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fc188 site BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 25, 2024-- To her nearly 1 million followers , Kendall Mariah is known as a mom with big southern charm and big-time family finds for any occasion. The holidays are especially her time to shine with recommendations for parents and families who appreciate her genuine reviews and practical advice. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125424595/en/ Sparkle and shine this holiday season with the hottest device and gadget gifts from T-Mobile, handpicked by beloved Instagram mom and military spouse Kendall Mariah (Graphic: Business Wire) “I love the holidays because it’s a time to unwind, reconnect and celebrate what feels like home,” says Mariah. “Being with family and friends and sharing meaningful experiences is everything. For gifts, I love tech because it brings ease, fun and a bit of magic to everyday life. I’m thoughtful about what I recommend, only sharing things that feel authentic and special enough to enrich my friends' and followers' lives.” As a military spouse who is always searching for the latest tech to help her family stay connected, Mariah has a unique blend of mobile device know-how and heartfelt storytelling. She teamed up with T-Mobile to hook her up with some of the gadget gifts she handpicked for family members of all ages, friends, or when just treating yourself. Check out these top tech gift ideas from Mariah that are sure to impress while staying on budget. For the Parent Who’s Always Putting Family First Mariah says she plans to deck the halls and someone’s wrist with the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra this year. The watch stands out to her because she loves to post about her own fitness journey. “I love the idea of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra as a gift because it’s perfect for staying on track with fitness goals and for embracing the season in style,” she says. “It’s a seamless blend of tech, fitness and fashion, which means it’ll be useful long after the holidays are over.” She also loves that T-Mobile customers get it for less — up to $380 off when adding a watch line. ( Via 24 monthly bill credits.) Unwrap the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra. It’s easy to capture the magic of holiday moments with the latest AI-powered technology , and with the deals T-Mobile has on Samsung Galaxy S24 and other eligible devices , it’s an opportunity that Mariah says is too good to miss. T-Mobile customers can get four lines and four free phones for $100 a month, and tap into T-Mobile’s value-packed Go5G Next plan on America’s largest , fastest and most awarded 5G network . ( Via 24 monthly bill credits; plus tax.) “The camera and AI features on the Samsung Galaxy S24 are amazing for capturing all the festive moments with ease — it’s like having a mini photo studio in your pocket,” she says. “It’s a gift that’s both practical and thoughtful, which is exactly what I look for during the holidays.” It’s an especially efficient value if you’re looking to switch an entire family of four with tech upgrades for all! Check out the Samsung Galaxy S24. Mariah says nothing makes the holidays feel more festive than blasting your favorite seasonal tunes. She plans to fill her home with the sounds of the season with the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9. “There’s nothing like music to bring people together over the holidays and this speaker delivers on sound quality and style,” she says. “It’s definitely a top pick for your music-loving family member.” And with this T-Mobile exclusive customers receive a JBL Clip 5 on Us through T-Mobile. Pick Up the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9. For the Kid Who’s Been Extra Good This Year When searching for something for the younger members of the family, Mariah says the SyncUP Kids Watch 2 stands out. She loves that it’s a safety-first gift that helps parents keep their little elves (best for ages 5 to 12) connected thanks to the T-Mobile network — while still keeping it fun . “I would absolutely love the SyncUP Kids Watch 2 for my daughter,” she says. “It’s the perfect balance of fun and safety, giving me peace of mind while letting her enjoy features like games, Bluetooth and even a flashlight. I love that it keeps her connected, but it’s also designed with her age in mind — practical for me and fun for her.” This holiday season, T-Mobile customers can get it free when they add a watch line. ( Via 24 monthly bill credits; plus tax.) Explore the SyncUP Kids Watch 2. T-Mobile’s deals on tablets are themselves a gift. Tablets are perfect for keeping kids entertained whether at home or traveling, but Mariah says T-Mobile’s latest Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ on Us offer is a real gift for parents, too, because they can get the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 5G for free when adding a tablet line. That means customers can get the cellular version at the Wi-Fi price with $201 off. ( Via 24 monthly bill credits when you have a Go5G Next voice line and add a Go5G Next tablet line. ) “The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ would be perfect for my family,” she says. “It’s great for keeping my daughter entertained on trips, and I love that T-Mobile’s deal gives us the 5G version for free with this holiday deal. A practical and fun gift for the whole family.” Ring in the festivities with the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ on Us. ( Via 24 monthly bill credits; plus tax.) So, start preheating the oven and cue up Mariah Carey — with T-Mobile's exclusive deals on tech updates, you can make this holiday season unforgettable! Follow @TMobileNews on X, formerly known as Twitter, to stay up to date with the latest company news. Limited time offers; subject to change. See full offer details at T-Mobile.com . 4/$100: Essentials customers may notice speeds lower than other customers and further reduction if using >50GB/mo., due to data prioritization. Video in SD. Unlimited on our network. Qualifying credit & minimum 4 lines required. Canceling any lines requires you to move to the regular-rate Essentials plan; contact us. Monthly Regulatory Programs (RPF) & Telco Recovery Fee (TRF) totaling $3.49 per voice line ($0.50 for RPF & $2.99 for TRF) applies; taxes/fees approx. 4-38% of bill. $5 more per line without AutoPay; debit or bank account required. Device offers: Bill credits end if you pay off device early. Tax on pre-credit price and $35 device connection charge due at sale. Qualifying credit and service required. If you have cancelled lines in past 90 days, you may need to reactivate them first. Line with promo must be active and in good standing to receive credits; allow 2 bill cycles. Max 4 discounted devices/account. May not be combinable with some offers or discounts. Phones On Us: Contact us before cancelling entire account to continue remaining bill credits, or credits stop & balance on required finance agreement is due (e.g., $1,099.99 – Galaxy Z Flip6 5G 256GB). Qualifying trade-in required for trade-in offers (e.g., Save $1,100: Samsung Galaxy S9; Save $550: Galaxy S6). Tablets, watches, and TCL Linkport: If you cancel entire account before receiving 24 bill credits, credits stop and balance on required finance agreement is due (e.g., $649.99 – Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 47mm / $1,099.99 – Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ 5G). JBL Clip 5: While supplies last. Accessories must be purchased in same transaction. Not valid on prior purchases or in combination with other offers/discounts for these accessories. Limit 3 per account. About T-Mobile T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Mint Mobile. For more information please visit: https://www.t-mobile.com View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125424595/en/ CONTACT: Media Contact T-Mobile US, Inc. Media Relations MediaRelations@t-mobile.comInvestor Relations Contact T-Mobile US, Inc. Investor.Relations@t-mobile.com https://investor.t-mobile.com KEYWORD: WASHINGTON UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER RETAIL BLOGGING CONSUMER ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CARRIERS AND SERVICES COMMUNICATIONS 5G WEARABLES/MOBILE TECHNOLOGY SPECIALTY FAMILY TELECOMMUNICATIONS CONSUMER INTERNET MOBILE/WIRELESS SOURCE: T-Mobile US, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/25/2024 03:14 PM/DISC: 11/25/2024 03:15 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125424595/en

Rape allegation against Jay-Z will not affect NFL relationship, says chief

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump used his image as a successful New York businessman to become a celebrity, a reality television star and eventually the president. Now he will get to revel in one of the most visible symbols of success in the city when he rings the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday as he's also named Time Magazine's Person of the Year. Trump is expected to be on Wall Street to mark the ceremonial start of the day's trading, according to four people with knowledge of his plans. He will also be announced Thursday as Time's 2024 Person of the Year , according to a person familiar with the selection. The people who confirmed the stock exchange appearance and Time award were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. It will be a notable moment of twin recognitions for Trump, a born-and-bred New Yorker who at times has treated the stock market as a measure of public approval and has long-prized signifiers of his success in New York's business world and his appearances on the covers of magazines — especially Time. Trump was named the magazine's Person of the Year in 2016, when he was first elected to the White House. He had already been listed as a finalist for this year's award alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, X owner Elon Musk, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Kate, the Princess of Wales. Time declined to confirm the selection ahead of Thursday morning's announcement. “Time does not comment on its annual choice for Person of the Year prior to publication,” a spokesperson for the magazine said Wednesday. The ringing of the bell is a powerful symbol of U.S. capitalism — and a good New York photo opportunity at that. Despite his decades as a New York businessman, Trump has never done it before. It was unclear whether Trump, a Republican, would meet with New York's embattled mayor, Democrat Eric Adams , who has warmed to Trump and has not ruled out changing his political party. Adams has been charged with federal corruption crimes and accused of selling influence to foreign nationals; he has denied wrongdoing. Trump himself was once a symbol of New York, but he gave up living full-time in his namesake Trump Tower in Manhattan and moved to Florida after leaving the White House. CNN first reported Wednesday Trump’s visit to the stock exchange and Politico reported that Trump was expected to be unveiled as Time's Person of the Year. The stock exchange regularly invites celebrities and business leaders to participate in the ceremonial opening and closing of trading. During Trump’s first term, his wife, Melania Trump, rang the bell to promote her “Be Best” initiative on children’s well-being. Last year, Time CEO Jessica Sibley rang the opening bell to unveil the magazine's 2023 Person of the Year: Taylor Swift . After the Nov. 5 election, the S&P 500 rallied 2.5% for its best day in nearly two years. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 1,508 points, or 3.6%, while the Nasdaq composite jumped 3%. All three indexes topped records they had set in recent weeks. The U.S. stock market has historically tended to rise regardless of which party wins the White House, with Democrats scoring bigger average gains since 1945. But Republican control could mean big shifts in the winning and losing industries underneath the surface, and investors are adding to bets built earlier on what the higher tariffs, lower tax rates and lighter regulation that Trump favors will mean. Trump has long courted the business community based on his own status as a wealthy real estate developer who gained additional fame as the star of the TV show “The Apprentice” in which competitors tried to impress him with their business skills. He won the election in part by tapping into Americans' deep anxieties about an economy that seemed unable to meet the needs of the middle class. The larger business community has applauded his promises to reduce corporate taxes and cut regulations. But there are also concerns about his stated plans to impose broad tariffs and possibly target companies that he sees as not aligning with his own political interests. Trump spends the bulk of his time at his Florida home but was in New York for weeks this spring during his hush money trial there. He was convicted, but his lawyers are pushing for the case to be thrown out in light of his election. While he spent hours in a Manhattan courthouse every day during his criminal trial, Trump took his presidential campaign to the streets of the heavily Democratic city, holding a rally in the Bronx and popping up at settings for working-class New Yorkers: a bodega, a construction site and a firehouse. Trump returned to the city in September to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Manhattan tower and again in the final stretch of the presidential campaign when he held a rally at Madison Square Garden that drew immediate blowback as speakers made rude and racist insults and incendiary remarks . At the stock exchange, the ringing of the bell has been a tradition since the 1800s. The first guest to do it was a 10-year-old boy named Leonard Ross, in 1956, who won a quiz show answering questions about the stock market. Many times, companies listing on the exchange would ring the bell at 9:30 a.m. to commemorate their initial offerings as trading began. But the appearances have become an important marker of culture and politics -- something that Trump hopes to seize as he’s promised historic levels of economic growth. The anti-apartheid advocate and South African President Nelson Mandela rang the bell, as has Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone with his castmates from the film “The Expendables.” So, too, have the actors Robert Downey Jr. and Jeremy Renner for an “Avengers” movie and the Olympians Michael Phelps and Natalie Coughlin. In 1985, Ronald Reagan became the first sitting U.S. president to ring the bell. “With tax reform and budget control, our economy will be free to expand to its full potential, driving the bears back into permanent hibernation,” Reagan said at the time. “We’re going to turn the bull loose.” The crowd of traders on the floor chanted, “Ronnie! Ronnie! Ronnie!” The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed in 1985 and 1986, but it suffered a decline in October 1987 in an event known as “Black Monday.” Long reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Josh Boak in Washington contributed to this report.Julie Appleby | KFF Health News Unauthorized switching of Affordable Care Act plans appears to have tapered off in recent weeks based on an almost one-third drop in casework associated with consumer complaints, say federal regulators . The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which oversees the ACA, credits steps taken to thwart enrollment and switching problems that triggered more than 274,000 complaints this year through August. Now, the annual ACA open enrollment period that began Nov. 1 poses a real-world test: Will the changes curb fraud by rogue agents or brokerages without unduly slowing the process of enrolling or reducing the total number of sign-ups for 2025 coverage? “They really have this tightrope to walk,” said Sabrina Corlette, co-director of the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University. “The more you tighten it up to prevent fraud, the more barriers there are that could inhibit enrollment among those who need the coverage.” CMS said in July that some types of policy changes — those in which the agent is not “affiliated” with the existing plan — will face more requirements, such as a three-way call with the consumer, broker, and a healthcare.gov call center representative. In August, the agency barred two of about a dozen private sector online-enrollment platforms from connecting with healthcare.gov over concerns related to improper switching. And CMS has suspended 850 agents suspected of being involved in unauthorized plan-switching from accessing the ACA marketplace. Still, the clampdown could add complexity to enrollment and slow the process. For example, a consumer might have to wait in a queue for a three-way call, or scramble to find a new agent because the one they previously worked with had been suspended. Given that phone lines with healthcare.gov staff already get busy — especially during mid-December — agents and policy analysts advise consumers not to dally this year. “Hit the ground running,” said Ronnell Nolan, president and CEO of Health Agents for America, a professional organization for brokers. Meanwhile, reports are emerging that some rogue entities are already figuring out workarounds that could undermine some of the anti-fraud protections CMS put in place, Nolan said. “Bottom line is: Fraud and abuse is still happening,” Nolan said. Brokers assist the majority of people actively enrolling in ACA plans and are paid a monthly commission by insurers for their efforts. Consumers can compare plans or enroll themselves online through federal or state marketplace websites. They can also seek help from people called assisters or navigators — certified helpers who are not paid commissions. Under a “find local help” button on the federal and state ACA websites , consumers can search for nearby brokers or navigators. CMS says it has “ramped up support operations” at its healthcare.gov marketplace call centers, which are open 24/7, in anticipation of increased demand for three-way calls, and it expects “minimal wait times,” said Jeff Wu, deputy director for policy of the CMS Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight. Wu said those three-way calls are necessary only when an agent or a broker not already associated with a consumer’s enrollment wants to change that consumer’s enrollment or end that consumer’s coverage. It does not apply to people seeking coverage for the first time. Organizations paid by the government to offer navigator services have a dedicated phone line to the federal marketplace, and callers are not currently experiencing long waits, said Xonjenese Jacobs, director of Florida Covering Kids & Families, a program based at the University of South Florida that coordinates enrollment across the state through its Covering Florida navigator program. Navigators can assist with the three-way calls if a consumer’s situation requires it. “Because we have our quick line in, there’s no increased wait time,” Jacobs said. The problem of unauthorized switches has been around for a while but took off during last year’s open enrollment season. Brokers generally blamed much of the problem on the ease with which rogue agents can access ACA information in the federal marketplace, needing only a person’s name, date of birth, and state of residence. Though federal regulators have worked to tighten that access with the three-way call requirement, they stopped short of instituting what some agent groups say is needed: two-factor authentication, which could involve a code accessed by a consumer through a smartphone. Unauthorized switches can lead to a host of problems for consumers, from higher deductibles to landing in new networks that do not include their preferred physicians or hospitals. Some people have received tax bills when unauthorized policies came with premium credits for which they did not qualify. Unauthorized switches posed a political liability for the Biden administration, a blemish on two years of record ACA enrollment. The practice drew criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle; Democrats demanded more oversight and punishment of rogue agents, while Republicans said fraud attempts were fueled by Biden administration moves that allowed for more generous premium subsidies and special enrollment periods. The fate of those enhanced subsidies, which are set to expire, will be decided by Congress next year as the Trump administration takes power. But the premiums and subsidies that come with 2025 plans that people are enrolling in now will remain in effect for the entire year. The actions taken this year to thwart the unauthorized enrollments apply to the federal marketplace, used by 31 states . The remaining states and the District of Columbia run their own websites, with many having in place additional layers of security. Related Articles Health | Feds suspend ACA marketplace access to companies accused of falsely promising ‘cash cards’ Health | More foods are making us sick: What to know as foodborne outbreaks hit Health | At least 19 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall Health | Which health insurance plan may be right for you? Health | Pay first, deliver later: Some women are being asked to prepay for their baby For its part, CMS says its efforts are working, pointing to the 30% drop in complaint casework. The agency also noted a 90% drop in the number of times an agent’s name was replaced by another’s, which it says indicates that it is tougher for rival agents to steal clients to gain the monthly commissions that insurers pay. Still, the move to suspend 850 agents has drawn pushback from agent groups that initially brought the problem to federal regulators’ attention. They say some of those accused were suspended before getting a chance to respond to the allegations. “There will be a certain number of agents and brokers who are going to be suspended without due process,” said Nolan, with the health agents’ group. She said that it has called for increased protections against unauthorized switching and that two-factor authentication, like that used in some state marketplaces or in the financial sector, would be more effective than what’s been done. “We now have to jump through so many hoops that I’m not sure we’re going to survive,” she said of agents in general. “They are just throwing things against the wall to see what sticks when they could just do two-factor.” The agency did not respond to questions asking for details about how the 850 agents suspended since July were selected, the states where they were located, or how many had their suspensions reversed after supplying additional information.

These Analog Horror Games Remind Me That Nightmares Still Exist in a Digital AgeWASHINGTON — President Joe Biden will leave office with more lifetime judicial confirmations than his predecessor and a legacy of diversifying the federal bench, a win for Democrats in the final days of the 118th Congress. Senate Democrats on Friday notched the 235th lifetime judicial confirmation during the Biden administration, edging out the first Trump administration by one. The vote was on Serena Raquel Murillo to become U.S. district judge in the Central District of California. The figure is the largest number of such confirmations in a single presidential term in decades, according to the White House. Senate Democrats had to navigate slim working majorities throughout Biden’s presidency and carve out enough floor time to confirm the nominees. The administration also made strides in diversifying the judiciary. Democrats on Friday highlighted their record in confirming women and people of color and the Biden administration underscored its work putting nominees with public defense experience on the bench. Biden’s highest-profile nominee, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, became the first Black woman and first former public defender on the Supreme Court, but lower-court nominees broke ground as well. “And no matter who they are or where they come from, all of these appointees are supremely qualified to serve in the role of Judge, and remain committed to the rule of law and the Constitution,” Biden said in a statement. Biden wasn’t, however, able to match Trump on confirmations for appellate posts. Biden is set to end his presidency with 45 circuit court confirmations while there were 54 during Trump’s first term, according to groups that track judicial nominations. Trump also appointed three Supreme Court justices, solidifying conservative control of the high court well into the future. Democrats and Republicans had agreed on a process to confirm a number of Biden’s district court nominees, while setting aside four circuit court nominees. Progressive judicial groups criticized that deal, saying Democrats were abandoning well-qualified nominees. But a spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the four circuit court nominees lacked the votes needed for confirmation. Democrats on Friday took a victory lap and lauded their achievement, underscoring the judges’ experience and highlighting their demographic and professional diversity. “We’re proud of this milestone. Not only because of the number, but because of what it means. It means our bench is now far more balanced in its expertise, experiences and qualifications,” Schumer said at a Friday evening news conference. Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin, D-Ill., thanked his committee members at the news conference and said it was a “tough assignment,” adding that panel rules made it “absolutely essential for every member to be present.” “So the people behind me, and some others who couldn’t join us at this moment, really made this happen (and) at great personal sacrifice. It was a team effort all the way,” Durbin said. Trump is set to be sworn into office on Jan. 20, and Republicans will have the Senate majority in the next Congress, giving them the latitude to confirm conservative judges and fill any openings on the Supreme Court. John P. Collins Jr., a law professor at George Washington University, has said Trump could be responsible for appointing half the federal judiciary by the end of his second term. Republicans could also have opportunities to solidify conservative control on the nation’s highest court if any of the current members retire. Biden is set to end his presidency with some district court seats still unfilled. More than two dozen vacancies in states with two Republican senators didn’t receive a nominee from the administration, according to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Committee tradition requires both home-state senators to return blue slips on a district court nomination before a confirmation hearing is set, giving senators a de facto veto over district court seats in their home states. Durbin stood by that practice despite calls from progressive groups to change or discontinue it.

'Betrayal': Dems livid as outgoing senators deliver 'crushing blow'The retail sector is winding down a year filled with financial distress marked by several establishments filing for Chapter 11 protection. Party City revealed on Dec. 20 that it was closing all stores and going out of business, and then filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Dec. 21. That retail collapse came a day after home goods retailer Big Lots, which already filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Sept. 9, revealed on Dec. 19 that it would begin going-out-of-business sales at all remaining store locations in the coming days after a proposed sale agreement with stalking-horse bidder Nexus Capital Management collapsed. Discount retailer 99 Cents Only also collapsed months earlier as it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 8, 2024, liquidated and closed down all 371 locations in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas. The Container Store is another home goods retailer facing severe economic problems. The retailer faced a recent financial dilemma when potential investment partner Beyond revealed in a statement on Nov. 20 that it had concerns about a proposed $40 million investment in the retail chain after the home goods retailer had not been able to secure additional financing acceptable to Beyond. Midvale, Utah-based Beyond, which owns online retailers Overstock, Bed Bath & Beyond, Baby & Beyond, and Zulily, on Oct. 15, 2024, reached a $40 million securities purchase agreement with The Container Store Group Inc. that required the home goods retailer to secure new financing on terms commercially acceptable to Beyond as a condition to closing. Under the agreement, Beyond has the right to determine in its sole discretion the adequacy of The Container Store’s financing arrangements. In the November statement, Beyond said “the proposed financing terms we have reviewed to date fall short of what we believe is necessary to complete the transaction. As careful stewards of our shareholders’ capital, we must remain steadfast in ensuring that the terms of any financing package work for both The Container Store and Beyond.” Under the agreement, The Container Store needed to obtain acceptable financing by Jan. 31, 2025, or Beyond could cancel the deal. NYSE delisted The Container Store The situation worsened for The Container Store on Dec. 9 when the New York Stock Exchange delisted and immediately suspended the trading of the retailer’s common stock, according to an NYSE statement. It seemed like that the Beyond deal was not going forward, and The Container Store needed proceed in a different direction. The Container Store files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Struggling home goods retailer The Container Store Inc. and four affiliates filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Sunday to restructure its debts with a prepackaged reorganization plan that will recapitalize the company and hand ownership of the company to its term loan lenders as a going concern. The Coppell, Texas, debtor hopes to complete the reorganization and exit bankruptcy in 35 days. Under the plan, the debtor’s lenders will provide the company with a $115 million debtor-in-possession financing and exit loan package, which includes $40 million in new money and a rollup of $75 million in prepetition debt in exchange to 100 percent new equity interest in the reorganized company, subject to dilution. The debtor said that 90 percent of its term loan lenders supported the transaction support agreement. It said that trade vendors and all other general unsecured creditors would be paid or compensated in full in the reorganization plan. The Container Store listed $969.2 million in assets and $836.3 million in debts in its petition filed on Dec. 22. The debtor, which was founded in 1978 and operates 102 stores in 34 states, specializes in storage and organization supplies, including closet and shelving systems. The debtor blamed its financial distress on reduced consumer spending on storage and organization products, fewer home sales, effects from inflation, the post-Covid-19 winddown and intense competition, according to a declaration filed by Chief Restructuring Officer Chad E. Coben.

Undefeated Oregon and No. 23 Texas A&M will collide Tuesday afternoon in Las Vegas in the second game of the new Players Era Festival. Both teams are in the "Power" group of the eight-team event. All eight teams are receiving $1 million for their name, image and likeness (NIL) collectives, but placing fourth or higher in the tourney in order will net them anywhere from $1.1 million to $1.5 million. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Netanyahu says he supports proposed ceasefire with Lebanon's Hezbollah JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he will recommend his Cabinet adopt a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, as Israeli warplanes struck across Lebanon, killing at least 24 people. The Israeli military also issued a flurry of evacuation warnings on Tuesday — a sign it was aiming to inflict punishment on Hezbollah down to the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. For the first time in the conflict, Israeli ground troops reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River, a focal point of the emerging deal. In a televised statement, Netanyahu said he would present the ceasefire to Cabinet ministers later on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting. Trump's threat to impose tariffs could raise prices for consumers, colliding with promise for relief DETROIT (AP) — If Donald Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation. Economists and industry officials say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, booze and other goods. The president-elect floated the tariff idea and an additional 10% tax on goods from China, as a way to force the countries to halt the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the U.S. But his posts Monday threatening tariffs on his first day in office could be a negotiating ploy to get the countries to change behavior. Mexico suggests it would impose its own tariffs to retaliate against any Trump tariffs MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has suggested Mexico could retaliate with tariffs of its own, after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose 25% tariffs on Mexican goods if the country doesn’t stop the flow of drugs and migrants across the border. Sheinbaum says she is willing to engage in talks on the issues, but said drugs were a U.S. problem. She says "one tariff would be followed by another in response, and so on until we put at risk common businesses,” referring to U.S. automakers that have plants on both sides of the border. Trump won about 2.5M more votes this year than he did in 2020. This is where he did it Republican Donald Trump’s support has grown broadly since he last sought the presidency. In his defeat of Democrat Kamala Harris, Trump won a bigger percentage of the vote in each one of the 50 states, and Washington, D.C., than he did four years ago. According to an Associated Press analysis, he won more actual votes than in 2020 in 40 states. Even with turnout lower, Trump received 2.5 million more votes than he did in 2020. Trump cut into places where Harris needed to overperform to win a close election, especially in swing-state metropolitan areas that have been Democrats' winning electoral strongholds. Now Democrats are weighing how to regain traction ahead of the midterm elections in two years. Biden proposes Medicare and Medicaid cover costly weight-loss drugs for millions of obese Americans WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of obese Americans would be eligible to have popular weight-loss drugs like Wegovy or Zepbound covered by Medicare or Medicaid under a new rule the Biden administration proposed Tuesday morning. The proposal, which would not be finalized until after President-elect Donald Trump takes office, could cost taxpayers as much as $35 billion over the next decade. It would give millions of people access to weekly injectables that have helped people shed pounds so quickly that some people have labeled them miracle drugs. New rule allows HIV-positive organ transplants People with HIV who need a kidney or liver transplant will be able to receive an organ from a donor with HIV. That's according to a new rule announced Tuesday by U.S. health officials. Previously, such transplants could be done only as part of research studies. The new rule takes effect Wednesday. It's expected to shorten the wait for organs for all, regardless of HIV status, by increasing the pool of available organs. The practice is supported by a decade of research, during which 500 transplants of kidneys and livers from HIV-positive donors have been done in the U.S. Surveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump's promised crackdown on immigration President-elect Donald Trump will return to power next year with a raft of technological tools at his disposal that would help deliver his campaign promise of cracking down on immigration — among them, surveillance and artificial intelligence technology that the Biden administration already uses to help make crucial decisions in tracking, detaining and ultimately deporting immigrants lacking permanent legal status. One algorithm, for example, ranks immigrants with a “Hurricane Score,” ranging from 1-5, to assess whether someone will “abscond” from the agency’s supervision. Ukraine says Russian attack sets a new record for the number of drones used KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The Ukrainian air force says Russia launched 188 drones against most regions of Ukraine in a nighttime blitz, describing it as a record number of drones deployed in a single attack. It said Tuesday that most of the drones were intercepted, but apartment buildings and critical infrastructure such as the national power grid were damaged. No casualties were immediately reported in the 17 targeted regions. Russia has been hammering civilian areas of Ukraine with increasingly heavy drone, missile and glide bomb attacks since the middle of the year. The Russian Defense Ministry, meanwhile, issued a rare official acknowledgement of its assets being hit on its own soil by U.S.-made longer-range missiles that the U.S. recently authorized Ukraine to use. UK Supreme Court hears landmark legal challenge over how a 'woman' is defined in law LONDON (AP) — The U.K. Supreme Court has begun hearing a legal challenge focusing on the definition of “woman” in a long-running dispute between a women’s right campaign group and the Scottish government. Five judges at Britain’s highest court are considering a case which seeks to clarify whether a trans person with a gender recognition certificate that recognizes them as female can be regarded as a woman under equality law. While the case centers on Scottish law, the women's campaign group bringing the challenge has said its outcome could have U.K.-wide consequences for sex-based rights as well as everyday single-sex services such as toilets and hospital wards. Childhood cancer patients in Lebanon must battle disease while under fire BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese families with children diagnosed with cancer are now grappling with the hardships of both illness and war. One family now has to drive three hours to reach the center where their 9-year-old gets treatment. It used to take just 90 minutes. Other families have been displaced by an intensified Israeli bombardment that began in late September. The Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon quickly identified each patient’s location to ensure treatments remained uninterrupted, sometimes facilitating them at hospitals closer to the families’ new locations. Doctors too have struggled during the war.Julie Appleby | KFF Health News Unauthorized switching of Affordable Care Act plans appears to have tapered off in recent weeks based on an almost one-third drop in casework associated with consumer complaints, say federal regulators . The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which oversees the ACA, credits steps taken to thwart enrollment and switching problems that triggered more than 274,000 complaints this year through August. Now, the annual ACA open enrollment period that began Nov. 1 poses a real-world test: Will the changes curb fraud by rogue agents or brokerages without unduly slowing the process of enrolling or reducing the total number of sign-ups for 2025 coverage? “They really have this tightrope to walk,” said Sabrina Corlette, co-director of the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University. “The more you tighten it up to prevent fraud, the more barriers there are that could inhibit enrollment among those who need the coverage.” CMS said in July that some types of policy changes — those in which the agent is not “affiliated” with the existing plan — will face more requirements, such as a three-way call with the consumer, broker, and a healthcare.gov call center representative. In August, the agency barred two of about a dozen private sector online-enrollment platforms from connecting with healthcare.gov over concerns related to improper switching. And CMS has suspended 850 agents suspected of being involved in unauthorized plan-switching from accessing the ACA marketplace. Still, the clampdown could add complexity to enrollment and slow the process. For example, a consumer might have to wait in a queue for a three-way call, or scramble to find a new agent because the one they previously worked with had been suspended. Given that phone lines with healthcare.gov staff already get busy — especially during mid-December — agents and policy analysts advise consumers not to dally this year. “Hit the ground running,” said Ronnell Nolan, president and CEO of Health Agents for America, a professional organization for brokers. Meanwhile, reports are emerging that some rogue entities are already figuring out workarounds that could undermine some of the anti-fraud protections CMS put in place, Nolan said. “Bottom line is: Fraud and abuse is still happening,” Nolan said. Brokers assist the majority of people actively enrolling in ACA plans and are paid a monthly commission by insurers for their efforts. Consumers can compare plans or enroll themselves online through federal or state marketplace websites. They can also seek help from people called assisters or navigators — certified helpers who are not paid commissions. Under a “find local help” button on the federal and state ACA websites , consumers can search for nearby brokers or navigators. CMS says it has “ramped up support operations” at its healthcare.gov marketplace call centers, which are open 24/7, in anticipation of increased demand for three-way calls, and it expects “minimal wait times,” said Jeff Wu, deputy director for policy of the CMS Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight. Wu said those three-way calls are necessary only when an agent or a broker not already associated with a consumer’s enrollment wants to change that consumer’s enrollment or end that consumer’s coverage. It does not apply to people seeking coverage for the first time. Organizations paid by the government to offer navigator services have a dedicated phone line to the federal marketplace, and callers are not currently experiencing long waits, said Xonjenese Jacobs, director of Florida Covering Kids & Families, a program based at the University of South Florida that coordinates enrollment across the state through its Covering Florida navigator program. Navigators can assist with the three-way calls if a consumer’s situation requires it. “Because we have our quick line in, there’s no increased wait time,” Jacobs said. The problem of unauthorized switches has been around for a while but took off during last year’s open enrollment season. Brokers generally blamed much of the problem on the ease with which rogue agents can access ACA information in the federal marketplace, needing only a person’s name, date of birth, and state of residence. Though federal regulators have worked to tighten that access with the three-way call requirement, they stopped short of instituting what some agent groups say is needed: two-factor authentication, which could involve a code accessed by a consumer through a smartphone. Unauthorized switches can lead to a host of problems for consumers, from higher deductibles to landing in new networks that do not include their preferred physicians or hospitals. Some people have received tax bills when unauthorized policies came with premium credits for which they did not qualify. Unauthorized switches posed a political liability for the Biden administration, a blemish on two years of record ACA enrollment. The practice drew criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle; Democrats demanded more oversight and punishment of rogue agents, while Republicans said fraud attempts were fueled by Biden administration moves that allowed for more generous premium subsidies and special enrollment periods. The fate of those enhanced subsidies, which are set to expire, will be decided by Congress next year as the Trump administration takes power. But the premiums and subsidies that come with 2025 plans that people are enrolling in now will remain in effect for the entire year. The actions taken this year to thwart the unauthorized enrollments apply to the federal marketplace, used by 31 states . The remaining states and the District of Columbia run their own websites, with many having in place additional layers of security. Related Articles Health | Do not wash your turkey and other Thanksgiving tips to keep your food safe Health | Feds suspend ACA marketplace access to companies accused of falsely promising ‘cash cards’ Health | Condor re-released after being treated for lead exposure Health | More foods are making us sick: What to know as foodborne outbreaks hit Health | At least 19 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall For its part, CMS says its efforts are working, pointing to the 30% drop in complaint casework. The agency also noted a 90% drop in the number of times an agent’s name was replaced by another’s, which it says indicates that it is tougher for rival agents to steal clients to gain the monthly commissions that insurers pay. Still, the move to suspend 850 agents has drawn pushback from agent groups that initially brought the problem to federal regulators’ attention. They say some of those accused were suspended before getting a chance to respond to the allegations. “There will be a certain number of agents and brokers who are going to be suspended without due process,” said Nolan, with the health agents’ group. She said that it has called for increased protections against unauthorized switching and that two-factor authentication, like that used in some state marketplaces or in the financial sector, would be more effective than what’s been done. “We now have to jump through so many hoops that I’m not sure we’re going to survive,” she said of agents in general. “They are just throwing things against the wall to see what sticks when they could just do two-factor.” The agency did not respond to questions asking for details about how the 850 agents suspended since July were selected, the states where they were located, or how many had their suspensions reversed after supplying additional information.

Nissan and Honda to attempt a merger that would create the world's No. 3 automaker TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda have announced plans to work toward a merger that would catapult them to a top position in an industry in the midst of tectonic shifts as it transitions away from its reliance on fossil fuels. The two companies said they signed an agreement on integrating their businesses on Monday. Smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors agreed to join the talks. News of a possible merger surfaced earlier this month. Japanese automakers face a strong challenge from their Chinese rivals and Tesla as they make inroads into markets at home and abroad. What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industry BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world’s third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry. Nordstrom to be acquired by Nordstrom family and a Mexican retail group in $6.25 billion deal Century-old department store Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired and taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal. Nordstrom shareholders will receive $24.25 in cash for each share of Nordstrom common stock, representing a 42% premium on the company’s stock as of March 18. Nordstrom’s board of directors unanimously approved the the proposed transaction, while Erik and Pete Nordstrom — part of the Nordstrom family taking over the company — recused themselves from voting. Following the close of the transaction, the Nordstrom Family will have a majority ownership stake in the company. An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump won a return to the White House in part by promising big changes in economic policy — more tax cuts, huge tariffs on imports, mass deportations of immigrants working in the United States illegally. In some ways, his victory marked a repudiation of President Joe Biden’s economic stewardship and a protest against inflation. It came despite low unemployment and steady growth under the Biden administration. What lies ahead for the economy under Trump? Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics spoke recently to The Associated Press. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. American consumers feeling less confident in December, Conference Board says American consumers are feeling less confident in December, a business research group says. The Conference Board said Monday that its consumer confidence index fell back in December to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Consumers had been feeling increasingly confident in recent months. The consumer confidence index measures both Americans’ assessment of current economic conditions and their outlook for the next six months. The measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for income, business and the job market tumbled more than a dozen points to 81.1. The Conference Board says a reading under 80 can signal a potential recession in the near future. Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened week Stocks closed higher on Wall Street at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.7% Monday. Several big technology companies helped support the gains, including chip companies Nvidia and Broadcom. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1%. Honda's U.S.-listed shares rose sharply after the company said it was in talks about a combination with Nissan in a deal that could also include Mitsubishi Motors. Eli Lilly rose after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. The internet is rife with fake reviews. Will AI make it worse? Researchers and watchdog groups say the emergence of generative artificial intelligence tools that allow people to efficiently produce detailed and novel online reviews has put merchants, service providers and consumers in uncharted territory. Phony reviews have long plagued many popular consumer websites, such as Amazon and Yelp. But AI-infused text generation tools enable fraudsters to produce reviews faster and in greater volume, according to tech industry experts. The deceptive practice is illegal in the U.S. and becomes a bigger problem for consumers during the holiday shopping season, when many people rely on reviews to buy gifts. A tech company and watchdog group that uses software to detect fake reviews says AI-generated reviews have multiplied. Romanian lawmakers narrowly approve new pro-European coalition during period of political turmoil BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanian lawmakers have voted narrowly in favor of a new pro-European coalition government led by incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. The move on Monday could usher in an end to a protracted political crisis in the European Union country following the annulment of a presidential election. Parliament approved the new administration in a 240-143 vote in the 466-seat legislature. The new coalition is made up of the leftist Social Democratic Party, the center-right National Liberal Party, the small ethnic Hungarian UDMR party and national minorities. President Klaus Iohannis swore in the new government on Monday night. Government regulators close investigation into Ford Focus recalls Government safety regulators are closing an investigation into two previous recalls of the Ford Focus after determining that Ford Motor Co. has satisfied its concerns. Ford recalled around 1.5 million Ford Focus sedans from the 2012-2018 model years in 2018 because they could lose power. The issue was a malfunctioning canister purge valve and software that didn’t adequately detect when it was stuck open. Ford fixed the software in two separate recalls, but after cars continued to stall, the government opened an inquiry last year. Earlier this fall, Ford offered to replace the canister purge valve on all of the vehicles, satisfying regulators' concerns. AI will eavesdrop on world's wildest places to track and help protect endangered wildlife PUERTO JIMÉNEZ, Costa Rica (AP) — A biologist hid 350 audio monitors across Costa Rica’s tropical rainforests to spy on endangered spider monkeys in order to help protect them. But she had to go back to collect the data and feed those sounds into artificial intelligence systems that can recognize monkey calls. Now tech giant Microsoft's philanthropic arm is hoping to supercharge AI-assisted wildlife research with new solar-powered devices that can capture sounds, images and other wilderness data for a year or more without human intervention. Researchers say more AI wildlife surveillance is urgently needed to monitor the health of species at risk of extinction.

Alabama flips RB Jace Clarizio from Michigan State