49ers pregame: Win would clinch a top-two seed; Aaron Banks active

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:15:29 GMT

49ers pregame: Win would clinch a top-two seed; Aaron Banks active LANDOVER, Md. — Left guard Aaron Banks and No. 3 cornerback Ambry Thomas will suit up today as the 49ers look to close in on a top playoff seed.Banks (toe) and Thomas (hand, knee) were questionable because of injuries from Monday night’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens.If the 49ers (11-4) beat the Commanders (4-11), then that secures at least the No. 2 seed, and it keeps the 49ers in position to secure the NFC’s No. 1 seed.A 49ers’ win could also yield the No. 1 seed as soon as this afternoon, but only if the Philadelphia Eagles (11-4) lose at home to the Arizona Cardinals (3-12). Both games kick off at 10 a.m. PT.If the 49ers lose a second straight game, that will create a slew of other scenarios, though it would not outright lose them a shot at the No. 1 seed to the Eagles. Next weekend, the 49ers finish the regular season at home against the Los Angeles Rams (8-7). Other NFC finales of interest next weekend: the Eagles at the New York Giants (5-10), the Detro...

One dead, two injured in head-on collision in eastern Contra Costa County

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:15:29 GMT

One dead, two injured in head-on collision in eastern Contra Costa County One person was killed and two others injured in a head-on collision in eastern Contra Costa County Saturday afternoon, according to the California Highway Patrol.The crash occurred on Byron Highway near Clifton Court Road around 6:30 p.m. According to police, a white Chevrolet Silverado crossed into oncoming traffic while traveling northbound and crashed into a grey Kia sedan.The driver of the Kia sedan was pronounced dead at the scene. Both occupants of the Chevrolet were injured. The driver was airlifted to a hospital in Walnut Creek, and the passenger was taken to the same medical center by ambulance.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Ex-CHP officer who hit and killed pedestrian had unknown vision impairment Crashes and Disasters | Two youths killed in East Bay late night hit-and-run identified Crashes and Disasters | Woman dies in hospital a week after being hit by car outside San Jose shopping center Crashes and Disasters | ...

California new laws for 2024: speed cameras and cruising allowed

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:15:29 GMT

California new laws for 2024: speed cameras and cruising allowed (BCN) -- Two new laws taking effect Jan. 1 could affect safety on California's roads.Cameras at intersections across California already flag drivers who run red lights. Under one law, six cities can begin a pilot program to catch and fine speeding drivers with cameras, with hopes to curb the number of traffic deaths. Las Vegas Countdown to 2024: How to watch the New Year’s Eve extravaganza Los Angeles, San Jose, Oakland, Glendale, Long Beach, and San Francisco have the authority to launch speed camera pilot programs that will last five years or until Jan. 1, 2032 (whichever date is sooner). After a 60-day introductory period of issuing only warnings to violators, fines will start at $50 for drivers who go at least 11 mph over the speed limit -- though amounts can be reduced depending on income.Money from the fines will go toward covering the cost of the programs, as well as "traffic calming measures," such as raised crosswalks and speed tables that slow down drivers. Cities must ...

Sarr scores but then goes off with injury in Tottenham’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth in Premier League

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:15:29 GMT

Sarr scores but then goes off with injury in Tottenham’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth in Premier League LONDON (AP) — Pape Sarr opened the scoring for Tottenham in a 3-1 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday before going off with an injury that could put his African Cup of Nations participation in doubt. Son Heung-min doubled the lead with his 12th league goal of the season as Spurs rebounded from a 4-2 loss at Brighton on Thursday to move within one point of fourth-place Arsenal. Sarr gave the hosts the lead in the ninth minute by rifling a shot into the bottom corner from 18 yards. But the Senegal international left the field in tears with an injury in the 32nd, just two weeks before the start of the African Cup. Tottenham then had to wait until the 71st minute for a second goal.Giovani Lo Celso was the architect with a superb throughball with the outside of his boot to set up Son, who found the bottom corner.Richarlison then made the points safe 10 minutes from time when he swept home Brennan Johnson’s cross in a carbon copy of his goal against Everton.Substitute Ale...

Sugar Bowl CFP semifinal has historical significance for Washington and Texas

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:15:29 GMT

Sugar Bowl CFP semifinal has historical significance for Washington and Texas Sugar Bowl: No. 3 Texas (12-1, Big 12) vs. No. 2 Washington (13-0, Pac-12), Jan. 1, 8:45 p.m. Eastern (ESPN)FanDuel Sportsbook College Line: Texas by 4 1/2Series record: Texas leads 3-2.WHAT’S AT STAKE?A berth in the national championship game in Houston on Jan. 8. By advancing, Washington would get a shot at its third national title in program history, and its last as a member of the Pac-12 before moving next season to an expanded Big Ten. Texas is looking to claim its fifth national title, and its last as a member of the Big 12 before moving to the SEC.KEY MATCHUPWashington’s offensive line against the Texas defensive front. The Huskies this season took home the Joe Moore award, which recognizes the top offensive line in all of college football. They’ve allowed just 11 sacks in a high-octane offense that helped quarterback Michael Penix Jr. lead the nation in yards passing with 4,218. The Texas defensive line is anchored by arguably the best set of tackles in the count...

EEUU y México se reunirán en enero en Washington para hacer frente al creciente flujo de migrantes

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:15:29 GMT

EEUU y México se reunirán en enero en Washington para hacer frente al creciente flujo de migrantes MATAMOROS, México — Los representantes de los gobiernos de Estados Unidos y México se reunirán en enero en Washington para avanzar en los esfuerzos para hacer frente al creciente flujo migratorio, que se ha convertido en un dolor de cabeza para el gobierno de Joe Biden en medio de la campaña electoral estadounidense.Ese fue uno de los puntos acordados en el encuentro que sostuvo el presidente Andrés Manuel López Obrador con el secretario de Estado estadounidense Antony Blinken, señaló un comunicado conjunto de ambos gobiernos que se dio a conocer el jueves.La reunión coincidió con el desmantelamiento que realizaron autoridades mexicanas de un precario campamento de tiendas de campaña abandonadas por migrantes ubicado a lo largo del río Bravo en la localidad fronteriza de Matamoros, evento que probablemente podría ser una señal de las acciones que se avecinan del lado de México para atender el creciente número de migrantes que llegan a la frontera sur de Estados Unidos.El cierre temp...

Arsenal misses chance to go top of Premier League with 2-1 loss at Fulham

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:15:29 GMT

Arsenal misses chance to go top of Premier League with 2-1 loss at Fulham LONDON (AP) — Arsenal fell to a second straight loss with a 2-1 defeat at Fulham on Sunday, missing out on a chance to end the year atop the Premier League table.Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal the lead after just five minutes, but the visitors were toothless after that as Raul Jimenez equalized in the first half and Bobby De Cordova-Reid poked in the winner in the 59th.Arsenal topped the standings at Christmas but enters 2024 in fourth place after this defeat followed its first home loss of the season against West Ham on Thursday. A win at Fulham would have lifted Mikel Arteta’s team provisionally above leader Liverpool in a tightly packed top four.But the Gunners have won just one of their last five league games and this was perhaps the most listless performance in that stretch. Arteta will have to ponder whether to look for attacking reinforcements in the January transfer window after his team struggled to create any quality chances after its early goal – even after switching to a back ...

Russia launches fresh drone strikes in Ukraine after promising retaliation for Belgorod attack

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:15:29 GMT

Russia launches fresh drone strikes in Ukraine after promising retaliation for Belgorod attack KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia launched a fresh drone assault on Ukraine after promising that strikes on the Russian border city of Belgorod that killed 24 people Saturday “would not go unpunished.”The Ukrainian Air Force said Sunday that it had shot down 21 of 49 drones launched by Russian forces overnight.The retaliatory Russian attack wounded 28 people in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said. A hotel, kindergarten, apartment buildings, shops and administrative buildings sustained damage, according to the regional prosecutor’s office.Russia’s Defense Ministry said it had targeted “decision-making centers and military facilities” in Kharkiv. The ministry said the hit on the Kharkiv Palace Hotel had “destroyed representatives of the Main Intelligence Directorate and Ukrainian Armed Forces” involved in the “terrorist attack” in Belgorod.Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said a British journalist was among the wounded, while public...

Colorado's paid family leave program starts January 1

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:15:29 GMT

Colorado's paid family leave program starts January 1 DENVER (KDVR) -- Workers across Colorado will be able to take advantage of the state's paid family leave program starting Jan. 1, 2024.In 2020, voters approved Proposition 118, which paved the way for the state-run Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program.The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) explained that the program will ensure that workers will have access to paid leave to take care of themselves or their families during life circumstances that take them away from work.This includes things like maternity and paternity leave, medical leave, as well as caring for a loved one with a serious health condition.People will be able to take up to twelve weeks of paid leave. People who suffer from complications of pregnancy or childbirth may also be eligible for an additional four weeks.In the case of parental leave, it may be taken anytime within the first 12 months after a birth, adoption or foster care placement. Why plastic bags may start disappearin...

Queen of Denmark announces surprise abdication in New Year’s address

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:15:29 GMT

Queen of Denmark announces surprise abdication in New Year’s address Queen Margrethe II of Denmark used her New Year’s address on Sunday to unexpectedly announce her abdication on live television.The queen, who has reigned for 52 years, said she will abdicate on January 14 and will be succeeded by her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik.The 83-year-old queen, who took over the throne in 1972, is the longest-serving monarch in Europe following the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.