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NFL Picks: Ravens, Dolphins square off one week after impressive wins, plus the Browns are going to the postseason

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:05:28 GMT

Around the AFCHey, uh, Chiefs? Kansas City is 3-5 since its 6-1 start and is coming off a loss to the Raiders last weekend without giving up an offensive touchdown. Patrick Mahomes and company are probably still fine, but, well, it’s a probably at this point. They could conceivably still choke the division away with a pair of losses to close the season (combined with two wins by either Denver or Las Vegas), but even if they wrap up the West, it looks like a flawed team down the stretch. Can they find a fresh gear in the postseason, assuming they get there?Bills rolling(-ish). Don’t look now, but Josh Allen and Buffalo have won three straight. Sure, they almost lost to the Chargers in a game that could have tanked their chances. But they survived, are 9-6 and now play New England this weekend. They’ve still got to secure a spot in the postseason, but if they get there, nobody’s going to be wild about seeing them the first weekend. Especially if they beat Miami in Week 18 and end up t...

How CSU Rams’ McKenna Hofschild transformed her game, entire women’s basketball program

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:05:28 GMT

Every athlete has a game day routine, and Colorado State women’s basketball guard McKenna Hofschild’s is no different: attend classes online, get up a few shots, eat a pregame meal and listen to some music.What is unique, however, is the way the 5-foot-2 guard can center every ounce of focus onto the task at hand — winning a basketball game.“When she’s especially locked in, you can feel it,” CSU teammate Sydney Mech said. “She doesn’t even have to say anything, it’s just her presence. You know when it’s going to be a good game, and if she’s in that mindset, we’re there, too.”That singular drive has been the bedrock of a CSU career that may not have gone exactly to plan but has almost certainly exceeded expectations.Hofschild’s ability to score was essential, and the primary reason Rams head coach Ryun Williams recruited her to Fort Collins.Climbing to the top of CSU’s all-time assists leaderboard as she did in November, though, wasn’t something anyone saw coming four years ago when ...

Netherlands Should Prepare For Possible Conflict With Russia warns Dutch Army Chief

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:05:28 GMT

Dutch Army Chief General Martin Wijnen has issued a stark warning, urging the Netherlands to prepare for the possibility of conflict with Russia. General Wijnen emphasized the need for the entire Dutch society to be ready for any potential escalation, stating that preparations must be made for when things go wrong.General Wijnen expressed deep concern over the evolving geopolitical situation in Europe and the growing tensions with Russia. He stated, “It is our responsibility to ensure that the entire society is prepared for any scenario, especially in the current context where the relationship with Russia is strained.”The Netherlands has been increasingly wary of Russia’s actions in recent months, with geopolitical tensions reaching levels not seen in years. General Wijnen highlighted the need for comprehensive preparations, including military readiness, civil defence measures, and public awareness campaigns.

Kazakhstan's Commitment to Human Rights: Evaluating Progress and Forging Ahead

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:05:28 GMT

The 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a uniqueopportunity for us to come together and reflect on the progress that has been made onhuman rights in recent history. As well as looking back at our collective history, weshould also examine the responsibilities that we have as individual countries, and takestock of how well we have performed as a global community of states - writes Elvira Azimova, Chairwoman of the Constitutional Court of KazakhstanSince Kazakhstan gained its independence in 1991, the principles outlined in theUniversal Declaration have been fundamental to the founding principles of ourstatehood. While these values are embedded in our national culture and ourconstitution and laws, like any other country, we recognize the need to continuallyadjust, and to strengthen our human rights protections as we evolve as a nation.With this in mind, and in the spirit of reflection precipitated by this momentous globalmilestone, it is important to assess...

Skelton: California is building the bullet train, so let’s make it work

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:05:28 GMT

Gov. Gavin Newsom got the Christmas present he desperately wanted from President Joe Biden: the crucial piece of a train set.It’s a relatively small piece that’s vital to eventually making this fancy electric train work.I’m referring to the much-maligned bullet train that three California governors have been trying to build.When complete, it will carry passengers from Los Angeles to San Francisco in less than three hours at speeds of up to 220 mph. That’s the sales pitch, anyway.Biden’s gift is a $3.1 billion grant that’s badly needed to continue work on the high-speed rail line’s initial segment in the San Joaquin Valley.The ambitious project has been widely lampooned over the years by many, including me, as a too-costly boondoggle and off track from the start.Time to focusBut let’s get real: This giant adult toy is going to be constructed one way or another, whether at reasonable speed or in pokey chug-chug fashion. It’s time w...

49ers at Commanders: 5 keys to bounce-back win over Washington

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:05:28 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 49ers opened their season with five straight wins, then lost three in a row, won six straight and, most recently, ruined Christmas dinner by losing big on Monday night.A streaky team? They need that trend to stop Sunday, when they take an NFC-leading record (11-4) into FedEx Field to face the last-place Washington Commanders (4-11).Focusing on that game, rather than last game’s debacle or their playoff fate, is a theme that echoed through the 49ers’ locker room this past week.“It just emphasizes the fact that we need to stay in the moment and not look at the No. 1 seed, or we have to win this many games to get this and that,” defensive end Nick Bosa said. “Things can go south really fast in the NFL.”That’s why Chase Young, traded two months ago from Washington, said he and the 49ers must arrive with “tunnel vision.”Brock Purdy agreed, after the unsightly scene of last game’s career-high four interceptions. “We’re trying to win this week, take...

Inside the culture clash dominating the AI debate in the US

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:05:28 GMT

In a city notorious for its cynicism, few things are quite as unsettling as an interest group that truly believes they’re the good guys.As Washington grapples with the rise of artificial intelligence, a small army of adherents to “effective altruism” has descended on the nation’s capital and is dominating how the White House, Congress and think tanks approach the technology.The Silicon Valley-based movement is backed by tech billionaires and began as a rationalist approach to solving human suffering. But some observers say it has morphed into a cult obsessed with the coming AI doomsday.The most ardent advocates of effective altruism, or EA, believe researchers are only months or years away from building an AI superintelligence able to outsmart the world’s collective efforts to control it. Through either its own volition or via terrorists seeking to develop deadly bioweapons, such an AI could wipe out humanity, they say. And some, including noted EA thinker Eliezer Yudkowsky, believe...

Fire crews battle house fire in Braintree

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:05:28 GMT

Fire crews battled a house fire in Braintree late Friday night that left a home severely damaged.Firefighters could be seen using a ladder truck to douse flames shooting out of the roof of the home on Hobart Avenue.No additional information was immediately available.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Damp to Drying

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:05:28 GMT

While we track some damp weather on this Saturday morning, through midday, drier weather is ahead. Spotty drizzle and spotty showers, that grace us this morning, will dry out mid to late afternoon, setting the stage for a pattern change. New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day will be near seasonable levels with dry air and some sun back into the mix. New Year’s Eve temps run in the mid to upper 30s just after sunset to the lower 30s around the time the ball drops and fireworks light up the sky. Enjoy the night as light winds will allow the chill to be a manageable one.

Four Patriots players who can build off momentum Week 17 vs. Bills

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:05:28 GMT

The Patriots are looking to play spoiler once again this weekend against the Bills.At 9-6, the Bills are currently the No. 6 seed in the AFC. They currently have a 90% chance of making the playoffs, per The New York Times’ simulator. If the Patriots win Sunday, the Bills’ chances drop to 47%. If the Bills win, they rise to 98%.After the Broncos’ Week 16 loss to the Patriots, their playoff chances fell to just 4%.Here are four Patriots players hoping to build off their momentum from that game.QB Bailey ZappeStarting his fourth game of the season, Zappe had one of the best performances from a Patriots quarterback in two seasons Sunday in the 26-23 win over the Broncos. Zappe had previously put together two solid first halves against the Steelers in Week 14 and the Chiefs in Week 15 but couldn’t finish either game strong.That was not an issue in Week 16, when he put together the first game-winning drive of his career.Now, Zappe will look to build on that perform...