American taxpayers tied to potential funding of $7.5B loanLOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California quarterback Miller Moss is entering the transfer portal after losing the Trojans' starting job last month. Moss made his announcement on social media Monday. Moss started the Trojans ' bowl victory last season and their first nine games this season before coach Lincoln Riley replaced him with Jayden Maiava in early November. “Being a USC Trojan was a lifelong dream of mine,” Moss wrote. “Putting on the cardinal and gold and competing on behalf of my teammates and school is something I will forever take pride in. I poured everything I have into this — body, heart, mind and soul — and am humbled by and proud of what my teammates and I accomplished.” Moss, who was born in Los Angeles and went to high school in the San Fernando Valley, signed with USC before Riley arrived at the school. Moss also stayed with the Trojans after Caleb Williams transferred from Oklahoma to rejoin Riley, and he served as Williams’ backup for two seasons before getting his chance to play with six touchdown passes in last year's Holiday Bowl. Moss completed 64.4% of his passes this season for 2,555 yards with 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions. After a spectacular 378-yard performance to beat LSU in the Trojans' season opener, Moss didn't play poorly as a starter, but he also wasn't a difference-maker while USC stumbled to a 4-5 record. Moss threw seven interceptions in his final five starts before losing the job to Maiava. The Trojans went 1-4 in that stretch under Moss, who plays as a more traditional pocket passer while Maiava has the mobility usually favored for quarterbacks in Riley's spread offense. “Looking towards the future, I'm unwaveringly committed to becoming an even better quarterback and leader, and to achieving this at the next level,” Moss wrote. Moss has already graduated from USC, putting him in the portal as a graduate student. USC (6-6) is headed to a lower-tier bowl game again to finish this season, its third under Riley. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

NFL NOTESOcado is ridiculed by customers over 'atrocious' Christmas substitute choices items after retailer suffers delivery malfunction

Sindh govt to invest in human and social development: CMNORTH POLE, Dec. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the North Pole bells ring with activity in preparation for Santa Claus’ annual journey, Verizon Frontline is once again stepping in to ensure children worldwide can track the magic on December 24th. For the 22nd consecutive year, Verizon has partnered with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to provide reliable connectivity for the renowned NORAD Tracks Santa initiative. This year, Verizon’s robust network will again support the program’s toll-free hotline, enabling children to discover Santa’s location as he travels the globe. The effort includes leveraging Verizon’s C-Band spectrum to deliver high-performance 5G connectivity and redundant Wi-Fi, helping to ensure uninterrupted service for the hotline during its busiest time of year. “We’re honored to continue this holiday tradition with NORAD, a partnership that has brought joy and wonder to families for more than two decades,” said Maggie Hallbach, senior vice president, Public Sector at Verizon Business. “By combining innovative technology with holiday spirit, we help bring Santa’s journey to life for children everywhere.” Cutting-Edge Tools for Seamless Santa Tracking To bolster NORAD’s operations, Verizon provides state-of-the-art equipment, including Cradlepoint routers, Wi-Fi jetpacks, and a Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) solution, alongside Verizon Frontline mobile assets for onsite support. Additionally, Verizon’s Consulting Services team maintains the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system , an advanced call management solution that helps the hotline manage the 130,000+ calls it receives on Christmas Eve. Santa’s Helpers Making the NORAD Tracks Santa initiative possible involves the dedication of nearly 900 in-person and 200 virtual volunteers, including Verizon employees, military personnel, and other government, corporate and community partners. Together, they’ll answer questions ranging from “Where is Santa now?” to “What are Santa’s favorite cookies?” How to Track Santa Hotline: Call 1-877-Hi-NORAD (1-877-446-6723) starting at 6 a.m. EST on December 24. Save the number on your Verizon phone as “NORAD Call Center” for quick access. Online: Visit www.noradsanta.org for live updates, games, and interactive features, or check NORAD’s social media channels for video footage from SantaCams. Mobile App: Download the NORAD Tracks Santa app on Apple or Google Play for a magical experience right at your fingertips. Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) powers and empowers how its millions of customers live, work and play, delivering on their demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity and security. Headquartered in New York City, serving countries worldwide and nearly all of the Fortune 500, Verizon generated revenues of $134.0 billion in 2023. Verizon’s world-class team never stops innovating to meet customers where they are today and equip them for the needs of tomorrow. For more, visit verizon.com or find a retail location at verizon.com/stores. VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are available at verizon.com/news . News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/ . Media contact: Geoffrey Basye geoffrey.basye@verizon.com (202) 748-1882

SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks may face insurmountable obstacles on their narrow path to the playoffs. Their only hope of reaching the postseason is to win the NFC West, and they're a game behind the Los Angeles Rams after Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. That means the Seahawks (8-7) have to win their final two games and the Rams must lose to slumping Arizona on Saturday for Seattle to sneak into the postseason. Seattle was competitive against Minnesota, which shares the best record in the NFC with Detroit. Geno Smith's 4-yard touchdown pass to AJ Barner gave the Seahawks the lead in the fourth quarter, but the Vikings took advantage of a facemask penalty against Byron Murphy II on their next possession, and Sam Darnold found Justin Jefferson for a go-ahead 39-yard touchdown. A late interception by Smith sealed the loss and put the Seahawks in a tough spot heading into the final two weeks of the season. “We just got to handle our part, which is win out,” linebacker Ernest Jones IV said. "Then, let the chips fall where they fall. Hopefully, we catch a little luck and we can get in there. But it’s tough in there.” What’s working Jaxon Smith-Njigba continued to shine, finishing with eight receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. He has 1,089 yards this season, becoming the 10th player in franchise history to reach 1,000 yards receiving and the first since DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett both did so in 2020. Smith-Njigba has led the Seahawks in receiving yards in each of the past eight games. “He’s a great player,” Smith said. “Been having a tremendous season. Those things are to be expected of him. I think he’s only going to continue to get better. He’s a fighter. Got a lot of heart. That’s something that goes a long way.” Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald answers questions during a press conference after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Seattle. The Vikings won 27-24. Credit: AP/Lindsey Wasson What needs help The running game was a non-factor yet again. The Seahawks gained 59 yards on 15 carries for an average of 3.9 yards. Kenneth Walker III had eight rushes for 31 yards, including an 11-yard run that was Seattle's longest of the day. The Seahawks rank 30th in the NFL in rushing yards, and some of the blame will inevitably fall on offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. Stock up Although he was intercepted twice, Smith had one of his better games of the season. He completed 72% of his passes (31 of 43) for 314 yards and three touchdowns for a passer rating of 96.5. Smith exceeded 300 yards passing for the fifth time this season and threw for three or more TDs for the second time. “Geno is probably our top competitor on our football team,” coach Mike Macdonald said. “We’re not sitting here with life at the end of December unless Geno has done the things he’s done. He’s a fighter, man. I thought he played a good game.” Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) walks off the field after the 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Seattle. Credit: AP/Lindsey Wasson Stock down Tre Brown had a bad series in the second quarter. A sack by Derick Hall on third-and-8 to seemingly force the Vikings to try a field goal was negated by an offside penalty against Brown. On the next play, Jefferson got past Brown for a 14-yard touchdown catch that put the Vikings ahead 14-7. Brown, who started in place of Riq Woolen, hadn’t played a defensive snap since Seattle’s Week 6 loss to San Francisco, and he struggled to contain Jefferson, who finished with 10 catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Injuries Walker left the game in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. Macdonald had no updates about Walker on Monday. Key numbers 75 — The Seahawks threw the ball on 75% of their offensive snaps (45 of 60). One of their 15 runs was a 2-yard sneak by Julian Love on a fake punt in the fourth quarter, and another was an 8-yard scramble by Smith. Zach Charbonnet, who ran for 134 yards two weeks ago against Arizona, had one carry for minus-1 yard. Up next The Seahawks play at Chicago on Thursday night. The Bears have lost nine straight.

NEW YORK — McDonald's will expand its U.S. value menu early next year as it continues to try to win back inflation-weary customers. Starting Jan. 7, the burger chain will let customers buy one full-priced item from a limited value menu and get another item on that menu for $1. Items on the menu include a Sausage McMuffin, hash browns, a McChicken sandwich and small fries. McDonald's will also continue to offer its $5 Meal Deal through next summer. That deal, introduced in June, was extended through the end of this year. Chicago-based McDonald's said it will also continue to offer local specials and in-app deals like free drinks. As grocery price inflation has eased, McDonald's says it has seen more diners shifting to eating at home instead of going out. In October, prices for food eaten away from home were up 3.8 percent from the prior year, while prices for food eaten at home were up 1.1 percent, according to government data. McDonald's $5 Meal Deal, which was matched by rivals like Burger King, helped win back some customers. Last quarter, its U.S. sales at locations open at least a year — rose 0.3 percent from the same period a year earlier. NEW YORK — DirecTV is calling off its planned acquisition of rival Dish after the offer was rejected by the buyout target's lenders. The deal was reliant on Dish bondholders agreeing to swap their debt for debt in the new company, which would have cost them about $1.6 billion. The retreat by DirecTV this week may end a years-long effort by the company to acquire both Dish and Sling after it announced the bid in September. DirecTV was looking to acquire Dish TV and Sling TV from its owner EchoStar in a debt exchange transaction that included a payment of $1, plus the assumption of about $9.8 billion in debt. The deal was contingent on several factors, including regulatory approvals and bondholders writing off debt related to Dish. The prospect of a DirecTV-Dish combo has long been rumored, and reported talks resurfaced over the years. And the two almost merged more than two decades ago — but the Federal Communications Commission blocked the deal valued at the time at $18.5 billion deal, citing antitrust concerns. The pay-for-TV market has shifted significantly since. As more and more consumers tune into online streaming platforms, demand for more traditional satellite entertainment continues to shrink. FRANKFURT, Germany — Technology manufacturer Bosch said Nov. 22 that it plans to reduce its automotive division workforce by as many as 5,500 jobs in the next several years in another sign of the headwinds hitting the German and global vehicle industries. The company cited stagnating global auto sales, a glut of factory capacity and the slower-than-expected transition to electric-powered, software-controlled cars. Some 3,500 of the job reductions at Bosch would come before the end of 2027 and would hit the part of the company that develops advanced driver assistance and automated driving technologies, as well as centralized vehicle software, said Bosch, which is headquartered near Stuttgart. About half those job reductions would be at locations in Germany. "The auto industry has significant overcapacities," the company said in a statement. "In addition, the market for future technologies is not developing as originally expected ... At the moment, many projects in this business area are being put off or abandoned by automakers." About 230,000 workers are under Bosch's mobility division, which operates a North Charleston plant, out of a global workforce of 429,000. NEW YORK — Amazon is investing an additional $4 billion in the artificial intelligence startup Anthropic as major technology companies rush to fund generative AI. This will bring the online retailer's total investment in Anthropic to $8 billion, which represents a minority ownership stake in the year-old startup founded by former leaders of the Microsoft-linked OpenAI. Under the deal, Amazon said the San Francisco-based Anthropic will now name Amazon's cloud computing unit, Amazon Web Services, as its "primary training partner." It will also use two AWS chips to train and deploy its future foundational models, the advanced systems that underpin general-purpose AI services like ChatGPT and Google's Bard chatbot. DETROIT — Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a pesky problem that can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. The actions cover more than 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles including the 2022-24 Ioniq 5, the 2023-25 Ioniq 6, GV60 and GV70, and the 2023 and 2024 G80. Also included are nearly 63,000 Kia EV 6 vehicles from the 2022-24 model years. The affiliated Korean automakers say in government documents that a transistor in a charging control unit can be damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery. Dealers will inspect and replace the control unit and a fuse if needed and update the software. Vehicles recalled earlier this year to fix the same problem are included. Owners will be notified by letter in December and January. ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Atlantic City's casinos saw their operating profits decline by nearly 14 percent in the third quarter of this year, figures released Nov. 22 by New Jersey gambling regulators show. The Division of Gaming Enforcement issued statistics showing that the nine casinos had a collective gross operating profit of $236.5 million for the July-September period, down 13.8 percent from a year earlier. It was the latest indication of how the casinos continue to struggle with economic conditions and the shift to less-profitable online gambling since the pandemic.How California retailers leverage technology to outsmart shopliftersThickness of color coated plate and how to pick the color of color coated coil

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NoneWith the broader stock market indexes hovering around all-time highs, some investors may fear that a sell-off is creeping on the horizon in 2025. After all, equity prices have outpaced earnings growth, leading to a relatively expensive market . Valuation concerns could lead to a pullback in stock prices in 2025, but that doesn't mean investors should sell out of their positions or stop putting new capital to work in the market. However, folks should take great care to ensure they are investing in quality companies that can justify their valuations with earnings growth over time rather than chasing hot stocks to make a quick buck. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can be excellent ways to invest in the market while maintaining diversification. Investment management firm Vanguard offers several low-cost ETFs that target various themes and stock market sectors. Here's why the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF ( VIG -0.71% ) , Vanguard Communications ETF ( VOX -1.12% ) , and the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF ( VOO -1.04% ) stand out as great buys now. Boost your passive income from dividend-growing companies The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF focuses on companies that are well positioned to continue raising their dividends for years to come. Top holdings include Apple , Broadcom , JPMorgan Chase , and Microsoft . Apple and Microsoft have yields under 1%, but they have track records for raising their dividends, as well as repurchasing stock. Many of the top holdings in the ETF are well-known industry-leading companies. The fund's focus on earnings growth makes it an excellent choice for investors interested in quality rather than high-yield stocks at bargain-bin prices. Granted, many of the fund's top holdings are hovering around all-time highs and have seen their valuations expand. But the fund is well diversified, with just a 30.7% concentration in the top 10 holdings and no individual holding making up more than 5% of the fund. The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF sports a yield of 1.7% -- which isn't high-yield territory , but it is better than the 1.2% yield from the S&P 500 . The communications sector offers a rare mix of growth and value The Vanguard Communications ETF mirrors the performance of the communications sector. The fund has been one of the best-performing Vanguard ETFs year to date -- up over 35%. And yet it is still a great value because many top communications stocks have impeccable earnings and cash flow growth. Meta Platforms , Alphabet , and Netflix are typically viewed as tech companies, but they are actually classified under the communications sector and dominate the Vanguard Communications ETF with a 52.4% combined weighting. The top 10 holdings in the fund, which include legacy media companies Walt Disney and Comcast , as well as telecom companies Verizon Communications , T-Mobile , and AT&T , make up 69.8% of the fund. The fund's heavy concentration in a handful of names means it is not very diversified and, therefore, only worth buying if you have high conviction in the top holdings -- especially Meta and Alphabet. Even though they are both hovering around all-time highs, Meta and Alphabet stand out as solid growth stocks to buy in 2025. As you can see in the following chart, both companies have reasonable forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios , especially compared to other megacap growth stocks. TSLA PE Ratio (Forward) data by YCharts Granted, forward P/E ratios should be taken with some skepticism, given that they are based on analyst consensus estimates for the next 12 months of earnings, which could vary wildly based on external factors, macroeconomic conditions, or company decision-making. But still, the fact that Meta and Alphabet are less expensive than other megacap growth stocks despite running up so much over the last couple of years makes them appealing choices for investors concerned with the valuations of tech-focused companies. Given that Meta and Alphabet depend on advertising revenue, it's worth understanding that their earnings could take a hit during a general economic downturn. However, folks who believe platforms like Alphabet-owned Google and YouTube or Meta-owned Instagram will continue growing their market share of the advertising industry should consider buying and holding the Vanguard Communications ETF through periods of volatility. A plug-and-play tool for putting your hard-earned savings to work With $1.37 trillion in net assets, the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF is one of the largest S&P 500 index funds on the market. The fund sports an expense ratio of just 0.03%, or $3 for every $10,000 invested. By comparison, the Vanguard Communications ETF has an expense ratio of 0.1% and the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF has an expense ratio of 0.06%. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF mirrors the performance of the S&P 500, which has become more top-heavy in recent years as the largest companies have grown progressively more valuable and outpaced the gains of the rest of the index. The top 10 holdings in the S&P 500, which are Apple, Nvidia , Microsoft, Amazon , Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Tesla , Berkshire Hathaway , Broadcom, and JPMorgan Chase, now make up a whopping 36.2% of the entire index. While some investors may feel like there are better ways to put capital to work than buying top growth stocks around all-time highs, it's important to understand that valuations can become reasonable over time so long as the companies grow earnings. For the most part, today's top growth stocks are growing profits and have long runways for future earnings growth . So, while top growth stocks may look expensive right now and could produce lousy returns in the short term, they should still be excellent long-term investments . Therefore, folks with ultra-long investment time horizons should still consider investing in an S&P 500 index fund. Three ETFs centered around industry-leading companies The Vanguard Appreciation ETF, Vanguard Communications ETF, and the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF are all hovering around all-time highs. But they could still be worth buying even if there is a sell-off in 2025 because all three funds focus on industry-leading, quality businesses. Even the best companies can see an earnings slowdown during an economic downturn. However, leading companies have many advantages during a downturn that can allow them to take market share, buy out companies cheaply, or continue to invest in research and development when competitors struggle to get by. No one knows what the market will do in 2025, but investing in quality companies -- or ETFs holding quality companies -- is a recipe for long-term wealth building. So despite big gains in recent years, long-term investors should still consider buying the Vanguard Appreciation ETF, Vanguard Communications ETF, and the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, even if there is a market sell-off in 2025.

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to a Noiseless Lagos through stricter enforcement of noise pollution regulations during and after the Yuletide season. Addressing a press conference on Monday, the Honourable Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, emphasized the need for stakeholders’ compliance to create a safer, peaceful, and healthier environment for residents. Mr. Wahab acknowledged the festive nature of the season, characterized by celebrations, music, and other social activities, but stressed the adverse effects of unregulated noise on health and environmental well-being. “While this season is unique for its festive activities, we must prioritize the quality of life and well-being of all residents. Unchecked noise pollution endangers public health and the environment,” he noted. The Commissioner announced the implementation of key measures to curb noise pollution, including: The Commissioner called on all residents, businesses, and visitors to embrace the Noiseless Lagos policy, emphasizing that the government is committed to creating a quieter, healthier, and more livable city. Mr. Wahab commended Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, for their reform policies under the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus agenda, which prioritize environmental sustainability and a cleaner Lagos. In concluding his address, the Commissioner thanked members of the press for their continued support and urged all stakeholders to join hands with the government in achieving a Noiseless Lagos. “Together, we can build a sustainable, livable, and peaceful Lagos that will remain a pride to us all,” he stated, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Igbega Ipinle Eko, Ajumose Ni O!”

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