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. What happened at Enron? 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 and wiped out more than $2 billion in employee pensions. Its aftershocks were felt throughout the energy sector. Twenty-four Enron executives , including former CEO Jeffrey Skilling , were 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. Is Enron coming back? On Monday — the 23rd anniversary of the bankruptcy filing — a company representing itself as Enron announced in a news release 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 full of generic corporate jargon, the company talks about “growth” and “rebirth.” It ends with the words, “We’re back. Can we talk?” In an email, company spokesperson Will Chabot said the new Enron was not doing any interviews yet, but "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 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 claiming all birds are actually government surveillance drones. What do former Enron employees think of the company’s return? Peters said she and some other former employees are upset and think the relaunch 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, 74, 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. But Sherron Watkins, Enron’s former vice president of corporate development and the main whistleblower who helped uncover the scandal, said she didn’t have a problem with the joke because comedy “usually helps us focus on an uncomfortable historical event that we’d rather ignore.” “I think we use prior scandals to try to teach new generations what can go wrong with big companies,” said Watkins, who still speaks at colleges and conferences about the Enron scandal. 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/juanlozano70It’s been heartening to see Democratic introspection following our 2024 election losses. Some Democrats are clinging to the idea that Americans are too mean, selfish or racist to vote for a left-of-center party, but others are realizing our party itself is the problem. If 2024 is a wake-up call, 2025 can be a year of Democratic renewal. We can appreciate the passion of the left but decide the center is better suited to set our agenda. Thoughtful members of the left may realize the country isn’t with them. They may see that a center-left Democratic Party that shares some of their views and wins elections is a better option than ceding ground to a Republican Party with whom they have much less in common. I’m excited for a more centrist Democratic Party and think it’s useful to have a vision the party can adopt or debate. I define centrist Democrats in two ways: first by a mindset, then by a commitment to achievable policies. First, the mindset. Centrist Democrats understand our party doesn’t have all the answers. We recognize that collaborating with conservative partners is a path to better and more sustainable policies. We celebrate our diverse society, including those Americans whose political beliefs don’t comport with our own. We’re willing to settle for incremental progress when the alternative is no progress at all. We don’t automatically oppose Republican policies but accept, modify or reject them based on our analysis of their merits. We don’t impose our views on others but set a constructive example, achieve results, honor our nation and communicate calmly, honestly and well. We do these things because they’re right, and to earn the support of Americans. Our positions respect the aspirational but pursue the achievable. Centrist Democrats are pro-choice, unequivocally in the case of rape and the health of the mother, but accept limitations at the point of fetal viability. We support policies that make it easier for women exercising their reproductive rights to make the choice to continue a pregnancy. On guns, we support universal background checks and red flag laws that remove weapons from people deemed dangerous after careful adherence to due process. We can imagine a country without assault-style weapons but focus on government policies that incentivize the purchase of gun safes and trigger locks, and we seek a partnership with the National Rifle Association to inculcate a culture of responsible gun ownership and training. We believe these reasonable positions on guns do more to save lives than an endless battle about gun prohibitions and confiscation. Centrist Democrats are pro-immigrant and pro-immigration but believe controlling the southern border is necessary. Uncontrolled crossings make a mockery of the government’s authority and validate a culture of lawlessness, where everyone seems able to choose which laws should be followed. Centrist Democrats have compassion for migrants and make efforts to improve conditions in their home countries, but we honor our laws by enforcing them. We believe the free market is a powerful tool to generate wealth and increase living standards. But we don’t believe an unregulated market is best for the American people. We seek a balance that prevents excess but preserves the incentives required to spur investment and innovation. We remember that spending on national defense and social programs is impossible without the revenue generated by the private sector. Centrist Democrats are hesitant to alter the structures of government. Expanding the Supreme Court or eliminating the Senate filibuster might advance our positions in the short term, but we know any gains would be tenuous and reversible when Republicans achieve a majority or decide to expand the Supreme Court and pack it with their own friendly justices. Centrist Democrats support national service and civics education in schools. We believe Americans should be educated in their responsibilities as well as their rights. For Americans to see the beauty of our system they need to understand its tenets. Centrist Democrats know we can teach our children about the faults of our nation without undermining their love of country. And we believe national service can help stitch together a divided nation. While I hope for the revival of a more traditional Republican Party, it’s right in the meantime for Democrats to oppose Republican extremes. In our constitutional system, that’s the job of the minority party. As the Republicans prepare to exercise their electoral mandate, Democrats would do well to focus on the renovation of our party. We can earn our own electoral mandate if we get it right.Samsung’s One UI has consistently pushed the boundaries of Android customization, and the latest iteration, One UI 7, is no exception. This time, Samsung is tackling app navigation head-on with a brand-new vertical scrolling app drawer. Forget the old days of swiping through pages of apps; One UI 7 lets you seamlessly scroll through your entire app library in one fluid motion. This seemingly simple change has the potential to significantly impact how Galaxy users interact with their devices. This article delves deep into the new vertical scrolling app drawer in One UI 7, exploring its functionality, benefits, and potential drawbacks. We’ll examine how this change aligns with broader trends in mobile user interface design and share our personal experiences with the updated navigation. Get ready to discover how this seemingly small tweak could revolutionize your app browsing experience. Scrolling into the Future: Reimagining App Navigation For years, Samsung users have navigated their app drawer by swiping horizontally through pages of apps. This approach, while familiar, can feel cumbersome and inefficient, especially for users with a large number of apps. One UI 7 addresses this issue by introducing a vertical scrolling app drawer, mirroring the design philosophy seen in many popular launchers and iOS. This shift towards vertical scrolling aligns with a growing trend in mobile UI design, prioritizing single-handed usability and intuitive navigation. With One UI 7, browsing your app library becomes akin to scrolling through your social media feed. This intuitive approach allows for quicker access to your apps, eliminating the need to swipe through multiple pages. Imagine searching for an app buried deep within your phone; with vertical scrolling, you can swiftly glide through your app list, locating your desired app in seconds. A Hands-On Experience: Smooth, Swift, and Surprisingly Intuitive Having spent some time with the One UI 7 beta, I can confidently say that the vertical scrolling app drawer is a welcome change. The transition from horizontal swiping to vertical scrolling feels surprisingly natural. The scrolling itself is buttery smooth, and the app icons are neatly organized, making it easy to locate the app you need. One of the most noticeable benefits is the speed at which you can now find and launch apps. No more endless swiping; just a quick scroll and tap, and you’re in. This enhanced efficiency is particularly beneficial when multitasking or when you need to access an app quickly. Beyond Scrolling: Enhanced Organization and Customization One UI 7 doesn’t just introduce vertical scrolling; it also brings enhancements to app organization and customization. You can still create folders to group similar apps, and the search bar remains readily available for those who prefer to type out the app name. Furthermore, you can customize the app drawer’s appearance, including icon size and grid layout, to suit your preferences. Samsung has also retained the ability to hide apps, a feature I frequently use to declutter my app drawer. This combination of vertical scrolling and robust customization options makes One UI 7’s app drawer a truly personalized and efficient experience. Addressing Potential Concerns: Muscle Memory and Folder Navigation While the vertical scrolling app drawer is a significant improvement, it’s worth considering potential drawbacks. For long-time Samsung users, the shift from horizontal swiping to vertical scrolling might require a brief adjustment period. Years of muscle memory might initially lead to accidental horizontal swipes. However, in my experience, the learning curve is minimal, and the intuitive nature of vertical scrolling quickly becomes second nature. Another potential concern is navigating folders within the app drawer. While accessing and scrolling through folders remains smooth, some users might find the nested vertical scrolling within folders slightly less intuitive than the previous horizontal paging. However, this is a minor issue that is easily overcome with a little practice. One UI 7: A Step Towards a More Intuitive Mobile Experience The introduction of vertical scrolling in One UI 7’s app drawer is more than just a cosmetic change; it represents Samsung’s commitment to refining the user experience. By embracing vertical scrolling, Samsung aligns with broader industry trends, prioritizing efficiency and single-handed usability. This change, coupled with enhanced customization options, makes One UI 7 a significant step towards a more intuitive and personalized mobile experience. While there might be a minor adjustment period for some users, the benefits of vertical scrolling far outweigh any initial hiccups. Looking Ahead: The Future of App Navigation As technology continues to evolve, so too will the way we interact with our devices. One UI 7’s vertical scrolling app drawer is a glimpse into the future of app navigation, where efficiency and intuitiveness reign supreme. We can expect to see further refinements and innovations in this area as smartphone manufacturers strive to create seamless and user-friendly experiences. Samsung’s bold move with One UI 7 sets a precedent for other Android manufacturers to follow. It will be interesting to see how this change influences the broader Android landscape and whether vertical scrolling becomes the new standard for app navigation. Embracing the Change: A Call to Action If you’re a Galaxy user eligible for the One UI 7 update, I encourage you to embrace the change and experience the benefits of vertical scrolling firsthand. While it might feel slightly unfamiliar at first, you’ll quickly appreciate the enhanced speed and efficiency it brings to your app navigation. One UI 7 is a testament to Samsung’s dedication to innovation and user satisfaction. By reimagining app navigation, Samsung has once again demonstrated its ability to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of Android customization.
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Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA’s idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it ‘absurd’During the signing ceremony, a number of prominent businesses and commercial enterprises from different industries signed agreements to join the platform. This marks a significant milestone in the development of the barter trade system in China, as more businesses embrace this innovative approach to trading.
Congressional bicameral team pushes for insurance, pharmaceutical reform
NASSAU, Bahamas — Justin Thomas was long off the tee and made a few long putts on the back nine to overtake Scottie Scheffler with a 6-under 66 and build a one-shot lead Saturday over golf's best player going into the final round of the Hero World Challenge. Thomas is trying out a 46-inch driver — a little more than an inch longer than normal — that he previously used for practice at home to gain speed and length. He blasted a 361-yard drive to 8 feet on the par-4 seventh hole and led the field in driving distance. But it was a few long putts that put him ahead of Scheffler, who had a 69. Thomas was on the verge of falling two shots behind when he made an 18-foot par putt on the par-3 12th hole. On the reachable par-4 14th, he was in a nasty spot in a sandy area and could only splash it out to nearly 50 feet. He made that one for a most unlikely birdie, while behind him Scheffler muffed a chip on the 13th hole and made his lone bogey of a windy day. Scheffler never caught up to him, missing birdie chances on the reachable 14th and the par-5 15th. Thomas hit his approach to 3 feet for birdie on the 16th after a 343-yard drive. Scheffler made an 18-foot birdie putt on the 16th to close within one. Scheffler missed birdie chances on the last two holes from the 10-foot and 15-foot range, while Thomas missed an 8-foot birdie attempt at the last. "I had a stretch at 13, 14, 15 where I felt like I lost a shot or two there, but outside of that I did a lot of really good things today," Scheffler said. Thomas hasn't won since the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills, and a victory at Albany Golf Club wouldn't count as an official win. But the two-time major champion has made steady progress toward getting his game back in order. "I'm driving it great. I've had a lot of confidence with it," Thomas said of his longer driver. "I feel like I've been able to put myself in some pretty good spots going into the green. I'm still not taking advantage of some of them as much as I would like, but that's golf and we're always going to say that." Thomas was at 17-under 199 and will be in the final group Sunday with Scheffler, who is trying to end his spectacular season with a ninth title. Tom Kim put himself in the mix, which he might not have imagined Thursday when he was 3 over through six holes of the holiday tournament. Kim got back in the game with a 65 on Friday, and then followed with 12 birdies for a 62. He had a shot at the course record — Rickie Fowler shot 61 in the final round when he won at Albany in 2017 — until Kim found a bunker and took two shots to reach the green in making a double bogey on the par-3 17th. Even so, he was only two shots behind. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley (68) was four back. "Feel like I've been seeing signs of improvement, which is what you want and that's all I can do," Thomas said. "I can't control everybody else or what's going on, I've just got to keep playing as good as I possibly can and hope that it's enough come Sunday." Get local news delivered to your inbox!
In a shocking and heartbreaking turn of events, a female singer recently passed away after being paralyzed from receiving three consecutive massages. The tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the potential dangers associated with frequent and excessive massages.
Lowell Hawthorne foundation raises funds for Caribbean and US students in needSouth Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over martial lawPenn State vs. Oregon prediction, odds, best bets for Big 10 ChampionshipHow major US stock indexes fared Wednesday, 12/4/2024
Justin Baldoni opened up about his struggles while filming It Ends With Us . “It’s a very strange place to be, let alone directing while trying to play a character who does the things that Ryle does in the movie so there were moments in the filming of this where I would just have to leave,” Baldoni, 40, said on the Wednesday, December 4, episode of Elizabeth Day ’s “How to Fail” podcast. “I’d have to remove myself and go shake it out.” Baldoni directed and starred in the film adaption of Colleen Hoover ’s bestselling novel of the same name. Blake Lively played main character Lily Bloom while Baldoni portrayed her husband and the film’s antagonist, Ryle. It Ends With Us features a central theme of domestic violence, and Baldoni confessed that he had moments on set where being in character was emotionally overwhelming. “I’ve done a lot of somatic therapy so there were times when I was actually just shaking. There’s a moment in the movie where Ryle finds Lily’s phone and he finds a phone number and he’s very jealous and he’s heartbroken,” he recalled. “And he’s angry and he doesn’t harm her but you can see in his eyes how dangerous he is. After that scene, I had a near breakdown.” Baldoni shared that he had to “leave” the set so he could “cry and shake” to let out all the “pain” he felt. “What’s hard about a character like that isn’t necessarily what he does,” the actor said. “What he does is a result of what he has kept in and so what’s hard about having that in your body is having the trauma live in your body of what he’s experienced or creating that trauma in your body and creating that insecurity and the pain and the feeling that you shouldn’t actually be alive.” While Baldoni was able to eventually move on from playing Ryle, it was initially hard to get out of that mindset. “That was very hard and that took a few months,” he said. “I had dreams as [Ryle] for a while, and it lived in my body but I think for the most part, he’s out.” In addition to taking on the tolling role, Baldoni also had extra responsibilities on set as director, which he claimed was a “very lonely job.” “Because you are kind of at the top of this totem pole,” he said. “In your moments of quiet, everybody has a thousand questions for you and also nobody wants to disturb you and you don’t really have many people to talk to and you can’t necessarily share your anxiety or your nervousness about something because you’re also the leader.” It Ends With Us premiered in August and controversy followed. Rumors swirled that there was tension between Baldoni and Lively, 37, as the pair did not promote the movie together. A source exclusively told Us Weekly in August that “there were two camps on the film — team Blake and team Justin.” According to the insider, Lively and Baldoni’s “creative struggle set the tone of the negative experience behind the scenes and grew into them not speaking anymore.” The source added that Lively gave “input” in order to “create the best film possible and honor the book” which made Baldoni “feel that his vision wasn’t as important.” You have successfully subscribed. By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly Check our latest news in Google News Check our latest news in Apple News There was also controversy surrounding the duo’s approach to how they promoted the film. During Baldoni’s interviews, he spoke about the film’s dark themes . Meanwhile, Lively, who was also an executive producer, received criticism online for not diving deeper into the serious message. (The Gossip Girl alum later shared domestic violence resources on her social media following the premiere.) Despite having serious subject matters, It Ends With Us did not utilize a trigger warning for its audience. Baldoni revealed on Wednesday that he wanted the movie to include it but the idea was shot down. “I just didn’t want to retraumatize the majority of my audience which is why I was advocating for a trigger warning at the front and things like that,” Baldoni told Day. “But those are certain battles you can’t always win.”
In a quiet suburban neighbourhood, a house has been at the centre of controversy, not for its appearance or size, but for the perceived negative energy it exudes. The house in question belongs to Mrs. Qiong Yao, a well-known figure in the community and a practitioner of Feng Shui. While she may be revered for her knowledge and skills in the ancient art of placement, her own home has sparked debates and raised eyebrows among her neighbours.Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe were ecstatic when news broke that Chris Evans, who famously portrayed Captain America, is set to make a surprising return in the upcoming Avengers 5. What's even more thrilling is the prospect of seeing Evans team up once again with his longtime on-screen partner, Robert Downey Jr., who played Iron Man.On the other hand, banking and real estate stocks faced some selling pressure, weighing on the broader market performance. Investors were monitoring the latest policy developments and regulatory measures in these sectors for potential impacts on their business operations.
As fans eagerly await the clash between these two continental giants, one thing is certain - the game promises to be a spectacle of high-quality football, with both sides giving their all to emerge victorious. Whether Leverkusen's attacking flair will overpower Inter's defensive resilience or if the Nerazzurri's tactical nous will stifle the German champions remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure - football fans are in for a treat when these two champions collide.