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Developers of lab space for biotech startups are moving ahead with a downtown Baltimore project that aims to create more than 100 jobs over the next four years. City officials last week approved a $200,000 convertible loan for operators of 4MLK Connect Labs, which will offer 35,000-square-feet of flex lab space for early stage biotech and life sciences companies in the University of Maryland BioPark’s newest building. The city loan and a $2 million loan from the state Department of Commerce will cover the purchase of specialized lab equipment and be tied to performance and job creation goals. The lab operator and borrower is a joint venture of an affiliate of Wexford Science & Technology, the building’s developer, and a subsidiary of Ventas. Such projects are critical for the state to attract life sciences companies and remain competitive in the sector, said Maryland Commerce Secretary Kevin Anderson. “We have tremendous innovation coming from our universities and our private sector and this new space will help those ideas to grow from the lab to the marketplace,” Anderson said in an announcement of the project. The lab developer expects to attract emerging companies in the life sciences, computational, engineering and energy industries with at least 100 full-time employees by the end of 2028. If the job and other goals are met, all outstanding deferred principal and accrued interest will be forgiven on the city loan, which was approved last week by the city Board of Estimates through the Baltimore Development Corp. Colin Tarbert, BDC president and chief executive officer, said state-of-the-art lab space can help build the city’s life sciences ecosystem and attract national attention. It’s part of a joint city/state effort to spur economic growth, generate tax revenue and build the region as a hub for scientific and technological advancement. The lab will open in 4MLK, a newly constructed eight-story building at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Baltimore Street developed by Wexford Science + Technology. Related Articles Boosters of the project say the building was designed to provide much-needed wet laboratory space for researchers and companies and foster collaboration between the University of Maryland, Baltimore and the University of Maryland Medical Center. The flex lab space will be subleased to a developer-formed joint venture to operate, manage, staff and sub-lease to early stage companies. The 14-acre park, located on the west side of the university’s campus, is expected to include nearly 2 million square feet of lab and office space in a dozen buildings at full build-out.Here’s my 3-step plan to target a £2,400+ second income in 2025!

An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump’s political coalitionPHILADELPHIA , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC) announced today it will release its fourth quarter 2024 earnings on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 , after the stock market close via PR Newswire and the company's website https://investors.fmc.com . The company will host a webcast conference call on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 , at 5:00 p.m. ET that is open to the public via internet broadcast and telephone. At this time, management will provide commentary on the results from the fourth quarter and full year 2024, guidance for the first quarter and full year 2025, as well as an update on the three-year outlook and the company's strategy. The call time has been extended to 90 minutes from the usual 60 minutes to accommodate the number of topics and Q&A adequately. Conference Call Details: Internet broadcast: https://investors.fmc.com United States (Local): +1 404 975 4839 United States ( Toll-Free ): +1 833 470 1428 Global Dial-In Numbers: Global Dial-in Number Access Code: 338624 Pre-Registration Link: https://www.netroadshow.com/events/login?show=2f7e0221&confId=75596 A replay of the call will be available via the internet and telephone from 6:30 p.m. ET on February 4, 2025 , until February 24, 2025 . Internet replay: https://investors.fmc.com United States (Local): 1 929 458 6194 United States ( Toll-Free ): 1 866 813 9403 Access Code: 793208 About FMC FMC Corporation is a global agricultural sciences company dedicated to helping growers produce food, feed, fiber and fuel for an expanding world population while adapting to a changing environment. FMC's innovative crop protection solutions – including biologicals, crop nutrition, digital and precision agriculture – enable growers and crop advisers to address their toughest challenges economically while protecting the environment. With approximately 5,800 employees at more than 100 sites worldwide, FMC is committed to discovering new herbicide, insecticide and fungicide active ingredients, product formulations and pioneering technologies that are consistently better for the planet. Visit fmc.com to learn more and follow us on LinkedIn ® . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fmc-corporation-announces-date-for-fourth-quarter-2024-earnings-release-and-webcast-conference-call-302336288.html SOURCE FMC Corporation

NEW YORK (AP) — An early rebound for U.S. stocks on Thursday petered out by the end of the day, leaving indexes close to flat. The S&P 500 edged down by 0.1% following Wednesday’s tumble of 2.9% when the Federal Reserve said it may deliver fewer cuts to interest rates next year than earlier thought. The index had been up as much as 1.1% in the morning. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 15 points, or less than 0.1%, following Wednesday’s drop of 1,123 points, while the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.1%. This week’s struggles have taken some of the enthusiasm out of the market, which critics had been warning was overly buoyant and would need everything to go correctly for it to justify its high prices. But indexes remain near their records , and the S&P 500 is still on track for one of its best years of the millennium with a gain of 23%. Traders are now expecting the Federal Reserve to deliver just one or maybe two cuts to interest rates next year, according to data from CME Group. Some are even betting on none. A month ago, the majority saw at least two cuts in 2025 as a safe bet. Wall Street loves lower interest rates because they give the economy a boost and goose prices for investments, but they can also provide fuel for inflation. Micron Technology was one of the heaviest weights on the S&P 500 Thursday. It fell 16.2% despite reporting stronger profit for the latest quarter than expected. The computer memory company’s revenue fell short of Wall Street’s forecasts, and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra said it expects demand from consumers to remain weaker in the near term. It gave a forecast for revenue in the current quarter that fell well short of what analysts were thinking. Lamb Weston, which makes French fries and other potato products, dropped 20.1% after falling short of analysts’ expectations for profit and revenue in the latest quarter. It also cut its financial targets for the fiscal year, saying demand for frozen potatoes is continuing to soften, particularly outside North America. The company replaced its chief executive. Such losses helped overshadow a 14.7% jump for Darden Restaurants, the company behind Olive Garden and other chains. It delivered profit for the latest quarter that edged past analysts’ expectations. The operator of LongHorn Steakhouses also gave a forecast for revenue for this fiscal year that topped analysts’. Accenture rose 7.1% after the professional services company likewise topped expectations for profit in the latest quarter. CEO Julie Sweet said it saw growth around the world, and the company raised its forecast for revenue this fiscal year. Amazon shares added 1.3%, even as workers at seven of its facilities went on strike Thursday in the middle of the online retail giant’s busiest time of the year. Amazon says it doesn’t expect an impact on its operations during what the workers’ union calls the largest strike against the company in U.S. history. In the bond market, yields were mixed a day after shooting higher on expectations that the Fed would deliver fewer cuts to rates in 2025. Reports on the U.S. economy came in mixed. One showed the overall economy grew at a 3.1% annualized rate during the summer, faster than earlier thought. The economy has remained remarkably resilient even though the Fed held its main interest rate at a two-decade high for a while before beginning to cut them in September. A separate report showed fewer U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week, an indication that the job market also remains solid. But a third report said manufacturing in the mid-Atlantic region is unexpectedly contracting again despite economists’ expectations for growth. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.57% from 4.52% late Wednesday and from less than 4.20% earlier this month. But the two-year yield, which more closely tracks expectations for action by the Fed in the near term, eased back to 4.31% from 4.35%. The rise in longer-term yields has put pressure on the housing market by keeping mortgage rates higher. Homebuilder Lennar fell 5.2% after reporting weaker profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. CEO Stuart Miller said that “the housing market that appeared to be improving as the Fed cut short-term interest rates, proved to be far more challenging as mortgage rates rose” through the quarter. “Even while demand remained strong, and the chronic supply shortage continued to drive the market, our results were driven by affordability limitations from higher interest rates,” he said. A report on Thursday may have offered some encouragement for the housing industry. It showed a pickup in sales of previously occupied homes. All told, the S&P 500 slipped 5.08 points to 5,867.08. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 15.37 to 42,342.24, and the Nasdaq composite lost 19.92 to 19,372.77. In stock markets abroad, London’s FTSE 100 fell 1.1% after the Bank of England paused its cuts to rates and kept its main interest rate unchanged on Thursday. The move comes as inflation there moved further above the central bank’s 2% target rate, while the British economy is flatlining at best. The Bank of Japan also kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged, and Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.7%. Indexes likewise sank across much of the rest of Asia and Europe. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.( MENAFN - EIN Presswire) SACRAMENTO, CA, UNITED STATES, December 27, 2024 /EINPresswire / -- The AIM Act phases down HFCs, which are commonly used as refrigerants in air conditioning and refrigeration systems, reducing greenhouse gases. It pushes the HVAC-R industry to adopt eco-friendly substitutes. What is the AIM Act? The American Innovation and manufacturing (AIM) Act, enacted on December 27, 2020, is a significant piece of environmental legislation in the United States. It directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 85% by 20361. The AIM Act provides the EPA with the authority to manage HFCs and their substitutes, and to facilitate the transition to next-generation technologies through sector-based restrictions. What are Hydrofluorocarbons? HFCs are synthetic organic compounds composed of hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon atoms. They are widely used as refrigerants in air conditioning and refrigeration systems. HFCs were developed to replace ozone-depleting substances like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). While HFCs do not harm the ozone layer, they are potent greenhouse gases with a high global warming potential, contributing significantly to climate change. Why is Reducing Emissions a Priority? Reducing emissions, particularly of greenhouse gases like HFCs, is crucial for mitigating climate change. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate-related impacts such as extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and disruptions to ecosystems. Achieving this target requires significant reductions in emissions from all sectors, including the HVAC-R industry, which heavily relies on HFCs. Focal Points of the AIM Act The AIM Act focuses on three main areas: - Phasing Down HFCs: The Act mandates an 85% reduction in the production and consumption of HFCs by 2036. - Managing HFCs and Substitutes: It provides the EPA with the authority to manage HFCs and their substitutes, ensuring a smooth transition to environmentally friendly alternatives. - Facilitating Technological Transition: The Act encourages the development and adoption of next-generation technologies that are more climate-friendly and energy-efficient. 5. How to Prepare for Automatic Leak Detection Requirements To comply with the AIM Act's requirements for automatic leak detection, businesses in the HVAC-R industry should take the following steps: - Understand Regulatory Requirements: Familiarize yourself with the specific leak detection regulations outlined by the EPA. This includes understanding the types of systems that require leak detection and the standards they must meet. - Invest in Technology: Implement advanced leak detection technologies that can automatically detect and alert you to leaks. These systems should be capable of detecting even small leaks to prevent significant emissions. - Regular Maintenance and Calibration: Ensure that leak detection systems are regularly maintained and calibrated according to the manufacturer's instructions. This helps maintain their accuracy and reliability. - Training and Education: Train staff on the importance of leak detection and how to operate and maintain the systems. Proper training ensures that everyone understands their role in preventing emissions. - Record Keeping and Reporting: Maintain detailed records of leak detection activities, including inspections, maintenance, and any detected leaks. This documentation is crucial for compliance and can help identify patterns or recurring issues. By taking these steps, businesses can not only comply with the AIM Act but also contribute to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. Dimitar Dechev Super Brothers Plumbing Heating & Air +1 916-588-7767 email us here Visit us on social media: Facebook X LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Other Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "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 author above. MENAFN27122024003118003196ID1109036074 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.An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is getting a new 4K Blu-ray release with a steelbook case on March 4, 2025 . Exclusive to Walmart and available to preorder now for $28, The Super Mario Bros. Limited Edition Steelbook is likely to sell out fast. Walmart's exclusive steelbook releases of popular films often sell out well before launch, and we're talking about the biggest video game adaptation of all time here. In a bizarre plot twist, Walmart has also restocked the original steelbook release. You can purchase the Power-Up Edition's Collectible Steelbook version for $28 , too. This edition has largely been sold out since prior to launch last June, but sporadic, briefly available restocks have popped up at major retailers over the past year. Now, the question you need to ask yourself is: Do you love Question Blocks (the new steelbook) or Super Mushrooms (the old steelbook) more? Or you could be like a-me and buy a-both. Super Mario Bros. Movie Steelbook Editions: Original 2023 release with Super Mushroom Steelbook -- $28 | Restocked at Walmart, available now New 2025 Walmart-exclusive with Question Block Steelbook -- $28 | Preorder at Walmart, releases March 4 The Super Mario Bros. Movie Special Features Leveling Up: Making The Super Mario Bros. Movie - Six-part featurette detailing the creation of the adaptation. The Super Mario Bros. Movie Field Guide - Featurette introducing the Mushroom Kingdom and its inhabitants. Getting to Know the Cast - The voice actors discuss their roles. Leadership Lessons from Anya Taylor-Joy - Princess Peach's voice actor talks about being a leader.. Peaches Lyric Video - Jack Black, also known as Bowser, sings his smash hit ballad about Princess Peach. The Super Mario Bros. Movie is also available for cheap on 4K Blu-ray without a steelbook case at Amazon and Walmart. The standard Blu-ray and DVD releases are steeply discounted right now, too: Super Mario Bros. Movie without steelbook case: Amazon 4K Blu-ray -- $13 Blu-ray -- $10.50 DVD -- $8 Walmart 4K Blu-ray -- $13 Blu-ray -- $10.50 DVD -- $8SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Davion Bailey had 19 points in Incarnate Word's 65-53 win against East Texas A&M on Saturday. Bailey had four steals for the Cardinals (5-4, 1-1 Southland Conference). Dylan Hayman went 5 of 11 from the field (1 for 3 from 3-point range) to add 11 points. Jalin Anderson had nine points and shot 2 of 9 from the field, including 0 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 5 for 7 from the line. The Lions (1-9, 0-2) were led in scoring by Scooter Williams Jr., who finished with 10 points. Mykol Sanchez-Vega added nine points for East Texas A&M. Josh Taylor finished with eight points. The Lions prolonged their losing streak to six in a row. NEXT UP Incarnate Word next plays Tuesday against Duke on the road, and East Texas A&M hosts South Alabama on Sunday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from .

ANCHORAGE, Alaska--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 19, 2024-- Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI), an Alaska Native regional corporation, announced the purchase of OSC Edge (OSC), a leading provider of IT engineering, integration and testing and data management services to government and private-sector businesses. “I applaud the Board’s decision to move forward with this acquisition. It reflects our shared commitment to growth, innovation and creating long-term value for our Shareholders,” CIRI CEO Swami Iyer said. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, OSC Edge provides expert solutions in Enterprise IT to the government and commercial organizations. OSC’s staff, comprising over 300 team members spanning 27 U.S. states, multiple countries, and 3 continents, is committed to providing the highest quality IT engineering, integration and testing, and data-management services. OSC Edge is a graduated 8(a) company. As a CIRI subsidiary, OSC will gain access to new networks, enhanced operational capabilities and the potential for increased scalability, positioning the company for greater success in a competitive environment. Co-founder Tiffany Bailey will remain as OSC’s president and CEO. “I’m incredibly excited about this new chapter and the opportunities that come with being part of the CIRI family,” Bailey said. “This acquisition marks a significant milestone for our company and I truly believe it will fuel our growth and success.” OSC adds to CIRI’s diverse and strategic business portfolio that currently exceeds $1 billion in assets. The acquisition aligns with CIRI’s long-term business strategy. Cook Inlet Region, Inc., also known as CIRI, is one of 12 land-based Alaska Native regional corporations created pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). CIRI’s regional boundaries roughly follow the traditional Dena’ina territory of Southcentral Alaska. CIRI was incorporated on June 8, 1972, and is owned today by a diverse group of more than 9,400 Shareholders who live in Alaska and throughout the world. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219707075/en/ CONTACT: Lori Nelson 907-263-5131 media@ciri.com KEYWORD: ALASKA GEORGIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY SECURITY OTHER TECHNOLOGY PUBLIC POLICY/GOVERNMENT SOFTWARE NETWORKS INTERNET HARDWARE DATA MANAGEMENT OTHER POLICY ISSUES SOURCE: Cook Inlet Region, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/19/2024 04:30 PM/DISC: 12/19/2024 04:30 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219707075/en

Exeter Chiefs’ ploy of using the Premiership Rugby Cup to build momentum before a return to league appears to have worked as the Devon side blew top-flight rivals Gloucester away 31-7 on their home turf on Friday night. The impressive display builds on 68-7 and 54-3 thrashings of Championship sides Cornish Pirates and Hartpury in the first two pool stage games of the cup and will go some way to rebuilding confidence at the club after the Devon side’s winless start in the Premiership to leave them languishing ninth in the table. Exeter were full of intensity, fight and drive from the first minute as they systematically took Gloucester apart in almost every area of the game in the first half to score five tries without reply, and it could have even been more with Greg Fisilau held up over the line by some desperate defence from the shellshocked hosts. But there was no stopping Rusi Tuima, Ben Hammersley, Will Rigg, Josh Hodge or Stu Townsend as Exeter ran riot of the artificial turf at Kingsholm to see the Cherry and Whites head down the tunnel to a smattering of boos around the ground. Tuima, fresh from England A duty, picked and powered his way over the line before Hammersley cut a line off a delayed pass from Will Haydon-Wood to slice through. Then came two stunning individual scores, first from centre Rigg who proved he can dominate Premiership standard defences as he handed off Ollie Thorley before racing down the tramlines. Player of the match Hodge scored the pick of the tries, taking a loose kick on his own 22 before speculatively taking off, rounding a trio of statuesque Gloucester forwards before exchanging passes with Townsend and touching down for an 80m score. Townsend then finished an alert break down the blindside from the outstanding Dan Frost. On paper, these were two well-balanced sides, but on the pitch it was night and day as Exeter sliced and diced the hosts to force Cherry and Whites boss George Skivington into a furious halftime blast. With his words ringing in their ears, Gloucester - who until Friday had scored an attacking bonus point in their first eight games this season, came out with more intent after the break as they wrestled back control of the scrum as the game progressed and tipped the territory and possession stats back in their favour. With the pressure building on the visitors, Tuima was shown a yellow card after repeat team offences and with Chiefs a man short, Val Rapava-Ruskin blasted his way through a double tackle from Ethan Roots and Jacques Vermeulen to touchdown under the posts, but it was a mere consolation score. Gloucester will take pride in preventing from Exeter scoring in the second half, but the silver linings are few and far between with a trip to defending champions Northampton Saints in the league next weekend having been thrashed 90-0 at Franklin’s Gardens on their last visit, while Chiefs head to current table toppers Bath. Gloucester Rugby: 15. Ioan Jones, 14. Christian Wade, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Rory Taylor, 11. Ollie Thorley, 10. Charlie Atkinson, 9. Caolan Englefield; 1. Mayco Vivas, 2. Seb Blake, 3. Ciaran Knight, 4. Freddie Clarke, 5. Danny Eite, 6. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Lewis Ludlow (c), 8. Zach Mercer Replacements: 16. Jack Singleton, 17. Val Rapava-Ruskin, 18. Afo Fasogbon, 19. Arthur Clark, 20. Jack Clement, 21. Charlie Chapman, 22. Max Knight, 23. Jack Reeves Exeter Chiefs: 15. Josh Hodge, 14. Ben Hammersley, 13. Tamati Tua, 12. Will Rigg, 11. Tommy Wyatt, 10. Will Haydon-Wood, 9. Stu Townsend; 1. Scott Sio, 2. Dan Frost, 3. Marcus Street, 4. Rusi Tuima, 5. Richard Capstick, 6. Ethan Roots, 7. Jacques Vermeulen (c), 8. Greg Fisilau Replacements: 16. Jack Innard, 17. Will Goodrick-Clarke, 18. Jimmy Roots, 19. Lewis Pearson, 20. Martin Moloney, 21. Will Becconsall, 22. Harvey Skinner, 23. Zack Wimbush Referee: Joe JamesNEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 26, 2024-- BlackRock Advisors, LLC announced today that the Boards of Directors of BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc. (NYSE: EGF) and BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. (NYSE: BKT) (each, a “Fund” and together, the “Funds”) have approved the reorganization of EGF with and into BKT, with BKT continuing as the surviving Fund (collectively, the “Reorganization”). Following the closing of the Reorganization, BKT, as the surviving Fund, intends to offer to repurchase a portion of its common shares via an annual tender offer if certain conditions are met during specified time periods. It is currently expected that the Reorganization will be completed in the first half of 2025, subject to the requisite approvals by EGF’s shareholders. Shareholders of BKT are not required to approve the Reorganization. Additional Information about the Reorganization and Where to Find It This press release is not intended to, and does not, constitute an offer to purchase or sell shares of the Funds nor is this press release intended to solicit a proxy from any shareholder of any of the Funds. The solicitation of the purchase or sale of securities or of proxies to effect the Reorganization will only be made by either a definitive Proxy Statement/Prospectus. This press release references a Proxy Statement/Prospectus, to be filed by BKT. The Proxy Statement/Prospectus has yet to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). After the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is filed with the SEC, it may be amended or withdrawn. The Proxy Statement/Prospectus will not be distributed to shareholders of EGF unless and until a Registration Statement comprising of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is declared effective by the SEC. The Funds and their respective directors, officers and employees, and BlackRock, and its shareholders, officers and employees and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies with respect to the Reorganization. Investors and shareholders may obtain more detailed information regarding the direct and indirect interests of the Funds' respective directors, officers and employees, and BlackRock and its shareholders, officers and employees and other persons by reading the Proxy Statement/Prospectus when it is filed with the SEC. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF THE FUNDS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THESE DOCUMENTS WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE REORGANIZATION. INVESTORS SHOULD CONSIDER THE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, RISKS, CHARGES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS CAREFULLY. THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS WILL CONTAIN INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO THE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, RISKS, CHARGES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS. The Proxy Statement/Prospectus will not constitute an offer to buy or sell securities, in any state where such offer or sale is not permitted. Security holders may obtain free copies (when they become available) of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov . In addition, free copies (when they become available) of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC may also be obtained by directing a request to BlackRock at (800) 882-0052. About BlackRock BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate Availability of Fund Updates BlackRock will update performance and certain other data for the Funds on a monthly basis on its website in the “Closed-end Funds” section of www.blackrock.com as well as certain other material information as necessary from time to time. Investors and others are advised to check the website for updated performance information and the release of other material information about the Funds. This reference to BlackRock’s website is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Funds and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRock’s website in this release. Forward-Looking Statements This press release, and other statements that BlackRock or a Fund may make, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, with respect to a Fund’s or BlackRock’s future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “trend,” “potential,” “opportunity,” “pipeline,” “believe,” “comfortable,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “current,” “intention,” “estimate,” “position,” “assume,” “outlook,” “continue,” “remain,” “maintain,” “sustain,” “seek,” “achieve,” and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or similar expressions. BlackRock cautions that forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and BlackRock assumes no duty to and does not undertake to update forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance. With respect to each Fund, the following factors, among others, could cause actual events to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: (1) changes and volatility in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment, foreign exchange rates or financial and capital markets, which could result in changes in demand for the Fund or in the Fund’s net asset value; (2) the relative and absolute investment performance of the Fund and its investments; (3) the impact of increased competition; (4) the unfavorable resolution of any legal proceedings; (5) the extent and timing of any distributions or share repurchases; (6) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes; (7) the impact of legislative and regulatory actions and reforms, and regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions of government agencies relating to the Fund or BlackRock, as applicable; (8) terrorist activities, international hostilities, health epidemics and/or pandemics and natural disasters, which may adversely affect the general economy, domestic and local financial and capital markets, specific industries or BlackRock; (9) BlackRock’s ability to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (10) the impact of BlackRock electing to provide support to its products from time to time; and (11) the impact of problems at other financial institutions or the failure or negative performance of products at other financial institutions. Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and other regulatory filings of each Fund with the SEC are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on BlackRock’s website at www.blackrock.com , and may discuss these or other factors that affect the Fund. The information contained on BlackRock’s website is not a part of this press release. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126352668/en/ CONTACT: BlackRock Closed-End Funds 1-800-882-0052 KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ASSET MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINANCE SOURCE: BlackRock Closed-End Funds Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/26/2024 05:06 PM/DISC: 11/26/2024 05:05 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126352668/en

Jamiya Neal's monster game leads Creighton past UNLVE lon Musk’s tech bros have clashed with the Maga rank and file over immigration for Silicon Valley workers, exposing the fragile alliance forged to put Donald Trump in the White House. The chief executive of Tesla — who spent $277 million backing Trump and other Republicans during November’s election — believes America must attract top engineering talent to secure technological dominance over China. Musk, 53, who has been put in charge of cutting government waste in Trump’s incoming administration, joined other prominent Silicon Valley figures in criticising a lack of highly-skilled workers to meet the industry’s demands at a time of intense competition over artificial intelligence. Trump’s base — energised by the president-elect’s harsh rhetoric — is broadly opposed to immigration, however, whether skilled or

How will Australia's under-16 social media ban work? We asked the law's enforcer

1. "Pocket World," a stress relief coloring book for adults full of whimsical miniature Polly Pocket-esque worlds to color, with no two alike. I'm talking fairy gardens, tiny hygge-style living rooms, quirky restaurants, and more. Psst — Coco Wyo has a *ton* of other cozy stress relief coloring books with different themes in their Amazon storefront ! Another psst — you can pick up a cult-fave colored pencil set on Amazon for $11.99! Promising review: "One of my favorites ever!!! The idea is perfect, and the pages are all unique and fun to color, with no repetition, and the details aren't too tiny. Great for anxiety if you're doing coloring for mental health. (I hate the pages that are just tiny patterns repeated endlessly. Makes my anxiety worse.)" — Ezra Johnson Get it from Amazon for $7.99 . 2. A mini inflatable tube guy for your desk to cheer you on (or remind you to take a lil' dance break whenever you overwork yourself). Promising review: "OMG! I love this guy! These things, large and small, will ALWAYS make me laugh. My husband bought the desk version for me, and I can always count on it to make me laugh. My co-workers love it, too. People just stop by to turn him on for a quick pick-me-up. I would recommend getting the AC plug since batteries can run down fast. I think we should create a community of fellow air-dancer-havers and post clips of our little guys dancing to our favorite songs. Anyone in?" — Mark Get it from Amazon for $8.58 . 3. A rechargeable, dimmable Dodo Duck Night-Light so cute that it won't be *that* much of a surprise when you imprint on it and start calling it your son. (Psst — this is the new baby cousin of the viral Depressed Duck Night-Light , if that's more your speed.) Check out a TikTok of the duck night-light in action. Promising review: "This little lamp is so cute! Gently squeeze it to turn it off or on. It leaves a nice soft glow. Purchased for a teenager, and she loves it." — WendyAnne Get it from Amazon for $15.99 . 4. A shaker of Thin Mint seasoning you need to buy as a favor to all your taste buds immediately. Allow me to paint a picture for you: Thin Mint coffee, Thin Mint pudding, Thin Mint popcorn, Thin Mint anything your dessert gremlin heart desires. I stared at this for months online before caving and buying it, and when I tell you!! It jazzes up my morning coffee in a way that makes my little '90s baby heart sing. I've also loved it on Greek yogurt, oatmeal, and mug cakes. Plus, when I am feeling lonely for a real Thin Mint, and we're not in Girl Scout cookie season, I'll shake this on an Oreo Thin to stave off the despair. Get it from Amazon for $4.98 (and try their s'mores seasoning blend, too!). 5. A set of mini Stanley-inspired shot glasses for when it's THAT kind of party — do everyone a favor and roll up to the bachelorette, birthday, and themed shenanigan with these cheeky "bottles" in tow. Promising review: "Perfect for tastings. These were a hit at a paint-and-sip party that I attended. I made a couple of cocktails and carried them to the event in larger containers, but gifted each of the attendees one of these little cups so that they could sample each. They loved them." — SoBeGaPe Get a set of six from Amazon for $19.99 (clip the 20% off coupon on the product page for this price; also available in a pack of three and a pack of eight). 6. A miniature arcade Atari so you can spend your day off in a time machine to the '80s — this itty bitty console is loaded up with ten playable retro-style games, including Pac-Man, Breakout, Asteroids, and more. Reviewers also mention how much they love giving them as gifts! Promising review: "I've put probably 10 hours in playing with this little system . It's an excellent little Atari clone, the screen is crystal clear, the games play exactly as expected , the sound is great the controller is a joy. This is an absolute must for anyone that loves retro games." — Doug Welyczko Get it from Amazon for $25.76 . 7. A set of Minnie Mouse ear scrunchies for anyone whose permanent spiritual address is "Magic Kingdom," even if their physical address is somewhere else. Promising review: "I bought these at the last minute prior to a school trip to Disney. They came in a two-pack. I wore them EVERY DAY of the trip. They are so dang cute and durable. Standing in lines for the ride, almost EVERYONE asked me about them. They thought I bought them there, but surprisingly, NOT ONE shop at any of the Disney properties sold this. I sold one to someone in the line!" — Melissa Rae Get a two-pack from Amazon for $8.89 (available in 13 styles). 8. A wildly hilarious "screaming goat" button that has surprised reviewers by becoming a legit staple in their routine — people use it to get the attention of a classroom or break tension in the office or just to generally announce to anyone in your vicinity, "I've had it up to HERE and someone better get me a little treat IMMEDIATELY." Novelty888 is a small business that specializes in delightfully and oddly specific talking buttons. Promising review: "Got this for my wife to keep on her desk. She said it’s been a big hit in the office! If she or her coworkers are having a tough time, this lightens the mood with just the press of a button." — Daniel Get it from Amazon for $17.99 . 9. A sweet Nessie sugar spoon reviewers are obsessed with, and for good reason. It infuses just the right amount of ~whimsy~ into the best parts of their day (read: that first cup of coffee, the first bite of oatmeal, that lil' bowl of ice cream before bed). It also has a very satisfying weight and curve for optimum sipping. Promising review: "This little silly spoon makes me happy. It is now the #1 spoon everyone looks for in the silverware drawer at our house. Often found in a container of ice cream or a mug of tea living its best little life." — Emily Get it from Amazon for $7.95 (also available in sets of four and eight). 10. A Goldfish cracker-themed candle , because it's not enough to just eat the snack that smiles back. You have to watch it BURN. Promising review : "Smells SO good — and the fish crackers look so real! ! Be careful if you have little ones or guests who might not realize it at first or they'll get eaten! The candle burns nicely — we actually take the fish off while we're burning it, and sprinkle them back on when we blow out the candle. They're too cute to melt!" — KeWEE Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in 17 styles). 11. A set of glow-in-the-dark "tree elves" so the next time you take an enchanted midnight stroll through your front walkway to get home at night, you'll have a whole host of magical critters to welcome you back. Promising review : "I have actually bought a couple of packs of these. I think they’re so cute and fit so well in a little plant or around the house. Sometimes, I like to let my friends pick out some little guys as members of their families. Plus, did I mention how cute they are? And they glow in the dark very well." — Jen Get a set of 20 from Amazon for $13.98 (available in green or green and blue as well as a set of 10). 12. An bunny and bear egg mold set because, respectfully, life is short, and we have no business ignoring opportunities to make it as adorable as possible. Reviewers mention this also works well for rice! Promising review : "Love this! This does exactly what it’s supposed to! My daughter's face lit up, seeing her hard-boiled eggs look like bunnies. So easy and a breeze to clean." — Karen Get a set of two from Amazon for $5.99 . 13. A shaved sheep plushie that is so! darn! FLUFFY!!!! that you will not be able to resist the adorable siren call of zipping its fuzzy little "coat" on and off when your brain needs a cozy vacation. Promising review: "I love him. He is so cute and so well-made. He is the perfect size and shape. I named him Banana Peel Son since his wool comes off like a banana peel. Adorable. Would recommend to everyone." — Aerebys Stare Get it from Amazon for $13.99 . 14. A cult-favorite ~secret~ popcorn salt anyone in the movie theater industry will tell you is a perfect at-home alternative for that oh-so-savory buttery goodness you love to inhale before the previews begin. Not to be dramatic about popcorn on main, but this stuff is game changing. Our family unearthed this because beloved To All The Boys I've Loved Before author Jenny Han mentioned that it was her secret to delicious popcorn, and it may have just wrecked me for other at-home popcorn for the rest of my life . It genuinely tastes just as salty and buttery and savory as fresh movie theater popcorn. I inhaled it so fast that every single one of my organs lit up in mild alarm. Promising review: "I am a person who will make myself sick eating buckets of popcorn (I have no self control). This has by far been my favorite 'TikTok made me buy' item. My at-home popcorn is now my favorite thing to make and I don't need to go the theater for popcorn. Very much worth the purchase and this will last me such a long time." — S Martinez Get it from Amazon for $9.20+ (available in three flavors/styles) 15. A shaker of edible cocktail glitter , because why go through life without taking advantage of every opportunity to make it sparkle??✨ Reviewers add a touch to glam up their Prosecco or jazz up colorful-themed cocktails. Bakell is a small business established in 2016 that specializes in edible glitters for food and drink. Promising review: "Don’t think any further and just buy it. This was so cool and everyone loved it! I got the clear one because it will go with any drink. I will be the one to put this in all my friends' drinks. Also had no taste so it was just the look. Sooooooo cool!" — gigi Get it from Amazon for $9.40+ (available in 17 colors). 16. A 5-pound bucket of Crayola Air Dry Clay to let you finally follow your inner pottery dreams without all the mess and effort of taking classes. After you pull the clay out to shape it, it'll harden on its own — no oven or any effort required! From there you can leave it as is or paint over it for a fun vibe. Psst — a lot of reviewers use silicone or plastic molds to get specific shapes! Promising review: "It’s honestly just a really nice material to work with! If you want to create things with clay, this is definitely a good choice! It’s definitely not for professional use, but I feel like that’s a given? I mean, it is Crayola. But all in all, great for those who want to use it for fun!" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $10.96 . 17. A set of TikTok-famous Globbles , which are about to be your favorite stress-relieving fidget toy. These colorful balls are squishy, stretchy, and stick to pretty much any flat surface you throw them at *without* leaving any messy residue. TikTokers have a blast tossing these at walls and ceilings to see the satisfying way they glom onto them. Promising review: "I have bought these over and over again for gifts. My own children have played with these balls repeatedly. We even left one on the ceiling to see how long it would stay for. It lasted four months before we decided to take it down. Since they are so sticky, they get dirty pretty quickly. All you have to do is a quick rinse in the sink and an air dry, then you are good to go. Great for adults and children! Will be buying again. " — Valerie Young Get a set of six from Amazon for $10.69 . 18. A pair of glowing lightsaber chopsticks to bring balance to The Force *and* to your sushi. As you can see from the above GIF, I bought these for myself, and I love them to pieces. TBH, I use them as decor every bit as much as I use them to eat. Sometimes I just keep them in my work area to light them up during the day to feel fancy. They toggle back and forth between a bunch of different colors, like red, blue, yellow, purple, and multicolor, so you can either make them match *or* have a red and blue one together and bring ~balance~ to the Force. Get it from Amazon for $9.97 . 19. A set of quirky ceramic mini espresso cups so cute that from the moment you start sipping from them, it'll be like one touch and they brand new'd it for you ✨. Promising review: "These espresso cups are the cutest. They are very different and unique. I was scared about the handle being hard to hold, but it is just fine." — Sandra Vehabovic Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.49 (available in 10 styles and in packs of four). 20. A set of wooden flower pot magnets to bring the whole trend of "fridgescaping" to an entirely new, adorable level, or brighten up your desk area at work. I dare anyone to be grumpy with these cute lil' blooms in their eyeline. Promising review : "The magnets look good! I have them displayed at work and receive so many compliments. Perfect addition!" — Amazon Customer Get a set of four from Amazon for $9.99 ( also available in five other styles, including quirky food boards ). 21. A cult-fave, high-quality 100-piece Dog Park Puzzle so full of adorable details that it's just going to be a constant stream of serotonin every time you push another piece into place. Reviewers love not just the whimsical art style, but the fact that it's so well-made that there's never any glare on the image or "puzzle dust" when they put it together. Antelope is a small business that specializes in high-quality, unique jigsaw puzzles. Promising review : "This was my first time putting a 1000-piece puzzle together myself. Once I sorted the pieces out in sorting trays (highly recommend), I thought maybe this was a bit much for me. I started it a week ago and worked a little bit each day. I really enjoyed this. The pieces are very good quality. The details and colors are outstanding. I was constantly discovering something new I hadn’t noticed before . I’m actually kinda sad I’m done, but I’ll pack it away and bring it out again in about six months and have fun all over again." — ScubaReader Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in six other whimsical designs and in multisets). 22. A set of cat-themed tarot cards purrrfect for first-timers, complete with a guide on how to pull the cards and how to interpret them. You'll be doing readings for everyone from yourself to your BFF to your actual cat by the end of the week. Promising review: "Honestly, I saw this tarot deck and thought I needed this for ha ha’s. But man. This deck’s images are hilarious. It’s so much fun, and I felt so drawn to it as soon as it was in my hands. I am smitten over these kittens. 😍 10000% worth the purchase!" — Kathryn Prouty Get it from Amazon for $17.46 . 23. A lil' reversible octopus plush that is, literally and figuratively, a Mood — you can prop this on your desk or somewhere in your home just to let everyone know how you're vibin' (or even just to check in with yourself ❤️). Also, these come in a TON of different colors and emotions (from angry to sad to, uh, murderous??), so you're guaranteed to find one to express yourself. Promising review: "I saw this on TikTok like everyone else but I quickly realized, when I got one, how helpful this is to my family. Now they don't have to guess when they shouldn't bother me, they'll just KNOW. It's saving lives and it's adorable. The perfect thing. :)" — MCalms Get it from Amazon for $10.49 (available in 45 styles). 24. A ridiculously fun Tiki Toss ring game for anyone who wants to humble their jock friends REAL fast — this game is super easy to set up and learn, but tricky enough to get juuuust right that it will even the whole playing field. Reviewers love that is is a fun-for-all-ages game (but aren't not using it as a a drinking game too 👀 ). Tiki Toss is a small business that specializes in family-friendly games for home and outdoor use. Promising review: "We all love this game. Everyone who comes over cannot stop playing Tiki Toss. So simple and so fun. Quality and design of product is fantastic. Also makes a great gift." — jzek Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in two sizes). 25. A pound of cereal marshmallows because truly I think we're all hard-pressed to think of a scenario that *doesn't* warrant having an emergency bag of these to whip out for the occasion. Pro-tip to refrigerate these babies if you want 'em extra crunchy. Medley Hills Farm is an Ohio-based, family-owned small business that specializes in unique candies, snacks, and baking supplies. Promising review: "Buying these charms was one of the best decisions of my life. The bag is twice the size of my head. The marshmallows are aesthetically pleasing and delicious . It's everything I ever wanted in a snack." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $12.99 . 26. A ~Magical Flame~ colorant you can use in your fireplace at home or in outdoor campfires to basically flex to everyone on Instagram that you are, in fact, a wizard now. Magical Flames is a small business that specializes in color-changing fire products. Note: You shouldn't cook food or roast s'mores over the open flame after using this product. Promising review: "This product is so easy to use. Just toss a packet into the fire and watch the flames change color. The colors were beautiful and received a lot of oooooos and ahhhhhhs. Surprisingly, it lasted for quite a while. We will enjoy this addition to our campfires this summer." — Debra L. Musselman Get a pack of 10 from Amazon for $12.99 . 27. A " Liquipen ," aka what happens when a pen and a lava lamp have an intriguing and functional baby. This is technically a toy, but a lot of adults swear by it for calm or for helping spur creative ideas when they're in a rut! Promising review: "I broke up the three pack and gave one pen as a gift for a class gift exchange and put the other two in stocking for Christmas. Good quality and approved by both the 8-year-old and 49-year-old husband who is a kid at heart! Definitely recommend." — Kindle Customer Get a set of three from Amazon for $17.99 . 28. A mildly alarming if not adorable flexible flower vase that will fascinate guests when they can bend its limbs and hang it from any fixture they choose. That says if this thing *does* come to life in the middle of the night and starts singing and dancing all over your room, well. That's on you for buying whatever the heck this is. Promising review: "An affable, squishy, bendy, happy little vase! The consensus on my social media page is that everyone should have one of these. I finally got a chance to try it out with some daffodils, and really, it's hard not to smile when you see them." — Susy Lundy Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in three colors). 29. A teensy candy vending machine for your desk to make the endless grind of capitalism a little sweeter (and to establish yourself as the Coolest Employee In The Office). Promising review: "Keep this on my desk to snack on M&Ms. It’s perfect for smaller sized candy. Love the color. Glad it fits in with my aesthetic." — Dunn Get it from Amazon for $22.99 . 30. A retro radio tissue holder so old-timey precious that you'll be a little bit?? EXCITED??? For allergy season??? Because you'll get to spend quality time with your favorite piece of home decor. 🎵 Psst — this is compatible with tissues from a small cube box, or just tissues pulled out of the box, not a full size one! Promising review: "It's adorable! I currently have it filled with tissues from a small cube box. Works great! Perfect addition to my teal and gold bedroom decor!" — Michelle W. Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in four colors). 31. A pack of mini rainbow scratch art notes that will transport you back to your youth so fast that you will suddenly have a craving for Goldfish crackers and apple juice so aggressive it CANNOT BE IGNORED. Promising review: "I love this little scratch art pad. Sometimes I just need a break and a little distraction to let my brain breathe, so I pull this out and make all sorts of designs. You do get a little of a mess by scratching the black off but I usually have a big mess cause I end up scratching the whole thing off. Can't help it. Kid at heart, I guess." — Jane Get a pack of 125 notes from Amazon for $12.99 (available in five styles). 32. A northern lights projector for anyone whose heart is in the magic of the cosmos, but whose butt would much rather be snuggled on a couch than freezing by a glacier. Bonus: This also plays soothing noises and doubles as a Bluetooth speaker! Promising review: "I love this light! The stars are beautiful, the colors are beautiful. I like that it shuts off in four hours. I use it in my house so I don’t have to turn the lights on all the time. I like it so much. I just ordered three more to give to my grandchildren. It also has sounds like the sound of rain, or ocean waves. And you can even play your regular music on it . Don’t be afraid to try it! It’s like having the northern lights anytime you want." — Amy J Nelson Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in five colors). 33. A criminally cute teddy bear water bottle that takes "emotional support water bottle" to a WHOLE other level. Reviewers especially love that it comes with a handy shoulder strap, and that the leakproof lid pops off to let you drink from a straw! Promising review: "My daughter uses this as her school water bottle. It’s great because it has a strap and she doesn’t have to squeeze it in her backpack! No leaks. Easy to clean but we only put water in it!" — Sarah Witt Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in two styles). 34. Kinetic Sand , a delightful ~magic~ sensory toy that flows through your fingers like actual sand, but holds a shape, doesn't stick to things, and doesn't dry out. It's like infinite sand castles and beachy shenanigans in one little package. Promising review: "This sand is great for indoor sandboxes. It molds well and cleans easily and it stays the same consistency for years. I know this because we’ve had some of ours for that long. It’s also great for sensory stimulation and can entertain my son for a long time, which is rare for him unless it’s electronic. I like the educational aspect of it and the durability." — Nef Get it from Amazon for $14.30 . 35. A set of light up bath fizzes , because life is short and bath time is nothing if not an opportunity for an underwater rave!! Bonus: these are made with natural essential oils and moisturizing shea butter and coconut oil for a real ~spa~ experience. These come in six different scents: lavender, aloe, ocean, rose, milk, and olayer. Promising review : "Disco in my bath! This product is such a nice distraction from a stressful life! The scents are not overpowering light and soothing, they don’t seem to deposit rings a real plus with a soaker tub! But the best part save the little center bit and set aside for a real party with wine and candles . Sending these out to stressed family now as random pick me ups." — Katrin Sullivan Get a set of six from Amazon for $19.98 . 36. A delightfully nonstick smiley face pancake pan reviewers use for mini pancakes and eggs to instantly ~pizzazz~ what is indisputably the most delicious meal of the day. Promising review: "So much fun to make pancakes on this pan. Since it makes such small pancakes, they cook very quickly. My kids love the emoji designs and it makes breakfast fun." — Rosa D. Get it from Amazon for $24.99 . Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.None

PHILADELPHIA and NEW YORK , Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FS KKR Capital Corp. (NYSE: FSK) today announced that it has completed its previously announced offering of an additional $100 million in aggregate principal amount of its 6.125% notes due 2030 (the "Notes"). The Notes will be a further issuance of, and form a single series with, the $600 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% Notes due 2030 that FSK issued on November 20, 2024 , increasing the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the series to $700 million . BofA Securities, Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, KKR Capital Markets LLC, SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., and Truist Securities, Inc. are acting as joint book-running managers for this offering. FSK intends to use the net proceeds of this offering for general corporate purposes, including potentially repaying outstanding indebtedness under credit facilities and certain notes. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the Notes, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About FS KKR Capital Corp. FSK is a leading publicly traded business development company (BDC) focused on providing customized credit solutions to private middle market U.S. companies. FSK seeks to invest primarily in the senior secured debt and, to a lesser extent, the subordinated debt of private middle market companies. FSK is advised by FS/KKR Advisor, LLC. About FS/KKR Advisor, LLC FS/KKR Advisor, LLC (FS/KKR) is a partnership between FS Investments and KKR Credit that serves as the investment adviser to FSK and other business development companies. FS Investments is a global alternative asset manager dedicated to delivering superior performance and innovative investment and capital solutions. The firm manages over $83 billion in assets for a wide range of clients, including institutional investors, financial professionals and individual investors. FS Investments provides access to a broad suite of alternative asset classes and strategies through its best-in-class investment teams and partners. With its diversified platform and flexible capital solutions, the firm is a valued partner to general partners, asset owners and portfolio companies. FS Investments is grounded in its high-performance culture and guided by its commitment to building value for its clients, investing in its colleagues and giving back to its communities. The firm has more than 500 employees across offices in the U.S., Europe and Asia and is headquartered in Philadelphia . KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR's insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR's investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. Forward-Looking Statements and Important Disclosure Notice This announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements, including statements with regard to future events or future performance or operations of FSK. Words such as "believes," "expects," "projects," and "future" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions. Certain factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include changes in the economy, risks associated with possible disruption in FSK's operations or the economy generally due to terrorism, geo-political risks, natural disasters or pandemics such as COVID-19, future changes in laws or regulations and conditions in FSK's operating area and the price at which shares of FSK's common stock trade on the New York Stock Exchange. Some of these factors are enumerated in the filings FSK makes with the SEC. FSK undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contact Information: Investor Relations Contact Anna Kleinhenn Anna.Kleinhenn@fsinvestments.com FS Investments Media Team Melanie Hemmert Melanie.Hemmert@fsinvestments.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fsk-completes-public-offering-of-100-million-6-125-unsecured-notes-due-2030--302339667.html SOURCE FS InvestmentsI received the last email from Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto at 12:55 pm on the devastating 27th day of December, 2007. It was a directive about a news being part of our Daily Press Summary for the Chairperson. I had started sending her Press Summaries on daily basis for ten years starting in 1997. This English summary comprised of the selected news from Sindhi, Urdu and English newspapers. One of the news of that 27th December, 2007 Summary contained a news i.e. “PPP leader Syed Fayyaz Shah (Hyderabad) was injured alongwith his 7 family members in a road accident on Super Highway.” She directed me that a Get Well Soon Letter may be sent to Fayyaz Shah on her behalf. However, before her electronically-signed letter could reach Fayyaz Shah, she was no more. The beasts took her life in a terrorist attack in Rawalpindi and she was declared martyred at 6:16 pm. Just two months back, she survived a terror bombing in Karachi in which 180 PPP workers were martyred and 500 others injured, majority among them maimed. But just a day after, she reached the hospital to visiting the wounded Jiyalas. During this 10 years period of attachment to her as a member of her Media Cell Bilawal House, I had the honour of having hundreds of “Excellent”, “Very Good” and “Well Done” from her. However, I wish to share another historic communication with her. At the end of 2006 years, I wrote her that “in India Three million Dalits converted en masse to Buddhism on the 50th death anniversary of Baba Saheb B R Ambedkar “the tallest Dalit icon of the subcontinent) to achieve human equality and their social, economic and political rights. As the most popular leader of Pakistan, especially of toiling classes, what would your honour suggest the Dalits of Pakistan to do for achieving the same rights in Pakistan.” She was very kind to forward that email to Senator Taj Haider to hold a workshop with Dalit leaders at People’s Secretariat and submit her report. In 2007, Shaheed Bibi wanted me to apply for the reserved seat in Sindh Assembly, when I requested for ticket to a fellow Dalit political worker Engineer Gianchand Meghwar. She was surprised upon hearing from her Political Secretary that I am not a graduate thus ineligible to apply during Musharraf era. For the past 17 years, as December 27 approaches, my heart is filled with a profound mix of pride and sorrow. The memories of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto come alive- a leader who embodied the spirit of resilience, a mother who nurtured a nation, and a beacon of hope for millions. It has always been, and will forever remain, a great honor and source of immense pride for me to have worked closely with Shaheed Bibi during last decade of her life. Those days and moments, etched deeply in my memory, stand as a testament to her unwavering dedication to Pakistan and its people. Despite the challenges of a male-dominated society and an often-hostile political landscape, Shaheed Bibi stood tall and proved that courage and intellect know no gender. The media landscape during her era was vastly different from today. Newspapers played a central role in shaping public opinion. I vividly remember how she would meticulously analyze the news summaries I prepared. Her profound understanding of national issues and her strategic, clear, and empathetic responses showcased her unmatched brilliance and foresight. Every decision she made was deeply rooted in compassion, always keeping the struggles of the common people at heart. Shaheed Bibi was not merely a political leader-she was a movement in herself. Her life was a saga of triumph over adversity, immense sacrifices, and an unwavering struggle for democracy. Her iconic words, “Democracy is the best revenge,” encapsulated her strong belief in the principles she lived and fought for. She never allowed despair to become an obstacle in her journey. The tragic day of December 27, 2007, left an irreplaceable void in Pakistan’s political and social fabric. Few figures in history have been as transformative as Shaheed Bibi, who, even in martyrdom, became an enduring symbol of resistance against oppression and an unyielding voice for justice and equality. As I reflect on the life of my great leader and mentor, her warm smile, her resolute spirit, and her vision of a prosperous Pakistan rooted in equality and justice resonate profoundly in my heart. Shaheed Bibi lives on-and will forever live-in the hearts of those who cherish democracy, human rights, and the power of perseverance. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto will forever be the daughter of destiny, whose guiding light continues to illuminate our path through the shadows as we march toward a brighter and more beautiful future.

Secrets to Smart Investment in Volatile Times! Unlock Hidden Opportunities NowPayRetailers , a payments processor serving Latin America and Africa, acquired business payments FinTech Transfeera . The deal was approved by the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) and the central bank in Transfeera’s home country of Brazil (BCB), the companies announced in a Thursday (Dec. 19) news release provided to PYMNTS. “The transaction is part of PayRetailers’ strategy to expand its presence in Brazil, following the acquisition of a payment institution license from the BCB in April,” the release said. “The acquisition will enable PayRetailers to gain direct access to Pix, a popular payment system in Brazil which lets users instantly transfer money in Brazilian real, strengthening its regulatory and risk management structure in Brazil and expanding its opportunities in open banking.” Transfeera, founded in 2017, offers platform and technology solutions for payment processing and bank data validation, and brings with it more than 500 new clients, helping PayRetailers with its goal of increasing its services to Brazilian companies next year, per the release. “This acquisition provides us with access to a wide range of payment methods across Latin America and Africa through a single API in over 20 countries and 250 payment methods,” Transfeera co-founder and CEO Fernando Nunes said in the release. “This positions us even more strongly to enhance our competitive advantages in the market. Together, we aim to accelerate our journey of technological innovation, offering innovative, secure and efficient solutions to meet market demands.” PYMNTS examined Brazil’s digital payments scene this week through the lens of its Pix instant payment system, used by 77% of the country’s residents. The use of Pix is expanding. For example, cross-border payment platform dLocal became a certified payment service provider in Brazil last month and can now facilitate Pix payments directly within the open finance ecosystem, without redirecting users to bank apps. The certification allows dLocal to deliver streamlined checkout by doing away with unnecessary steps when Pix payments are used, which can improve merchant conversion rates. Also last month, Peru’s B89 joined forces with PagBrasil , which develops cross-border solutions for the Pix payment system.'Open your doors': Notre Dame re-opens after five-year refit

What to know about ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon's HezbollahPARIS — Howling winds couldn’t stop Notre Dame Cathedral ’s heart from beating again. People stand outside Notre-Dame Cathedral on Nov. 29 in Paris. Sarah Meyssonnier, Pool via AP With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a specially designed crosier carved from fire-scorched beams, the monument roared back to life Saturday evening. For the first time since a devastating blaze nearly destroyed it in 2019, the towering Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship, its rebirth marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath its soaring arches. The ceremony, initially planned to begin on the forecourt, was moved entirely inside due to unusually fierce December winds sweeping across the Île de la Cité, flanked by the River Seine. Yet the occasion lost none of its splendor. Inside the luminous nave, choirs sang psalms, and the cathedral’s mighty organ, silent for nearly five years, thundered to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies. The vaulted ceiling of the Notre-Dame cathedral is seen Nov. 29 in Paris. Sarah Meyssonnier, Associated Press The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline — and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes. The evening’s celebration, attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, US first lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscored Notre Dame’s enduring role as both a spiritual and cultural beacon. Observers see the event as Macron's, and his intention to pivot it into a fully fledged diplomatic gathering, while highlighting France’s ability to unite on the global stage despite internal political crises. As the cathedral’s largest bell, the 13-ton Emmanuel — which was not named after the French leader — tolled into the Paris night, signaling the start of the ceremony, the crowd inside Notre Dame fell into an expectant hush. Emmanuel, a legacy of King Louis XIV, had rung through centuries of French history, and its peal now resonated as a call to witness another epochal moment. Outside the cathedral’s monumental doors, Ulrich raised his fire-scarred crosier. “Brothers and sisters, let us enter now into Notre Dame,” he declared. “It is she who accompanies us on our path to peace.” With the congregation of over 2,500 people watching in silence, Ulrich struck the floodlit doors, the base of his crosier reverberating against the wood. Inside, the choir answered with soaring hymns, their voices filling the nave. Illuminations on the cathedral facade heightened the drama. On the final strike, the heavy doors swung open, revealing the glowing interior of restored blond Lutetian limestone. Adding to the ceremony’s visual splendor, Ulrich and the clergy wore vibrant liturgical garments designed by French fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. Known for his signature pop-art aesthetic, Castelbajac created 2,000 colorful pieces for 700 celebrants, blending modern elements with medieval touches. Flooded with light and song, the cathedral came alive in a moment of breathtaking spectacle. What had been a silent, soot-blackened ruin five years ago now blazed with renewed vitality, marking the culmination of a nearly $1 billion global effort to resurrect it. Speaking inside the cathedral, Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped, and rebuilt Notre Dame, his voice reverberating through the nave. People gather near France's iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, hours before formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, on Saturday in Paris. Bernat Armangue, Associated Press “I stand before you ... to express the gratitude of the French nation,” he said, before voices flooded the space with song, harmonies not heard in over five years. “Tonight, the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will awaken,” sending the “music of hope” cascading through the luminous interior to Parisians, France, and the world beyond, he said. The celebration is expected to give a much-needed boost to the embattled French leader, whose prime minister was ousted this week, plunging the nation’s politics into more turmoil. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts Macron has called Notre Dame’s reopening “a jolt of hope.” Observers say he hoped the occasion would briefly silence his critics and showcase France’s unity and resilience under his leadership — a rare moment of grace in a presidency now facing a grave crisis. Inside Notre Dame, 42,000 square meters of stonework—equivalent to six soccer pitches—gleamed anew, revealing intricate carvings and luminous limestone. Above, 2,000 oak beams, nicknamed “the forest,” restored the cathedral’s iconic spire and roof. The great organ, dormant for over five years, roared back to life like a slumbering giant. With its 7,952 pipes—ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide—and a renovated console featuring five keyboards, 115 stops, and 30 foot pedals, it responded to Archbishop Laurent Ulrich’s command: “Wake up, organ, sacred instrument.” The first low rumble grew into a triumphant symphony as four organists pulled out the stops, weaving improvised responses to the archbishop’s invocations. Eight times, Ulrich addressed the organ; eight times, its voice filled the nave with breathtaking sound. Guests marveled at the spectacle, many capturing the moment on their phones. “It’s a sense of perfection,” said François Le Page of the Notre Dame Foundation, who last saw the cathedral cloaked in scaffolding in 2021. “It was somber then. Now, it’s night and day.” The Rev. Andriy Morkvas, a Ukrainian priest who leads the Volodymyr Le Grand church in Paris, reflected on his first visit to Notre Dame in over a decade. “I didn’t recognize it,” he said. “God is very powerful; He can change things.” He expressed hope that the cathedral’s revival could inspire peace in his homeland, drawing strength from the presence of Ukraine’s president. “I think that will have a big impact,” he said. “I hope Notre Dame and Mary will help us resolve this conflict.” The reopening of Notre Dame comes at a time of profound global unrest, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ “It is a magnificent symbol of unity,” Olivier Ribadeau Dumas said. “Notre Dame is not just a French monument — it is a magnificent sign of hope.” The international range of dignitaries coming to Paris underline the cathedral’s significance as a symbol of shared heritage and peace. Canadian visitor Noelle Alexandria, who had traveled to Paris for the reopening, was struck by the cathedral’s ability to inspire. “She’s been nearly ruined before, but she always comes back,” Alexandria said. “Not many of us could say the same after such tragedy, but Notre Dame can.” Guests entered through Notre Dame’s iconic western façade, whose arched portals adorned with biblical carvings were once a visual guide for medieval believers. Above the central Portal of the Last Judgment, the Archangel Michael is depicted weighing souls, as demons attempt to tip the scales. These stone figures, designed to inspire both awe and fear, set the stage for a ceremony steeped in history. Inside, the hum of hundreds of guests awaiting the service filled the cathedral with human sounds once more — a stark contrast to the construction din that echoed there for years. Tuners restoring the great organ often worked through the night to find the silence needed to perfect its 7,952 pipes, ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide. Notre Dame echoed to the sound of a sustained standing ovation after the showing of a short movie that documented the gargantuan rebuilding effort. Outside, the word “MERCI” — thank you — was projected against the cathedral’s iconic western facade. The movie showed the terrible wounds left by the inferno — the gaping holes torn into its vaulted ceilings and the burned roof. But that was followed by images of all types of artisans, many using traditional handicraft techniques, who collectively restored Notre Dame to look better now than ever. "We went from night to light," said one of the workers in the movie. Security will be high through the weekend, echoing measures taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year. The Île de la Cité — the small island in the River Seine that is home to Notre Dame and the historic heart of Paris— is closed to tourists and non-residents. Police vans and barriers blocked cobblestoned streets in a large perimeter around the island, while soldiers in thick body armor and sniffer dogs patrolled embankments. A special security detail followed Trump. For many, Notre Dame’s rebirth is not just a French achievement but a global one — after the reopening, the cathedral is set to welcome 15 million visitors annually, up from 12 million before the fire. People stand outside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, Friday Nov. 29 2024 before French President Emmanuel Macron's final visit to the construction site to see the restored interiors before the iconic monument's reopening for worship on Dec. 8. (Sarah Meyssonnier, Pool via AP) Sarah Meyssonnier The tabernacle of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin The vaulted ceiling of the Notre-Dame cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 in Paris. (Sarah Meyssonnier/Pool via AP) Sarah Meyssonnier Windows in the heart of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral are seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin People stroll in Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors the monument, Friday, Nov.29, 2024 in Paris. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) Christophe Petit Tesson French President Emmanuel Macron, center, and his wife Brigitte Macron visit the restored interiors of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, Friday, Nov.29, 2024 in Paris. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) Christophe Petit Tesson French President Emmanuel Macron, third right, and his wife Brigitte Macron visit the restored interiors of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, Friday, Nov.29, 2024 in Paris. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) Christophe Petit Tesson People gather as French President Emmanuel Macron visits the renovated Notre Dame Cathedral Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) Michel Euler French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he visits the restored interiors of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, Friday, Nov.29, 2024 in Paris. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) Christophe Petit Tesson The nave, the western Rose window and the organ of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral are seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin A man takes a picture of Notre Dame Cathedral as French President Emmanuel Macron visits the renovated cathedral, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) Michel Euler The nave of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the cathedral, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin People stroll in Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors the monument, Friday, Nov.29, 2024 in Paris. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) Christophe Petit Tesson The South Rose stainglass window of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the cathedral, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin The South Rose stainglass window of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the cathedral, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin The nave of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the cathedral, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin Part of the nave and the organ of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral are seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the cathedral, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin The altar designed by French artist and designer Guillaume Bardet is seen in the heart of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin The altar designed by French artist and designer Guillaume Bardet is seen in the heart of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin The facade of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral in Paris, is seen Friday Nov. 29, 2024, ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's final visit to the construction site to see the restored interiors. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin The facade of Notre-Dame Cathedral is seen in Paris, Friday Nov., 29 2024 ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's final visit to the construction site to see the restored interiors before the iconic monument's reopening for worship on Dec. 8. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) Christophe Petit Tesson Part of the facade of Notre-Dame Cathedral is seen in Paris, Friday Nov., 29 2024 ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's final visit to the construction site to see the restored interiors before the iconic monument's reopening for worship on Dec. 8. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) Christophe Petit Tesson People stand inside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, Friday Nov. 29 2024 before French President Emmanuel Macron's final visit to the construction site to see the restored interiors before the iconic monument's reopening for worship on Dec. 8. (Sarah Meyssonnier, Pool via AP) Sarah Meyssonnier

The Galaxy are back. After a decade-long slump in which it lost almost as many games as it won, the team capped an improbable rise from near-worst to first Saturday, capturing a record sixth MLS Cup with a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls at Dignity Health Sports Park. With playmaker Riqui Puig, who tore the ACL in his left knee in last week’s Western Conference final , watching from the sideline the Galaxy won behind early goals from Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic and a stout performance from a defense that was tested all afternoon. The team then mounted a hastily erected stage at midfield to accept the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy, named for the team’s founding owner. A year ago the Galaxy won only eight games and finished 13th in a 14-team conference. With Saturday’s victory, which came 10 years to the day after their last MLS Cup win on the same field, the Galaxy became the first team in 23 years to go from eight or fewer wins to a league title in one season. A victory celebration is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday at Dignity Health Sports Park. Paintsil and Joveljic were both playing youth soccer, Paintsil in Ghana and Joveljic in Serbia, when the Galaxy won their last title in 2014. The team began a quick decline after that, a slide that bottomed out last season when the Galaxy fired longtime president Chris Klein amid an embarrassing fan boycott that saw the club’s most loyal supporters refuse to attend matches. Yet that begat one of the greatest turnarounds in league history, which started with the hiring of Will Kuntz as senior vice-president of player personnel. In 16 months Kuntz, who was promoted to general manager last December, completely remade the roster, signing 10 of the 13 men who played in Saturday’s final. It then fell to coach Greg Vanney to turn those players into the team that won 24 MLS games, including playoffs, this season. The Galaxy were especially impressive in an unbeaten postseason, scoring a league-record 18 goals in five games, one more than Vanney’s Toronto team scored in six playoff games in 2016. Puig, who played an indispensable part in the Galaxy’s run to the title, had to watch his teammates take the final steps to the title from a seat near the Galaxy bench. He wasn’t forgotten with both Paintsil and Joveljic saluting him after scoring goals in the opening 14 minutes. Paintsil put the Galaxy in front to stay in the ninth minute at the end of the sequence that started with midfielders Edwin Cerrillo and Gaston Brugman working a give-and-go high in the Red Bull end. Brugman, who was starting in Puig’s place, then threaded a Puig-like pass through the heart of the defense to Paintsil at the top of the box and the Ghanaian did the rest, sliding his shot under goalkeeper Carlos Coronel. Paintsil celebrated the goal by holding up a Puig jersey. After Joveljic doubled the advantage four minutes later on an assist from Mark Delgado, he performed a somersault in the penalty area, then ran away from his teammates and bowed toward Puig on the sidelines. The two goals in 13 minutes matched what the Red Bulls conceded in their first four playoff games combined. They got back in the game in the 28th minute on Sean Nealis’ sidewinding right-footed volley through traffic, but they could get no closer despite a wild flurry of action in the Galaxy penalty area in stoppage time. The Red Bulls, like the Galaxy an original MLS franchise, were playing in their second Cup final and first since losing to Columbus on the same field in Carson 16 years ago. The team won just two of its final 14 regular-season games to enter the Eastern Conference playoffs as the seventh seed, the lowest-seeded team to reach the MLS Cup final. To celebrate its return to the championship game, the team brought its entire front office to Carson, buying 2,200 tickets for staff, supporters and season-ticket holders who filled half the top deck, turning the stadium’s east grandstand into a sea of Red Bull red. The Victoria Block behind the north goal, meanwhile, was blindingly white, packed with Galaxy fans in their team’s traditional home jersey. Behind the supporters sat 13 members of the franchise’s last MLS Cup championship team while men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino was also among the crowd of 26,812, watching from a suite above the west sideline. The midday matinee kicked off in 75-degree temperatures under cloudless skies, making it the seventh outdoor MLS Cup final played in temperatures of 70 degrees or higher. In Harrison, N.J., where the Red Bulls play, it was 40 degrees and overcast.In such a modern and technology-driven world, nothing can beat celebrating the Christmas season the old-fashioned way. These old-fashioned ideas are simple and economical, but they are also fun and memorable. Of course, including family and friends is the most important part, but after that, traditional customs and your own imagination can make the season of giving a special one. Making your own Christmas presents is always a nice sentiment. You can almost guarantee that your gifts will be unique, and nobody will duplicate them. Whatever you make won’t be available at the local Wal-Mart. There is also something special about the time and effort that goes into making your gifts. Your homemade items will have extra meaning, and people will sincerely appreciate it. You may even learn some new skills while making your presents, and the new skills will help you in gift-giving for many years. Another old-fashioned idea is to create a traditional feel in your home. Pick a night and turn off the computer, television and lights. Sit with your loved ones by candlelight and the glow of the Christmas tree and enjoy hot cider, cookies and other holiday treats. All of you could take turns telling your favorite Christmas memory, or someone could read a traditional holiday story. To further enjoy the Christmas spirit, go outside and sing Christmas carols under the light of the moon and the stars. Everyone could sing while looking inside at the Christmas tree and the glow of the candles. Afterwards, come back inside and warm up with some hot chocolate. This will bring a smile to even the biggest scrooge. You can also spread the Christmas spirit to your neighbors. Walk around your neighborhood and personally deliver Christmas cards. Give your neighbors a smile and a personal holiday greeting. You can even include a small treat bag with your Christmas cards. The treat bags would be even nicer if you included your very own homemade goodies. Your neighbors would appreciate your effort, and you might even make their day. The smiles on their faces would be thanks enough. Even a little bit of technology has made its way into an old-fashioned Christmas. Gather around with your loved ones and watch holiday classics such as “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Miracle on 34th Street” or “A Christmas Story.” These great films have aged nicely, and they are still fun to watch year after year. Many youngsters would be seeing these classics for the very first time. An old-fashioned Christmas game can add to your fun even more. Make a circle with your family and friends. Get a small ball, beanbag or other small object. Toss the object randomly to people in the circle. When someone catches the object, they have a split second to say a word that relates to Christmas. If they can’t think of one, then they sit out. The last person standing is the winner. Both adults and children can enjoy this simple game. Naturally, nothing is more traditional during the Christmas season than thinking of others. You can meet with family and friends and combine as much food as you can. Then, load up the food and take it to a food bank. The food bank would be excited to see such a big donation, and you can make a big difference in people’s lives and spread more Christmas cheer. Christmas is such a beautiful time of the year, but it can come and go quickly. Don’t forget to stop and spend time with the people you love. And with some creativity and a few traditional ideas, you can enjoy the pleasures of an old-fashioned Christmas. Blair Bryant, freelance writer and fiction author.