the next government knows it has four years to fix Germany, if it fails then populists are highly likely to ride to power in 2029.