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IKEA debuts ‘as-is’ online store for discontinued, used items

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:02 GMT

You spent hours assembling an IKEA entertainment center, tiny hex wrench in hand. But now it’s time to dispatch the contraption, 1,879 parts and all.IKEA will take it back, give you store credit, and in a new twist, post the “gently used” item for resale — online.The Swedish flat-pack furniture retailer on April 5 launched an “as-is” website for used goods. There are a few catches, which we’ll get to in a minute.The resale movement is growing among retailers and consumers who’d rather see goods put back into use rather than dumped into a landfill.Bargain hunters at IKEA are probably familiar with the as-is room, typically near the cash registers at most of the mega-warehouse stores. That room, in essence, is now growing to include items returned by customers and those discontinued by IKEA or removed from the showroom displays.The online site for resale goods is a first for IKEA, and it’s available only to the retailer’s “Family” members, a free membership program that offers small d...

HSBC buys Silicon Valley Bank’s UK business, ending ‘nightmare’ for British tech

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:02 GMT

By Michelle Toh, Rob North and Olesya Dmitracova | CNNHSBC has scooped up the UK arm of failed Silicon Valley Bank, securing the deposits of thousands of British tech firms that hold money at the lender.Had a buyer not been found, SVB UK would have been placed into insolvency by the Bank of England following the stunning collapse of its parent in the United States. Insolvency would have left customers with only deposits worth up to £85,000 ($100,000) — or £170,000 ($200,000) for joint accounts — guaranteed.In a statement, the central bank said it “can confirm that all depositors’ money with SVB UK is safe and secure as a result of this transaction.”HSBC, Europe’s biggest bank, announced the £1 ($1.2) deal early Monday morning, saying it would be effective “immediately.”The acquisition should “end the nightmare thousands of tech firms had been experiencing over the past few days,” Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at investin...

Actor Michael Lerner dies; scored Oscar nomination for role in ‘Barton Fink’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:02 GMT

By Lindsey Bahr | Associated PressMichael Lerner, the Brooklyn-born character actor who played a myriad of imposing figures in his 60 years in the business, including monologuing movie mogul Jack Lipnick in “Barton Fink,” the crooked club owner Bugsy Calhoun in “Harlem Nights” and an angry publishing executive in “Elf” has died. He was 81.His nephew, actor Sam Lerner, announced his death in an Instagram post Sunday. Sam Lerner wrote that his uncle died Saturday but did not provide further details. Neither his nor Michael Lerner’s representatives immediately responded to requests for further comment.“He was the coolest, most confident, talented guy,” Sam Lerner wrote. “Everyone that knows him knows how insane he was — in the best way…we’re all lucky we can continue to watch his work for the rest of time. RIP Michael, enjoy your unlimited Cuban cigars, comfy chairs, and endless movie marathon.”Born in 1941 t...

Will Gavin Newsom run for president? Experts say it’s not if, but when

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:02 GMT

(The Hill) - While California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has repeatedly denied that his sights are set on the White House, experts believe that it’s not a question of if he will run for president, but when.Newsom, 55, has long been seen as a politician with Washington ambitions, and while no Democrat has ever jumped from the California governor’s mansion to the White House, many believe Newsom would like to be the first.“My sense is that the governor is trying to leave his options open,” Eric Schickler, a political science professor at the University of California, Berkeley, told The Hill. “I don’t think there’s any expectation at all he would challenge Joe Biden for reelection.”“Building a national profile now, the most likely scenario where that really comes to fruition is for 2028,” Schickler said.Newsom has been working to do just that, particularly in battling Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is widely seen as a likely GOP presidential candidate this year.Newsom stopped in Florida on ...

‘Sign, sign, everywhere a sign’ pointing to Tesla at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:02 GMT

Hear our full conversation on my podcast “Beyond the Fame.” toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Jason Fraley previews Tesla at Hollywood Casino (Part 1) $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); ga('send', 'event', 'Audio', 'play', audio_filename); }); }); They were a staple of the U.S. rock scene throughout the ’80s and ’90s, but Tesla is still going strong, having just played their first-ever residency in Las Vegas at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.This Friday night, th...

Hollywood stars see Wrexham dream move one step closer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:02 GMT

WREXHAM, Wales (AP) — Ryan Reynolds punched the air before turning to embrace Rob McElhenney as the Hollywood stars moved a big step closer to their dream of leading Welsh soccer team Wrexham to promotion. The pair celebrated at the end of a game that had all the thrills of a big screen blockbuster and the ultimate twist as former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster pulled off a penalty save in the seventh minute of stoppage time to secure a 3-2 win against closest rival Notts County on Monday.Wrexham, which has been given A-list sparkle after being bought by the two actors, moved three points clear at the top of the National League with a game in hand. Elliot Lee’s 78th-minute strike was the decisive goal after both teams had led during the match. But it was Foster’s save to deny Cedwyn Scott that secured victory and put the fourth tier of English soccer within sight. It had been billed as possibly the biggest game in the history of soccer at this level — and it did...

Islanders’ Horvat clarifies ‘better than Vancouver’ comment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:02 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bo Horvat on Monday attempted to clarify a comment he made after a weekend victory by his New York Islanders that caught the ire of fans back home in Vancouver.Horvat was asked after the Islanders’ home win against Philadelphia on Saturday how the atmosphere and excitement of the building ranked for him and replied: “It’s been unbelievable. It’s a lot better than Vancouver, I can tell you that for free.”The comment went viral considering Horvat played parts of nine seasons with the Canucks and served as their captain before the trade to New York in late January. Horvat said Monday he wasn’t expecting the fallout and explained it as a “heat-of-the-moment thing.”“I didn’t mean any disrespect to the fans of Vancouver, the teammates or city of Vancouver at all,” Horvat said after the team’s morning skate before facing the Washington Capitals. “It wasn’t directed at them at all. (Islanders) fans were all excited, and I was excited to be in ...

JGR’s Christopher Bell off to near-historic NASCAR start

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:02 GMT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Christopher Bell, fresh off his first victory of the season on the Bristol dirt, learned he was on a near-historic pace in NASCAR. His five career wins in 116 starts is second most among active drivers, with only NASCAR champion Brad Keselowski winning more this early in his Cup Series career. “That’s pretty cool,” said the 28-year-old Bell, who is in his third full season driving for powerhouse Joe Gibbs Racing. “But I try to not look at the stats and focus on the task at hand,” Bell said Sunday night after leading the final 100 laps to win at Bristol Motor Speedway. “That is very rewarding to hear, and hopefully I’m not done here.” Oh, Bell’s not done, and he’s rising as the cornerstone driver at JGR, whose racers include NASCAR champ Martin Truex Jr. and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin. Bell’s four victories the past two seasons are the most at Gibbs. Hamlin’s won twice in that span while Truex Jr., the 2017 series ch...

General Assembly heads into final day of 445th session

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:02 GMT

This content was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partners at Maryland Matters. Sign up for Maryland Matters’ free email subscription today.After 89 days sifting through more than 2,000 pieces of proposed legislation, the Maryland General Assembly is set to conclude its 445th session at midnight.With many of the most heavily debated issues settled, the first year of the term has been characterized by turnover and new energy at the top levels of government and a willingness to work together, legislative leaders said.After a Saturday meeting of the House of Delegates, more than 576 bills have been passed. That includes almost all of Democratic Gov. Wes Moore’s legislative agenda, albeit with some amendments. The remaining bills in the governor’s agenda — including the Maryland Educator Shortage Act and a bill to establish Moore’s new Department of Service and Civic Innovation — are likely to see final passage on Monday.Democratic majorities in the General Assembly have als...

Washington Commanders to pay $625K to settle DC’s ticket deposit lawsuit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:02 GMT

The Washington Commanders will pay more than half a million dollars to settle a lawsuit in D.C. alleging the team engaged in deceptive practices to hold on to hundreds of thousands of dollars in security deposits paid by fans for premium tickets.Under the terms of the settlement, announced by D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb on Monday, the Commanders will return over $200,000 to D.C. residents and pay $425,000 to the District for attorney’s fees and other costs.“Rather than being transparent and upfront in their ticket sale practices, the Commanders unlawfully took advantage of their fan base, holding on to security deposits instead of returning them,” D.C. Attorney Brian Schwalb said in a news release, adding that his office will “maintain strict oversight” over the team to ensure fans are reimbursed.The team denied the allegations and, under the terms of the settlement, does not admit any wrongdoing.D.C. filed the consumer protection suit in November, under Sc...