Latest news with #TheHungerGames
USA Today
3 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Cozy up in the young adult reading lounge at Olde Towne Book Shop in Louisiana
Independent bookstores are the heartbeats of their communities. They provide culture and community, generate local jobs and sales tax revenue, promote literacy and education, champion and center diverse and new authors, connect readers to books in a personal and authentic way, and actively support the right to read and access to books in their communities. Each week we profile an independent bookstore, sharing what makes each one special and getting their expert and unique book recommendations. This week we have co-owner Jamie Lewis of Olde Towne Book Shop in Slidell, Louisiana. What's your store's story? Olde Towne Book Shop is a cozy, women-owned bookshop located in historic Olde Towne Slidell, Louisiana. We offer new and used books and both in-store and online shopping experiences, making us accessible to readers nationwide. Opened in May 2024, OTBS is owned and operated by two authors with a mission to promote and improve literacy across southeast Louisiana while developing lifelong readers and writers. We pride ourselves on being a safe, inclusive space that celebrates everyone for who they are and who they strive to be. What makes your independent bookstore unique? While our shelves are packed with titles for readers of all ages and genre preferences, we also feature book-related products created by local artists: bookmarks, vinyl stickers, apparel, drinkware, crocheted reading buddies and much more. We partner with local small businesses to create memorable gifts for book lovers, including book bouquets made with fresh flowers and book boxes packed with a personal touch. Our author events and 'Featured Locals' shelf spotlights the talented writers in our region. We connect even further with our community through our monthly book club, writing circle, children's programs and other literacy-centric services. We're most proud of the events that support our mission to promote and improve literacy, such as our school sponsorship program that donates new books to school libraries. What's your favorite section in your store? My favorite section is our young adult lounge. It includes our inventory of YA favorites, signed novels, and new discoveries. We have an assortment of board games and activities to grab and play in-store. A large chalkboard wall invites young adults (and young-at-heart adults) to leave positive, personalized messages. Our goal is to provide this safe, dynamic space for after-school socialization and group hangouts. We're constantly adding to it to make it more inviting. What book do you love to recommend to customers and why? Lately, I've found myself recommending Trevor Noah's "Born a Crime" to several patrons. The way he mixes his natural humor with very real-life traumas while telling his story leaves readers captivated. It hits the heart in so many ways and is a hard story to forget. The continuation of "The Hunger Games" series has everyone of all ages excited. This series is so often the one that turns hesitant young readers into voracious book lovers, making it all the more special. What book do you think deserves more attention and why? "When You Had Power," the first in Susan Kaye Quinn's "Nothing is Promised" series. Hopepunk is a genre in speculative fiction that doesn't get much attention, but we need more of it, and Quinn writes it beautifully. The novel introduces us to a near-future world in shambles and the families who are working to rebuild it. As our real world becomes more dystopian, the fictional worlds to which we escape can be our glimmer of hope. Why is shopping at local, independent bookstores important? Local, independent shops are important anchors to the surrounding community. We re-home secondhand books while introducing others to new-to-them authors and titles. We establish a personal connection with our patrons, enhancing the bookstore experience. By shopping at indie bookstores and taking advantage of services and programs, the community benefits most while keeping money in the local economy. What are some of your store's events, programs, or partnerships coming up that you would like to share? Summer's in full swing, and Olde Towne Book Shop's got events and programs for everyone. Since June 1, we've been celebrating "Genre Days." Save 20% on books from the featured genre of the day when you shop in-store and online. On July 12, author Dawn Chartier will hold a signing event to promote her latest paranormal romance, "The Fallen Guardian." On August 15, we're offering our fourth Paint Your Own Book Edges workshop. This easy-to-follow class guarantees you'll leave with a gorgeous custom special edition of your book of choice. A schedule of our monthly recurring events can be found on as well as our social media. These events include preschool story socials and other literacy-focused events for young readers, our Monday book club and morning silent book club, and our writing circle filled with authors and creative writers of all levels of experience.
Metro
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
What £40,000,000 could pay for instead of fund Jeff Bezos' wedding in Venice
The wedding of Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez in Venice is so lavish it would make the Capital from The Hunger Games blush. Five of the most extravagant hotels in the Italian city have been booked out to host up to 250 guests, like Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner, alongside Hollywood A-listers like the Kardashians. Almost 100 private jets are landing at nearby airports such as Treviso and Verona, while Venice's nine yacht ports have also been booked up for the event. This is just a smidget of the display of wealth that feels less like a wedding and more like a coronation. Flanked by other members of the ultra-rich, the Amazon CEO is rumoured to have spent £40 million on the spectacle. Back in Britain, Metro looks at what the budget for a single wedding could fund. The cost of full-time nursery care in England (50 hours a week) for a child under two is around £12,425 per year, according to This means that Bezos' £40 million could help as many as 3,219 families with low income. While this represents a price drop of 22%, when compared to 2024 – due to the government's 15 funded childcare hours scheme – it is still a massive strain on working parents. And Scotland and Wales have not seen the same reduction in costs, which only apply to England. As the cost of living continues to bite, an ActionAid poll shows that one in five (21%) women and people who menstruate are now struggling to afford period products – up from 12% in just one year. This amounts to an estimated 2.8 million people in the UK, putting around one million more people into period poverty versus last year. Trussell Trust figures show that the average monthly stock need per food bank is around £8,000. Using the £40 million, Bezos could have funded 5,000 such institutions for an entire month. Around 2.3 million people – representing 3% of the UK population – lived in households that had used a food bank in the previous 12 months between 2023 and 2024. This includes 6% of children and 3% of working-age adults. In January 2025, almost 2.2 million pupils were eligible for the free school meal programme, 25.7% of all students – and representing an increase of 77,700 pupils from the previous year. The standard NHS cost for an emergency dental appointment in England is £27.40, covering urgent treatment like pain relief, temporary fillings, and an initial examination. In February, the government rolled out 700,000 additional appointments as statistics from the GP Patient Survey 2024 show that around one in four patients who tried to see an NHS dentist in the past two years were unable to book. As many as 1,474 people died while homeless – one person every six hours – according to data from 2023. Freezing temperatures during the winter months often increase that number. Tuition fees for UK students in England and Wales have been capped at £9,535 per year for the 2025/26 academic year, after the latest increase in December. Research by Ipsos in 2023 showed that nearly one in two school leavers have reconsidered going to university because of the rising cost of living. Furthermore, 31% believe university is not affordable. A survey also found that a quarter of Britons do not believe university is worth it for young people, with fees and student loan debt being major contributing factors. This is oligarchy. This is 60% live paycheck to paycheck & kids go hungry, Jeff Bezos, worth $230 billion, goes to Venice on his $500 million yacht for a $20 million wedding & spends $5 million on a ring while his real tax rate is just 1.1%.End this oligarchy. — Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) June 24, 2025 The cost of an initial asylum claim in the UK varies, but can range from £3,800 to £5,000 for legal representation, plus additional costs for accommodation and support. Figures by the Migration Observatory show that the UK's asylum backlog – defined as the total number of asylum applications awaiting an initial decision – stood at around 91,000 at the end of 2024.. That was 31% lower than the record levels reached in 2022, though still high by historical standards. Of those waiting for an initial decision, around 50,000 people (55%) had been waiting for more than six months. Raising and training an assistance dog can cost anywhere between 22,000 to £55,000, depending on the type of dog and organization. More Trending Support Dog, a charity that provides its services entirely for free, says that the cost to support a dog partnership, from initial training, to client training and support throughout its working life, is approximately £36,000. Declining biodiversity and habitat loss are just some of the reason some parts of the UK are in a desperate need of rewilding. While only an estimated 1% of Britain's land is currently rewilding, there is a growing movement to increase this to 30% by 2030, according to Rewilding Britain. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Amber heat wave alert issued with warning of fatal risk to elderly MORE: Jeff Bezos's foam party proves all the money in the world can't buy taste MORE: Urgent recall for hundreds of salads over killer cucumber fears
Forbes
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Olivia Rodrigo's Albums Chart Together — And Something Unusual Is Happening
Olivia Rodrigo's Sour and Guts both rise on the U.K. charts this week, with Sour climbing highest, ... More while Guts appears on physical and digital sales lists. HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 13: Olivia Rodrigo attends the Los Angeles premiere of "The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes" at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 13, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/WireImage) There's something a bit unusual about Olivia Rodrigo's placements on the music charts in the United Kingdom this week. It's not odd that her only two full-lengths, Sour and Guts, appear simultaneously. The pop star's catalog remains hugely popular, even though the singer-songwriter hasn't released anything new in years. It's the specific placements and exact positions of both Sour and Guts that may raise eyebrows. Their current standings speak to her ability to continually sell her work, as well as her unceasing success on streaming platforms. Olivia Rodrigo's Sour and Guts Both Climb Deciding between Sour and Guts in terms of which title is more successful on the U.K. musical lists this week is tricky. On one hand, Sour appears higher on the Official Albums chart, the ranking of the most consumed projects in the country, as it lifts to No. 30. Guts is only a few spots behind, landing at No. 34. However, Guts lives on several rankings at the same time. In addition to its position on the Official Albums chart, the collection also climbs on both the Official Physical Albums and Official Albums Sales lists, lifting to Nos. 71 and 76, respectively. Guts Proves to Be the Better Seller Guts is the stronger seller between the two, as it's the only one that lands on rankings dedicated to fans actually buying albums. Pure purchases of Rodrigo's sophomore set seem to be increasing, as it grows by more than 10 spaces on the general Official Albums Sales ranking while ascending just a few spots on the roster that looks specifically at physical titles — those offered on CD, vinyl, and cassette. Sour doesn't live on any such rosters, and yet it still manages to be the most-consumed between the pair. That must mean that between purchases and streaming activity, it's winning – but the fact that Sour doesn't appear on either sales or streaming rosters, yet bests Guts, is somewhat unusual.
Sunday World
5 days ago
- Sunday World
Sword attacker guilty of murdering boy (14) and injuring five people in rampage
Witnesses described the former Amazon delivery driver screaming 'in delight' and smiling after mortally wounding Daniel Daniel Anjorin, who had been walking to school in his PE kit. A sword attacker has been found guilty of murdering a schoolboy and injuring five others during a drug-induced rampage in north-east London. Marcus Arduini Monzo, 37, killed 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin with a samurai sword and seriously wounded police officers, a pedestrian, and a couple in their home during a 20-minute spree in Hainault on April 30 last year. He had entered a state of psychosis brought on by his own cannabis use, the Old Bailey heard. Witnesses described the former Amazon delivery driver screaming 'in delight' and smiling after mortally wounding Daniel, who had been walking to school in his PE kit. Prosecutor Tom Little KC told jurors it was 'miraculous' that more people were not killed as Monzo slashed and chopped at whoever he came across. Monzo was found guilty of the murder of Daniel Anjorin (Metropolitan Police/PA) Monzo had killed and skinned his pet cat Wizard before he ran amok armed with two swords. As well as killing Daniel, Monzo, who had a blue belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu, attacked pedestrian Donato Iwule, police officers Pc Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield and Inspector Moloy Campbell, and couple Sindy Arias and Henry De Los Rios Polania in their home. Afterwards, Monzo likened events to the Hollywood film The Hunger Games and claimed to have an alternative persona of a 'professional assassin'. Giving evidence at his trial, he said he had no memory of what happened and claimed his mental state had diminished his responsibility for the crimes. However, the prosecution argued that psychosis brought on by self-induced intoxication was no defence for murder. Marcus Arduini Monzo. Photo: Metropolitan Police/PA News in 90 Seconds - June 25th Even though Monzo admitted he had drunk a hallucinogenic tea called ayahuasca, no trace of DMT, the class A drug in the brew, was detected in his system. The court also heard how Monzo had made 'stabbing motions' re-enacting the violence when he chatted about 'killing films' with a member of staff at Broadmoor secure psychiatric hospital. An Old Bailey jury found Monzo guilty of Daniel's murder, three charges of attempted murder, relating to Mr Iwule, Ms Arias, and Pc Mechem-Whitfield. He was also found guilty of wounding with intent, relating to Mr De Los Rios Polania, aggravated burglary, and possession of a bladed article. He was cleared of attempted murder in relation to Mr De Los Rios Polania but found guilty of the lesser offence of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Monzo showed no emotion as the verdicts were read out (Elizabeth Cook/PA) Monzo, who showed no emotion as the verdicts were read out, previously admitted having the samurai sword used to kill Daniel and a katana sword found in his van. It took jurors three days to reach their verdicts. He will be sentenced on Friday, June 27, the court heard. Daniel's parents had sat in court throughout the trial when harrowing CCTV and police body worn video had been played. The court had heard how Monzo launched the series of attacks by driving his grey Ford Transit van into Mr Iwule, who was 'catapulted' into a nearby garden before the vehicle smashed into a concrete pillar and fence. He went on to hit Mr Iwule in the neck with his sword before running away, the court was told. He then virtually decapitated Daniel, who was wearing headphones on his way to school, jurors heard. Witness Maria Olmos said Monzo dropped to his knees and held his hands up after mortally wounding the schoolboy. She said: 'At the time of doing so he let out an extremely loud scream. 'It wasn't a scream of pain, it was a scream of delight – my interpretation was he was celebrating.' Pc Mechem-Whitfield was hit three times with the 60cm long blade with 'extreme force' as she chased Monzo through alleyways and residential properties. A screengrab of body cam footage of the police pursuit and arrest of Marcus Arduini Monzo (Metropolitan Police/PA) Next he entered a property and attacked Ms Arias and Mr De Los Rios Polania, who were sleeping in an upstairs bedroom with their young daughter nearby. Monzo demanded to know if they 'believe in God' before he left the property. Inspector Moloy Campbell tried to detain Monzo in a car park and received a slash wound to his hand. The defendant then climbed on to the roof of a garage before he was finally apprehended. Following his arrest, Monzo claimed his personality had switched and that 'something happened, like a game happening'. In his evidence, Monzo described being bullied growing up in Brazil before his family moved to Britain in 2013. He practised mixed martial arts (MMA) until an injury in 2016 led him to explore yoga and the 'magical, miraculous and supernatural' aspects of spirituality, he said. He began to follow a guru on YouTube, spent a year at a retreat in India and took ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic brew traditionally used in South America. Kirsty O'Connor, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'The CPS maintained throughout that Arduini Monzo's mental state was driven by his own cannabis misuse which meant that he was fully responsible for the devastation he caused last year. 'The jury, by their unequivocal verdicts, have accepted the prosecution case. Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell and Kirsty O'Connor. Photo: Joe Hadden/PA 'Our hearts go out to Daniel Anjorin's family and friends who have suffered his unimaginable loss in horrific circumstances, and our thoughts remain with all of the victims who continue to recover from their injuries and trauma. 'I would also like to pay tribute to the brave police officers and emergency workers who faced Marcos Arduini Monzo on that terrifying day in April 2024, putting their own personal safety at risk in the line of duty. 'The courage shown by Pc Mechem-Whitfield, Pc King, Inspector Campbell and others who selflessly sought to apprehend Arduini Monzo whilst facing extreme personal danger was exceptional and undoubtedly prevented further loss of life. 'We all owe them a debt of gratitude.' Jaswant Narwal, chief crown prosecutor, said: 'There was no doubt Arduini Monzo was in the grips of a psychotic episode, but the challenge for our specialist homicide prosecutors in this case was proving that his mental state was the result of his cannabis misuse, not an underlying mental health condition such as schizophrenia. 'This matters, because by proving Arduini Monzo's psychosis was the result of his own actions, our prosecutors could bring charges of murder, as opposed to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.' Speaking outside court following the verdicts, Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell said: 'I would like to pay my respects to Daniel's family. 'There are no words to express how sorry we are for your loss or how much admiration we have for your courage and dignity. 'It is hard to comprehend the unimaginable pain that you must have suffered in this last year. 'I can only hope that today's verdict brings some semblance of justice and relief to you, and that you're able to grieve in peace. 'Our thoughts remain with those who have been impacted by this terrible incident.'
North Wales Chronicle
5 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Sword attacker guilty of killing schoolboy and injuring five people in rampage
Marcus Arduini Monzo, 37, had gone into a cannabis-induced psychosis when he killed 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin with a samurai sword, the Old Bailey heard. Witnesses described the former Amazon delivery driver screaming 'in delight' and smiling after mortally wounding Daniel, who had been walking to school in his PE kit. Prosecutor Tom Little KC told jurors it was 'miraculous' that more people weren't killed as Monzo slashed and chopped at whoever he came across over 20 minutes. Monzo had killed and skinned his pet cat Wizard before he ran amok in Hainault, north-east London, on April 30 last year. As well as killing Daniel, Monzo, who had a blue belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu, also attacked a pedestrian, two police officers and a couple in their own home before he was arrested by police. Afterwards, Monzo likened events to the Hollywood film The Hunger Games and claimed to have an alternative persona of a 'professional assassin'. Giving evidence at his trial, he said he had no memory of what happened and claimed his mental state had diminished his responsibility for the crimes. However, the prosecution argued that psychosis brought on by self-induced intoxication was no defence for murder. Even though Monzo admitted he had drunk a hallucinogenic tea called ayahuasca, no trace of DMT – the class A drug in the brew – was detected in his system. The court also heard how Monzo had made 'stabbing motions' re-enacting the violence when he chatted about 'killing films' with a member of staff at Broadmoor secure psychiatric hospital. An Old Bailey jury found Monzo guilty of Daniel's murder, three charges of attempted murder, aggravated burglary and possession of a bladed article relating to a kitchen knife. He was cleared of one count of attempted murder in relation to the victim Henry De Los Rios Polania but found guilty of the lesser offence of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Monzo, who showed no emotion as the verdicts were read out, previously admitted having the samurai sword used to kill Daniel and a katana sword found in his van. Daniel's parents had sat in court throughout the trial when harrowing CCTV and police body worn video had been played. The court had heard how Monzo launched the series of attacks by driving his grey Ford Transit van into Donato Iwule, who was 'catapulted' into a nearby garden before the vehicle smashed into a concrete pillar and fence. He went on to hit Mr Iwule in the neck with his sword before running away, the court was told. He then virtually decapitated Daniel, who was wearing headphones on his way to school, jurors heard. Witness Maria Olmos said Monzo dropped to his knees and held his hands up after mortally wounding the schoolboy. She said: 'At the time of doing so he let out an extremely loud scream. It wasn't a scream of pain, it was a scream of delight – my interpretation was he was celebrating.' Pc Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield was hit three times with the 60cm long blade with 'extreme force' as she chased Monzo through alleyways and residential properties. Next he entered a property and attacked a couple who were sleeping in an upstairs bedroom with their young daughter nearby. Monzo demanded to know if they 'believe in God' before he left the property. Inspector Moloy Campbell tried to detain Monzo in a car park and received a slash wound to his hand. The defendant then climbed on to the roof of a garage before he was finally apprehended. Following his arrest, Monzo claimed his personality had switched and that 'something happened, like a game happening'. In his evidence, Monzo described being bullied growing up in Brazil before his family moved to Britain in 2013. He practised mixed martial arts (MMA) until an injury in 2016 led him to explore yoga and the 'magical, miraculous and supernatural' aspects of spirituality, he said. He began to follow a guru on YouTube, spent a year at a retreat in India and took ayahuasca – a hallucinogenic brew traditionally used in South America. Monzo will be sentenced on Friday at the Old Bailey.
