Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen to be released from hospital Fridaysport betting results 。

Gilmore Girls fans left in tears by sweet reunion starring Lauren Graham and Scott Patterson By EMILY LEFROY FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 22:08 GMT, 3 December 2024 | Updated: 22:13 GMT, 3 December 2024 e-mail 22 shares View comments If they lead we will follow - right into a Walmart commercial. Gilmore Girls fans are feeling especially festive after a new advertisement for the retailer dropped, with three fan favorites reuniting. The 30-second Walmart ad begins with Sean Gunn, who played Kirk in the series, walking into Luke's diner in Stars Hollow and dropping off a branded box on the counter. Kirk leaves the diner, crossing paths with Lorelai (Lauren Graham), who walks in and asks Luke (Scott Patterson), for 'coffee, coffee, coffee, please' - a signature phrase of the show. Luke responds by telling her it's 'coming right up' before opening the box to reveal a Keurig coffee maker, exclaiming: 'You shouldn't have.' 'I had to,' he dryly replies. 'You're drinking me out of business.' The advertisement ends with the couple standing next to each other in the snow while Lorelai holds the Walmart box. Fans loved the nostalgic advertisement, many immediately clocking the wedding ring on Luke's hand. The 30-second Walmart ad begins with Sean Gunn, who played Kirk in the series, walking into Luke's diner in Stars Hollow and dropping off a branded box on the counter 'I love being a Gilmore Girls fan bc why am I crying over a 20-second Walmart ad after an eight-year drought,' one fan posted to X, formerly known as Twitter. 'Walmart really ate with that Gilmore Girls ad,' declared another. 'Walmart ads hitting me in the feels with Chad Michael Murray and the cast of Gilmore Girls,' another gushed. However, not all were charmed by the throwback. 'Gilmore Girls Walmart ad is bleak to me. Why did they use one of the sad la la songs. Why does Kirk look like Lulu just died. In what universe would Lorelai use a Keurig,' a fan ranted. 'This Gilmore Girls Walmart commercial gives me the ick and I really wish it did not,' agreed someone else. The stars spoke to People about what it was like working together again for the Walmart commercial. 'It's always a little surreal [returning to Stars Hollow], because we were back where we've been so many times,' Graham admitted. Fans were thrilled to see their favorite actors and characters back on screen (pictured is Lauren Graham as Lorelai Gilmore) Luke gifts Lorelai, who is coffee-obsessed, with a Keurig saying she's 'drinking him out of business' The advertisement ends with the couple standing next to each other in the snow with Lorelai holds the Walmart box Gilmore Girls ran for seven seasons chronicling the lives of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, a mother and daughter with just a 17 year age difference living in a town called Stars Hollow Scott Patterson (Luke Danes) and Sean Gunn (Kirk) photos posted to Instagram, teasing 'something special' happening Most of the fans loved the nostalgic advertisement, many immediately clocking the wedding rings on Luke and Lorelai's hands Last week, the trio teased 'something special' happening on December 3, much to the delight of eager viewers. They shared a series of images to social media, including a snap of a cup of coffee at Luke's Diner, run by charmingly grumpy Luke Danes, shared by Patterson. Gunn posted a photo of the iconic gazebo and the Stars Hollow sign, to his Instagram, writing: 'Kirk's 63rd job? Find out on 12/3.' READ MORE: Gilmore Girls fans sent into a frenzy as they speculate over possible reunion Graham then also shared a picture of a snowy Stars Hollow street, writing: 'I've got something brewing,' a wink to her character, Lorelai Gilmore, and her coffee habit. Gilmore Girls premiered in 2000 on the WB, with the series finale in 2007 on The CW. It ran for seven seasons chronicling the lives of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, a mother and daughter with just a 17-year age difference living in a town called Stars Hollow. Lorelai's relationship with her wealthy parents, played by Bishop and the late Edward Hermann, is strained at best but both sides do their best to try to get along. The star-studded cast included Melissa McCarthy, Milo Ventimiglia, Jared Padalecki, Chad Michael Murray, Adam Brody, and Kelly Bishop. A four part Gilmore Girls special aired on Netflix in 2016 and picked up nine years after the series ended. That special also ended with the cliffhanger - with Rory revealing she was pregnant in the last seconds of the limited series. Walmart also released advertisements for Crazy Rich Asians, Love Jones and SpongeBob SquarePants. Walmart Share or comment on this article: Gilmore Girls fans left in tears by sweet reunion starring Lauren Graham and Scott Patterson e-mail 22 shares Add comment

Former star receiver Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson had his secret formula for staying healthy re-revealed during a podcast appearance last week. While hoping on the “7PM in Brooklyn,” which had been released on Thursday, the hosts played an old clip of Johnson discussing how he used to “collect warm urine from my teammates, heat it up and put my ankle in it for 30 minutes” to fend off ankle sprains. Upon hearing the comments, which had originally made back in 2016, Johnson reiterated how helpful that method had been. “Yeah, that worked,” he said during the recent podcast appearance. “There’s a reason I never been injured — home remedies. ... I’m sitting here living proof,” he said. Johnson only missed 10 games over the course of his 11-year career in the NFL, which included 10 seasons with the Bengals. The wide receiver, who recorded 766 catches, 11,059 yards and 67 touchdowns, said that his grandmother was the one who gave him the idea and that it wasn’t hard to get his teammates to help. “It’s a good thing,” he said. “This is how I was able to collect it all at one time, right? You got team meetings in the morning, right? Everybody. ‘Hey y’all, boy, do me a favor, boy. My ankle kind of f–ked up, I need you to all y’all to drink water at one time. “So, when we break meeting, if y’all pee it’s a bucket in the bathroom.’ Boom. Y’all all peeing that bucket for me.” Johnson has been eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His final season in the NFL came in 2011 when he played for the Patriots making 15 catches for 276 yards and one touchdown. Johnson made three starts and 15 appearances in his single season in New England.ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Losses to the Chargers and Bengals with a playoff berth on the line show Sean Payton made a miscalculation when he agreed to flex the Denver Broncos’ Week 16 game to a Thursday night. The NFL needed the Broncos’ approval to replace the Cincinnati-Cleveland game with the Broncos-Chargers game because Denver had already played on a Thursday night on the road. He eagerly agreed to the switch, figuring the team’s fanbase always travels well to SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and the Broncos would be the more rested team at Cincinnati. But after an emotional comeback win over the Colts, the Broncos (9-7) lost to the Chargers in part because Payton got away from the run even though it helped them score touchdowns on their first three drives — and he had written “Run It!!” in marker on top of his play sheet. And they lost to the Bengals 30-24 in overtime on Saturday after Payton decided against going for 2 and the win when Marvin Mims Jr. hauled in a highlight-reel touchdown grab between two defenders with 8 seconds left in regulation. “We knew a tie for us was just as beneficial as a win,” Payton explained. “We felt like we had the momentum at that point.” RELATED COVERAGE Brock Purdy’s production takes a big drop for the 49ers in a trying season Cardinals’ Trey McBride reaches milestones, but deflection off helmet leads to loss Hunter and Sanders close successful chapter at Colorado despite blowout loss to BYU in Alamo Bowl Holding up two fingers, rookie QB Bo Nix lobbied for the 2-point try to no avail. “We discussed it all. We had plenty of time, plenty of time, plenty of time,” Payton said. “And the decision we made was the right one.” Well ... An extra point assured Joe Burrow would get the ball back, and the Broncos hadn’t forced a single punt all game, something Payton acknowledged afterward that he wasn’t aware of, and they hadn’t stopped the Bengals since twice holding them on fourth down in the first half. They finally forced a punt in overtime, but the Broncos went three-and-out, something they did again after Bengals kicker Cade York doinked a 33-yard field-goal attempt off the left upright on Cincinnati’s second possession. With the Bengals out of timeouts, all the Broncos needed was a first down and they’d be playoff-bound for the first time since 2015, but Bo Nix misfired to tight end Adam Trautman on third-and-long, so the Broncos punted and Burrow led the Bengals (8-8) on their game-winning touchdown drive. “I thought we could move the ball in overtime,” Nix said, “but we didn’t.” The Broncos could render all of it moot with a win in Week 18 against Kansas City with the Chiefs (15-1) expected to rely heavily on backups as they rest up for the playoffs as the AFC’s top seed. But Denver’s defense has been dismal since November, giving up the most yards in the league, and another letdown against the Chiefs would give the Broncos their biggest collapse in two decades. “This is what we do it for — meaningful games here,” Payton said. “I think it’s important that you embrace it, and it is exciting. There’s nothing worse than playing games in the last part of the season where there’s nothing at stake. So I think it’s something we’ll all be excited about.” What’s working Denver’s pass rush. The Broncos sacked Burrow seven times, giving them a league-high 58 for the season. Zach Allen had a career-best 3 1/2 of them and Dondrea Tillman’s sack gives the Broncos six players without at least five sacks this season. What needs help Riley Moss led the Broncos with 14 tackles but he had a tough return to action after missing a month with a sprained MCL. Burrow targeted him over and over, including on the game-winning touchdown throw to Tee Higgins, who caught three TD passes. “Riley could have been healthy for the last eight weeks. Whoever’s opposite Pat, they’re going to go that direction, right?” Payton said. (Higgins) is a good player. A real good player. It wasn’t anything that we didn’t expect. In other words, that happens when you’re teammates with Pat.” Stock up WR Marvin Mims Jr. had a breakout performance with eight catches for 103 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns, a 51-yarder and the 25-yard catch on fourth down in the closing seconds while sandwiched between two veteran defenders. Stock down Denver’s defense. Even with Moss back, which allowed DC Vance Joseph to go back to relying more on man coverage, the Broncos defense continued to struggle since the calendar turned to December. Injuries The Broncos came out healthy although superstar CB Patrick Surtain II was limping on the game’s final snaps. Key number 5 — Number of NFL rookie QBs to throw for at least 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns with Nix joining Justin Herbert, Baker Mayfield, Russell Wilson and Peyton Manning. What’s next It’s all or nothing next week when a win over the Chiefs would send Denver to the playoffs. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL• Loan is an extra burden on government, Nigerians, minority caucus warns • We will approve loan and ensure it is not diverted – Deputy spokesman A showdown looms in the House of Representatives this week between lawmakers elected on the platform of the ruling party and their opposition counterparts over the $2.2m (N1.77tn) loan request by President Bola Tinubu. This is as the Deputy Spokesperson of the House, Mr Philip Agbese has declared that the Green Chamber will have no trouble approving external borrowing request from President Bola Tinubu, Deputy Spokesman of the Green Chamber, Congressman Philip Agbese has said. President Tinubu’s loan request was contained in a letter transmitted to the parliament and read by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, during Tuesday’s plenary. If approved, the President said the loan would fund the N9.7tn deficit in the 2024 budget. The Senate has already approved the loan request, with the House expected to debate same ahead of its approval later in the week. Speaking exclusively with The PUNCH on Sunday, the Benue lawmaker who doubles as the Deputy Chairman, the Committee on Media and Publicity, advanced reasons the House will not hesitate to follow the footsteps of the Senate in granting the request of the President to borrow externally to fund the budget deficit. According to him, the House will approve the loan request as long as it is meant for the execution of capital projects across the country as stipulated in the letter transmitted to the National Assembly by the President. “The Tinubu-led government has been prudent with our resources. We will approve the loan request without hesitation,” he said, adding that the request will be treated in conformity with standing procedures. “I can tell you that the relevant Standing Committees have commenced scrutiny of the loan request ahead of the consideration by the House. But I assure Nigerians that as their representatives, we will abide by strict standard procedures in doing our job as far as this request is concerned,” he said. Debt burden Although Nigeria’s total public debt currently stands at N136tn, Agbese justified the President’s quest to borrow more, saying, “The kind of critical infrastructure we have seen the current government investing their scarce resources on are encouraging. From the Honourable Minister of Finance to the Accountant General’s Office, we have seen fiscal policies that aim to safeguard taxpayers’ resources.” He added that just as past approvals by the parliament were done in line with due consultation with other relevant stakeholders and experts, “The situation would not be different this time.” On what has changed since the inauguration of the incumbent All Progressives Congress-led administration, Agbese who represents Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency of Benue State, noted that “the executive is enhancing our budget system in terms of priorities.” While declaring that “it may not be far from the truth that past administrations took foreign loans to spend on disposables,” he insisted that “the 10th parliament is carrying out its oversight functions to see that every penny counts in the overall interest of our people.” ‘Govs change stand’ Reacting to an exclusive report by The PUNCH quoting some lawmakers saying that some state governors appeared to have changed their rigid stand on Tinubu’s tax reform bill, now before the parliament for consideration, the lawmaker added that the resilience of legislators may have informed the development. “Many (governors) are doing so because they have seen the resilience of the parliament to do what is right for Nigerians. This is what you get where there’s patriotism above personal and selfish interest of just a few entities. “The House of Representatives under the leadership of Rt Hon Tajudeen Abass has done something novel and Nigerians are equally commending his leadership. There’s no doubt that our approach to inviting the key drivers of the tax reforms in Nigeria and doing so at the same time with our in-house experts, has changed the narrative completely in Nigeria,” he added. In a veiled jibe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who in July described the National Assembly as an enabler of executive recklessness, Agbese said Nigerians “don’t take him seriously, so, the parliament won’t be bothered about his opinion which was probably expressed from abroad or somewhere in Dubai. “The only time that politician won an election was when another candidate from the south carried him on his back as a running mate. The only thing he sees about Nigeria is when an election will take place.” The lawmaker assured Nigerians that when granted, the loan would be used for the intended purpose, saying, “The House of Representatives will ensure that such monies if approved are not diverted. What we understand the President is doing is repositioning critical institutions for optimum performance as well as delivering on infrastructure that will stand the test of time. Related News Tinubu, Buhari part of Nigeria’s accidental leadership cycle — Kukah Grant degree-awarding status to polytechnics, alumni association urges Tinubu Review economic policies to provide relief for Nigerians, NANS urges Tinubu “It’s possible to extend the lifespan of the 2024 budget to ensure that ongoing critical projects receive the desired attention and are completed.” Also speaking, an APC lawmaker from Imo State, Chike Okafor, said the loan request by the President was in order. He said, “Our country in the past years suffered from under-investment in the very critical sectors that stimulate the economy. How much of our resources go to funding/financing infrastructure in such critical things like roads, health, education, and agriculture? Any economy that fails to sustain good investment in the above critical sections of the economy is creating short and long-term deficits in those areas. “What do you do if/when your current revenue and receipts are inadequate to fund the necessary and required investments necessary to sustain the stimulation of your commerce and economy? You resort to borrowing, especially if/when you reserve the capacity to do so.” He added, “What I do not support is borrowing to fund ordinary appetite. By this, I mean borrowing just to fund recurrent expenditures. Once a borrowing is geared towards the funding of critical capital items, then we’re moving in the right direction.” Minority caucus warns Meanwhile, the minority caucus of the House of Representatives has warned that the provision for deficit financing in the 2024 budget is not automatic, adding that borrowing should be the last option rather than the first resort. Speaking with The PUNCH on Sunday, the leader of the Minority Caucus in the House, Kingsley Chinda, said, “We no doubt provided for the executive to borrow in the 2024 budget, but it’s not automatic. Borrowing should not be the first resort. It should be the last option, particularly when borrowing with interest.” Chinda, who represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency of Rivers State, added that in activating the loan option, some questions need to be asked. “What did we get as income, and how was it applied that we required borrowing? What efforts have we made to raise funds without borrowing and what are the results? Is the borrowing very necessary?” He added, “What are the specific projects you intend to fund with the money? What are your repayment plans? This information must be cogent and verifiable.” The Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker noted that “it is only when these questions are answered positively that we can consider the loan,” or else, “The loan will be an additional burden on the government, and the people of Nigeria and should be avoided as a fish should avoid a bait.” On his part, the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Bamidele Salam, gave a condition to support the loan approval. “I personally think that the best approach is to scrutinise the loan request. I will only support it if the loan terms are favourable and only if the money will be spent on urgent critical infrastructure for which funding cannot be sourced elsewhere,” he said. Debt profile worrisome On his part, a Labour Party federal lawmaker from Anambra State, Afam Oghene, also expressed worry over the nation’s growing debt profile. He told The PUNCH, “Many Nigerians are worried about the Presidency’s repeated requests for loan approvals, as well as the country’s growing loan profile. The concern is not just about the loans themselves, but also about the transparency and integrity of how the funds are being deployed and the projects they are attached to.” Oghene, who represents Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State, stated, “As of June 30, 2024, Nigeria’s total public debt stock stood at N87.38tn ($113.42bn). This is a significant increase from previous years, and it is understandable that many Nigerians are uneasy about the trend.” He added that the opposition would continue to ask relevant questions in relation to the demands for good governance. “The opposition parties are right to question the propriety of these loans, especially given the country’s economic difficulties. But you know that in a democracy, the majority always has its way. Regardless, it is crucial that the government exercises prudence and discipline in handling public funds and ensures accountability and integrity in managing the country’s wealth. “Ultimately, however, it is up to the government to address these concerns and provide transparency about the loans and how they’re being used. As citizens, it is essential to continue demanding accountability and ensuring that the country’s resources are being managed in the best interest of the people,” he stated. Oghene added, “As it stands today, it is the President Tinubu-led administration that exercises the mandate of the people until 2027, and all we can do, as opposition political leaders, is to offer alternate viewpoints regarding government policies and actions, so that the citizenry would, going forward, be in a position to make informed decisions when the next election cycle comes. “In the Labour Party, we have always propagated the concept of borrowing for productive purposes, rather than for consumption. For instance, what specific projects are the latest borrowing plans tied to? In the face of the current hardship occasioned by the subsidy removal regime, would the people be subjected to further impoverishment, or will the loans be channelled to the economic rejuvenation of the country?”

Gypsy Rose Blanchard Says TikTok Hacked, Claims Alleged Hacker Wants MoneyThe Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is currently selling for $450 (retails at $649), with 128GB of storage and AI features included. Large 6.7-inch AMOLED display and an enduring 4,700mAh battery are the top two strengths. At its price, the S24 FE faces stiff competition from Google, OnePlus, and Samsung itself. As part of a new post-Cyber Monday deal, both versions of the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE are selling for $100 off on Best Buy . The 128GB SSD model is retailing for $550 while the 256GB SSD version costs $610. However, it is possible to save even more money. Samsung is offering up to $400 instant trade-in credit for the Galaxy S24 FE on its digital storefront. With the fall season in full swing, I've recently been catching up with more friends and family. It's during these times when I'm most in touch with "the average consumer," able to gauge interest in new features, understand which ones matter most to people, and know just how much money users are willing to spend on a new handset, headphones, laptop, etc. I also do this thing where I pass the latest phone I'm testing around the room and ask people to guess its price. With the new Samsung Galaxy S24 FE , the ballpark value was around $1,000 -- about $350 more than its actual cost. Nice. Also: The best Cyber Monday deals still live At a starting price of $649 (currently discounted to $450), the Galaxy S24 FE is not as premium as Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra or as budget-friendly as the brand's Galaxy A35 5G . So, who should buy the Galaxy S24 FE -- and why? I've been asking myself those questions throughout my weeks of testing, and the answer, it turns out, is a little more obvious than expected. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE The company's latest Android phone features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, a 120Hz refresh rate, a 50MP main camera, and Galaxy AI features. To Samsung's credit, the S24 FE has a large, vibrant, and sharp-looking display that gives off a very strong first impression. The Dynamic AMOLED panel measures 6.7 inches and supports Samsung's Vision Booster feature, allowing it to peak at 1,900 nits of brightness. The result is a handset that's refreshingly easy to see (and use) when you're out in the sun. Also: The 25+ best Cyber Monday Samsung deals 2024: Sales available now I'm less enthusiastic about the thick bezels and rather uninspiring industrial design, though most of the people I showed the phone to didn't mind that it looks eerily similar to the more expensive Galaxy S24 Plus . I just wish Samsung had made the edges of the S24 FE curve into the back cover a little less and used lighter materials. At 212 grams, the phone's heftiness makes it feel like a slippery sandwich of frosted metal and glass. A protective case is basically mandatory. Fortunately, the rest of the S24 FE's drawbacks -- the infrequent stutter, lack of a far-distance telephoto lens, and less durable glass build than flagships -- are easier to overlook. While the phone is powered by Samsung's in-house Exynos 2400 -- and not a more tested Qualcomm Snapdragon chip -- the processor has proven capable of daily use. We're in the thick of sports season, so I often play YouTube TV in picture-in-picture mode while on social feeds and Reddit to keep up with commentary. This intermixing and swift navigation between apps typically gives me a sense of how well a phone handles multitasking and managing background tasks. Besides a few hiccups, where Threads took a few seconds to load videos, the S24 FE performed gracefully. What impressed me the most was how consistently the 120Hz refresh rate stayed on. Also: Forget iPhone 16: Samsung's $649 Galaxy S24 FE may be the new mainstream phone to beat While more manufacturers are aggressively dialing down the refresh rate to preserve battery life (and stabilize performance), the S24 FE remains at 120Hz for most tasks, including scrolling through media-filled webpages. After all of that, I'm still finishing most of my days with roughly 30% battery left, which is better than most phones I've tested, let alone mid-range ones . Now, if only Samsung can speed up the wired charging rate from 25W to at least 45W. That's a story for another day. The S24 FE supports Samsung's latest Galaxy AI features, including Sketch to Image, which generates visuals based on what you draw. At its $649 price point, the S24 FE is one of the most affordable phones that supports Samsung's suite of Galaxy AI features . These include Sketch to Image, Circle to Search, note summaries, and an improved Bixby. While I haven't found an urge to use the AI tools -- they're mostly gimmicky and still inconsistent in output -- the ability to run them on-device gives the S24 FE added utility that you'll either ignore or greatly appreciate. There's no downside here. Also: The camera I recommend to most new photographers is not a Sony or Panasonic (and it's $200 off) Lastly, I've been satisfied with the 50MP-led camera system of the S24 FE. Coming from the Google Pixel 9 series , I expected the S24 FE camera to dial up the saturation and sharpening of photos and videos, but that wasn't the case. Instead, subjects often came out natural-looking, with just enough dynamic range to portray the varying weather conditions in October. Samsung tries to compensate for its telephoto lens with a mere 2x optical zoom by filling in lost details via software, and this generally works for images captured as far as the 10x range. Anything further basically leaves you with a water-painting-like output. ZDNET's buying advice That's all to say: I recommend the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE to anyone who wants a competent, big-screen handset that won't break the bank. In lieu of ergonomics and flashier features, the S24 FE nails the essentials, from day-to-day performance to battery life to camera output. While AI shouldn't be the main reason you buy the S24 FE, the phone is slated to receive seven years of Android OS upgrades, so you can expect more useful software tools to come as companies like Samsung better understand the market and customer needs. With the holiday shopping season just weeks away, I'd also advise checking major retailers and your preferred carrier to see what discounts, trade-in offers, and other incentives are available. At the time of writing, the phone has already been discounted down to $450 , putting it in impulse-buying territory for those looking for a worthy Android upgrade. One of the best QLED TVs I've tested isn't made by Samsung or Hisense (and it's $500 off) I finally found a wireless Android Auto adapter that's reliable, functional, and affordable This is the most bizarre portable power station I've tested - and it actually works One of the best cheap soundbars I've tested performs as well as models twice its price

By JUAN A. LOZANO, Associated Press 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?” Related Articles National News | A judge has once again rejected Musk’s multi-billion-dollar Tesla pay package. Now what? National News | Norfolk Southern to test new hybrid locomotives to reduce emissions National News | Hunter Biden gun case dismissed after President Joe Biden’s sweeping pardon National News | NFL’s Goodell and Commanders’ Harris meet with lawmakers to talk about potential RFK stadium site National News | Last 2 defendants not guilty of murder in gang trial that led to rapper Young Thug’s guilty plea 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. Follow Juan A. Lozano on X at https://x.com/juanlozano70 Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Most Popular German restaurant Deutsche Ecke opens in Newport News German restaurant Deutsche Ecke opens in Newport News Second man dies in Newport News triple shooting; police still looking for suspects Second man dies in Newport News triple shooting; police still looking for suspects The latest business openings and closings in Hampton Roads The latest business openings and closings in Hampton Roads Former Hampton High football coach Mike Smith highlights latest Virginia Hall of Fame inductees Former Hampton High football coach Mike Smith highlights latest Virginia Hall of Fame inductees Williamsburg Christmas parade to feature Commanders marching band Williamsburg Christmas parade to feature Commanders marching band Al Roker speaks out after Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade chair mishap Al Roker speaks out after Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade chair mishap 1 dead, 2 seriously injured in Newport News triple shooting, police say 1 dead, 2 seriously injured in Newport News triple shooting, police say New Kent wants public input on future of Makemie Woods New Kent wants public input on future of Makemie Woods The Grinch can’t steal West Point’s Christmas The Grinch can't steal West Point's Christmas Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to Trending Nationally Judge accused of ‘willful misconduct’ for letting illegal immigrant escape court Trump’s talk of reducing or relocating federal workers hits home in Maryland A young Coloradan learning to live with long COVID turns to TikTok to educate about chronic illness Fruit trees and ‘generational learning’ turn this California city into a parrot paradise as temperatures drop NBC’s enhanced yard lines, field numbers for Bills-49ers snow game draw strong reactions from viewers

The House of Representatives, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to cause all frozen accounts of the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA) were unfrozen within 72 hours to enable the smooth resumption of all programmes and payment of outstanding stipends owed to 395,731 N-Power beneficiaries. The House has also urged the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management to ensure that all the administrative bottlenecks hindering the smooth operations of all programmes of NSIPA are immediately removed, as it seeks the concurrence of the Senate. President Tinubu had in the wake of corruption allegation surrounding the social investment programmes ordered both their suspension and related bank accounts frozen. However, the House in a resolution on a motion jointly sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Hon. Babajimi Benson, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere and 18 others on Tuesday adopted the prayed request. Kalu in moving the motion noted that NSIPA was established pursuant to the National Social Investment Programme Agency (Establishment) Act, 2023, with the mandate of empowering unemployed persons, vulnerable widows, orphans, children, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable senior citizens, among others. He also noted that NSIPA oversees critical social intervention programmes such as grant for vulnerable groups, N-Power, the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT), and the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP). He further noted that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government gave emphasis to the mandate of the NSIPA to cushion the effect of economic shocks on the poor and the vulnerable.Moment Prince William makes hilarious dig at cheeky Prince Louis as family are gifted chocolates from wellwishers

Special teams miscues prove costly for Bears in overtime loss to VikingsThe bottom fell out in April. On April 16, the federal government unveiled its , a 416-page document containing billions of dollars in funding commitments and policy initiatives for tech. Most of it was ignored due to the unexpected insert of a that, to many, seemed directly targeted at those who finance, build, and work for Canadian tech companies. The announcement was a shock to those hoping for meaningful updates on past tech commitments, such as open banking, SR&ED, and the forlorn Canada Innovation Corporation. It was also a shock to ISED employees BetaKit spoke with who suddenly found their work on what might have been considered a weighty innovation budget completely overshadowed. “This has been a lost decade of innovation policy in Canada and the signals have revealed themselves to be incompetency and an inability to get things done.” The response, if not unanimous, was swift and loud. Over 2,000 prominent tech leaders against the changes, with some calling the decision a “mistake,” while others opined that it was “Time to start your next company in the US.” The reaction crystalized a looming malaise over several headwinds faced by the country and diminished faith in our current government’s capacity to face them, prompting BetaKit to launch a focused on Canadian productivity, innovation, and optimism. The kicker? Eight months later, the feds the capital gains tax inclusion rate increase law, leaving the CRA to move forward that it will eventually come to pass. The ongoing Liberal political crisis, exacerbated by its finance minister resigning on the morning of the , will more likely result in an election, the prime minister’s resignation, or both. It is not often you get to call the Canada Revenue Agency optimistic, but here we are. Whether or not this government survives the next election will not do much to improve the legacy of its innovation file, which has been marked by indiscriminate spending and unfinished policy commitments. “This has been a lost decade of innovation policy in Canada and the signals have revealed themselves to be incompetency and an inability to get things done,” Ben Bergen, president of the Council of Canadian Innovators, told me. .

The conflict is “entering a decisive phase,” Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Friday, and “taking on very dramatic dimensions.” Ukraine’s parliament canceled a session as security was tightened following Thursday's Russian strike on a military facility in the city of Dnipro. In a stark warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said in a nationally televised speech that the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was in retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. Putin said Western air defense systems would be powerless to stop the new missile. Ukrainian military officials said the missile that hit Dnipro had reached a speed of Mach 11 and carried six nonnuclear warheads each releasing six submunitions. Speaking Friday to military and weapons industries officials, Putin said Russia is launching production of the Oreshnik. “No one in the world has such weapons,” he said with a thin smile. “Sooner or later other leading countries will also get them. We are aware that they are under development." But he added, "we have this system now. And this is important.” Testing the missile will continue, “including in combat, depending on the situation and the character of security threats created for Russia,” Putin said, noting there is ”a stockpile of such systems ready for use.” Putin said that while it isn’t an intercontinental missile, it’s so powerful that the use of several of them fitted with conventional warheads in one attack could be as devastating as a strike with strategic — or nuclear — weapons. Gen. Sergei Karakayev, head of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, said the Oreshnik could reach targets across Europe and be fitted with nuclear or conventional warheads, echoing Putin's claim that even with conventional warheads, “the massive use of the weapon would be comparable in effect to the use of nuclear weapons.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov kept up Russia's bellicose tone on Friday, blaming “the reckless decisions and actions of Western countries” in supplying weapons to Ukraine to strike Russia. "The Russian side has clearly demonstrated its capabilities, and the contours of further retaliatory actions in the event that our concerns were not taken into account have also been quite clearly outlined," he said. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, widely seen as having the warmest relations with the Kremlin in the European Union, echoed Moscow's talking points, suggesting the use of U.S.-supplied weapons in Ukraine likely requires direct American involvement. “These are rockets that are fired and then guided to a target via an electronic system, which requires the world’s most advanced technology and satellite communications capability,” Orbán said on state radio. “There is a strong assumption ... that these missiles cannot be guided without the assistance of American personnel.” Orbán cautioned against underestimating Russia’s responses, emphasizing that the country’s recent modifications to its nuclear deployment doctrine should not be dismissed as a “bluff.” “It’s not a trick... there will be consequences,” he said. Separately in Kyiv, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský called Thursday's missile strike an “escalatory step and an attempt of the Russian dictator to scare the population of Ukraine and to scare the population of Europe.” At a news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Lipavský also expressed his full support for delivering the necessary additional air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians from the “heinous attacks.” He underlined that the Czech Republic will impose no limits on the use of its weapons and equipment given to Ukraine. Three lawmakers from Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, confirmed that Friday's previously scheduled session was called off due to the ongoing threat of Russian missiles targeting government buildings in central Kyiv. In addition, there also was a recommendation to limit the work of all commercial offices and nongovernmental organizations "in that perimeter, and local residents were warned of the increased threat,” said lawmaker Mykyta Poturaiev, who added this is not the first time such a threat has been received. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office continued to work in compliance with standard security measures, a spokesperson said. Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate said the Oreshnik missile, whose name in Russian means “hazelnut tree,” was fired from the Kapustin Yar 4th Missile Test Range in Russia’s Astrakhan region, and flew 15 minutes before striking Dnipro. Test launches of a similar missile were conducted in October 2023 and June 2024, the directorate said. The Pentagon confirmed the missile was a new, experimental type of intermediate-range missile based on its RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. Thursday's attack struck the Pivdenmash plant that built ICBMs when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. The military facility is located about 4 miles (6 1/2 kilometers) southwest of the center of Dnipro, a city of about 1 million that is Ukraine’s fourth-largest and a key hub for military supplies and humanitarian aid, and is home to one of the country’s largest hospitals for treating wounded soldiers from the front before their transfer to Kyiv or abroad. The stricken area was cordoned off and out of public view. With no fatalities reported from the attack, Dnipro residents resorted to dark humor on social media, mostly focused on the missile’s name, Oreshnik. Elsewhere in Ukraine, Russia struck a residential district of Sumy overnight with Iranian-designed Shahed drones, killing two people and injuring 13, the regional administration said.. Ukraine’s Suspilne media, quoting Sumy regional head Volodymyr Artiukh, said the drones were stuffed with shrapnel elements. “These weapons are used to destroy people, not to destroy objects,” said Artiukh, according to Suspilne.‘Tsunami: Race Against Time’ Revisits A Day Of Unimaginable TragedyNone

I’m A Celebrity stars go wild as they receive surprise boozy trip out of camp( MENAFN - ABN Newswire) Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd (ASX:PIQ), a pioneer in precision diagnostics, is pleased to announce the publication of new results in the journal Human Reproduction showing its PromarkerEndo blood test can diagnose all stages of endometriosis with high accuracy. - Plasma protein biomarker panel identifies all stages of endometriosis with high accuracy - Refined PromarkerEndo blood test able to distinguish healthy individuals and symptomatic cases from early stages of disease - A prototype PromarkerEndo model achieved excellent diagnostic performance across earlier disease stages and a near perfect accuracy in distinguishing severe endometriosis from symptomatic controls - Results from a study of 805 participant samples published in the prestigious medical journal Human Reproduction - The test has potential application in the context of fertility where there is approximately a three-fold increased incidence of endometriosis in otherwise healthy women undergoing fertility treatments - Endometriosis affects one in nine women and girls and currently diagnosis typically takes an average of 7 years Endometriosis, a chronic condition affecting millions of women worldwide, often takes an average of seven years to diagnose due to the reliance on invasive laparoscopy. The new study has identified a breakthrough: a novel panel of 10 plasma protein biomarkers that could revolutionise the diagnosis of this debilitating disease. Proteomics International scientists, in collaboration with the Royal Women's Hospital and the University of Melbourne, analysed plasma samples from 805 participants across two independent clinical populations, comparing cases of endometriosis, general population controls, and symptomatic controls. Using advanced proteomics and statistical modelling, three diagnostic models were developed. The standout, Model 3, distinguished severe endometriosis from symptomatic controls with near-perfect accuracy (AUC: 0.997). It also showed excellent diagnostic performance across earlier disease stages (AUCs >0.85 for stages I-III). The new results, published in the peer-reviewed journal Human Reproduction, build upon and extend earlier studies which demonstrated the potential of the test for diagnosing advanced stages of endometriosis in independent patient groups [ASX 24 March 2023, 5 May 2024, 1 February 2024]. Proteomics International's Managing Director Dr Richard Lipscombe said, "the integration of the PromarkerEndo blood test into clinical practice could streamline diagnosis, improve patient outcomes, and deepen the understanding of endometriosis. This advancement marks a significant step toward non-invasive, personalised care for a condition that has long been underserved by current medical approaches." Professor Peter Rogers, Deputy Director of the Women's Gynaecology Research Centre, Research Director at the Royal Women's Hospital and the Professor of Women's Health Research in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at University of Melbourne said, "this innovation seeks to address a critical need for a non-invasive, accurate diagnostic tool for early stages of endometriosis, that could help reduce delays in diagnosis and the associated health impacts. A blood test also has potential application in the context of fertility where endometriosis is associated with an increased risk of having difficulty becoming pregnant." Endometriosis is a common and painful disease that affects approximately one in nine women and girls, often starting in teenagers (see also PIQ Annual Report 2024). It occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in other parts of the body where it does not belong. Endometriosis severity is classified by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine as stage I/minimal, stage II/mild, stage III/moderate and stage IV/severe. Currently, there is no simple way to test for endometriosis, which can cause pain and infertility, and costs Australia $9.7 billion each year. The current gold standard for detection is an invasive laparoscopy followed by histopathology, a surgical procedure where a camera is inserted into the pelvis through a small cut in the abdominal wall and then a biopsy is taken for analysis. The novel test uses biomarkers-protein 'fingerprints' in the blood-to screen for the painful condition. The PromarkerEndo diagnostic test targets potential early screening of patients to rule in or rule out the need for invasive surgery. Next steps The Company is pursuing multiple avenues to bring its novel blood test for endometriosis to the clinic with a target launch date of Q2 CY25 in Australia, with other jurisdictions to follow thereafter. Test status: - Analytical methodology is being adapted for use in a clinical environment with target launch date for PromarkerEndo of Q2 CY25 in Australia. - Diagnostic algorithm is being refined using 'traffic light' system to further improve test performance for clinical use. - Development of the PromarkerEndo cloud-based software hub for reporting patient results has commenced. - Clinical validation study on cohort of samples from the University of Oxford [ASX 25 March 2024] is ongoing and subject to completion of the adapted method for clinical use. - Discussions are advancing in key markets for licensing in women's health and fertility. - Progressing direct-to-consumer/patient (DTC/P) by leveraging the Company's framework for its predictive test for diabetic kidney disease (PromarkerD) and diagnostic test for esophageal cancer (PromarkerEso), which are planned to launch Q1, CY25 in Australia. - Continuing to build awareness of the test with clinicians, key opinion leaders (KOL's) and advocacy groups in response to the upsurge in demand for better diagnosis of endometriosis. - Patents pending in all major jurisdictions. About PromarkerEndo Proteomics International's diagnostics development is made possible by the Company's proprietary biomarker discovery platform called PromarkerTM, which searches for protein 'fingerprints' in a sample. This disruptive technology can identify proteins that distinguish between people who have a disease and people who do not, using only a blood test. It is a powerful alternative to genetic testing. PromarkerEndo is a diagnostic blood test for endometriosis, which could provide early screening to rule in or out the need for invasive surgery for women and girls presenting with symptoms of endometriosis. Endometriosis is a common and painful condition that affects one in nine women and girls, occurring when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in other parts of the body where is does not belong. The current way to test for the condition is a surgical laparoscopy, with diagnosis taking an average of 7.5 years. To view the Summary of Study, please visit: -p alt="Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd" src="https://media.abnnewswire.net/images/logos/37153en.png" style="float:left; height:15px; margin:5px; width:120px" />Proteomics International Laboratories (ASX:PIQ) is a wholly owned subsidiary and trading name of PILL, a medical technology company at the forefront of predictive diagnostics and bioanalytical services. The Company specialises in the area of proteomics - the industrial scale study of the structure and function of proteins. Proteomics International's mission is to improve the quality of lives by the creation and application of innovative tools that enable the improved treatment of disease. MENAFN29122024000111011020ID1109040290 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.New Caledonia’s Union Calédonienne, one of the main and oldest components of the pro-independence movement, has elected Emmanuel Tjibaou as its new president at the weekend. The election was one of the main items of the agenda of UC’s Congress, which was held in the small village of Mia (near Canala, East Coast of the main island of Grande Terre). Tjibaou, 48, was the only candidate for the position. Tjibaou’s election on Sunday comes as UC’s former leader, Daniel Goa, 71, announced last week he did not intend to seek another mandate, partly for health reasons, after leading the party for the past 12 years. Goa told his pro-independence supporters this was a “heavy burden” his successor will now have to carry. He also said there was a need to work on political awareness and training for the younger generations. He said the youths’ heavy involvement in the recent riots, not necessarily within the UC’s political framework, was partly caused by “all these years during which we did not train (UC) political commissioners” on the ground. “This has been completely neglected,”” he told local media at the weekend, saying this was his mea culpa. After the riots started, there was a perception that calls coming from all political parties, including UC, were no longer heeded and that, somehow, the whole insurrection had gotten out of control. “Now we need to open (UC) to the youth. Now we got the message they have sent us”, he said. Tjibaou was also elected earlier this year as one of New Caledonia’s two representatives within the French National Assembly (Lower House). Tjibaou’s rise to the helm of UC comes as New Caledonia’s whole pro-independence movement is deeply divided. Last week, two of the main components of the 40-year-old FLNKS (Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front), the more moderate UPM (Progressist Union in Melanesia) and PALIKA (Kanak Liberation Party), reiterated they wished to distance themselves from the Front. They said they did not recognise themselves anymore in the way the UC has been operating since last year and more recently since insurrectional riots broke out in May 2024, causing extensive damage and 13 dead. UPM and PALIKA did not take part in the most recent FLNKS Congress, late August 2024, which, among other resolutions, appointed Christian Téin as its new President. Téin is the leader of a UC-created CCAT (Field Action Coordinating Cell) which, since October 2023, has been tasked to organise protests, marches and demonstrations. Initially organised peacefully, they later degenerated into the riots and destruction that broke out in May 2024. Téin is currently jailed in Mulhouse (North-east of France) following his arrest in June and pending his trial. Emmanuel Tjibaou is perceived as a man of dialogue and moderation and his election at the head of UC could also signal a gradual softening of the party’s hard-line stance, which could contribute to a more united approach from New Caledonia’s whole pro-independence movement. The development comes as New Caledonia, post-riot, faces a whole array of challenges. These include the French territory’s reconstruction and the necessary multi-billion Euro assistance from France, but also crucial political talks that are likely to start in December between all political parties and the French government in order to map out the political future. The talks (between pro-independence, anti-independence parties and the French State) are scheduled in such a way that all parties manage to reach a comprehensive and inclusive political agreement no later than March 2025. Over the past few days, earlier this month, from Paris to Nouméa, several references have been made with regards to what shape New Caledonia’s future status could take. Such wordings as “shared sovereignty”, “independence in partnership”, “independence-association” and, more recently, from the also divided pro-France camp, an “internal federalism” (Le Rassemblement-LR party) or a “territorial federation” (Les Loyalistes). After this, heavy campaigning will follow to prepare for crucial provincial elections to be held no later than November 2024. Tjibaou is the son of charismatic pro-independence leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou, who signed the Matignon-Oudinot agreements with pro-France leader Jacques Lafleur and the French government in 1988, to end half a decade of a quasi-civil war. One year later, in 1989, he was shot dead by a hard-line pro-independence militant.... PACNEWS/RNZ PACIFIC

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