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Stormont votes to extend post-Brexit trade arrangements for four more yearsNone

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An emotion-packed rivalry game between Ohio State and Michigan turned into an emotion-filled fight at midfield after Wolverines players planted their flag in the middle of the Block O at midfield. Following their 13-10 win over the Buckeyes, their fourth consecutive win over their archrival, Michigan edge rusher Derrick Moore attempted a repeat of what Baker Mayfield did years ago when he was at Oklahoma and planted their flag at midfield, which led to a massive brawl. Ohio State players making their way off the field saw the display and immediately charged into the mass of Michigan players and coaches. Several police officers had to intervene, and many players were pepper sprayed during the melee. Order was eventually restored after several minutes of skirmishing, but the final shoe at “The Shoe” is yet to drop. Michigan won the game and will go on to play a bowl game. The Buckeyes will head to the College Football Playoff as an at-large bid. However, after the Big 10 reviews the tape of the fight after the game, several Buckeyes players are likely to face suspensions due to their role in the fray, which could mean multiple Ohio State players will miss at least a half, if not the entirety of their first-round playoff game.

A role reversal doomed the No. 22 Xavier Musketeers in their only loss of the season, against Michigan at the Fort Myers Tip-Off on Wednesday. Normally a team that avoids committing turnovers and pressures its opponent into making them, Xavier (6-1) will try to recapture its early-season winning form when it hosts South Carolina State on Sunday in Cincinnati.1 Super Stock Down 80% You'll Regret Not Buying on the DipFirst Mireo Plus H hydrogen trains from Siemens Mobility in passenger service Siemens Mobility announced today that the first Mireo Plus H hydrogen trains have received authorization for passenger operation in time for the scheduled timetable change on December 15, 2024, and are ready to inaugurate passenger service. Their approval marks another significant milestone for emission-free mobility in the Berlin-Brandenburg and Bavarian regions, where hydrogen-powered trains will be used for the first time. CEO Rolling Stock, Siemens Mobility: “The first of these trains will now be entering passenger service and we are delighted to be a driving force behind the phasing out of diesel trains. This transition will reduce CO2 emissions and provide passengers in Germany with climate-friendly, powerful, and comfortable trains.” Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn Betriebsgesellschaft will operate on the line in Berlin-Brandenburg. These trains will save 1.1 million liters of diesel fuel per year and reduce CO2 emissions by 3,000 tons. Locally produced hydrogen will be used in the trains’ fuel cells, and water vapor will be the only emitted by-product. In addition, recovered braking energy will be used to further increase the trains’ energy efficiency. The , will replace diesel trains at Bayrische Regiobahn (BRB) for two and a half years as of Monday, December 16, 2024. Test operations will begin in stages, starting with selected runs in the East Allgäu-Lechfeld network. Operations will later be expanded and the train will then also run on the Ammersee-Altmühltal network. The new Mireo Plus H provides an environmentally friendly, quiet and efficient alternative to diesel propulsion, which is scheduled to be fully phased out in Bavaria’s regional rail system by 2040. The Mireo Plus H combines innovation with sustainability. The train has a long operating range of up to 1,200 kilometers, is powered by an H2 traction system with a high drive power of 1.7 MW for accelerating up to 1.1 m/s2, and has a top speed of 160 km/h. Employing state-of-the-art technology, the Mireo Plus H sets new standards in emission-free passenger transportation. We are especially pleased about this openness to new and innovative rail technology and that this climate-friendly and comfortable train will now be available to passengers in Bavaria and Berlin-Brandenburg. In the state of Brandenburg, Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn Betriebsgesellschaft is launching a large fleet of on its East Brandenburg network. The 31 battery trains will enter service in phases by the summer of 2025. The two-car trainset has a range of more than 120 kilometers on batteries alone. Operation of the battery-electric Mireo Plus B trains will reduce consumption of diesel fuel by around 4.4 million liters a year on the East Brandenburg network. The new trains will completely eliminate local CO2 emissions and, depending on the electricity mix, reduce broader regional emissions by around 11,500 tons per year. At the same time, the trains will significantly reduce particulate emissions. The new railcars are equipped with three doors on each side to ease access for passengers in wheelchairs or with strollers, also from lower station platforms. Each of the new trains will provide passengers with 127 seats and twelve spaces for bicycles, wheelchairs and strollers. Passengers will also have free WiFi service, a dynamic passenger information system, and a specially designated family area. In addition, around 60 power sockets and USB charging ports are conveniently distributed throughout the train. In December 2020, Deutsche Bahn ordered 25 Desiro HC trains and for service on the Danube-Isar network. The six Mireo trains were delivered in a 4-car configuration with 264 seats, including 14 seats in a first-class section, for the Airport Express operating from Nuremberg to Munich via Regensburg. All trains are equipped with duplex sliding steps to ease access for passengers with reduced mobility from different platform heights. In addition, an on-board lift enables wheelchair users to board and alight at low station platforms. A generous number of luggage racks makes it convenient for passengers to stow their baggage. Some of the have already been operating on the Danube-Isar network since August 2024. Positive customer feedback shows a high level of satisfaction with the new double-decker trains. The trains have multi-purpose open areas equipped with innovative supports for bicycles. High-frequency window glass specially developed to substantially improve mobile reception and free WiFi service ensure seamless communication. Up to three Desiro HC trains can run coupled between Munich and Landshut to provide great flexibility in meeting capacity needs. In addition, will inaugurate service for rail operator agilis on the Regensburg-Danube Valley network with the scheduled timetable change: They will run on RE line 50 (Nuremberg – Regensburg – Plattling) and RE line 51 (Neumarkt – Regensburg – Plattling). These trains will also be used for the Airport Express operating from Nuremberg to Munich. The high-performance trains offer more seating capacity and modern equipment and features, including WiFi service and high-frequency window glass for optimal mobile reception. A total of 23 four-car Mireo trains will be delivered to rail operator agilis. the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at First Mireo Plus H hydrogen trains from Siemens Mobility in passenger service, Romania resumes efforts for procurement of hydrogen powered trains The Romanian Railway Reform Authority (ARF) has published a tender for 12 hydrogen fuel cell electric trains and their maintenance services for up to 30... USDOT Announces $97 Million for Hydrogen-Related Rail Projects—as Part of $2,4 Billion Package to Improve Safety, Strengthen Supply Chains, and Grow America’s Freight and Passenger Rail Networks Grants include... Wabtec Secures $48,4 Million Grant for Pioneering Hydrogen Train Development Wabtec Corporation has received a $48.4 million grant to drive hydrogen-powered train innovation. This was reported by the railway transport...

OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Pro for $200 a MonthThe Waco Police Department's first electric vehicle likely will not be on traffic patrol any time soon, but its introduction represents a measured, forward-looking step. The department is testing a Ford Mustang Mach-E GT to evaluate its viability for fleet use, department spokesperson Cierra Shipley said. While no timeline has been set for the testing, and emergency equipment is still being installed, the department is taking a cautious approach by using the vehicle as a commander car rather than for patrol or enforcement duties. Waco Sustainability Programs Manager Eric Coffman said the move to bring in an all-electric vehicle to the police fleet aligns with the city’s broader efforts to reduce its environmental impact while ensuring city operations remain cost-effective. Coffman said over the past five years, Waco has prioritized the purchase of light-duty electric vehicles to lower its carbon footprint and improve local air quality. “The police fleet represents a significant portion of vehicle purchases for the city,” Coffman said. “It’s important to evaluate whether EVs are a good fit for that application, considering both financial and operational factors.” The department has used hybrid Ford Police Interceptor SUVs since 2020 , but an all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E purchased in 2022 for the department was repurposed for other city uses because it was unable to support needed accessories and equipment. Officials said at the time the Mach-E GT model would be better suited for the purpose. VIDEO: The Waco Police Department is on its way to adding 28 new hybrid vehicles to its fleet. (August 2020) In March of last year, the city council approved the purchase of the police department's Mach-E GT for $60,281.09 from Austin Mac Haik Ford Lincoln. It is intended to let the department to assess the vehicle’s viability in a lower-stress environment before considering broader adoption. Overall, Waco has 25 light-duty electric vehicles, powered by the city’s 100% renewable electricity contract that began in 2022, Coffman said. This commitment has already helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions from city operations and contributes to cleaner local air, he said. Coffman said there are several environmental benefits of EVs. “Zero emissions mean these vehicles don’t release carbon dioxide, which is a major contributor to global warming and climate change,” he said. “They also don’t contribute to low-level ozone pollution, which can harm air quality and lead to health issues like increased rates of asthma in children.” The shift to EVs is also financially beneficial, Coffman said. He said the cost to drive an EV is significantly lower than the cost to drive a gas-powered vehicle. “Fuel for an EV costs about $2 per 100 miles, compared to $8 to $15 for an internal combustion engine vehicle,” he said. Maintenance costs are also lower since EVs do not require oil changes, though regular tire rotations are still necessary. Despite the advantages, challenges remain, as repairs to an EV’s electrical systems often require assistance from the manufacturer, making quick fixes less feasible than for traditional vehicles, Coffman said. However, Coffman said such issues highlight the importance of a measured approach to adopting new technology. “Other cities have shown the benefits and challenges of EVs,” Coffman said, pointing to Austin, where a fleet of electric buses faced significant operational setbacks due to manufacturer issues and charging infrastructure problems. “It’s crucial to take a thoughtful, ‘crawl, walk, run’ approach when investing in EV technology.” Waco’s use of the high-profile Mustang Mach-E GT may also influence public perception of the city’s green initiatives. “Supporting sustainability is one of the seven strategic goals of the Waco City Council, and we want the public to know about our efforts to promote a healthy environment,” Coffman said. Waco has already seen progress in this direction through organizations such as Keep Waco Beautiful , which champions community-driven green initiatives. Recent headlines have suggested that consumers are losing interest in electric vehicles, but a closer look at the trends tells a different story. CBC’s Nisha Patel breaks down where we’re at in the EV transition and why experts say the future is still electric. At its June 21, 2022 meeting, the Waco City Council reviewed a study on fleet vehicle replacement that summarizes a plan to replace city vehicles as they age, with an eye toward electric and hybrid cars. CST Fleet Services and Ecopreserve, the two consulting firms that worked on the study, found that 16% of the city’s roughly 1,000 vehicles are 20 years old or older, while most are between eight and 10 years old. Read more: https://wacotrib.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/waco-city-council-to-vote-on-hybrid-police-cars-citing-issues-with-electric-models/article_39d1236a-ffd8-11ec-b3a3-037cd043bd1e.html Get local news delivered to your inbox! 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Spanish StandingsVictoria Don't miss out on the headlines from Victoria. Followed categories will be added to My News. Victoria is bigger, more diverse, and far more dependent on state spending than it was when Labor came to office a decade ago. And while Victorians’ incomes are higher today than they were in 2014, their income has grown more slowly than people in other states, meaning we are relatively poorer to the rest of Australia than we were 10 years ago. The engine of the state’s growth under Labor has been turbocharged and debt-financed infrastructure spending, which began soon after Daniel Andrews took office pledging to remove 50 level crossings across Melbourne. This spending, which saw debt start to rise sharply even before it exploded during the Covid-19 pandemic, has left the state with an enormous interest bill that will soon require repayments of $25m-a-day, as well as the highest taxes in the nation. It has also masked weakness in private sector investment in the state. Daniel Andrews pledged to remove 50 level crossings across Victoria when he took office. Picture: Josie Hayden Victoria’s economy was quite different when Daniel Andrews became premier. Before Labor won the 2014 election all three car makers had announced they would soon leave Australia but Ford, Holden and Toyota were still making cars in Geelong, Broadmeadows and Altona. Other manufacturers soon followed the car makers, including Murray-Goulburn Dairy, General Mills, Buffalo Trident, Nestle, GSK Australia Pharmaceuticals, Advance Bricks, Pavers, Saputo Dairy, Opal Australian Paper, Bosch and Seeley International – some blaming high energy prices on the way out. Before Labor won the 2014 election all three car makers had announced they would soon leave Australia but Ford, Holden and Toyota were still making cars in Geelong. Picture: David Crosling For the past decade Labor’s focus has been its so-called Big Build – a name borrowed from Boston’s Big Dig project of the 1990s – the centrepieces of which included level crossings removals, a Metro Tunnel, a West Gate Tunnel, and more recently, a North East Link. Smaller projects, including 75 new schools, were also jammed into the bulging public sector construction pipeline. The Metro Tunnel and the West Gate Tunnel are more than $8bn over budget in total, while the North East Link has already blown out by $10bn. Going full steam ahead with public sector infrastructure came at a cost, including soaking up industry capacity needed for private sector works such as housing projects, but Daniel Andrews made a virtue of declaring “things cost what they cost”. Debt exploded during the Covid-19 pandemic. Picture: David Geraghty At the same time the militant construction union the CFMEU was allowed to take control of projects, dictating which companies got work, which in turn opened the door to organised crime and bikies on sites. Early in its first term, the novice Andrews government was plagued by scandal. Corrections Minister Steve Herbert resigned in 2016 after the Herald Sun revealed he’d been using his chauffeur to ferry his dogs Patch and Ted between Melbourne and Trentham, and Labor’s speaker and deputy speaker, Telmo Languiller and Don Nardella, resigned after rorting a taxpayer-funded allowance. The Metro Tunnel and the West Gate Tunnel are more than $8bn over budget in total. Picture: Mark Stewart There were also revelations in the Herald Sun that the ALP had misused hundreds of thousands of dollars in MP allowances to fund a campaign team who wore red shirts during the 2014 state election. But two other issues were commanding most of the premier’s attention, including his decision to tear up contracts for the Napthine government’s East West Link tunnel. Andrews had been nervous about making the pre-election promise to dump the project at the behest of inner city MPs, sweating heavily at a press conference to announce the decision. The CFMEU was allowed to take control of projects, dictating which companies got work, which in turn opened the door to organised crime and bikies on sites. Picture: AFP One of those MPs was Jane Garrett, who Andrews made emergency services minister but soon fell out with United Firefighters Union boss Peter Marshall over demands he be given effective control of the Country Fire Authority. Garrett stood her ground and sided with volunteers who resisted a union takeover, but Andrews sided with Marshall and did a deal. The CFA dispute, which saw CFA board sack and its senior management quit, came in the middle of a federal election campaign that saw Bill Shorten come within a whisker of unseating prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who was left with a one-seat majority. None of it made any political difference, and Andrews was re-elected in a landslide in 2018. Growth in the public sector continued from that point and the economy kept ticking over despite a stark decline in manufacturing, as new arrivals flocked to Victoria. Early in its first term, the novice Andrews government was plagued by scandal, including the resignation of Corrections Minister Steve Herbert. Picture: David Smith But the eruption of Covid-19 and lockdowns that decimated the economy derailed Labor’s plans and put a strain on hospitals that had been papered over prior to the global disaster. Former Labor premier Steve Bracks says the recovery from the pandemic has been strong with Victoria’s economic growth stronger than NSW, Queensland, WA and Tasmania. But economist Saul Eslake points out that per capita household income has dived and sits only narrowly above South Australia and Tasmania. In other words, Mr Eslake told the Herald Sun, “Victorian has become a poor state over the past 10 years”. Jane Garrett stood her ground and sided with volunteers who resisted a union takeover, but Andrews sided with Marshall and did a deal. Picture: David Caird As the state’s finances declined, Labor opted to try to tax its way out of a budgetary hole. Opposition Leader John Pesutto points to 56 new or increased taxes since 2014, while slamming skyrocketing net debt that approaches $188bn. “Victorians are paying among the highest taxes in the nation, services are declining, roads are crumbling, and major projects have blown out by more than $40bn,” he said. Premier Jacinta Allan last week said the government had created a stronger economy, however, pointing to the number of jobs created under the party’s watch. “We have a stronger economy, we have a bigger economy, we have more people in work,” she said. Jacinta Allan says the government has created a stronger economy, pointing to the number of jobs created under Labor’s watch. Picture: Nadir Kinani Ms Allan took the role of Premier after Mr Andrews retired last year, shortly after announcing the contract he struck for the 2026 Commonwealth Games had been ripped up. That decision reverberated around the world, putting a question mark against the state’s sterling reputation for hosting major sporting events. At the same time the reputation for secrecy has been enhanced, from the fallout of the Lawyer X scandal to the suppression of basic information. A hallmark of Mr Andrews’s time in power was his capacity to ignore critics and focus on the things he believed mattered to voters, winning two elections with improved majorities. Since Andrews left office, the scale of spending problems has become clearer, at the same time as voters have been feeling the pinch after a prolonged cost of living crisis. Emeritus Professor of politics at Monash University, Paul Strangio, said once Labor is elected in Victoria it has proven difficult to dislodge, although history had shown – such as during the Cain/Kirner and Bracks/Brumby eras, that “winning a fourth term in 2026 might well be a bridge too far for Labor”. Opposition Leader John Pesutto points to 56 new or increased taxes since 2014, while slamming skyrocketing net debt that approaches $188bn. Picture: Ian Currie He said the current Labor reign was “the most consequential period of Labor governance in the history of the state” due to the supremacy of Daniel Andrews and policy activism, which has ushered in sweeping social reforms including voluntary assisted dying, a drug injecting room and a process to establish a Treaty with Indigenous communities. At the same time, he said, a hapless opposition has allowed Labor to assume the position of a one-party government state. “The overriding question in Victorian politics now and for the next two years is whether the Liberal Party can present as a viable alternative government,” he said. In November, 2026, voters will have the chance to extend Labor’s mortgage over the government in this state, or opt for a fresh direction. Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennet’s report card on the state after 10 years of Labor The Economy Triple F Because the interest payments on our debt are so large every week, it reduces monies available to the government to maintain our services, and taxes. Charges are increasing beyond the capacity of many families and businesses to pay. Law and Order D Sadly Victorians are increasingly concerned about their personal safety and their property. The government are being seen to side with the offenders. Health C+ Should be a given that Victorians can gain access to the best public health facilities which are fully manned. Hospitals should be appropriately funded. Education D If you cannot provide an examination system for those completing their education, what is the point of conducting exams? It reflects on the whole education system. Events and Entertainment B It’s important to keep hope alive as the state sinks into the abyss. It helps divert Victorians for a moment of time from the issues that are causing them pain. Infrastructure F Important, but should be addressed on a rolling basis when the state can afford such expenditure. And this should only be when such expenditure can be professionally managed. Neither have been achieved and it’s a major reason for the debt blow out. Overall F This is the most damaging government in Victorias history. Former Victorian premier Steve Bracks’ report card on the state after 10 years of Labor The Economy B Victoria’s economy is booming because of the Allan Labor government’s investment in vital infrastructure and services. – delivering a strong economy and a better future. Law and Order B The government has strengthened bail laws, reformed the youth justice system and is giving police extra powers to crack down on knife crime and organised criminals. Health B Victoria’s health system is world class. The government has redeveloped and built hospitals across the state. The health services workforce has grown by almost 50 per cent since 2014. Education A Victoria has the best primary school NAPLAN results in the country and has introduced explicit teaching and phonics into every classroom. Events and Entertainment A Our pipeline of iconic, international blockbuster events is the envy of the country. Infrastructure A The government has built new rail lines, sations and roads and removed level crossings, reducing congestion and cutting travel times for millions of Victorians. Overall B Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories Victoria ‘This will eventually kill you’: Family carries on father’s fatal asbestos fight The family of a “loyal and generous” man claim he died before he could finish his legal fight against the companies responsible for his death. Now they are keeping up the fight. Read more Victoria ‘Close contest’: Greens pick candidate for Prahran by-election after MP quits The Greens have revealed the candidate they hope will win the highly-prized seat of Prahran after former MP Sam Hibbins was forced to resign following revelations of an affair. Read more

The US tech giant said it now supported 550,000 jobs in the UK through direct employment, its supply chain and the economy around its App Store – with app developers having earned nearly £9 billion since it launched in 2008. Apple said its engineering teams were carrying out critical work on the firm’s biggest services, including key technology within Apple Intelligence, the iPhone maker’s suite of generative AI-powered tools which are expected to launch in the UK for the first time this week. Elsewhere, the firm said its growing TV empire, spearheaded by its Apple TV+ streaming service and production arm, had also helped boost its investment in the UK with Apple TV+ production in this country tripling in the last two years, the company said. Chief executive Tim Cook said: “We’ve been serving customers in the UK for more than 40 years, and we’re proud of our deep connection with communities across this country. “We’re thrilled to be growing our Apple teams here, and to keep supporting the extraordinary innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs who are pushing the boundaries of technology in so many ways.” The Chancellor Rachel Reeves said companies such as Apple were “intrinsic” to the UK’s prosperity by boosting jobs. “This government is laser focused on creating the right conditions for growth to help put more money in people’s pockets. “That’s what underpins the Plan for Change and is what has driven £63 billion worth of inward investment in the UK through our first international investment summit. “Companies like Apple are intrinsic to the success of our nation’s prosperity – helping deliver jobs, innovative technology, and boost infrastructure.”

Even in this banner season for military academy football — complete with winning streaks, national rankings and a conference championship — the biggest goal remains the same. For Army: Beat Navy. For Navy: Beat Army. With the college football landscape changing at a furious rate, the significance of this matchup adds a dose of tradition to mid-December, amid all that talk about the transfer portal and the new expanded playoff. "We've had a good year. You make it a great year by winning this game coming up on Saturday. Frankly, that's just the way it goes around here," Army coach Jeff Monken said. "It's a game and a season really all of its own. We don't apologize for talking about it all the time. We talk about it all the time, and it's 365 days a year." Saturday in Landover, Maryland, is the 125th matchup between Army and Navy, and although these two programs are long removed from their days winning national titles and Heisman Trophies, this is a historic moment in the rivalry. The Black Knights and Midshipmen have combined for 19 wins this season, their highest total ever entering this game. Army (11-1) is ranked 19th in the AP poll after beating Tulane last week to win the American Athletic Conference — the first league title of any kind in the team's 134-year history. Navy (8-3) was ranked as well earlier this season after starting with six straight victories. "I knew we were going to be an improved football team," Navy coach Brian Newberry said. "Didn't know exactly what that was going to look like. I think certainly we've improved in a lot of different areas. I'm excited about the season we've had." This was Army's first season in the AAC, putting the Black Knights and Midshipmen in the same league, although their annual matchup is considered a nonconference game. For a while, there was a chance the teams could meet twice, with a conference championship clash coming before the regularly scheduled Army-Navy game, but that didn't happen. Their most prominent common opponent came from outside the league. Notre Dame handed both Navy and Army its first loss, beating the Midshipmen 51-14 and the Black Knights 49-14. Within the AAC, both teams beat Temple, UAB and East Carolina. Army beat Tulane and Rice and Navy lost to those two teams. Army and Navy also each won its nonconference game against Air Force. Those victories over Air Force mean this season's Commander-In-Chief's Trophy comes down to the Army-Navy game. It's the first time since 2017 that both teams enter this game with a shot at the trophy. It's also the first time since 2017 that both teams enter the game with bowl bids secured. Navy faces Oklahoma in the Armed Forces Bowl and Army takes on Marshall in the Independence Bowl. This year's Army-Navy game is at the Washington Commanders' home stadium in Landover. It was also held there in 2011. This is the first time the game has been in Maryland since Baltimore hosted it in 2016. Baltimore is also up next in 2025. Army quarterback Bryson Daily has 29 rushing touchdowns this season, which is tied for the FBS lead with running back Ashton Jeanty, Boise State's Heisman finalist. Only one QB in FBS history has run for more TDs in a season than Daily. That was Navy's Keenan Reynolds, with 31 in 2013. "You come here to play in this game. The biggest stage possible, millions of people watching and a sold-out NFL stadium. It's awesome," Daily said. "None of the games that happened before this matter. We're going into this game like we're 0-0, they're 0-0 because that's just how you have to come into this game." Navy's closest game this season — win or lose — was a 56-44 win over Memphis. The Midshipmen are the only FBS team that hasn't had a game this season decided by eight points or fewer. AP Sports Writer Stephen Whyno contributed to this report. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

MIAMI (AP) — Keyone Jenkins threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns and Florida International beat Middle Tennessee 35-24 on Saturday to end the regular season for both teams. Lexington Joseph had a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, Devonte Lyons had a 21-yard scoring run later in the frame and FIU (4-8, 3-5 Conference USA) led the entire way. Jenkins threw scoring passes of 38 and 19 yards to Dean Patterson and 50 yards to Eric Rivers. The touchdown pass to Rivers marked FIU's largest lead of the contest at 35-17 with 11:01 left in the fourth. Nicholas Vattiato threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns for the Blue Raiders (3-9, 2-6). He was intercepted once. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

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HETIAN, China , Nov. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 28 , according to the relevant person in charge of Hetian Power Supply Company of State Grid Xinjiang Electric Power Co., Ltd., the company attaches great importance to scientific and technological innovation and constantly introduces new technologies and equipment to optimize the operation and maintenance management process of the power grid. Among them, the introduction and popularization of UAV inspection technology has been a highlight of the company's power grid operation and maintenance management in recent years. Through the multi-scenario application of transmission and distribution collaborative inspection, the company actively builds an integrated inspection mode of transmission and distribution coordination grid, which realizes efficient and accurate monitoring of power grid lines. Up to now, the UAV inspection coverage of the Hetian Power Supply Company of State Grid Xinjiang Electric Power Co., Ltd. has been significantly improved, and the total mileage of the main distribution network UAV patrol has exceeded 20,000 kilometers. In this process, the UAV inspection technology has played a huge role, and a total of 3,899 hidden dangers of the main distribution network have been found, which effectively ensures the safe and stable operation of the power grid.Oppn found no problem in EVMs when they won: Ajit

For the second straight Major League Baseball offseason, a norm-shattering contract has been the talk of the winter , with Juan Soto agreeing with the New York Mets on a $765 million, 15-year deal that's the richest in baseball history. It comes almost exactly one year after the Los Angeles Dodgers forked out a princely sum of $700 million on a 10-year, heavily deferred deal for two-way Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani. They are believed to be the two richest contracts in pro sports history. The way it's going, a contract approaching $1 billion doesn't seem out of the question. But several factors are working against it — at least in the near future. There's reason to believe the megadeals for Ohtani and Soto are unicorns in the baseball world. Both players are uniquely talented, surely, but both also had unusual circumstances propelling their value into the stratosphere. Ohtani is the greatest two-way player in baseball history, capable of improving any team on both sides of the ball. He's also the rare baseball player who has true international appeal . His every move ( like his unexpected marriage announcement ) is followed closely in his native Japan, adding another 125 million potential fans who buy merchandise, watch him play and help fill the Dodgers' coffers. Then there's Soto — a four-time All-Star and on-base machine who won a World Series with the Washington Nationals in 2019. The X-factor for him is he became a free agent at the prime age of 26, which is extremely hard to do under current MLB rules. Players have to be in the big leagues for six years before testing free agency. The precocious Soto debuted at 19 with the Nats, making him part of a rare group of players who reached the highest level of professional baseball as a teenager. That accelerated his free agency timeline. It's rare for players to debut that young, and rarer still for them to develop into stars and test the open market the first chance they get. Two recent examples are Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, who both reached free agency in 2019. Machado signed a free-agent record $300 million contract with San Diego, and Harper overtook him days later with a $330 million contract to join the Phillies. Most players debut in the big leagues from ages 22 to 26, which means free agency comes in their late 20s or early 30s. A typical example is Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who is one of this generation's great players but didn't hit the market until he was 30. Judge played three seasons of college baseball for Fresno State before getting drafted by the Yankees in 2013 at age 21 — already two years older than Soto was when he made his MLB debut. It took a few years for the budding superstar to reach the majors, and he was 25 when he had his breakout season in 2018, smashing 52 homers to earn AL Rookie of the Year honors. By the time he reached free agency after the 2022 season, he had already passed age 30. It's a major factor that led to him signing a $360 million, nine-year deal with the Yankees, which seems downright reasonable these days after the Ohtani and Soto deals. Two major trends are colliding that will make it harder for guys like Soto to hit free agency in their mid 20s. First, MLB teams have been more likely in recent years to take college players early in the draft, betting on more experienced talents. Just 10 high school players were drafted among the top 30 picks in the 2024 draft . Second, teams are more eager to lock up young, premium talent on long-term deals very early in their careers, well before they hit free agency. Sometimes before they even reach the majors. Since Soto, just two players have debuted in MLB before their 20th birthday — Elvis Luciano and Junior Caminero. Luciano hasn't been back to the majors since his 2019 cup of coffee. Caminero is now 21 and has only played in 50 big league games. Among those that debuted at 20: Fernando Tatis Jr. signed a $340 million, 14-year deal with San Diego in 2021, years before reaching the open market. Milwaukee's Jackson Chourio got an $82 million, eight-year deal before even reaching the big leagues. Young stars Corbin Carroll ($111 million, eight years with Arizona), Bobby Witt Jr. ($288 million, 11 years with Kansas City) and Julio Rodriguez ($209.3 million, 12 years with Seattle) also got massive guarantees early in their 20s to forgo an early free agency. The exception and wild card: Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be a 26-year-old free agent next offseason. Guerrero hasn't been as consistent in his young career as Soto, but a standout 2025 season could position him to threaten Soto's deal. More likely is that the player to pass Soto isn't in the majors yet — and might not even be in pro baseball. When 25-year-old Alex Rodriguez signed his record $252 million, 10-year deal with Texas in 2001, it took over a decade for another player to match that total, when Albert Pujols got $240 million over 10 years from the Angels in 2012. For many players, passing up life-changing money in their early or mid 20s is too enticing, even if it means that they might not maximize their value on the free agent market later in their careers. Soto was determined to test the market. He famously turned down a $440 million, 15-year offer to stay with the Washington Nationals in 2022, betting that he could make even more as a free agent. Not many players would turn down that kind of cash. Then again, that's what makes Soto so unique. And it's also why his $765 million deal could be the industry standard for some time. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlbAnalysis: After Juan Soto's megadeal, could MLB see a $1 billion contract? Probably not soon