HOUSTON (AP) — An elaborate parody appears to be behind an effort to resurrect Enron, the Houston-based energy company that exemplified the worst in American corporate fraud and greed after it went bankrupt in 2001. If its return is comedic, some former employees who lost everything in Enron’s collapse aren’t laughing. “It’s a pretty sick joke and it disparages the people that did work there. And why would you want to even bring it back up again?” said former Enron employee Diana Peters, who represented workers in the company’s bankruptcy proceedings. Here’s what to know about the history of Enron and the purported effort to bring it back. Once the nation’s seventh-largest company, Enron filed for bankruptcy protection on Dec. 2, 2001, after years of accounting tricks could no longer hide billions of dollars in debt or make failing ventures appear profitable. The energy company's collapse put more than 5,000 people out of work, wiped out more than $2 billion in employee pensions and rendered $60 billion in Enron stock worthless. Its aftershocks were felt throughout the energy sector. Twenty-four Enron executives , including former CEO Jeffrey Skilling , were eventually convicted for their roles in the fraud. Enron founder Ken Lay’s convictions were vacated after he died of heart disease following his 2006 trial. On Monday — the 23rd anniversary of the bankruptcy filing — a company representing itself as Enron announced in a news release that it was relaunching as a “company dedicated to solving the global energy crisis.” It also posted a video on social media, advertised on at least one Houston billboard and a took out a full-page ad in the Houston Chronicle In the minute-long video that was full of generic corporate jargon, the company talks about “growth” and “rebirth.” It ends with the words, “We’re back. Can we talk?” Enron's new website features a company store, where various items featuring the brand's tilted “E” logo are for sale, including a $118 hoodie. In an email, company spokesperson Will Chabot said the new Enron was not doing any interviews yet, but that "We’ll have more to share soon.” Signs point to the comeback being a joke. In the “terms of use and conditions of sale” on the company's website, it says “the information on the website about Enron is First Amendment protected parody, represents performance art, and is for entertainment purposes only.” Documents filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office show that College Company, an Arkansas-based LLC, owns the Enron trademark. The co-founder of College Company is Connor Gaydos, who helped create a joke conspiracy theory that claims all birds are actually surveillance drones for the government. Peters said that since learning about the “relaunch” of Enron, she has spoken with several other former employees and they are also upset by it. She said the apparent stunt was “in poor taste.” “If it’s a joke, it’s rude, extremely rude. And I hope that they realize it and apologize to all of the Enron employees,” Peters said. Peters, who is 74 years old, said she is still working in information technology because “I lost everything in Enron, and so my Social Security doesn’t always take care of things I need done.” “Enron’s downfall taught us critical lessons about corporate ethics, accountability, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. Enron’s legacy was the employees in the trenches. Leave Enron buried,” she said. This story was corrected to fix the spelling of Ken Lay’s first name, which had been misspelled “Key.” Follow Juan A. Lozano on X at https://x.com/juanlozano70
Work and pensions minister Sir Stephen Timms said the move aims to drive “real improvements” for disabled people, whom the ministers will be encouraged to engage with on a regular basis. He told the Commons: “I am very pleased to be able to announce today the appointment of new lead ministers for disability in each Government department, they will represent the interests of disabled people, champion disability inclusion and accessibility within their departments. “I’m going to chair regular meetings with them and will encourage them to engage directly with disabled people and their representative organisations, as they take forward their departmental priorities. “And I look forward to this new group of lead ministers for disability together driving real improvements across Government for disabled people.” This came during an adjournment debate on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, where Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling raised concerns about “floating bus stops”, which have a cycle lane between the stop and the pavement. Intervening, the MP for Torbay, who is registered blind, said: “The Government needs to ban floating bus stops.” Sir Stephen said: “I do think this issue about floating bus stops is an important issue which we need to work across Government to reflect on.” Labour MP Debbie Abrahams, who led the debate, had earlier criticised the lack of accessibility for disabled people on trains. The Oldham East and Saddleworth MP said: “Our train network does not have level access, and we heard Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson from the other place make this plea back in the summer, absolutely outrageous what she was put through. “But I was absolutely shocked to find, when I had a presentation of the TransPennine route upgrade, that the rolling stock yet to be commissioned is not going to provide that level access. “It’s absolute nonsense, it’s not even in the design of that procurement, so we must do better than this.”
Twirlys Revolutionizes Footwear and Apparel with Innovative No-Tie Lace Accessories 12-03-2024 12:40 AM CET | Fashion, Lifestyle, Trends Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Brand Featured Image: https://www.getnews.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1733169945.jpg Twirlys introduces a game-changing solution for shoelaces, allowing users to transform any footwear into slip-ons with its patent-pending Groovelock and Reversible SnapLock technology. The brand combines functionality with fashion, setting new trends in the sneakers and apparel world. "At Twirlys, we believe that style and convenience should never be a compromise. Our mission is to make your footwear and clothing functional and fashionable, with no effort required," says the Twirlys Founder. Our product provides a convenient solution for individuals looking for an effortless way to convert traditional lace-up shoes into slip-ons. Featuring Twirlys' patent-pending GrooveLock mechanism, it secures up to 9 inches of the user's own shoelaces, eliminating the need for a new lace, or tying, or cutting, or rethreading. Moreover, it's designed with versatility in mind. The Groovelock G4 caters to all age groups and lifestyles, making it perfect for children, adults, seniors, and individuals with mobility challenges. It allows users to quickly thread their laces through, twirl it and tuck it. Its Snaplock mechanism provides a secure fit, whether walking or running, delivering flexibility and support for a wide range of activities. The product is made from eco-friendly, durable, and water-resistant materials, built to withstand daily wear and tear. Beyond its practical features, the Groovelock G4 appeals to fashion-forward consumers who enjoy changing up their look. It allows users to swap colors quickly, so it's easy to adapt their footwear to match outfits, moods, or occasions. The expanded color palette offers even more opportunities for customization, making the product a great addition to any wardrobe. "Our accessories empower individuals by making their shoes easier to wear while adding a unique flair. It's about more than just shoes; it's about freedom, creativity, and comfort," the founder adds. As part of its ongoing efforts to bring exciting new products to market and create customer engagements, Twirlys is excited to announce its innovative products are now available for purchase at Brick by Brick sneaker store located on University Ave. in Saint Paul. They would also continue to explore collaborations with influencers, other local merchants, and fashion brands. Looking forward, it aims to introduce exclusive designs and limited-edition collections that push the boundaries of style and function. To learn more about Twirlys Groovelock G4 and its expanded color options, please visit https://www.justtwirlys.com [ https://www.justtwirlys.com/ ] or contact them at info@justtwirlys.com [mailto:info@justtwirlys.com]. About Twirlys Twirlys is an innovative footwear accessory brand dedicated to providing stylish, functional solutions for all ages. Known for its patent-pending GrooveLock technology, Twirlys transforms traditional lace-up shoes into convenient slip-ons, blending fashion with practicality. Media Contact Company Name: Twirlys Contact Person: Dipo Thomas Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=twirlys-revolutionizes-footwear-and-apparel-with-innovative-notie-lace-accessories ] Country: United States Website: http://www.justtwirlys.com/ This release was published on openPR.
STAMFORD, Conn., Dec. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Lovesac Company (Nasdaq: LOVE) (“Lovesac” or the “Company”), the home furnishing brand best known for its Sactionals, The World's Most Adaptable Couch, has released its ESG & Impact Report for the 2024 fiscal year ended February 4, 2024. This report highlights the company's continued commitment to environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and governance (“ESG”). Shawn Nelson, Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Lovesac’s commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices is at the heart of our operations. We are dedicated to creating products that are Designed for Life, reducing our environmental impact, and fostering a culture of integrity and responsibility. Our ESG pillars of Earth, Love, and Purpose guide us in making decisions that benefit our customers, associates, shareholders, and the communities we serve. As we look to the future, we remain committed to leading by example and inspiring positive change in our industry. Together, we can create a brighter, greener, and more sustainable world for generations to come.” Lovesac’s ESG framework relies on aspects of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Building Products and Furnishings and Multiline and Specialty Retailers & Distributors standard. The strategy also takes inspiration from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to align Lovesac’s strategic purpose with global social and environmental priorities. This latest ESG report includes Lovesac’s progress to meeting their long-term environmental, social, and purpose-focused goals. Key highlights include: ESG targets focus on three key pillars which Lovesac designates as Earth, Love, and Purpose. The report covers plans for ESG improvements in these areas over the next two decades. LOVE: Lovesac continues to foster a culture that embraces and celebrates the experiences, beliefs, backgrounds, expertise, talent, and individuality of everyone. With 48% of women in leadership roles in Fiscal 2024, Lovesac has continued to make meaningful progress to include more women in leadership roles. EARTH: Lovesac has committed to repurpose 1 billion plastic bottles in its products’ fabric and materials as supported by a partnership with REPREVE®. By the end of Lovesac’s fiscal year 2024, the partnership resulted in a total of more than 240 million bottles repurposed in the production of Lovesac product fabrics and materials. PURPOSE: Lovesac continuously aims to maintain the trust of their customers, shareholders, employees, partners, and communities. This trust is built on a commitment to integrity. When everyone at Lovesac follows strong policies, the integrity of our brand is reinforced. The Company is expanding its Sustainable Supply Chain program to include new transportation and warehousing vendors. Because the Company approaches its relationships in the same way it approaches its products—as a long-term investment—the Company’s suppliers are committed to making products of enduring quality that uphold the high-performance standards we set for them. The report features the Company’s continued goal to meet net-zero waste and emissions by 2040 and its Designed For Life principles on inventing and innovating in order to deliver more high-quality, sustainably manufactured product platforms in multiple categories across the home space. This report is Lovesac’s fourth annual ESG report and is part of the Company’s multi-phased ESG commitment to serve its customers, associates, communities, suppliers, and stakeholders in a way that benefits them all. Lovesac plans to advance and report on the progress of its ESG priorities through successive ESG reports. Lovesac’s 2024 ESG Report is available on the Company’s website at https://investor.lovesac.com/esg. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other legal authority. Forward-looking statements can be identified by such words as “continue,” “may,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “could,” “should,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “strategy,” “target,” “goal,” “expect,” “strive,” “vision,” and “can” or variations of these terms and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties. For information on certain factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from our expectations, please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including our most recently filed Amendment No. 2 to Form 10-K/A, Amendment No. 2 to Form 10-Q/A and Form 10-Qs and similar disclosures in subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which we make it. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About The Lovesac Company Based in Stamford, Connecticut, The Lovesac Company is a technology driven company that designs, manufactures and sells unique, high-quality furniture derived through its proprietary Designed For Life approach which results in products that are built to last a lifetime and designed to evolve as our customers’ lives do. Our current product offering is comprised of modular couches called Sactionals, premium foam beanbag chairs called Sacs, and their associated home decor accessories. Innovation is at the center of our design philosophy with all of our core products protected by a robust portfolio of utility patents. We market and sell our products primarily online directly at www.lovesac.com, supported by direct-to-consumer touch-feel points in the form of our own showrooms as well as through shop-in-shops and pop-up-shops with third party retailers. LOVESAC, SACTIONALS, DESIGNED FOR LIFE, and THE WORLD'S MOST ADAPTABLE COUCH are trademarks of The Lovesac Company and are Registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Investor Relations Contacts: Caitlin Churchill, ICR (203) 682-8200 InvestorRelations@lovesac.comQatar tribune Tribune News Network Doha The Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) marked a significant milestone in its 40th anniversary celebrations with the inauguration of ‘Readers’ Nest’ -- ICBF 40th anniversary library at ICBF office. The library was inaugurated by First Secretary at Embassy of India and ICBF Coordinating Officer Eish Singhal, who commended the ICBF Managing Committee for this noble initiative. He emphasised the importance of fostering a culture of reading in the community, especially in an era dominated by technology and gadgets, where the joy of books is often overlooked. The library’s collection, generously donated by community members, reflects the spirit of giving and togetherness that defines ICBF’s mission. Responding to frequent requests from prison inmates, individuals in shelters, and labour camps for books in regional languages, the Managing Committee resolved to establish a permanent library on the ICBF Office premises to serve these needs, as well as for community members. In his address, ICBF President Shanavas Bava expressed gratitude to the community members for their heartfelt contributions toward this meaningful project, which aims to bring solace and enrichment to those in need. ICBF Advisory Council Chairman Sam Basheer, along with members T Ramaselvam, Johnson Antony, and Shashidar Hebbal were present to witness the event. Other dignitaries included ISC General Secretary Nihad Ali, ICC Secretary Abraham Joseph, MC Member Sathya Narayana Mallireddy and IBPC committee member Ramakrishnan. ICBF General Secretary Varkey Boban delivered the welcome address, highlighting the importance of the library as part of the organisation’s 40th-anniversary initiatives. ICBF Vice-President Deepak Shetty delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging the dedication of all contributors and attendees who made the event a success. The programme was well-coordinated by ICBF Secretary Muhamed Kunhi, Managing Committee Members Shankar Goud, Neelambari Sushant, and Abdul Raoof Kondotty. The inauguration of ‘Readers’ Nest’ underscores ICBF’s commitment to promoting education and community welfare, ensuring that the joy of reading continues to touch lives across Qatar. Copy 29/12/2024 10Concerns raised about NHS Grampian ‘intolerable’ risks three months ago
CarExpert's top five premium mid-sized SUVs of 2024
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman today called for unity among all anti-fascist political parties to build a "new Bangladesh" inspired by the aspirations of the youth. Speaking at the 12th General Council of Khelafat Majlish at Dhaka's Suhrawardy Udyan this morning, Shafiqur emphasised the need for collective action to establish a democratic future for the nation. "... In the new Bangladesh, all anti-fascist political parties will stand united," he said. The Jamaat chief also expressed concern over what he described as ongoing injustice towards Islamic scholars in the country. "Over the past decade and a half, the nation's Islamic scholars have been subjected to unprecedented levels of injustice and vendetta," he said. The conference was attended by leaders and activists from various Islamic political organisations. Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman today called for unity among all anti-fascist political parties to build a "new Bangladesh" inspired by the aspirations of the youth. Speaking at the 12th General Council of Khelafat Majlish at Dhaka's Suhrawardy Udyan this morning, Shafiqur emphasised the need for collective action to establish a democratic future for the nation. "... In the new Bangladesh, all anti-fascist political parties will stand united," he said. The Jamaat chief also expressed concern over what he described as ongoing injustice towards Islamic scholars in the country. "Over the past decade and a half, the nation's Islamic scholars have been subjected to unprecedented levels of injustice and vendetta," he said. The conference was attended by leaders and activists from various Islamic political organisations.No, Serena Williams Did Not Bleach Her Skin By has called out her haters in a as she . The 43-year-old former tennis champion was subjected to heavy trolling regarding her skin color after she attended a school event, the video of which went viral on social media. Here is everything fans need to know about Serena Williams’ statement to the haters. Serena Williams denies bleaching her skin The 23-time Grand Slam winner seemed frustrated with her haters after they accused her of using bleach on her skin. The circulating online, which received remarks from trolls, featured Serena Williams attending a school event. She was seen alongside her daughters and husband, . Recently, Williams did a makeup tutorial for her cosmetics brand, Wyn Beauty, on her . During it, she found the opportunity to shut down the haters. The former tennis star started by saying, “I put just that neutral color, that is actually my skin color, and no, for you haters out there, I do not bleach my skin. There is a thing called sunlight, and in that sunlight, you get different colors.” She further clarified that she had stage makeup on her while filming the viral video, as she was part of her daughter’s play. Moreover, Williams stated that she decided to call out haters because the bleach claim was “ridiculous.” She added, “Everyone’s like, ‘Oh, she bleached her skin.’ I’m a dark, Black woman, and I love who I am, and I love how I look. And if people do it, that’s their thing, and they have every opportunity and they should. I don’t judge, but you guys do.” Serena Williams concluded her statement by saying, “But that’s what this world is about, and I stay in my lane — the non-judgy one, and I keep it. But no, I actually don’t bleach my skin, so can we just kinda clear that up?” Ishita Verma is an SEO contributing writer for ComingSoon. She is passionate about delivering authentic content and holds experience in SEO content writing. Apart from her quest to ensure her content is promising, Ishita is an avid Kdrama and anime watcher. Ishita is a bibliophile and also pursues gaming as one of her favorite pastimes. Share article
New disability ministers will ‘champion’ inclusion and accessibility – ministerBoston College holds on down stretch to top Fairleigh DickinsonCHICAGO — With a wave of her bangled brown fingertips to the melody of flutes and chimes, artist, theologian and academic Tricia Hersey enchanted a crowd into a dreamlike state of rest at Semicolon Books on North Michigan Avenue. “The systems can’t have you,” Hersey said into the microphone, reading mantras while leading the crowd in a group daydreaming exercise on a recent Tuesday night. The South Side native tackles many of society’s ills — racism, patriarchy, aggressive capitalism and ableism — through an undervalued yet impactful action: rest. Hersey, the founder of a movement called the Nap Ministry, dubs herself the Nap Bishop and spreads her message to over half a million followers on her Instagram account, @thenapministry . Her first book, “Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto,” became a New York Times bestseller in 2022, but Hersey has been talking about rest online and through her art for nearly a decade. Hersey, who has degrees in public health and divinity, originated the “rest as resistance” and “rest as reparations” frameworks after experimenting with rest as an exhausted graduate student in seminary. Once she started napping, she felt happier and her grades improved. But she also felt more connected to her ancestors; her work was informed by the cultural trauma of slavery that she was studying as an archivist. Hersey described the transformation as “life-changing.” The Nap Ministry began as performance art in 2017, with a small installation where 40 people joined Hersey in a collective nap. Since then, her message has morphed into multiple mediums and forms. Hersey, who now lives in Atlanta, has hosted over 100 collective naps, given lectures and facilitated meditations across the country. She’s even led a rest ritual in the bedroom of Jane Addams , and encourages her followers to dial in at her “Rest Hotline.” At Semicolon, some of those followers and newcomers came out to see Hersey in discussion with journalist Natalie Moore on Hersey’s latest book, “We Will Rest! The Art of Escape,” released this month, and to learn what it means to take a moment to rest in community. Moore recalled a time when she was trying to get ahead of chores on a weeknight. “I was like, ‘If I do this, then I’ll have less to do tomorrow.’ But then I was really tired,” Moore said. “I thought, ‘What would my Nap Bishop say? She would say go lay down.’ Tricia is in my head a lot.” At the event, Al Kelly, 33, of Rogers Park, said some of those seated in the crowd of mostly Black women woke up in tears — possibly because, for the first time, someone permitted them to rest. “It was so emotional and allowed me to think creatively about things that I want to work on and achieve,” Kelly said. Shortly after the program, Juliette Viassy, 33, a program manager who lives in the South Loop and is new to Hersey’s work, said this was her first time meditating after never being able to do it on her own. Therapist Lyndsei Howze, 33, of Printers Row, who was also seated at the book talk, said she recommends Hersey’s work “to everybody who will listen” — from her clients to her own friends. “A lot of mental health conditions come from lack of rest,” she said. “They come from exhaustion.” Before discovering Hersey’s work this spring, Howze said she and her friends sporadically napped together in one friend’s apartment after an exhausting workweek. “It felt so good just to rest in community,” she said. On Hersey’s book tour, she is leading exercises like this across the country. “I think we need to collectively do this,” Hersey explained. “We need to learn again how to daydream because we’ve been told not to do it. I don’t think most people even have a daydreaming practice.” Daydreaming, Hersey said, allows people to imagine a new world. Hersey tells her followers that yes, you can rest, even when your agenda is packed, even between caregiving, commuting, jobs, bills, emails and other daily demands. And you don’t have to do it alone. There is a community of escape artists, she said of the people who opt out of grind and hustle culture, waiting to embrace you. The book is part pocket prayer book, part instruction manual, with art and handmade typography by San Francisco-based artist George McCalman inspired by 19th-century abolitionist pamphlets, urging readers to reclaim their divine right to rest. Hersey directs her readers like an operative with instructions for a classified mission. “Let grind culture know you are not playing around,” she wrote in her book. “This is not a game or time to shrink. Your thriving depends on the art of escape.” The reluctance to rest can be rooted in capitalist culture presenting rest as a reward for productivity instead of a physical and mental necessity. Hersey deconstructs this idea of grind culture, which she says is rooted in the combined effects of white supremacy, patriarchy and capitalism that “look at the body as not human.” American culture encourages grind culture, Hersey said, but slowing down and building a ritual of rest can offset its toxicity. The author eschews the ballooning billion-dollar self-care industry that encourages people to “save enough money and time off from work to fly away to an expensive retreat,” she wrote. Instead, she says rest can happen anywhere you have a place to be comfortable: in nature, on a yoga mat, in the car between shifts, on a cozy couch after work. Resting isn’t just napping either. She praises long showers, sipping warm tea, playing music, praying or numerous other relaxing activities that slow down the body. “We’re in a crisis mode of deep sleep deprivation, deep lack of self-worth, (and) mental health,” said Hersey. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data from 2022 , in Illinois about 37% of adults aren’t getting the rest they need at night. If ignored, the effects of sleep deprivation can have bigger implications later, Hersey said. In October, she lectured at a sleep conference at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, where her humanities work was featured alongside research from the world’s top neuroscientists. Jennifer Mundt, a Northwestern clinician and professor of sleep medicine, psychiatry and behavioral sciences, praises Hersey for bringing the issue of sleep and rest to the public. In a Tribune op-ed last year, Mundt argued that our culture focuses too heavily on sleep as something that must be earned rather than a vital aspect of health and that linking sleep to productivity is harmful and stigmatizing. “Linking sleep and productivity is harmful because it overshadows the bevy of other reasons to prioritize sleep as an essential component of health,” Mundt wrote. “It also stigmatizes groups that are affected by sleep disparities and certain chronic sleep disorders.” In a 30-year longitudinal study released in the spring by the New York University School of Social Work, people who worked long hours and late shifts reported the lowest sleep quality and lowest physical and mental functions, and the highest likelihood of reporting poor health and depression at age 50. The study also showed that Black men and women with limited education “were more likely than others to shoulder the harmful links between nonstandard work schedules and sleep and health, worsening their probability of maintaining and nurturing their health as they approach middle adulthood.” The CDC links sleeping fewer than seven hours a day to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and more. Although the Nap Ministry movement is new for her followers, Hersey’s written about her family’s practice of prioritizing rest, which informs her work. Her dad was a community organizer, a yardmaster for the Union Pacific Railroad Co. and an assistant pastor. Before long hours of work, he would dedicate hours each day to self-care. Hersey also grew up observing her grandma meditate for 30 minutes daily. Through rest, Hersey said she honors her ancestors who were enslaved and confronts generational trauma. When “Rest Is Resistance” was released in 2022, Americans were navigating a pandemic and conversations on glaring racial disparities. “We Will Rest!” comes on the heels of a historic presidential election where Black women fundraised for Vice President Kamala Harris and registered voters in a dizzying three-month campaign. Following Harris’ defeat, many of those women are finding self-care and preservation even more important. “There are a lot of Black women announcing how exhausted they are,” Moore said. “This could be their entry point to get to know (Hersey’s) work, which is bigger than whatever political wind is blowing right now.” Hersey said Chicagoans can meet kindred spirits in her environment of rest. Haji Healing Salon, a wellness center, and the social justice-focused Free Street Theater are sites where Hersey honed her craft and found community. In the fall, the theater put on “Rest/Reposo,” a performance featuring a community naptime outdoors in McKinley Park and in its Back of the Yards space. Haji is also an apothecary and hosts community healing activities, sound meditations and yoga classes. “It is in Bronzeville; it’s a beautiful space owned by my friend Aya,” Hersey said, explaining how her community has helped her build the Nap Ministry. “When I first started the Nap Ministry, before I was even understanding what it was, she was like, come do your work here.” “We Will Rest!” is a collection of poems, drawings and short passages. In contrast to her first book, Hersey said she leaned more into her artistic background; the art process alone took 18 months to complete. After a tough year for many, she considers it medicine for a “sick and exhausted” world. “It’s its own sacred document,” Hersey said. “It’s something that, if you have it in your library and you have it with you, you may feel more human.” lazu@chicagotribune.com
Reports suggest that Prince William has occasionally avoided spending time with the Middleton family, particularly during their famous game nights, citing an unexpected reason—he finds the atmosphere too competitive. Despite cherishing his relationship with his in-laws, the Prince of Wales has reportedly made excuses to skip these events. Royals and Their Love for Competition Competition is deeply ingrained in royal tradition. According to royal author Christopher Andersen, “Competition runs in the royal blood. No one enjoyed a spirited contest more than the late Queen Elizabeth II, whether cheering on her horse at Ascot or watching a tug of war at the Highland Games.” He added, “Prince Philip was a world champion four-in-hand carriage driver, Princess Anne competed in equestrian events at the Olympics, and King Charles was so passionate about polo that he suffered countless injuries playing.” The Middletons Take It to Another Level However, the Middleton family’s approach to competitiveness reportedly surpasses even the royals. Andersen explained, “The royals look like pikers compared to the Middletons, who taught Kate that winning was pretty much everything.” As a result, the intense nature of the games has led William to find ways to avoid participating. Andersen noted, “William and Kate’s card games are so heated and all-consuming that William makes excuses to avoid being sucked in.” James Middleton Confirms the Family’s Competitive Spirit Kate’s brother, James Middleton, confirmed the family’s love for games during an appearance on The Dog podcast. Host Emily Dean commented, “The Middletons are quite competitive and they love a game, don’t they? And then you made poor William play, and he found it too competitive and actually used to make excuses.” James responded, “It was after family dinner, we would be sat there, and the cards would come out, and [William would] perhaps see if Ella needed a walk or make an excuse to get down from the table. Racing Demon is probably the most fast-paced, competitive one that we all play together.” William Embraces Other Contests While he may avoid the Middletons’ game nights, William is no stranger to a good-natured competition. Away from his in-laws, he often participates in contests with Kate during public events, showcasing their shared love for competitive activities. Read More : Harry’s UK Return Uncertain As Meghan Reportedly Avoids EnglandStock market today: Rising tech stocks pull Wall Street to another record
Georgia has a chance to post its best start to a season in 94 years ahead of its home meeting with South Carolina State in Athens, Ga., on Sunday. Georgia (11-1) hasn't appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 10 seasons and hasn't won a tournament game since 2002, but the Bulldogs seem primed to make a return. The Bulldogs have won six straight games and a seventh would mark their best start since beginning 13-0 in the 1930-31 campaign. Georgia hasn't played since a Dec. 22 home win over Charleston Southern. Head coach Mike White knows the intensity of the schedule will soon increase as Southeastern Conference play revs up, but that's not to say his team will overlook its next opponent. "We've had a much-needed break, both mentally and physically," White said. "Our guys need to get away from it a little bit, miss it, then come back rejuvenated for one more tune up for the grind of the SEC -- the best league in the country. But we'll be prepared for South Carolina State. They're dangerous, they play really hard, they've been really competitive. They're another good team." Adding to Georgia's success has been the play of De'Shayne Montgomery. After being academically ineligible for the first 10 games of the season, the Mount St. Mary's transfer has averaged 19 points per game in two contests. Asa Newell follows with 15.8 points in 12 games, while fellow Mount St. Mary's transfer Dakota Leffew chips in 12.9. South Carolina State (6-8) will play its fourth road game of a six-game stretch away from home. The other Bulldogs prepare for their final regular season meeting with a power conference team following losses at South Carolina Upstate and Xavier. South Carolina State faces Morgan State on Jan. 4 to start Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play. Led by third-year head coach Erik Martin, the team boasts a rare roster figure in today's college basketball landscape. "We brought back 90 percent of our returnable student athletes this year," Martin said. "I can pretty much guarantee I'm the only person in America that did that." Sophomore Drayton Jones leads the team with 13 points per game, followed by Omar Croskey's 9.4. Georgia is 2-0 all-time against South Carolina State, last earning a 76-60 win in Nov. 2021. --Field Level MediaCanucks prospect stock watch: Who's up, who's down in Vancouver's system?