Delray Beach (US), Dec 29 (AP) A high-speed passenger train collided with a fire truck at a crossing Saturday morning in Florida, injuring three firefighters and at least a dozen train passengers, authorities said. The crash happened at 10:45 am in crowded downtown Delray Beach, multiple news outlets reported. The Brightline train was stopped on the tracks, its front destroyed, about a block away from the Delray Beach Fire Rescue truck, its ladder ripped off and strewn in the grass several yards away, The Sun-Sentinel reported. Also Read | Earthquake in UAE: Light Quake of Magnitude 2.2 on Richter Scale Hits Falaj Al Mualla. The Delray Beach Fire Rescue said in a social media post that three Delray Beach firefighters were in stable condition at a hospital. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue took 12 people from the train to the hospital with minor injuries. Emmanuel Amaral rushed to the scene on his golf cart after hearing a loud crash and screeching train brakes from where he was having breakfast a couple of blocks away. He saw firefighters climbing out of the window of their damaged truck and pulling injured colleagues away from the tracks. One of their helmets came to rest several hundred feet away from the crash. Also Read | Azerbaijan Airline Plane Crash: Russian President Vladimir Putin Apologises to Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev After Fatal Flight 8432 Crash. “The front of that train is completely smashed, and there was even some of the parts to the fire truck stuck in the front of the train, but it split the car right in half. It split the fire truck right in half, and the debris was everywhere,” Amaral said. Brightline officials did not immediately comment on the crash. A spokesperson for the National Transportation Safety Board said it was still gathering information about the crash and had not decided yet whether it will investigate. The NTSB is already investigating two crashes involving Brightline's high-speed trains that killed three people early this year at the same crossing along the railroad's route between Miami and Orlando. More than 100 people have died after being hit by trains since Brightline began operations in July 2017 — giving the railroad the worst death rate in the nation. But most of those deaths have been either suicides, pedestrians who tried to run across the tracks ahead of a train or drivers who went around crossing gates instead of waiting for a train to pass. Brightline has not been found to be at fault in those previous deaths. Railroad safety has been a concern since a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, in February 2023, spilling toxic chemicals that caught fire. Regulators urged the industry to improve safety and members of Congress proposed a package of reforms, but railroads have not made many major changes to their operations and the bill has stalled. Earlier this month the two operators of a Union Pacific train were killed after it collided with a semitrailer truck that was blocking a crossing in the small West Texas town of Pecos. Three other people were injured, and the local Chamber of Commerce building was damaged. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)Twins deal LHP Jovani Moran to Red Sox for INF Mickey Gasper
A Democratic state senator’s errant email is shedding light on new taxes that she and her colleagues may pursue in 2025 as well as a strategy to sell them to the public. Sen. Noel Frame , D-Seattle, sent the missive last Friday as a follow-up to discussion during a Washington state Senate Democratic Caucus retreat. But she inadvertently blasted it out to every Republican senator too. You can predict what happened next. Her email and attached PowerPoint presentation found their way onto social media. A furor followed. Conservative podcaster Brandi Kruse, a former television journalist, led the way, calling the materials “worse than getting a lump of coal in your stocking.” “Probably the worst email and ideas in state history,” wrote Rep. Travis Couture , R-Allyn, on X. He will be the lead Republican on the House Appropriations Committee next session. Frame on Monday described the email mixup as a “very simple error.” She said her presentation was intended as an “education exercise” for her Democratic colleagues. With the state facing a multi-billion dollar shortfall, she said her role as vice chair of finance on the Senate Ways and Means Committee is to explore tax options while others try to identify savings. “I wanted to get the conversation started early. Not this early. Now, every legislator is better prepared,” she said Frame’s email says the quiet part out loud. House Speaker Laurie Jinkins and Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen have said voters’ preserving of the capital gains tax in the November election is a sign they’re comfortable with requiring super-wealthy individuals and large businesses to pay a little more. And Democratic budget writers in the two chambers have already indicated that they plan to consider all revenue options to erase a shortfall estimated between $12 billion and $16 billion over the next four-and-a-half fiscal years. They’ve just not itemized tax policies in the manner Frame did. For example, there have been private conversations on attempting a statewide version of Seattle’s JumpStart tax levied on companies with large payrolls and high-paid employees . Frame puts it atop her list. The idea is employers would pay a tax on the total compensation paid to employees making more than $168,600 annually. It would affect companies with an annual payroll of $8 million or more in Washington. A “wealth tax” is on her list as well. Last year, she proposed a 1% levy on intangible assets above $250 million such as cash, bonds and stocks. Gov. Jay Inslee last week called for a similar tax on wealth above $100 million. Frame’s PowerPoint includes a guesstimate of what might be raised if the threshold is lowered to $50 million. In addition, Frame suggests the Democratic majorities in the House and Senate could make another run at a 1% real estate transfer tax on any portion of property sales above $3.025 million. That proposal didn’t reach the finish line last session. Her roster includes a 1% surcharge on taxes paid by the state’s largest corporations, an excise tax on guns and ammunition sales, a lift of the 1% cap on annual property tax increases , and a sales tax on self-storage unit rentals. “We can fund world-class schools, affordable housing, and more by making the wealthy few pay what they owe,” reads the PowerPoint. “We have to identify the villain and the problem blocking our progress and how we can take action to solve the issue.” Pedersen said Monday he doesn’t think it’s “necessarily a bad thing” the email got out. Democrats are trying to be transparent on the pluses and minuses of different revenue options, he said, adding that there will be months of discussion “before we get to the answer.” Even so, Pedersen distanced himself from the content. “The PowerPoint contained language that Sen. Frame was trying to sell the caucus on and I’ll say that reflects Sen. Frame’s viewpoint, and that’s not necessarily the viewpoint of any other member,” he said. Frame also outlined tax relief ideas such as a renters’ credit and a property tax exemption for one’s primary residence. A margin tax for businesses is on the list too. This would allow a company to choose a major deduction — like the cost of labor — before tax is calculated on its gross receipts. In her email, Frame invited her Democratic colleagues to reach out if they had interest in sponsoring a revenue bill. “Let’s spread that tax policy love around! 😊,” she wrote. 2025 Revenue Discussion slides The PowerPoint presentation emailed by Sen. Noel Frame featuring discussion and possible messaging about tax policy proposals for 2025. 2025 SDC revenue policy handout – FINAL The PowerPoint presentation emailed by Sen. Noel Frame listing tax policy options Democrats could choose to consider in 2025. Washington State Standard is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Washington State Standard maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Bill Lucia for questions: info@washingtonstatestandard.com .The Reds ultimately left St James’ Park with only a point after Fabian Schar snatched a 3-3 draw at the end of a pulsating encounter, but Salah’s double – his 14th and 15th goals of the season – transformed a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead before the Switzerland defender’s late intervention. The 32-year-old Egypt international’s future at Anfield remains a topic of debate with his current contract running down. Asked about Salah’s future, Slot said: “It’s difficult for me to predict the long-term future, but the only thing I can expect or predict is that he is in a very good place at the moment. Two goals and an assist for Mo tonight 👏 pic.twitter.com/tMXidgeA0P — Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 4, 2024 “He plays in a very good team that provides him with good opportunities and then he is able to do special things. “And what makes him for me even more special is that in the first hour or before we scored to make it 1-1, you thought, ‘He’s not playing his best game today’, and to then come up with a half-hour or 45 minutes – I don’t know how long it was – afterwards with an assist, two goals, having a shot on the bar, being a constant threat, that is something not many players can do if they’ve played the first hour like he did. “That is also what makes him special. If you just look at the goals, his finish is so clinical. He’s a special player, but that’s what we all know.” Salah did indeed endure a quiet opening 45 minutes by his standards and it was the Magpies who went in at the break a goal to the good after Alexander Isak’s stunning 35th-minute finish. Slot said: “The shot from Isak, I don’t even know if Caoimh (keeper Caoimhin Kelleher) saw that ball, as hard as it was.” Salah set up Curtis Jones to level five minutes into the second half and after Anthony Gordon has restored the hosts’ lead, levelled himself from substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold’s 68th-minute cross. He looked to have won it with a fine turn and finish – his ninth goal in seven league games – seven minutes from time, only for Schar to pounce from a tight angle in the 90th minute. Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe was delighted with the way his team took the game to the Reds four days after their disappointing 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace. Howe, who admitted his surprise that VAR official Stuart Attwell had not taken a dimmer view of a Virgil van Dijk shoulder barge on Gordon, said: “It’s mixed emotions. “Part of me feels we should have won it – a big part of me – but part of me is pleased we didn’t lose either because it was such a late goal for us. “Generally, I’m just pleased with the performance. There was much more attacking output, a much better feel about the team. “There was much better energy, and it was a really good performance against, for me, the best team we’ve played so far this season in the Premier League, so it was a big jump forward for us.”
Cameron Huefner scores 20 and Sam Houston beats Dallas 111-65
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM and MATTHEW BROWN Swaths of Pennsylvania and many other states are honeycombed with old, unstable mines that can cause the earth to suddenly give way — a phenomenon known as “ mine subsidence ” that poses a threat to people and property. That’s what searchers in Westmoreland County, just southeast of Pittsburgh, fear led to the disappearance of 64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard . Pollard and a young granddaughter were looking for a lost cat when she went missing Monday evening. At about the same time, a sinkhole appeared roughly 20 feet (6 meters) from where she had parked her car, in an area above an old coal mine. The granddaughter was found safe inside the car hours later, while the difficult and potentially dangerous search for Pollard continues. Mine subsidence has caused billions of dollars in damage in areas of the U.S. where mining once took place. In Pennsylvania alone, coal was mined in nearly half of the state’s 67 counties and there are at least 5,000 abandoned underground mines, leaving behind hazards that officials say can arise at any time. The Marguerite Mine that authorities believe resulted in the sinkhole was last operated in 1952 by the H.C. Frick Coke Co., according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. The coal seam in the area is about 20 feet (6 meters) beneath the surface. The state Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation will examine the scene when the search concludes to see if the sinkhole was indeed caused by mine subsidence, spokesperson Neil Shader said. There are as many as 500,000 abandoned mines in the U.S. — far outnumbering those that are still active, according to the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration. Related Articles National News | Dog food recalled in 7 states for salmonella risk after puppy litter gets sick, FDA says National News | White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign National News | A shooter kills UnitedHealthcare’s CEO in an ambush in New York, police say National News | After 1 year, Medicaid expansion in North Carolina nears its enrollment goal National News | Powell: Fed’s independence from politics is vital to its interest rate decisions In many cases their owners simply walked away from coal or precious metals mines when they became uneconomical to operate and declared bankruptcy, leaving behind safety hazards and costly pollution cleanups that public agencies must handle. Old mines pose myriad dangers , with 381 people killed and 152 injured at abandoned mine sites nationwide between 2000 and 2013, according to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Victims can fall into hidden shafts, get lost in underground tunnels or perish from poisonous gases present in many old coal mines. Mine shafts can extend hundreds of feet beneath the surface and often are unmarked. State and federal agencies have sealed off many old mines. But more are discovered every year and officials have yet to conduct basic risk analyses on most of the abandoned mines on federal land. Besides the safety hazards, millions of gallons of water loaded with arsenic, lead and other toxic metals flows daily from contaminated mine sites without being treated. Rubinkam reported form northeastern Pennsylvania and Brown reported from Billings, Montana.The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become the largest investor in new businesses in Africa , raising hopes of a promising future for emerging technologies on the continent. Between 2019 and 2023, Emirati companies invested £88 billion in the continent, with the vast majority of these coming in renewable energy . The figure is more than double the investment made by more traditional investors such as the UK, France and China who have all scaled back investment following a series of project which failed to produce the expected returns, according to the Financial Times. African countries had hoped for around £1 trillion to be pledged to fight climate change on the continent at the recent COP conference but were left disappointed when that figure ended up being around £270 million. But whilst the investment promises a bright future for the continents green energy sectors, there are fears that the Emirati’s poor history with regards to workers’ rights could see African workers exploited. Ahmed Aboudouh is an associate fellow at the Chatham House thinktank who believes that Emirati investment comes with risk. He said: “African countries are in dire need of this money [for] their own energy transitions. And they plug huge holes, the Emirati investors, that the west failed to. “But at the same time they come in with less attention to labour rights, to environmental standards.” Ken Opalo, an associate professor at Georgetown University agrees: “African countries need all the financing and trade they can get, however, there is also the opportunity for the attention to breed criminality – like we are seeing in the gold sector.” The UAE has long been a big player in North Africa and the Horn of Africa where it has been accused of fuelling conflicts in countries such as Libya and Sudan . But its expansion deeper into the continent is seen as an attempt to diversify its economy from oil and gas and open up now markets such as copper and lithium, both crucial to the production of electric vehicles. Aside from green initiatives, UAE companies have also invested in areas such as telecoms and agriculture with the Dubai royal Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook al-Maktoum recently agreeing a deal which will see him sell carbon credits from forests covering a fifth of Zimbabwe , 10% of Liberia, 10% of Zambia and 8% of Tanzania . Other investments have seen the Gulf state purchase significant holdings in many of the continent’s mining conglomerates.Twins deal LHP Jovani Moran to Red Sox for INF Mickey Gasper
Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug useAP News Summary at 5:52 p.m. EST
I visited UK’s strictest pub... there’s a no phone policy & coats go on a hook – but one rule went too farThe year 2024 marked a turning point for artificial intelligence (AI) in sports . Once defined by raw talent, physical endurance, and strategy, sports underwent a technological revolution as AI reshaped training grounds, arenas, and even fan experiences. This transformative year redefined athletic performance, fan engagement, and operational efficiency. Revolutionising Game Strategy AI became the ultimate assistant coach in 2024, with machine learning algorithms analysing opponents’ tactics, predicting strategies, and crafting real-time countermeasures. Teams across football, basketball, and cricket used AI-driven analytics to gain an edge, turning data into actionable playbooks that combined historical trends with live game conditions. Usyk vs Fury Rematch: A Glimpse into AI’s Role in Combat Sports The rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury introduced AI to boxing in the form of an experimental AI judge. Although its scorecard didn’t affect the official decision, the AI awarded Usyk a wider victory margin (118-112) compared to the human judges (116-112). The initiative, championed by Saudi Arabian fight promoter Turki Al-Sheikh, was lauded as a step toward reducing human bias in judging, despite sparking debate about AI’s place in boxing’s future. Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, announced the implementation of this AI judge on X, stating that it was an “experiment” designed to “monitor the fight” and would “not impact the official results.” “For the first time ever, an AI-powered judge will monitor the fight,” the post read. “Free from bias and human error brought to you by The Ring. The AI judge, a humanoid robot, meticulously analysed every aspect of the fight. Recognising Usyk’s relentless pressure and higher work rate, it awarded him the majority of rounds, with Fury securing only four. This experiment, while not officially impacting the outcome, raised questions about the role of AI in judging combat sports and its potential for future integration. AI-powered analytics also enhanced the event, providing real-time stats such as punch accuracy, speed, and power to broadcasters and fans, deepening their understanding of the fight. AI at the Paris 2024 Olympics At the Paris 2024 Olympics, AI played a pivotal role in enhancing operations and fan experiences. Automatic highlight generation, powered by AI, created personalised reels across 14 sports, captivating audiences worldwide. The IOC’s Olympic AI Agenda further showcased AI’s potential to streamline workflows and engage fans. AI Adaptation in Football Football embraced AI at all levels, from improving player performance to engaging billions of fans. With a global fanbase exceeding 4 billion, football uniquely transcends cultural barriers, uniting people across the world. As the most popular sport globally, football possesses unparalleled potential to harness technology for human advancement. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionised every aspect of the game, from captivating fans with personalized experiences to optimising team operations and enhancing player performance. Cutting-edge technologies like machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing are now commonplace at the highest levels of professional football. Top leagues, such as the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, and German Bundesliga, are at the forefront of AI adoption. These leagues are pioneering new standards in fan engagement, delivering tailored content and experiences to a global audience while simultaneously streamlining operations and maximizing efficiency. Wearable AI sensors tracked athletes’ real-time metrics, while VR simulations allowed players to practice against virtual opponents. These innovations elevated performance and minimised injury risks, demonstrating AI’s transformative impact. AI-Transformed Fan Engagement AI redefined fan experiences through advanced chatbots, personalised content recommendations, and immersive AR experiences. Fans could access live stats, predict outcomes, or virtually step into the shoes of their favourite players. Fantasy sports platforms also benefited, offering predictive analytics to help fans make better decisions. Broadcasting Breakthroughs with AI AI-powered broadcasting tools ensured every moment was captured and curated. Automated cameras and editing systems produced instant highlights, while sentiment analysis tailored coverage to audience preferences. AI commentators enriched broadcasts with real-time stats and context, complementing human broadcasters. Off the field, AI streamlined operations from ticketing to crowd management. Predictive algorithms optimised ticket pricing, while AI-managed crowd control systems enhanced stadium safety. Logistics planning for major events became more efficient, with AI anticipating and mitigating potential challenges. Regulation and Ethical Considerations As AI’s influence expanded, concerns about data privacy and ethical implications grew. Sports organisations established guidelines to ensure transparency and fairness, balancing technological advancements with ethical responsibility. A Glimpse into the Future The innovations of 2024 laid the groundwork for AI’s deeper integration into sports. From virtual athletes for training to AI-driven medical tools for injury recovery, the possibilities are endless. In hindsight, 2024 will be remembered as the year AI became a cornerstone of modern sports, enhancing performance, enriching fan experiences, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the world of athletics.
American Water Works Co. stock underperforms Wednesday when compared to competitors
Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug use
Color Reflective LCD Display Market Outlook and Future Projections for 2030TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Brandon Stroud led South Florida past Webber International on Saturday with 16 points off of the bench in a 106-49 victory. Stroud shot 6 of 7 from the field and 4 for 4 from the line for the Bulls (7-6). Kobe Knox scored 15 points, going 5 of 8 (3 for 6 from 3-point range). Quincy Adekokoya went 5 of 11 from the field (3 for 6 from 3-point range) to finish with 14 points, while adding seven rebounds. Gabriel Sorensen finished with 14 points for the Warriors and Khalyl Simmons added 12 points. South Florida took the lead with 12:25 remaining in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 54-26 at halftime, with Stroud racking up 12 points. South Florida extended its lead to 98-43 during the second half, fueled by a 16-2 scoring run. Knox scored a team-high 10 points in the second half as their team closed out the win. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
St. Ambrose University, Hand in Hand partner to expand research on learning through play