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Tennis legend Serena Williams makes hilarious admission about her time in the gym

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Tennis legend Serena Williams is working hard in the gym but she came to the conclusion on Tuesday that she’s starting to spend at least half of her time trying to hit the right angles.

Williams posted a mirror selfie from her workout space and admitted she spends a lot of her time trying to get the picture right.

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Serena Williams during a match between the United States and China PR at DRV PNK Stadium on Dec. 2, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)

“I spend 50% of my time in the gym taking selfies. Trying to get that perfect angle, that angle that makes me look snatched,” she wrote in the caption. “Well I found that angle so don’t look at me sideways when in person I’m a tad thicccker lol.”

Williams’ followers showed support for her, with some saying she looked great and they wanted to be like her when they grew up.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion and her husband Alexis Ohanian welcomed their second child earlier this year. She made the announcement nearly one year to the day of her last tennis match before stepping off the court and into retirement.

TENNIS STAR NOVAK DJOKOVIC REITERATES STANCE ON VACCINES: ‘I’M PRO-FREEDOM TO CHOOSE’

Serena Williams in 2023

Serena Williams attends the CFDA Fashion Awards at the American Museum of Natural History on Nov. 6, 2023, in New York City. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

She revealed at the Met Gala in May that she was pregnant with her second child.

She wrote in an essay in Vogue last year that growing her family was one of the main reasons why she walked away from the sport.

“Believe me, I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family,” she wrote. “I don’t think it’s fair. If I were a guy I wouldn’t be writing this because I’d be out there playing and winning while my wife was doing the physical labor of expanding our family.”

Serena Williams in 2022

Serena Williams after losing to Ajla Tomljanovic on day five of the U.S. Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York, on Sept. 2, 2022. (Robert Deutsch-USA Today Sports)

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Williams and Ohanian married in November 2017.

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Jerry Jones defends Cowboys’ Micah Parsons amid officiating complaints

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Dallas Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones came to the defense of linebacker Micah Parsons after the star player complained about the officiating in the team’s loss to the Miami Dolphins.

Parsons posted photos of him trying to break through the Dolphins offensive line and took issue with the “mind-blowing” penalties that were being called, pointing to a roughing the passer penalty he drew for a hit on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

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Micah Parsons, #11 of the Dallas Cowboys, walks on the field prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on Dec. 17, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Rich Barnes/Getty Images)

“They won’t call a holding penalty in a certain range of holding, usually, if they don’t think the player would’ve gotten to the quarterback to begin with,” Jones said during his radio spot on Audacy’s 105.3 The Fan. 

“That doesn’t work for Parsons because he’s about to get there almost all the time. Anything that just limits him should be a hold.”

Parsons sounded off on the officiating after the Dolphins game.

Jerry Jones in 2023

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones walks the field before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on Nov. 12, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

EX-NFL STAR SHAWNE MERRIMAN RECALLS MOMENT HE KNEW CHARGERS WOULD DISMISS BRANDON STALEY

“It’s mind-blowing, the things that are getting called, the positions we get put in,” he said via the team’s website. “We just got to learn to fight the adversity and know a lot of it is BS. It’s football plays, but it’s the world we live in. We got the star on the helmet.”

Parsons is putting together another career year in only his third season with Dallas. He has 13 sacks, 53 tackles and 30 QB hits. He is likely to earn another All-Pro nod for his efforts.

Micah Parsons held

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, #1, stands back to pass as Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, #11, is held back by offensive tackle Kendall Lamm (70) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

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Dallas is 10-5 and heading to the playoffs for the third straight year. The defense is fifth in points allowed and seventh in yards allowed.

Death toll rises to 7 in Romania guesthouse fire, including 2 children

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  • The death toll from a massive fire at a guesthouse in Romania has risen to seven people, including at least two children.
  • The fire occurred in the village of Tohani in Prahova county, where 26 people were staying at the guesthouse.
  • A second child’s death was confirmed on Wednesday morning, and the search for those missing is ongoing.

The death toll from a massive fire at a guesthouse in Romania rose to seven people Wednesday morning, including at least two children, authorities said.

Emergency intervention teams were deployed to the blaze that erupted Tuesday morning in the village of Tohani in Prahova county, where 26 people were staying at the guesthouse, according to the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations.

Photos of the aftermath of the blaze in local media showed the charred remains of the sprawling guesthouse as emergency workers searched through the rubble.

A GUESTHOUSE BLAZE IN ROMANIA LEAVES 6 PEOPLE DEAD AND SEVERAL OTHERS MISSING

Authorities confirmed the death of a second child Wednesday morning and said the search for missing persons was ongoing, but did not specify how many were still missing.

A guesthouse is seen burning in Tohani, Romania, on Dec. 26, 2023. A huge fire at a guesthouse in Romania has left several people dead, including a child, and some people are missing, authorities said. (Romanian Emergency Services – ISU Prahova via AP)

Before the emergency authorities confirmed the fourth and fifth fatalities around noon on Tuesday, search and rescue teams had been set up to find five missing persons. It wasn’t immediately clear if they were among those listed as missing.

The emergency directorate said the directorate’s head, Raed Arafat, ordered a preliminary report to investigate what checks had been carried out at the guesthouse to help determine who was responsible for the tragedy. There was no immediate indication as to what caused the blaze.

1 DEAD, 3 HURT IN ROMANIAN BOARDING SCHOOL’S PARTIAL COLLAPSE

In the immediate aftermath of the blaze, authorities said 18 people had managed to escape the fire and that two of them were being treated for burns. The fire was extinguished Tuesday shortly after noon.

The affected area was about 1,000 square feet.

Kevin Durant needs to leave the ‘cursed’ Suns, former NBA star says

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The Phoenix Suns had a ton of hype going into the 2023-24 NBA season with Kevin Durant being on the floor full-time to team with Devin Booker and pairing them with offseason acquisition Bradley Beal.

Through 28 games, though, it has been far from a dream scenario for the Suns. Sure, they have not lost 28 games in a row, but the team dropped to 14-15 on Monday night with a loss against the Dallas Mavericks.

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Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, #35, drives against Dallas Mavericks forward Tim Hardaway Jr., #10, during the first half at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Dec. 25, 2023. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)

Dallas’ Luka Doncic scored 50 points as Grayson Allen led the way for the Suns with 32 points. Durant had 16 points, eight rebounds and seven assists but was -5 on the floor. Durant is averaging 30.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game this season.

However, as Phoenix struggles, former NBA star guard Brandon Jennings wrote on X that Durant should leave the team.

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Kevin Durant vs Kyle Kuzma

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, #35, drives to the net against Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma, #33, during the second half at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Dec. 17, 2023. (Zachary BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports)

“KD should leave SUNS,” Jennings wrote. “They cursed man. He don’t deserve this.”

The Suns made the shrewd move to acquire Durant from the Brooklyn Nets at the trade deadline last season. The team gave up a lot of draft picks along with Mikail Bridges and Cam Johnson. They lost in the Western Conference semifinals. 

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Kevin Durant vs Kings

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, #35, points at a teammate during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, Dec. 22, 2023. (Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports)

Phoenix has not had much success so far this season. Durant, Booker and Beal have only played one game together since the former Washington Wizards star was traded there. Over the course of the season, it is expected the three will get more reps as they make a playoff push.

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Top 10 weirdest tech innovations of 2023

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If you are looking for some weird and, in some cases, bizarre tech that will blow your mind, you have come to the right place. We’ve compiled some of the most fascinating and futuristic gadgets that have wowed us over the past year. From a hamster ball robot that can fly and crawl, to a pair of jeans that can protect you from motorcycle accidents to an AI-powered wearable gadget, these are some of the 10 coolest and craziest things you will ever see.

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Top 10 weirdest tech innovations of 2023

Hybrid Mobility Robot (HMR) (Revolute Robotics) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

The latest sensation in robotics is the Hybrid Mobility Robot (HMR) from Revolute Robotics. It’s a flying, crawling, autonomous robot that resembles a hamster ball. Picture a spherical cage that can move on its own omnidirectional path, effortlessly rolling across the ground. But that’s not all. When it encounters an obstacle or a steep incline, it takes flight, literally soaring over the impediment. How does it achieve this? Two gyroscopic gimbal rings inside the cage allow the robot to maintain balance and navigate in any direction.

Watch it fly

Top 10 weirdest tech innovations of 2023

Humane Ai Pin (Coperni) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

The Humane Ai Pin was first revealed at the TED conference in April 2023, where co-founder Imran Chaudhri, a former Apple honcho, demonstrated some of its features, such as making phone calls, getting daily summaries, scanning food items, and projecting a green screen. The device made another appearance at the Paris Fashion Week in September 2023, where it was worn by supermodel Naomi Campbell and other models during the Coperni Spring 2024 runway show. With her legendary status in the fashion realm, Campbell didn’t just bring the glam but also underscored how fashion-forward this wearable tech can be.

See it in action

Top 10 weirdest tech innovations of 2023

Airbag jeans (Mo’cycle) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

The Swedish company Mo’cycle is behind the world’s first pair of airbag jeans. Mo’cycle pants can inflate upon impact, softening the blow of a motorcycle collision. According to Mo’cycle, the jeans are just as comfortable as any regular pair of pants but are instead made with water-repellent, breathable, and abrasion-resistant fabric. The pants’ airbag is invisible until its deployment is triggered through a fall. The airbags eventually deflate, allowing the pants to return to their normal size. Since the pants can only activate from a force of about 88 pounds, there is no need to worry about embarrassing public incidents. What’s neat, the pants are entirely reusable. Through replaceable CO2 cartridges, the pants can remain practical and fashionable at the same time.

Watch them inflate

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Top 10 weirdest tech innovations of 2023

Underwater jetpack (CudaJet) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

A futuristic underwater jetpack is here to change your underwater exploration game. We’ve seen underwater propulsion systems, but none quite like the CudaJet. It is a jet-propulsion device that allows you to fly underwater with unparalleled freedom, weightlessness, and agility. It has a patented propulsion system that delivers a 3:1 kg power-to-weight ratio, a unique harness design that provides strength and comfort, and a compact and ergonomic controller that gives you smooth and precise control. It is also easy to use, maintain, and store.

Watch it fly underwater

Top 10 weirdest tech innovations of 2023

Autonomous toilet-cleaning robot (Somatic) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Somatic’s autonomous toilet-cleaning robot aims to improve the hygiene and efficiency of public restrooms. The robot can navigate the restroom, identify the toilets, and perform cleaning tasks such as scrubbing, disinfecting, and drying. The robot is equipped with sensors, cameras, and a water tank, and can be controlled remotely via a mobile app. The product is designed to reduce the workload and exposure of human janitors and to provide a better experience for those who use public restrooms.

Watch it clean

Top 10 weirdest tech innovations of 2023

AI security guard (Cobalt Robotics) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Some companies are incorporating AI security guards to keep their businesses safe. Leading the charge to populate these office buildings is Cobalt Robotics, a company that specializes in “artificial intelligence and robotic automation to handle mundane, important tasks…” Some of these tasks include things like patrolling office buildings for broken fire alarms, suspicious activity, and checking in visitors. The main reason that a lot of office buildings are beginning to use these robots over human beings is that it saves them a ton of money – roughly $79,000 per year, according to a report from Forrester Research. Although they can work longer hours and do multiple tasks, I don’t know that I would trust this machine with any kind of weaponry in case of a malfunction.

Watch it patrol

Top 10 weirdest tech innovations of 2023

Flying jet ski (Jetson AB) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Allow me to introduce the Jetson ONE – a personal recreation air vehicle aimed at bringing short air travel to the masses. This sleek, 190-pound vehicle is like no other. It’s got eight propellers powered by eight electric motors and eight swappable batteries. It’s kind of like a massive drone, but in this case, you sit right in the middle of the lightweight aluminum space frame and a carbon-Kevlar composite body, ready to take to the skies. On a full battery, you can travel for 20 minutes at a top speed of 63 miles per hour and soar up to an altitude of 1,500 feet. It includes safety features like a “virtual cushion” for smoother landings.

Watch it fly

Top 10 weirdest tech innovations of 2023

3D-printed prosthetic finger (@phodara) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

A Nebraska man has gotten a brand-new prosthetic finger, all from 3D printing. To give some background, Nebraska native Adam Cutshall was building a mini golf course for his son about 20 years ago at their home. Unfortunately, Adam was using the power tools while intoxicated and ended up cutting off his pinky finger. Adam had attempted to get a prosthetic for his finger multiple times over the years; however, the cost could be as high as $20,000, and he was never able to get insurance coverage.

That’s when Adam found New York City-based artist, photographer, and IT engineer Paul Hodara through a Reddit post asking for any skilled users in 3D printing. After hearing Adam’s story, Paul was kind enough to offer to make Adam a prosthetic finger via 3D printing, all free of charge.

Watch it in action

MORE: DOGS GET CHIPPED. WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE DOING THE SAME?

Top 10 weirdest tech innovations of 2023

AI robot (Figure) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

OpenAI, the cutting-edge artificial intelligence research organization behind the all-mighty and extremely popular ChatGPT, has made a chilling breakthrough with its latest project. In a partnership with a robotics company, Figure, the two tech powerhouses have joined forces to create an extremely creepy robot that might one day do all your chores for you.

Imagine a world where robots can learn complex tasks by observing humans. A bit eerie, right? Well, that’s precisely the kind of technology that OpenAI has programmed within this robot. It’s a neural network designed to understand and replicate human movements, taking robotics to a whole new level.

Watch how it works

Top 10 weirdest tech innovations of 2023

Phill the massage robot (Philonlabs) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Phill, the massage robot is not just another piece of tech. It’s the world’s first AI-powered massage robot, promising an unparalleled massage experience tailored to individual needs and preferences. Its main selling point is quite remarkable. It is designed to reside right next to your bed, merging the best of design and functionality. Imagine plopping yourself onto your bed and setting Phill to a Thai back massage. Am I dreaming?

Watch it massage

Kurt’s key takeaways

These inventions show how far human creativity and innovation can go, and how technology can enhance our lives in unexpected ways. Whether it’s flying in the water, cleaning the toilets, or wearing a screenless AI device, these gadgets are sure to make you say “Wow” and “What?”

Which one of these gadgets would you like to try? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips & security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

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Copyright 2023 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.



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‘We’re not playing good football right now’

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The Philadelphia Eagles outlasted the New York Giants on Monday evening to maintain their slim lead in the NFC East, but it did not appear to give the team any confidence with two weeks left to play in the season.

A week after Jalen Hurts spoke on the team’s commitment, wide receiver DeVonta Smith admitted the team was not ecstatic with the way they won the game against the Giants. Smith had four catches for 79 yards and a touchdown.

“Eleven wins? We’re not playing good football right now,” Smith said, via NBC Sports Philadelphia. “As an offense, we’re not where we want to be. I’m not satisfied. Yeah, we got 11 wins. I’m not happy. It needs to be better for what I want to do, what everybody else in here wants to do, what we want to be. 

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DeVonta Smith, #6, and A.J. Brown, #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles, talk during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Dec. 18, 2023 in Seattle. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

“We’re nowhere near that, so no I’m not happy.”

Smith added that he was confident the team would fix whatever it was that ailed them before the end of the regular season.

Philly’s losing streak game to an end win the 33-25 win over the Giants. Last week, Hurts was critical of the team’s performance in the loss against the Seattle Seahawks.

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“I’ve been talking about execution all year. Being on the same page, everyone being on the same page. We didn’t execute,” he said, via Pro Football Talk. “I don’t think we’re, we’re all, we’re committed enough. Just got to turn it around. You know, it’s a challenge that we have to embrace. Just continue to see it through.”

He later clarified and expanded on the remark before the Giants game.

DeVonta Smith runs

DeVonta Smith, #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles, runs the ball for a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on Dec. 25, 2023 in Philadelphia. (Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

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“My mind was in a place of really just trying to challenge myself, challenge myself,” he said. “I think when you think holistically about the things we want to accomplish and everything we’re trying to do. It all runs through me, it all starts with me. When I say ‘we’ I mean ‘me’ because I’m the point guard out there. I’m the one that makes everything go. I’m the guy that everyone trusts to set the pace for everything. That’s in my play, that’s in my leadership, that’s in every aspect of the game. That comes with the shoes that I walk in.

“This is a challenge to myself. You challenge yourself, and you challenge the people around you. I think it’s just a situation where we are, where it’s just something that we’re going through, not something we’re stuck in. It’s beauty in all of this. It’s beauty in all of it and I embrace every ounce of it.”

Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith

Jalen Hurts, #1, and DeVonta Smith, #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles, celebrate a touchdown during the second quarter against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on Dec. 25, 2023 in Philadelphia. (Adam Hunger/Getty Images)

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The Eagles enter Week 17 against the Arizona Cardinals – the team’s final home game of the season. In Week 18, they hit the road to play the New York Giants.

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Each MLB team’s New Year’s resolution going into 2023

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We are just about three months away from Opening Day, when everyone is 0-0 again.

Opening Day marks the moment when everything starts over – where everyone hopes this is the beginning of a season that leads to a coveted World Series trophy.

Of course, some teams, despite whatever hope you have, have much more of a chance than others.

But whether you’re a contender or not, all 30 teams should have goals for the 2024 season to make their road to a title shorter.

Here are each MLB team’s New Year’s resolutions:

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The MLB logo on the on deck circle during a game between the Minnesota Twins and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Sept. 18, 2023, in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Arizona Diamondbacks: Ride the momentum

They won the National League pennant after just 84 regular season wins. While far from a superteam, they’ve proven to turn heads. Keep it going, and let Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll become an MVP candidate.

Atlanta Braves: Stay calm… but stay urgent

The last two seasons have ended way too early, both at the hands of the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS. But there’s no reason to think this team won’t be in the World Series mix. The year 2021 was a fun ride, but this can’t wind up like the ‘90s Braves, which had just one title to show for what probably should have been a dynasty.

Baltimore Orioles: Take advantage

After 101 wins, the O’s were swept in the ALDS. They have elite young talent in Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and soon-to-be Jackson Holliday. After years of rebuilding, they cannot let it go to waste.

Boston Red Sox: Embrace the change

Chaim Bloom didn’t work out – now, former MLB pitcher Craig Breslow leads the baseball operations. It’s a rough roster as it stands right now, but history shows the Sox, no matter who’s in charge, can somehow become dangerous at random.

Adley Rutschman swings

Adley Rutschman of the Baltimore Orioles bats during the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at T-Mobile Park on July 10, 2023, in Seattle. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Chicago Cubs: Buy

The Cubs have a whole lot of money saved up but haven’t gone crazy yet. They opted to keep Cody Bellinger at the trade deadline amid their playoff push but came up short. 

They really wanted Shohei Ohtani, so it’s not like they aren’t eventually going to be aggressive. After going 83-79 last year, they should keep tabs on the market and get back to being a threat. 

Chicago White Sox: Sell

In the season following, somehow, the most lucrative contract they’ve ever shelled out (Andrew Benintendi’s $85 million), they won 61 games. They also have tons of talent in Dylan Cease and Luis Robert. If you’re going to lose with the talent, you might as well lose without it and attempt to start it all over.

Cincinnati Reds: Be aggressive

Some of the big fish in free agency are gone, but there are still good moves to be made for a team that won 82 games last year, was in the postseason race until the season ended, and have one of the most talented players in baseball in Elly De La Cruz. They had no choice but to cut ties with Joey Votto, but that also saved them some cash – go out and use it (Blake Snell and Jorge Soler are nice names to monitor).

Cleveland Guardians: Stay consistent

The Guardians surprised just about everyone when they won the AL Central in 2022, then became the favorites to do so this past season. But they missed the postseason.

They have lots of tough outs with guys who don’t like striking out. They also have talented arms in Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie. Get back to the 2022 ways and kill opponents slowly – and then have some sustained success.

Colorado Rockies: Find pitching

Rockies starters ranked dead last with a 5.91 ERA last year; it was the same number in 2022, and that ranked 29th. Both German Marquez and Antonio Senzatela will miss most of 2024 with Tommy John surgery recovery, but Kyle Freeland and Austin Gomber do look like they could headstart some sort of rotation resurgence. However, that’s probably not enough.

Detroit Tigers: Help your young guns

Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene are some of the best young talents the game has to offer – Javier Baez hasn’t quite worked out, but they did have 78 wins last year, their most since 2016. They’re in danger of missing the postseason for 10 straight years, and the young guys can’t break that streak themselves.

Spencer Torkelson vs the D'Backs

Spencer Torkelson of the Tigers celebrates after scoring against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Comerica Park on June 11, 2023, in Detroit. (Duane Burleson/Getty Images)

Houston Astros: Extend Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez

The Astros just know how to produce talent – Framber Valdez was in the Cy Young Award mix, and Kyle Tucker is an MVP candidate, finishing fifth after a career-high .886 OPS. Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez are all here long-term – make a new core after losing Carlos Correa and George Springer.

Kansas City Royals: Don’t let Bobby Witt Jr. go to waste

Bobby Witt Jr. has insanely raw talent – he hit 30 home runs and stole 49 bases in is second MLB season. But the rest of the Royals have anything but, as they went 56-106. Talk about wasting one’s prime. They’ve brought in Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo for the rotation, but outside of Witt and Salvador Perez, the offense remains stale.

Los Angeles Angels: Make Mike Trout happy

Trade him, find better talent around him, do something. This has been their resolution for his entire career, but it can’t be stated enough that someone like this needs to be on the game’s biggest stage – Trout has been to the postseason just once in his career, way back in 2014.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Win the World Series

And then do it again. And then do it again. 

You just committed to over $1 billion in contracts this offseason, including the largest contract in North American sports history and the largest ever given to a pitcher in MLB history. You have made the postseason each year since 2013, and your only title came in the truncated 2020 season. Anything less than a title is a failure for the next several years.

Shoehi Ohtani is introduced

Newly acquired designated hitter Shohei Ohtani poses as he is introduced at a press conference on Dec. 14, 2023, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Miami Marlins: Get people to the ballpark

The Marlins have a young, scrappy team who made their first non-2020 postseason since 2003. It’s a fun team in a great city. Keep wearing those early-2000s uniforms, keep winning, and stop being at the bottom of the barrel of attendance.

Milwaukee Brewers: Hold strong

It seems like Cy Young Award candidate Corbin Burnes is on the block, but he shouldn’t be. There’s no sense in selling off after a season in which you just won the division by nine games. In a weak division, they are clearly the best team (although St. Louis should bounce back). Rock with what you have, and hope for a Diamondbacks-like magic carpet ride.

Minnesota Twins: Keep Byron Buxton healthy

He has played in over 100 games just once in his career, no matter what. They even made him a DH, despite his Gold Glove caliber defense. Maybe it’s simply just a lost cause, but they just won the division with a half-season of him. Keep him healthy, and stay a threat in the AL Central.

New York Mets: Lay the groundwork

Steve Cohen openly admitted 2024 might not be a year of contention, but his wallet gives them a chance to get back there sooner rather than later. Extend Pete Alonso, keep tabs on Juan Soto next year, and make Queens the hottest ticket in town.

New York Yankees: Stay on the gas pedal

Last season was the worst season the organization has seen in a generation, but the Empire struck back by acquiring Juan Soto. Don’t let Steve Cohen take him – go back to the 2009 ways, and become Evil again.

Juan Soto celebrates home run

Juan Soto of the Padres tosses his bat during the Arizona Diamondbacks game at PETCO Park on Aug. 19, 2023, in San Diego. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Oakland Athletics: Stay home

The A’s aren’t slated to move to Las Vegas until 2027, but their lease at the Coliseum ends after this season. Fans have tried to convince ownership to stay, but it didn’t work. Rob Manfred can say fans were too late, but can you blame fans for not coming to see a 50-win team? Give the fan base a proper goodbye and find a way to stay in Oakland for 2025 and 2026 before the drive to Sin City.

Philadelphia Phillies: Put it all together

The Phillies were a game away from back-to-back pennants and are bringing back most of the same roster from last year – including Bryce Harper. They became a lovable bunch in each of the last two Octobers, and they are this close.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Get back in the postseason

The Pirates started off hot last year, but fizzled out. However, they have two superb talents in Oneil Cruz and Ke’Bryan Hayes. By no means is this a bad roster, and 2021 first overall pick Henry Davis figures to be in the mix for a full season. 

You don’t have to be the 2023 Baltimore Orioles, but they can definitely be in the mix late in the season – and who remembers how fun those mid-2010s postseason games were?

San Diego Padres: Don’t give up

It’s either this or continue the fire sale – but they still have an elite trio in Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts, and they got a nice return after trading Soto. The excitement from the last two seasons is dwindling, but the window isn’t glued shut.

Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber

Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with Bryce Harper after hitting a solo home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the National League Championship Series at Chase Field on Oct. 21, 2023, in Phoenix. (Harry How/Getty Images)

FORMER RED SOX CLOSER RIPS ALEX VERDUGO FOR JABS AT ALEX CORA: ‘I’M DRILLING THIS B—-‘

San Francisco Giants: Don’t let another one slip

The Giants were this close to getting Aaron Judge last year and Shohei Ohtani this year. They even had Carlos Correa before poor physicals, which isn’t their fault. But how many more players will slip through the cracks for a team that won 107 games just two seasons ago?

Seattle Mariners: Make a splash

After missing the postseason for 21 straight years, they’ve been it in each of the last two. Yes, they did get Luis Castillo in 2022, but they still are a good, not great, team, with a fan base starving for more. The AL West is a legitimate three-team race, and there’s no reason they can’t be at the top of it if they make one more big move.

St. Louis Cardinals: Have a short memory

You have to hope that after making the postseason four straight years, and winning the NL Central in 2022, that last year was simply just an outlier. There are a lot of stars on this team, and there is no excuse for them to repeat their last-place 71-91 outcome from this past season.

Tampa Bay Rays: Make progress on a new stadium

The Rays have the same problem as the Marlins: no one goes to their games. Tropicana Field is miserable to get to, and it’s long been rumored the team is going to move. It’s time to make those rumors a reality, find a better location in the Tampa area (look at the Buccaneers and Lightning), and get there sooner rather than later – even if it’s in a totally new part of the country.

Texas Rangers: Build a bullpen

The Rangers have a legitimate shot at being a World Series threat every year. They got by with their bullpen struggles thanks to great starting pitching and offense to win their first Fall Classic, but October baseball can be a crapshoot, and it will be scary if they have to rely on that again.

Rangers win World Series

The Texas Rangers celebrate after beating the Arizona Diamondbacks in the World Series at Chase Field on Nov. 1, 2023, in Phoenix. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

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Toronto Blue Jays: Walk the walk

In each of the last two seasons, the Blue Jays have been everyone’s “sleeper” to win the AL East thanks to their swagger and talent – yet they haven’t won a postseason game since 2016. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Alek Manoah hate the Yankees, but they need to love winning more.

Washington Nationals: Hang in there

The Patrick Corbin and Stephen Strasburg deals are turning out to be two of the worst in MLB history, but at least Corbin is coming off the books this season. There also have been rumors that Strasburg and the Nats could work out a buyout. Right now, they’re being held back from doing anything big, but there are some pieces on the market they could bring in to at least try and improve from last season’s 71-91.

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Trans inclusion in women’s sports becomes hotter topic in 2023

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Transgender athletes competing in women’s and girls’ sports became an even hotter issue in 2023, coming off a year when Lia Thomas won an NCAA Championship in women’s swimming.

Debate raged online and beyond about whether it was fair to allow transgender females to compete against athletes of the same gender they identify as. Whether it was in high school, college or the pros, the discourse was fervent.

The controversy was far from over this year.

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White House releases new Title IX regulations

The Biden administration rolled out the new Title IX regulations in April. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

In April, the Biden administration rolled out new Title IX regulations to expand the meaning of sexual discrimination to include gender identity that would prevent schools and colleges from banning transgender athletes.

Under the department’s proposed rule, no school or college that receives federal funding would be allowed to impose a “one-size-fits-all” policy that categorically bans transgender students from playing on sports teams consistent with their gender identity. Such policies would be considered a violation of Title IX.

The proposal garnered pushback from more than two dozen groups at the time. A letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona organized by the Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies, a diverse coalition of lawyers, subject-matter experts, parents, civil rights groups and former education officials, said the Biden administration’s additional anticipated regulations will “unfairly” penalize female athletes.

World Athletics excludes transgender female athletes from women’s competitions

16th IAAF World Athletics Championships London 2017

A general view as athletes compete in the Women’s 10000 meters during day two of the 16th IAAF World Athletics Championships London 2017 at The London Stadium on Aug. 5, 2017 in London. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

In March, World Athletics announced its decision to exclude transgender female athletes who have been through male puberty from world rankings competitions.

The international governing body for track and field and other running-related athletic events said its decision would have no consequences for athletes right now because there are no transgender athletes competing internationally.

“World Athletics conducted a consultation period with various stakeholders in the first two months of this year, including Member Federations, the Global Athletics Coaches Academy and Athletes’ Commission, the IOC as well as representative transgender and human rights groups,” the organization said.

“It became apparent that there was little support within the sport for the option that was first presented to stakeholders, which required transgender athletes to maintain their testosterone levels below 2.5nmol/L for 24 months to be eligible to compete internationally in the female category.”

“In terms of DSD [Differences of Sexual Development] regulations, World Athletics has more than 10 years of research and evidence of the physical advantages that these athletes bring to the female category.

“However, there are currently no transgender athletes competing internationally in athletics and consequently no athletics-specific evidence of the impact these athletes would have on the fairness of female competition in athletics.

“In these circumstances, the Council decided to prioritize fairness and the integrity of the female competition before inclusion.”

NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON EXPLODES DURING DEBATE ABOUT TRANS WOMEN COMPETING IN WOMEN SPORTS

World Aquatics announces ‘open category’ but gets canceled months later

In July, World Aquatics announced it would launch an “open category” for transgender swimmers to compete in more than a year after a new policy effectively banned trans women from competing in women’s events.

The new race was set to debut in Germany in October, but it was dropped with the organization citing “zero” entries.

Despite the lack of interest, World Aquatics said they would continue to work on providing open category events in the future. 

“The World Aquatics Open Category Working Group will continue its work and engagement with the aquatics community on Open Category events. Even if there is no current demand at the elite level, the working group is planning to look at the possibility of including Open Category races at Masters events in the future,” they added. 

USWNT stars back trans inclusion in women’s, girls’ sports

Megan Rapinoe takes the field

Megan Rapinoe takes the field prior to her final game against South Africa at Soldier Field on Sept. 24, 2023 in Chicago. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

U.S. soccer stars Becky Sauerbrunn and Megan Rapinoe both came out in support of trans participation in girls’ and women’s sports over the course of the year.

Sauerbrunn wrote an op-ed in February, slamming a Missouri bill that would bar transgender girls from playing on girls’ sports teams. The 37-year-old center back wrote she can “assure you that playing with or against transgender women and girls is not a threat to women’s sports.”

Rapinoe said she would support a trans woman on the U.S. women’s national team roster.

“Absolutely,” she told Time in July. “‘You’re taking a ‘real’ woman’s place,’ that’s the part of the argument that’s still extremely transphobic. I see trans women as real women. What you’re saying automatically in the argument—you’re sort of telling on yourself already—is you don’t believe these people are women. Therefore, they’re taking the other spot. I don’t feel that way.”

College field hockey coach says she was admonished for speaking out

Kim Russell talks

Oberlin College women’s lacrosse coach Kim Russell discusses her post about trans women playing in women’s sports with Laura Ingraham. (Fox News)

Oberlin College women’s lacrosse head coach Kim Russell broke her silence about transgender inclusion in women’s sports in a documentary for the Independent Women’s Forum.

The issue stemmed from Russell reposting a headline sarcastically congratulating then-Virginia swim star Emma Weyant for the victory over Thomas, a transgender female. Russell wrote in the post, “What do you believe? I can’t be quiet on this… I’ve spent my life playing sports, starting & coaching sports programs for girls & women..”

Russell said she was ridiculed by her colleagues and players over the issue. She finished up the 2023 season but is no longer the current coach at the school.

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Trans swimmer breaks college’s record

A transgender swimmer at Ramapo College of New Jersey broke a women’s school record last month after competing for the men’s team for three years.

Meghan Cortez-Fields won first place and broke a school record in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 57.22 at the Cougar Splash Invitational, a two-day meet between six schools in Dallas, Pennsylvania. She also came in first place in the 200-yard individual medley and earned second place in the 200-yard butterfly.

Cortez-Fields swam on Ramapo’s men’s team for three years before moving to the women’s team this season as a senior. Last year, she told The Ramapo News she admired Lia Thomas, the trans University of Pennsylvania swimmer who won an NCAA Championship in 2022.

Fox News’ Andrew Mark Miller and Teny Sahakian contributed to this report.

Pistons set miserable NBA record with 27th straight loss

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The Detroit Pistons have rewritten the history books, breaking a record no one wants to be a part of.

The Pistons’ losing streak reached 27 on Tuesday night after falling to the Brooklyn Nets, 118-112, setting a new all-time record for the longest single-season losing skid.

The previous record had been 26 consecutive losses, shared by the 2013-2014 Philadelphia 76ers and the 2011-2012 Cleveland Cavaliers. The Sixers also lost 28 games consecutively, but that streak started at the end of the 2014-2015 season and continued into the next campaign.

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Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham is shown during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Dec. 26, 2023. (Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports)

Detroit started the game on a 22-8 run, but Brooklyn battled back and even got their own lead up to 11 points in the third quarter.

Detroit took a 97-92 lead with 8:10 left, but the Nets responded with a 16-3 run to take an eight-point lead with just over three minutes to go. They cut the deficit to two with just under a minute left, but Dorian Finney-Smith drilled a three-pointer with 38.0 ticks left.

In the final seconds, chants of “Sell the team” rang loud in Little Caesars Arena.

Marcus Sasser looks on against the Sixers

Marcus Sasser of the Detroit Pistons looks on during the game against the 76ers in Philadelphia on Dec. 15, 2023. (David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

SHAQ BLASTS CHRIS ‘MAD DOG’ RUSSO FOR SNUBBING HIM AMONG TOP CENTERS: ‘I WILL SMACK THE S— OUTTA THAT DUDE’

This streak comes despite them inking Monty Williams to what was then the record for the most lucrative contract ever given to a coach until the San Antonio Spurs signed Gregg Popovich to a new deal. Williams signed a six-year deal worth $78.5 million, but team options and incentives could increase the deal to eight years and $100 million.

To put that losing streak into perspective, both the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks have won a game more recently than the Pistons. Each NFL team has won at least one game since Detroit’s last win, while each NHL team has won seven.

The Pistons’ last victory came way back on Oct. 28 against the Chicago Bulls. That win put their record at 2-1, and it was actually their second consecutive win.

Now, they are 2-28 and on pace for just a five-win season. That would give them 77 losses.

The Pistons tied the previous record on Sunday with a loss that also came at the hands of Brooklyn.

Cade Cunningham upset

Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons is shown during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center, Dec. 23, 2023, in New York City. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

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Three major holidays have passed since their last win, and there’s a realistic chance for a fourth with New Year’s approaching.

Detroit heads to Boston to face the Celtics on Thursday, then they host the Toronto Raptors next Saturday for their final shot at a win in the calendar year.

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Christmas Eve attack in Nigeria leaves at least 140 people dead, homes burned

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Nomadic herders in Nigeria killed at least 140 people during a Christmas Eve rampage through 15 villages, according to media reports. 

The hours-long attacks happened in the country’s central Plateau state as suspected nomadic herders used firearms and machetes on their victims, Reuters reported. 

“As I am talking to you, in Mangu local governorate alone, we buried 15 people. As of this morning, in Bokkos, we are counting not less than 100 corpses. I am yet to take stock of (the deaths in) Barkin Ladi,” Plateau Gov. Caleb Mutfwang said in a broadcast on the local Channels Television. “It has been a very terrifying Christmas for us here in Plateau.”

The violence was the bloodiest in the country since 2018, when more than 200 people were killed amid clashes between farmers and herders. 

GENOCIDE, FAMINE IN SUDAN AS BIDEN ACCUSED OF BEING ‘IDLE’

People flee following an attacked by gunmen in Bokkos, north central Nigeria, on Tuesday. Nigerian officials and survivors say at least 140 people were killed by gunmen who attacked remote villages in north-central Nigeria’s Plateau state in the latest of such mass killings this year blamed on the West African nation’s farmer-herder crisis. (AP)

“We returned at 6 the next morning and found that houses had been burnt and people killed,” Grace Godwin told the news outlet. “There are still people missing.”

It was not clear what triggered the violence but the region, known as the “Middle Belt,” is often characterized chiefly Muslim Fulani herdsmen clashing with mainly Christian farmers, Reuters said. 

Some of the locals said that it took more than 12 hours before security agencies responded to their call for help. 

No group took responsibility for the attacks though blame fell on herders from the Fulani tribe, who have been accused of carrying out such mass killings across the northwest and central regions where the decades-long conflict over access to land and water has further worsened the sectarian division between Christians and Muslims in Africa’s most populous nation.

A burnt vehicle at a burnt out Nigerian home

A burnt out car is seen following an attack by gunmen in Bokkos, north central Nigeria.  (AP)

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Nigerian President President Bola Tinubu said the violence was “unprovoked” and directed the police to find those responsible. 

Authorities said homes, cars and motorcycles were found burnt as well. 

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.Â