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Is Enron back? If it's a joke, some former employees aren't laughing 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. Juan A. Lozano, The Associated Press Dec 3, 2024 1:28 PM Dec 3, 2024 1:35 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message FILE - An unidentified person leaves Enron Corp. headquarters in Houston at the end of the day Jan. 22, 2002. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan, File) 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, 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 Key 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 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. What do former Enron employees think of the company’s return? 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. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano on X at https://x.com/juanlozano70 Juan A. Lozano, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More The Mix Saskatchewan introduces legislative amendment to keep carbon levy off home heating Dec 3, 2024 2:31 PM Plan to add resources to border will come before Trump inauguration: LeBlanc Dec 3, 2024 2:31 PM Is Enron back? If it's a joke, some former employees aren't laughing Dec 3, 2024 2:28 PM Featured Flyer
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died. He was 100 years old and had spent more than a year in hospice care. The Georgia peanut farmer served one turbulent term in the White House before building a reputation as a global humanitarian and champion of democracy. He defeated President Gerald Ford in 1976 promising to restore trust in government but lost to Ronald Reagan four years later amid soaring inflation, gas station lines and the Iran hostage crisis. He and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, then formed The Carter Center, and he earned a Nobel Peace Prize while making himself the most active and internationally engaged of former presidents. The Carter Center said the former president died Sunday afternoon in Plains, Georgia.CES Energy Solutions Corp. ( OTCMKTS:CESDF – Get Free Report ) announced a dividend on Tuesday, December 24th, investing.com reports. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 1st will be given a dividend of 0.0216 per share on Wednesday, January 15th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.31%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 31st. CES Energy Solutions Stock Performance Shares of CES Energy Solutions stock opened at $6.73 on Friday. CES Energy Solutions has a 1 year low of $2.54 and a 1 year high of $7.11. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $6.39 and a 200 day moving average price of $5.85. CES Energy Solutions Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for CES Energy Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CES Energy Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .The Latest: Former President Jimmy Carter is Dead at age 100
'AI textbooks' are coming to Korea. But is the country ready for them?Fans of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here were left in stitches at the way Jane Moore knocked on the door of Jungle Junkyard. The Loose Women star arrived at the second camp and fans quickly took to social media to reveal their delight at her actions. Heading over to Twitter /X, one user joked: "Jane knocking like the bailiffs #imaceleb," alongside a gif of an officer knocking on the day heavy handed. Another added: "Jane knocking like a debt collector," along with a crying with laughter emoji, while another said: "Felt like Jane was gonna smack me through the screen there with how hard she hit the door." A fourth joked: "Alright Jane, don't break the door." While another mocked: "Jane: 'I’m a high court enforcement agent' #ImACeleb." Earlier in the week, the Loose Woman told her I'm a Celebrity co-stars the comical story about when she went for the etching at just 18 - but found it too agonising so left after an outline was done. Speaking on Wednesday's show on ITV , she said the outline now resembles a "golden eagle" because her bum has got bigger since. The confession left her campmates, including Corrie actor Alan Halsall , McFly singer Danny Jones, N-Dubz star Tulisa Contostavlos, speechless. The gang were eventually pictured bursting into laughter at Jane's cheeky mishap, which she shared after asking Danny about his tattoo on his right leg. The musician, from Bolton, Greater Manchester , admitted he was underage when he got the large inking done but, as a kid, wanted something with Bruce Springsteen lyrics on. On Friday's edition, Dean and Danny took to the Bushtucker Trial before the Radio 1 host was chosen to head over to join Maura Higgins and Reverend Richard Coles in the Jungle Junkyard. Dean and Danny managed to secure eight stars for the main camp in the trial, yet there was a twist at the end. Hosts Ant and Dec asked Maura and Richard to pick one of them to join the Junkyard. Dean and Danny, of course, didn't realise it would actually be a life of jungle luxury. Maura and Richard ended up picking Dean to join them and had to carry on their lie until they reached the Junkyard. The radio presenter then discovered their secret life and was thrilled he was chosen to join them. However, viewers at home thought there was another reason Dean was picked. Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will miss Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers with a sore throwing shoulder. Purdy injured his right shoulder in last Sunday's loss to the Seattle Seahawks . Purdy underwent an MRI that showed no structural damage but the shoulder didn't improve during the week and Purdy was ruled out for the game. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.MANILA, Philippines – Former senior government officials and groups of legal experts and leaders of the medical community are calling on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to correct the issues in the proposed 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA). In an open letter to Marcos and the country’s legislators published on Saturday, December 28, former senior government officials and leaders of the International Center for Innovation, Transformation and Excellence in Governance (INCITEGov) said they were “deeply troubled by the gross misallocations” in the government’s proposed 2025 budget. “We are concerned that line-item vetos will not be enough to rectify the problematic priorities embedded in next year’s budget,” the letter read. “We therefore urgently appeal to President Marcos and our legislators to revamp the proposed budget and restore the funds that have been unjustly removed from vital sectors such as health, education, agriculture, social protection, and climate change adaptability.” Among those that received criticism from the public were the lawmakers’ decision to cut the budget of the Department of Education (DepEd) and their move to completely cut government subsidy for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). (FACT CHECK: PhilHealth member benefits to continue despite zero subsidy in 2025 ) The chief executive was supposed to sign the GAA last December 20 but postponed it to “allow more time for a rigorous and exhaustive review.” The President said he expects to restore the budget to the “ same shape ” proposed by his government. Marcos is now expected to sign the budget on Monday, December 30. Must Read [In This Economy] Why the 2025 budget is a big ‘f*ck you’ to the Filipino people Review unprogrammed appropriations, pork barrel The letter — which was signed by former Department of Budget and Management secretary Florencio Abad and former DepEd secretary Edilberto de Jesus, among others — also called on Marcos to review the budget of big-ticket infrastructure projects. Instead of getting budget allocations, lawmakers have listed the projects under the unprogrammed appropriations. This essentially means that these projects do not have a direct funding source. (READ: The unprogrammed funds issue in the Marcos admin’s 2024 budget, simplified ) “This will lead to undue delays in the construction and completion of such projects — to the detriment of Filipinos,” the letter read. “By contrast, the substantial allocations for several infrastructure items (specifically in the Department of Public Works and Highways) are unmistakably pork barrel in nature, prioritized at the expense of critical essential services, and are particularly alarming.” Must Read [In This Economy] Breaking down Marcos’ 2025 budget dilemma The former officials and leaders pointed out that this would lead to corruption and “political favoritism.” Recalling the state’s obligation Meanwhile, Abad, along with former PhilHealth officials Alexander Padilla and Antonio Jamon Jr., University of the Philippines College of Law professor Dante Gatmaytan, National Academy of Science and Technology’s Dr. Antonio Dans, Action for Economic Reforms president Jessica Reyes-Cantos, and Philippine Medical Association president Hector Santos Jr., also wrote to Marcos — this time, appealing for the chief executive to review the zero subsidy allocation for the state insurer. Lawmakers have defended the move , with some pointing out that PhilHealth also failed to efficiently make the most out of its resources. The state insurer was faced with many controversies this year because of its idle funds — the Department of Finance earlier this year had also ordered PhilHealth to remit almost P90 billion worth of excess funds, putting its management in the spotlight. (READ: Supreme Court issues TRO vs further transfer of PhilHealth funds ) Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, who also chairs the PhilHealth board of directors, said that the insurer will continue to provide services in 2025 despite not getting subsidies from the government. However, the groups have pointed out that the government subsidy was supposed to cover the premiums of indirect contributors — the indigent, senior citizens, and persons with disability. They also noted that the move was unconstitutional under the Universal Health Care Act. “We would also like to emphasize that it is a matter of fairness, Mr. President, that the government’s share in PhilHealth’s premiums for all indirect contributors be appropriated to PhilHealth as mandated by law,” the other letter read. “The government should not leave the burden of funding PhilHealth to direct contributors (the workers and self-paying members) and the employers that shoulder part of their workers’ premiums.” – Rappler.com
Is Enron back? If it's a joke, some former employees aren't laughing HOUSTON (AP) — Enron, the Houston-based energy company that exemplified the worst in corporate fraud and greed in America after it went bankrupt in 2001, is coming back. But the infamous company's return seems to be an elaborate joke. If its return is comedic, some former Enron employees who lost everything in the company’s collapse aren’t laughing. They're angry at a publicity stunt they say minimizes what they went through. Enron was once the nation’s seventh-largest company, but it went bankrupt amid massive accounting fraud. On Monday, a company representing itself as Enron announced it was relaunching as a “company dedicated to solving the global energy crisis.” But a paper trail of legal documents points to the comeback being parody and performance art. Authorities fear a Pennsylvania woman was swallowed by a sinkhole while looking for her cat Authorities fear a grandmother who disappeared while looking for her cat may have been swallowed up by a sinkhole that recently opened up in a western Pennsylvania village. Crews lowered a pole camera with a sensitive listening device into the hole in Marguerite on Tuesday morning but detected nothing. A second camera lowered into the hole showed what could be a shoe. Police say the family of 64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard called police at about 1 a.m. to say she hadn't been seen since going out Monday evening to search for Pepper, her cat. They found her 5-year-old granddaughter in her parked car near the manhole-sized opening. It’s not clear what happened to Pepper. Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair suspended 3 games without pay after violent hit on Trevor Lawrence HOUSTON (AP) — Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair was suspended by the NFL without pay for three games for repeated violations of player safety rules following his hit to the head of Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, which led to a concussion. Al-Shaair’s punishment was announced by NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan. In his letter to Al-Shaair, he noted that he has had multiple offenses for personal fouls and sportsmanship-related rules violations in recent seasons. Runyan says “video shows you striking the head/neck area of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide.” Last 2 defendants in Atlanta's Young Thug trial are acquitted of murder and gang charges ATLANTA (AP) — The long-running gang and racketeering trial in Atlanta that led rapper Young Thug to plead guilty in October has ended with a jury finding the last two defendants not guilty of racketeering, murder and gang-related charges. Deamonte Kendrick, who raps as Yak Gotti, was acquitted of all charges and Shannon Stillwell was found guilty only of a gun possession charge. Jury selection in the trial began nearly two years ago after prosecutors indicted 28 defendants. They said YSL was a criminal gang co-founded by Grammy-winning Young Thug. The Atlanta-born rapper’s given name is Jeffery Williams. He was released on probation after pleading guilty to gang, drug and gun charges. Great Lakes region braces for more snow while cleaning up after lake-effect storms Cleanup work is continuing around parts of the Great Lakes region socked by lake-effect snowstorms that dropped several feet of snow over the weekend. Forecasters are warning that another storm system could add a few more inches and maybe even more later this week. Many school districts in western Pennsylvania remained closed Tuesday as the storms were finally slowing after several days of lake-effect snow that also fell on parts of western New York, Ohio and Michigan. Snow totals since Thanksgiving in some places are nearing six feet. New women's baseball league names 97-year-old AAGPBL alum honorary chair on advisory board Former baseball pitcher Maybelle Blair will be an honorary chair on the advisory board of the Women’s Professional Baseball League, which last month announced plans to launch in 2026 as a six-team circuit for female players. The 97-year-old Blair helped inspire the baseball film “A League of Their Own” with her play in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She will chair a board of women who have worked in sports and business. The list includes a leader from the upstart Professional Women’s Hockey League, a longtime ESPN executive, and baseball pitcher and six-time World Cup winner Ayami Sato. Search suspended for man believed to have gone overboard from cruise ship off California's coast SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard says it has suspended the search for a man believed to have gone overboard from a cruise ship as it was returning to San Francisco after a voyage to Ensenada, Mexico. The Ruby Princess arrived in San Francisco at 6:50 a.m. Monday following the five-day trip. Officials searched the ship several times for the missing passenger. They also scoured CCTV videos, but there was no sign of the man. Princess Cruises says the 72-year-old American citizen was traveling alone. The Coast Guard began aerial searches that were suspended around 5:30 p.m. Chicago house party shooting kills 3 men and wounds five other people, police say CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago police say eight people were shot at a house party, three of them fatally. Others fled as gunfire erupted. Police Chief of Patrol Jon Hein says officers responded Monday afternoon to the “social gathering” at a home in the city's southwest Chicago Lawn neighborhood. He says four men and four women between the ages of 20 and 35 were shot. Police say a 26-year-old man and two other men were pronounced dead. A 27-year-old woman was in critical condition, a 24-year-old woman was in serious condition and three other shooting victims were in good condition. Philadelphia ready to go the distance with RockyFest week dedicated to 'Rocky' movies PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Rocky Balboa fans are ready to go the distance to honor Philly’s favorite fictional fighter almost 50 years after the first movie launched the enduring series of an underdog boxer persevering despite the odds. The city Rocky called home at last has a week dedicated to the box office heavyweight champion of the world a year after the inaugural Rocky Day was held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps. RockyFest officially opened Tuesday and a series of events dedicated to the movies series are set to be held around the city. Kendrick Lamar tops Apple Music's 2024 song chart and women make history NEW YORK (AP) — Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” topped Apple Music’s global song chart in 2024 as the giant music streamer released year-end lists Tuesday and provided listeners with data on their own most listened-to tunes. “Not Like Us” is Lamar’s first-ever No. 1 on the year-end global songs chart. He’s followed by Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” in second, Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” in third, Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” in fourth and Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” in fifth. Of the 100 songs included on the list, 39 are from female-identifying artists, a record first in the global chart’s 7-year history. In November, Apple Music named Billie Eilish its artist of the year.Spending squeeze ‘could cost more than 10,000 Civil Service jobs’
Joe Rogan Podcast Guest Worries Fans During Show—'Thought Bro's Neck Broke'Trump urges US Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban
StocktiX Ltd Participates in the 2024 U.S. Investment COO Summit to Explore Cutting-Edge Technologies and Future Financial Trends 11-22-2024 10:46 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: LianPR StocktiX Ltd showcased its leading fintech innovations and advanced investment concepts at the 2024 U.S. Investment COO Summit. The summit, held successfully in Boston from November 14 to 15, brought together 150 top leaders and experts from the global financial industry to discuss the future direction of financial markets. StocktiX representatives engaged in in-depth discussions with other investment and asset management professionals, focusing on key topics such as sustainable investment, financial technology, and market innovation. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/fe6ea9668adfd28a353f534ac9e64d85.jpg Founded in Colorado in 2020, StocktiX has rapidly grown into a powerful financial services platform, specializing in providing CFDs, stock trading, and forex products to global clients. With its advanced trading platform, professional personalized services, and efficient market operations, the company has emerged as a rising star in the financial industry. Participating in the 2024 U.S. Investment COO Summit provided StocktiX with an opportunity to showcase its innovative ideas and future development strategies. During the summit, StocktiX emphasized how fintech is reshaping asset management and investor behavior. Company representatives demonstrated their trading platform powered by big data and artificial intelligence, highlighting how these technologies improve trading efficiency, enhance market forecasting, and optimize investment decision-making processes. Through this innovative platform, StocktiX delivers personalized investment advice to clients and helps them achieve asset growth in dynamic markets. Additionally, StocktiX highlighted its latest advancements in sustainable investment. By integrating green investment solutions and socially responsible investment strategies, the platform actively promotes a more sustainable and responsible direction for the industry. Company representatives stated that StocktiX plans to strengthen collaboration with various stakeholders to drive the green transformation of the financial sector and offer investors more socially responsible investment opportunities. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/d958543a2efd5a20e1fd8db545aa989a.jpg The successful hosting of the 2024 U.S. Investment COO Summit not only provided a vital platform for global financial industry discussions but also gave participating companies and experts a chance to jointly explore future financial trends. StocktiX leveraged this summit to reinforce its leadership in the financial services sector and laid a solid foundation for future innovation and growth. As global fintech continues to evolve rapidly, StocktiX remains committed to delivering greater value to investors through technological innovation, market expansion, and sustainable investment strategies. The company also plans to deepen collaboration with major financial institutions worldwide, driving industry-wide progress and digital transformation while offering investors smarter, more efficient, and secure investment experiences. Media Contact Company Name: StocktiX Ltd Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=stocktix-ltd-participates-in-the-2024-us-investment-coo-summit-to-explore-cuttingedge-technologies-and-future-financial-trends ] Country: United States Website: https://www.stocktix-websit.com This release was published on openPR.French lawmakers brace for more turmoil as no-confidence vote looms