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French authorities indict Telegram founder Pavel Durov on multiple charges

Donald Bitzer, a Collinsville native whose invention of the plasma screen in the 1960s made possible the ultra-thin TVs used today, died at his home in Cary, North Carolina, on Tuesday at the age of 90. Bitzer’s career contributions earned him a litany of honors, including an Emmy Award in 2002 for the groundbreaking screen he helped develop decades earlier. “Right up until the very end, he was working on problems,” his son, David, said. “He never retired.” Bitzer was born in East St. Louis but grew up in Collinsville, graduating Collinsville High as salutatorian, according to a transcript of a 2022 interview by the Computer History Museum. Bitzer's family owned car dealerships there, he said, but he was more interested in engineering, science and math. Bitzer led the Computer Based Education Research Laboratory at his alma mater, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, until 1989, when he accepted a distinguished computer science research position at North Carolina State. Landing an academic of Bitzer’s stature was a notable hire for the Raleigh university; his role was established with special funding from the North Carolina General Assembly. “He brings us national exposure,” the head of N.C. State’s computer systems lab said at the time. “Almost everyone has heard of his work in computer-aided instruction and instructional programs.” In 1960, Bitzer introduced the world’s first electronic learning system, called PLATO (short for Program Logic for Automatic Teaching Operations). This interactive terminal accelerated student learning through its touchscreen technology and graphics. It later became popular with early video game players. To make PLATO more visually appealing, Bitzer in 1964 co-created a small-panel display with fellow University of Illinois professor Gene Slottow and graduate student Robert Willson containing sheet glass, gold electrodes, and neon gas. They energized the gas to put it in a plasma state. Ultraviolet light from the plasma then activated phosphors on the monitor, resulting in a more vibrant presentation than the then-standard cathode ray tube displays provided. Their screen technology was eventually applied in a range of industries, including the military and entertainment. With the advent of high-definition television and DVD players in the 1990s, plasma screens became household staples. Within a few years, Bitzer and his co-inventors received a Scientific and Technological Emmy Award for their contribution to television. Bitzer was also an inductee to the National Inventors Hall of Fame and Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame. In 1974, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering. Colleagues described Bitzer as markedly intelligent and cooperative. “Well, I’d call him brilliant,” N.C. State computer science professor David McAllister said in 2002. “He’s been very good for the department because he likes to work in teams. He likes to help students and faculty, and he’s always ready to tell you funny stories.” Bitzer was one of the top paid N.C. State faculty members, earning $173,000 in the mid-2000s. He continued to teach courses into the 21st century, even though his position didn’t require him to. As a studied magician, he would incorporate tricks into lectures. Bitzer married his Collinsville High School sweetheart, Maryann. They traveled the world together, bringing along their only child, David, as Bitzer gave talks in places like India and the Soviet Union. The couple had three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Maryann died in 2022. That year, Bitzer gave an extensive oral history interview to the Computer History Museum , during which he described his travels, inventions and passions. “He would always have a story,” David said. One other thing Bitzer had by the end of his life, his son noted, was a flat-screen TV. News & Observer reporter Dan Kane contributed reporting.Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (NYSE:FIX) Position Boosted by Caprock Group LLC

COALFIELD — Despite missing five players, including a pair of starters, and only dressing nine total for a pair of Hall of Champions games Saturday evening, the Cleveland Lady Raiders notched two more easy victories. "We had so many players step up yesterday (Saturday) to make big plays when we needed it the most," related second-hear Cleveland head coach Bianca Hensley of a 71-50 blowout of host Coalfield followed shortly by a 63-39 thrashing of 2024 Class 1A State Quarterfinalist Clay County. "We didn't have the best start to the Clay County game, but our kids are resilient. They found a way after playing back-to-back games to come away with two wins." With recent Tennessee commit Lauren Hurst out for a third straight game with a groin injury, plus senior starter Tamiah Tanner unavailable as well, several younger players showed what they can do in the twinbill. The 2024 TSSAA Class 4A State Semifinalist Lady Raiders will turn around and play in the Silverdale Thanksgiving Invitational Monday through Wednesday. In the opening round Monday at 7 p.m., Cleveland (3-0) will battle Tyner Academy, which rolled over Signal Mountain 68-32 in its season opener Thursday. The Lady Raiders will face either Soddy Daisy (1-1) or Walker Valley (0-2) in Tuesday's Round 2 before at 3 p.m. before capping the event Wednesday. The other teams participating in the tournament-style play are defending champion Murfreesboro Central-Magnet (1-1), Ooltewah (2-1), Red Bank (1-1) and host Silverdale (2-0). Both teams ripped the cords for 19 points in the opening period before Cleveland took command with a 22-6 second frame advantage. Despite being down 41-25, the Class 3A hosts fought back to win the third quarter 18-14, but the Lady Raiders turned it on down the stretch to pull away with a 16-7 final frame advantage. Posting their highest point total of the young season, freshman Ariyah Huffman drilled a trio of 3-pointers, plus went 5-for-6 at the free throw line for 20 points in her first varsity start. After leading the team in scoring in the season opening win over Baylor, sophomore Laney Copeland sizzled the nylon on four long-range shots on her way to 18 markers. "Ariyah Huffman and Laney Copeland led the way offensively against Coalfield," praised Coach Hensley. "(Sophomore) Izzy Smith came off the bench and was a huge spark plug, hitting two 3s, scoring eight points and grabbing five rebounds." Like her little sister, senior sharpshooter Emma Smith also drilled a pair from "downtown" on her way to 10 points. "(Freshman) Addy Gravelle gave us great minutes off the bench with eight points," the Lady Raider mentor proclaimed. "We had another great game shooting the ball making 13 3's. "(Sophomore) Emily Patterson led us with 10 rebounds. She does all the small things by getting us extra possessions." Once again the opening quarter saw a very tight battle between 2004 TSSAA State qualifiers with Cleveland holding a narrow 18-16 edge. The Lady Raiders were able to open up a little breathing room (16-10) in the second frame for an eight-point halftime advantage. After the intermission, the Cleveland defense took over, holding the Lady Bulldogs to just 13 second half points, while pouring in 29 of their own for the third 20-plus point win of the campaign. Emma Smith topped the scoring tally with 20 points, including a pair of triples and going 6-for-7 at the charity stripe. Patterson helped out with 10 points, including 4-of-5 foul shots, while Huffman netted eight and Copeland seven, with a trey and 4-for-4 at the stripe. Freshman Jada Davis, who had a 3-pointers in each of the three games so far, and Izzy Smith netted five apiece. Along with her bomb, Davis nailed both her free throws, while the younger Smith and Huffman both went 3-for-4 on freebies. Although only hitting five 3-pointers in the win, Cleveland went 24-of-31 at the free throw line. Clay County's (0-2) other loss this season came to 2024 Class 3A State Runner-up Upperman.WASHINGTON D.C., DC — Story from The Conversation by Paula M. Carbone , Professor of Clinical Education, University of Southern California. Fast fashion is everywhere — in just about every mall, in the feeds of influencers on social media promoting overconsumption , and in ads constantly popping up online. Its focus on the continual production of new clothing is marked by speedy fashion cycles that give it its name . Fast fashion is intended to quickly copy high-end designs, but with low-quality materials, resulting in poorly made clothing intended to be worn once or twice before being thrown away . One of fast fashion’s leading companies, Zara, has a mission to put clothes in stores 15 days after the initial design. Another, Shein, adds up to 2,000 new items to its website daily. While others in the fashion industry are working toward more sustainable clothing, fast fashion is focused on profit. The market’s value was estimated at about US$100 billion in 2022 and growing quickly. It’s a large part of the reason global clothing production doubled from 2000 to 2014 . The big winners in this game are the corporations. The industry has a reputation for exploiting workers and for excessive pollution and extraordinary waste . Consumers are pulled into an unhealthy, spiraling pressure to buy more as cheap clothes fall apart fast. Fast fashion also has a growing impact on the global climate. It is responsible for an estimated 8% to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions , and its emissions are projected to grow quickly as the industry expands. I teach courses that explore fast fashion and sustainability . The industry’s growth seems unstoppable — but a combination of legislation and willpower might just rein it in. About 60% of fast-fashion items are made from synthetic textiles derived from plastics and chemicals that start their life as fossil fuels. When this synthetic clothing is laundered or thrown in landfills to decompose, it can release microplastics into the environment . Microplastics contain chemicals including phthalates and bisphenol A that can affect the health of humans and animals. Natural fibers have their own impacts on the environment. Growing cotton requires large quantities of water, and pesticides can run off from farmlands into streams, rivers and bays. Water is also used in chemically treating and dyeing textiles. A 2005 United Nations-led report on cotton’s water use estimated that, on average, a single cotton T-shirt requires about 700 gallons (2,650 liters) of water from crop to clothing rack, with about 300 gallons (1,135 liters) of that water used for irrigation. The chemicals used to process textiles for clothing for the fashion industry also contaminate wastewater with heavy metals, such as cadmium and lead, and toxic dyes . And that wastewater ends up in waterways in many countries, affecting the environment and wildlife. Fast fashion’s high output also creates literally mountains of waste . More than 90 million tons of textile waste ends up in landfills globally each year, by one estimate, adding to greenhouse gases as it slowly decomposes. Only a small percentage of discarded clothing is recycled . In many cultures, people’s self-perception is intimately connected to fashion choices, reflecting culture and alliances. The allure of buying new items comes from many sources. Influencers on social media play into FOMO – the fear of missing out. Cheap items can also lead to impulse buys. Research shows that shopping can also create a euphoric sense of happiness . However, fast fashion’s speed and marketing can also train consumers into “ psychological obsolescence ,” causing them to dislike purchases they previously enjoyed, so they quickly replace them with new purchases. Famous personalities may be helping to push back on this trend. Social media explodes when a first lady or Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales , wears an outfit more than once. The movement #30wearschallenge is starting with small steps, by urging consumers to plan to wear every piece of clothing they buy at least 30 times. Upcycling — turning old clothing into new clothing items — and buying sustainable and high-quality clothes that can last for years is being promoted by the United Nations and other organizations, including alliances in the fashion industry . Some influencers are also promoting more sustainable fashion brands . Research has shown that peer influence can be a powerful driver for making more sustainable choices. The largest market for fast fashion is Gen Z, ages 12 to 27 , many of whom are also concerned about climate change and might reconsider their fast-fashion buys if they recognized the connections between fast fashion and environmental harm. Some governments are also taking steps to reduce waste from fashion and other consumer products. The European Union is developing requirements for clothing to last longer and prohibiting companies from throwing out unsold textiles and footwear. France has pending legislation that, if passed, would ban publicity for fast-fashion companies and their products, require them to post the environmental impact of their products, and levy fines for violations. Changes in consumer habits, new technologies and legislation can each help reduce demand for unsustainable fashion. The cost of cheap clothes worn a few times also adds up. Next time you buy clothing, think about the long-term value to you and the planet. This article is from The Conversation , an independent, not-for-profit news organization dedicated to spreading ideas from experts. Republished under a Creative Commons license.NEW YORK , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with the AI impact on market trends - The global data center colocation and managed hosting services market size is estimated to grow by USD 236.9 billion from 2024 to 2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 16.82% during the forecast period. The report provides a comprehensive forecast of key segments below- Segmentation Overview 1.1 BFSI 1.2 Healthcare 1.3 E-commerce 1.4 Telecommunication 1.5 Others 2.1 Wholesale 2.2 Retail 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 APAC 3.4 Middle East and Africa 3.5 South America Get a glance at the market contribution of rest of the segments - Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes! 1.1 Fastest growing segment: The banking and financial services sector (BFSI) is experiencing significant growth in m-commerce and e-commerce activities in North America , Europe , and developing economies like India and China in APAC. Financial data, including customer financials, account information, cardholder data, and transaction and personal information, is highly regulated by regulatory bodies such as the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). BFSI companies, including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and Co., and Morgan Stanley, require optimal uptime, security, connectivity, and data integrity for sharing information across networks. Traditional data center ownership poses high operating costs for global BFSI companies, leading them to outsource colocation space from vendors or lease servers from managed hosting service providers. This shift towards outsourcing is expected to drive the growth of the BFSI segment of the data center colocation and managed hosting services market during the forecast period. Analyst Review The Data Center Colocation and Managed Hosting Services market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing demand for cybersecurity, data management, and remote work solutions. With the rise of artificial intelligence, automation, IoT devices, and hybrid work models, businesses require secure and efficient data center solutions to manage their digital transformation. IT security professionals are prioritizing data security, endpoint security, and network monitoring to protect sensitive information. Differentiating customer experiences and building strong client relationships are crucial for gaining a competitive edge. Deployment models, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance, such as HIPAA in healthcare and pharmaceuticals, are also key considerations. Enterprises are turning to colocation and managed hosting services to meet their unique needs, drive innovation, and stay ahead of the competition. Market Overview In the digital age, businesses increasingly rely on Data Center Colocation and Managed Hosting Services to manage their IT infrastructure. These services offer operational efficiency, overhead cost savings, and access to advanced technologies such as Cloud computing, Artificial Intelligence, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. With the shift to remote work solutions and hybrid work models, data security and cybersecurity have become paramount. IT security professionals are tasked with safeguarding against cyber threats, data leakage, malware, and attack surfaces. The market ecosystem includes IT & telecom, manufacturing, retail & consumer goods, healthcare & life sciences, energy & utilities, media & entertainment, and various verticals. Industry expansion brings new opportunities but also pricing pressures, requiring differentiation through superior customer experiences and client relationships. Deployment models range from on-premises infrastructure to DCaaS, with IT executives leveraging these services to gain a competitive edge. In the Metaverse concept, data centers play a crucial role in supporting digital services, online customer experiences, e-commerce, and online retail. Companies like Rackspace Technology and Google Cloud are leading the charge, offering managed hosting services tailored to various industries, from healthcare and pharmaceuticals to enterprises. The retail industry, in particular, benefits from data management, enabling transaction history analysis, cashierless checkout, and personalized marketing through social media and mobile shopping apps. However, the increasing use of these services also presents challenges. Ensuring HIPAA compliance in healthcare and pharmaceuticals, addressing cybersecurity concerns, and maintaining availability and business continuity through service-level agreements are critical. As the market evolves, providers must stay ahead of the curve, offering advanced security features like cyber hardening and endpoint security, as well as network monitoring and automation to meet the demands of distributed teams. To understand more about this market- Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes! Key Topics Covered: About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio

Trump invited China's Xi to his inauguration even as he threatened massive tariffs on Beijing

Consumers in the United States scoured the internet for online deals as they looked to take advantage of the post-Thanksgiving shopping marathon with Cyber Monday. Even though e-commerce is now part and parcel of many people's regular routines and the holiday shopping season, Cyber Monday — a term coined in 2005 by the National Retail Federation — has become the biggest online shopping day of the year, thanks to the deals and the hype the industry has created to fuel it. Adobe Analytics, which tracks online shopping, expected consumers to spend $13.2 billion Monday — a record, and 6.1% more than last year. That would make it the biggest shopping day for e-commerce for the season — and the year. Online spending was expected to peak between the hours of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday night, per Adobe — reaching an estimated $15.7 million spent every minute. For several major retailers, a Cyber Monday sale is a dayslong event that began over the Thanksgiving weekend. An Amazon Prime delivery person lifts packages while making a stop Nov. 28, 2023, in Denver. Amazon kicked off its sales event right after midnight Pacific time on Saturday. Target's two days of discount offers on its website and app began overnight Sunday. Walmart rolled out its Cyber Monday offers for Walmart+ members Sunday afternoon and opened it up to all customers three hours later, at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Consumer spending for Cyber Week — the five major shopping days between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday — provides a strong indication of how much shoppers are willing to spend for the holidays. Many U.S. consumers continue to experience sticker shock after the period of post-pandemic inflation, which left prices for many goods and services higher than they were three years ago. But retail sales nonetheless remain strong, and the economy kept growing at a healthy pace. At the same time, credit card debt and delinquencies are rising. More shoppers than ever are also on track to use "buy now, pay later" plans this holiday season, which allows them to delay payments on holiday decor, gifts and other items. Many economists also warned that President-elect Donald Trump's plan to impose tariffs next year on foreign goods coming into the United States would lead to higher prices on everything from food to clothing to automobiles. A FedEx delivery person carries a package from a truck Nov. 17, 2022, in Denver. The National Retail Federation expects holiday shoppers to spend more this year both in stores and online than last year. But the pace of spending growth will slow slightly, the trade group said, growing 2.5% to 3.5% — compared to 3.9% in 2023. A clear sense of consumer spending patterns during the holiday season won't emerge until the government releases sales data for the period, but some preliminary data from other sources shows some encouraging signs for retailers. Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights, noted that discounts from Thanksgiving onward "exceeded expectations" and online spending throughout Cyber Week is on track to cross a record $40 billion mark combined. U.S. shoppers spent $10.8 billion online on Black Friday, a 10.2% increase over last year, according to Adobe Analytics. That's also more than double what consumers spent in 2017, when Black Friday pulled in about $5 billion in online sales. Consumers also spent a record $6.1 billion online on Thanksgiving Day, Adobe said. Meanwhile, software company Salesforce, which also tracks online shopping, estimated that Black Friday online sales totaled $17.5 billion in the U.S. and $74.4 billion globally. Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks in-person and online spending, reported that overall Black Friday sales excluding automotive rose 3.4% from a year ago. A United Parcel Service driver sorts deliveries July 15, 2023, on New York's Upper West Side. E-commerce platform Shopify said its merchants raked in a record $5 billion in sales worldwide on Black Friday. At its peak, sales reached $4.6 million per minute — with top categories by volume including clothing, cosmetics and fitness products, according to the Canadian company. Toys, electronics, home goods, self-care and beauty categories were among the key drivers of holiday spending on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, according to Adobe. "Hot products" included Lego sets, espresso machines, fitness trackers, makeup and skin care. Other data showed physical stores saw fewer customers on Black Friday, underscoring how the huge crowds that were once synonymous with the day after Thanksgiving are now more than happy to shop from the comfort of their homes. RetailNext, which measures real-time foot traffic in stores, said its early data showed store traffic on Friday was down 3.2% in the U.S. compared to last year, with the biggest dip happening in the Midwest. Sensormatic Solutions, which also tracks store traffic, said its preliminary analysis showed retail store traffic on Black Friday was down 8.2% compared to 2023. Grant Gustafson, head of retail consulting and analytics at Sensormatic Solutions, noted that in-store traffic was getting spread across multiple days since many retailers offered generous discounts before and after Black Friday. "Some of the extended Black Friday promotions really ended up leading to a little bit of a softer day-of traffic than expected," Gustafson said. In 2024, staying small on purpose seems to be paying off big for small businesses. They're keeping operations small and targeting niche, highly specialized customers. And some business owners find this strategy results in more time, energy, and money to intentionally capitalize on unique, small cap opportunities. The data tells the story of growth in small businesses for the year. According to NEXT , the Small Business Administration (SBA) reports awarding 38,000 SBA 7(a) loans under $150,000: double the amount they awarded in 2020. Here are the related small-business trends paying off in 2024. Commercial real estate agent Ryan Beckenhauer of Market Real Estate in Boulder, Colorado, has noticed that small businesses are growing smaller, and that their office and warehouse spaces are starting to reflect that as they shop for business space. In commercial real estate, many small business owners gravitate toward industrial condos and other flexible spaces. These are small-scale industrial spaces with a 90:10 or 80:20 split of warehouse to office. "More individuals are leveraging skills acquired at larger organizations to venture out on their own," explains Beckenhauer. And he goes on to say that they don't need a large commercial space as they make that leap to start a business. His clients include engineers, consultants, builders and other tradespeople. Beckenhauer's clients like the flexibility of being out of an office and being close to their inventory and workshop space. "The clients want to see and touch the finishes," he says. Small business owners both rent or buy these spaces. But he's seeing his clients opt to own industrial condos to stabilize costs due to rent increases in Boulder. And because these spaces are smaller, it can be easier for new buyers to qualify for financing. Mariana Alvarez, owner of Controller Works , an online bookkeeping and advisory firm, has noticed that small business owners outsource financial support services because they don't want to increase headcount. "Outsourcing gives them the possibility of having access to the knowledge and the skills of a CFO without having to pay for the salary," she says. "They don't have to manage or deal with the workload, employment taxes , and all that comes with it," says Alvarez. Additionally, many small business owners in fields like construction are family-owned, and this makes it easier for business owners to hand off delicate financial work to a trusted person with financial experience. Every small business has recurring tasks that can benefit from some level of artificial intelligence automation . And Alvarez sees a lot of value in using AI for small business bookkeeping. She explains that you can automate the data entry on Quickbooks. "When you create rules, as long as you create the rules correctly, it pretty much does itself," says Alvarez. From there, you can lean on financial experts to help you analyze the data and make more informed decisions. She uses AI as a background resource when guiding her accounting clients. "I believe that we still need the human-to-human interaction that comes with more perspective for financial analysis," she explains. According to the SBA , 77% of consumers feel that human interaction is still required for a positive customer experience. People turn to small businesses every day for a human experience. According to Arvind Rongala, CEO of Edstellar , small business workers can show up for their customers but still use AI for routine tasks like customer queries. "This balance allows companies to scale their operations without losing the personal touch that makes them unique. It's important to remember that AI isn't there to replace the human element—it's there to enhance it," he says. "By really focusing on one very small weakness that Amazon has, I've been able to carve out a successful business by offering something different," says Lou Harvey owner of Tank Retailer , a retailer of commercial water and fuel tanks. "When you read our customer reviews, many of them actually mention me by name because of how much we focus on customer service and go the extra mile." One of Harvey's most successful business strategies this year has been to lean into his small, niche market and offer the kind of customer experience that large retailers like Amazon don't. "Any small weaknesses that Amazon has (however small those weaknesses may be) needs to become a strength of a smaller business focusing on a niche market," says Harvey. Harvey has his company's customer service phone number front and center on the website to help earn customer trust. "I prominently feature our phone number, and a real person always answers the phone (usually it's me)," says Harvey. Lucie Voves, CEO and founder of Church Hill Classics , an online, woman-owned diploma framing company that uses sustainable materials, has noticed an uptick in customers seeking services from a business on a mission. "This year, we've seen a growing inclination for consumers to actively seek out and support small businesses owned by women and minorities," says Voves. When consumers shop small, they choose to make their dollars count. "Customers are fueled by a desire to promote social impact through purchasing power," says Voves. Long gone are the days of online retailers "building it and they will come." In 2024 we've seen more small businesses than ever turn to social commerce to sell directly on social media platforms like Instagram Shopping , Facebook Marketplace , and TikTok . Small business owners are turning toward influencers, social media ads, and organic content to target their customers. Mike Vannelli of Envy Creative creates online ads for businesses, and he has seen his clients succeed on TikTok of late. "I've seen businesses, especially in retail, use TikTok's short-form video format to make their products go viral. Think of it as word-of-mouth marketing on steroids," says Vannelli. He uses the platform's algorithm to push a company's content to the right audiences, and it works because TikTok loves storytelling. "I know small brands that use behind-the-scenes videos, customer testimonials, and even playful challenges that tap into trends to humanize their products and build trust," explains Vannelli. To stand out on TikTok, he says, smaller brands need to embrace authenticity and emotional connection. Show your team, share your journey, and involve your community in content creation. This story was produced by NEXT and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.

Tampa Bay (7-6) at Los Angeles Chargers (8-5) Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST, FOX BetMGM NFL odds: Chargers by 3. Against the spread: Buccaneers 8-5; Chargers 9-4. Series record: Chargers lead 8-4. Last meeting: Chargers beat Buccaneers 38-31 in Tampa, Fla., on Oct. 4, 2020. Last week: Buccaneers beat Las Vegas 28-13; Chargers lost to Kansas City 19-17. Buccaneers offense: overall (3), rush (8), pass (6), scoring (5). Buccaneers defense: overall (28), rush (11), pass (30), scoring (22). Chargers offense: overall (24), rush (19), pass (25), scoring (13). Chargers defense: overall (11), rush (T-14), pass (8), scoring (1). Turnover differential: Buccaneers minus-2; Chargers plus-11. QB Baker Mayfield is trying to lead Tampa Bay to a fourth consecutive NFC South title. He’s already matched a career-best for touchdown passes with 28, but also hasn’t done as good a job of taking care of the football as a year ago. He threw for 295 yards and three TDs in last week’s 15-point win over Las Vegas. He also turned the ball over three times in the first half to help the Raiders stay close until the fourth quarter. WR Quentin Johnston bounced back from a couple of tough performances to make five catches for 48 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs. But inconsistency has been the defining trait of the slow start to Johnston’s NFL career, so being able to follow it up will be telling. The Chargers needed the 2023 first-round pick to step up with rookie Ladd McConkey sidelined because of knee and shoulder injuries last week. With McConkey's status to play Sunday uncertain, Johnston could be called on again. Chargers RB Kimani Vidal vs. Buccaneers LB Lavonte David. Vidal, a rookie from Troy, seems to have increased his standing in the Chargers’ backfield that definitely missed J.K. Dobbins (knee). Vidal had eight carries for 34 yards while playing 53% of the offensive snaps in Kansas City, more than starter Gus Edwards. The Chargers are going to stick to the run under coach Jim Harbaugh, which means the newcomer Vidal will have to outfox a 13-season veteran in David. At 34, David remains a force, making seven tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss and recovering a fumble against the Raiders. He is eight tackles away from his 11th season of triple-digit stops. Bucs S Antoine Winfield Jr. left last week’s game with a knee sprain and is expected to be sidelined a couple of weeks. Leading rusher Bucky Irving has a back injury that will be evaluated as the week progresses. ... Chargers QB Justin Herbert is dealing with a sprained left ankle, but doesn't believe it is as serious as the right high ankle sprain he sustained in Week 2 against Carolina. Herbert was able to play through that ailment, which should bode well for his availability. While the Chargers won eight of the first nine meetings between the franchises, Tampa Bay took the past three. ... This will be the Buccaneers’ third trip to Los Angeles and second to SoFi Stadium, where they lost 34-24 to the Rams in September 2021. The Bucs are 7-1 in December/January regular-season games going back to last season. They’re 19-5 in those games going back to 2020, the first of Tom Brady’s three years with Tampa Bay. ... WR Mike Evans needs 17 receptions and 426 yards over the next four games to finish with his 11th consecutive season with at least 60 catches and 1,000 yards receiving. ... Evans had seven receptions for 122 yards and a TD the previous time Tampa Bay faced the Chargers (Oct. 4, 2020). ... The Bucs have rushed for 100-plus yards in 10 of 13 games. That’s after doing it just nine times over 34 games the past two regular seasons. ... With leading rusher Bucky Irving sitting out most of last week’s game against Las Vegas with a back injury, starter Rachaad White took up the slack with 90 yards rushing on 17 attempts — both season highs. He also scored two TDs, one receiving. ... White’s rushing TD was the 14th for Tampa Bay. That’s more than the Bucs scored on the ground in 2022 (five) and 2023 (eight) combined. ... The Chargers have turned the ball over a league-low six times. The franchise record for fewest giveaways in a season is 15, which they did in 2006 and 2017. ... Herbert hasn’t thrown an interception in 11 straight games. That is tied with Brady for the longest streak in NFL history. Brady closed out the 2010 regular season for New England without being picked off after Week 5. ... S Derwin James Jr. has three tackles for loss and two sacks in his past three games. ... PK Cameron Dicker has made 65 of 66 field goals under 50 yards in his career, with his 98.5% success rate the best in league history. Dicker has made all 30 attempts inside of 50 yards at home. ... The Chargers defense allowed 17 of 31 third down conversions (54.8%) in two games against the Chiefs. They have held their other 11 opponents to 45 of 146 (30.8%). The Buccaneers find ways to play shootouts, with eight of their games seeing the winner score 30 or more points. The Chargers find ways to play grinding affairs, with only two of their games seeing the winner score 28 or more points. Whoever dictates the style of play will determine how much fantasy value comes out of this game. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLBroncos cornerback Riley Moss is set to return after missing a month with knee injuryEdgewell Personal Care's chief supply chain officer sells stock for $165,266

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Irish General Election 2024: Counting complete, all Dáil seats filledThe Houston Texans (7-4) take on a fellow AFC South opponent when they host the Tennessee Titans (2-8) on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at NRG Stadium. What channel is Texans vs. Titans on? What time is Texans vs. Titans? The Texans and the Titans play at 1 p.m. ET. NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more. Texans vs. Titans betting odds, lines, spread Texans vs. Titans recent matchups Texans schedule Titans schedule NFL week 12 schedule This content was created for Gannett using technology provided by Data Skrive.Here are 20 inventions that changed the world

Perhaps no team in the NFL would benefit more from a win this coming weekend than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . If Tampa can upset the Los Angeles Chargers on the road, it could be the difference in the fight for the NFC South. Here is why. With four games remaining in the 2024 NFL regular season, the Buccaneers (7-6) hold a one-game lead over the Atlanta Falcons (6-7) to win the NFC South. Tampa is currently riding a three-game winning streak, while the Falcons have lost four in a row. It is worth noting, though, that by virtue of sweeping their two head-to-head matchups, the Falcons hold the tiebreaker over the Buccaneers. For that reason, Tampa will need to finish at least one game ahead in order to win the division. Helping the Bucs' case is the fact that they have a fairly easy schedule the rest of the way, but so does Atlanta . Both teams play only one remaining opponent with a record above .500 -- for the Falcons, that's the 8-5 Washington Commanders in Week 17, while for Tampa Bay, it's this Sunday in L.A. With a loss to the 8-5 Chargers, who are three-point favorites, Atlanta would have the opportunity to reclaim the momentum. Then, should the Falcons manage to upset Washington while holding serve against the teams they'd be expected to beat, they would be division champs. Should the Bucs beat the Chargers, though, it would do wonders in helping them clinch the division title. As long as Tampa can avoid any ensuing bad losses down the stretch, it might be all they need to separate themselves for good.

The United States offered a $10 million reward on Tuesday for information leading to the arrest of a Chinese man and co-conspirators wanted for hacking computer firewalls. Guan Tianfeng, 30, is believed to be living in China’s Sichuan Province, according to the State Department. An indictment charging Guan with conspiracy to commit computer fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud was unsealed on Tuesday. The Treasury Department said it had imposed sanctions on the company Guan worked for, Sichuan Silence Information Technology Co Ltd. Guan and co-conspirators at Sichuan Silence allegedly took advantage of a vulnerability in firewalls sold by UK-based cybersecurity company Sophos Ltd, according to the indictment. “The defendant and his co-conspirators exploited a vulnerability in tens of thousands of network security devices, infecting them with malware designed to steal information from victims around the world,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a statement. Some 81,000 firewall devices were simultaneously attacked worldwide in April 2020, the indictment said, with the aim of stealing data, including usernames and passwords, while also attempting to infect the computers with ransomware. More than 23,000 firewalls were in the United States, of which 36 were protecting “critical infrastructure companies’ systems,” the Treasury said. “The zero-day vulnerability Guan Tianfeng and his co-conspirators found and exploited affected firewalls owned by businesses across the United States,” FBI agent Herbert Stapleton said. “If Sophos had not rapidly identified the vulnerability and deployed a comprehensive response, the damage could have been far more severe.” According to the indictment, Sichuan Silence sold its services and the data it obtained through hacking to Chinese businesses and to government entities, including the Ministry of Public Security.Republicans clash over 'SALT' deduction as they seek to extend Trump's tax law