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Column: Can the Chicago White Sox follow the Texas Rangers’ World Series blueprint?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:46 GMT

The Chicago White Sox were on their way to a 101-loss season in mid-September when manager Pedro Grifol told reporters he was confident they would contend in 2024.It seemed like a bit of a stretch, so I asked Grifol why he thought that would be a realistic possibility.“Why wouldn’t we?” he asked. “Why wouldn’t we be able to?”The Sox’s record suggested it would not be a quick fix, I replied, and history tells us it takes time to turn around a team that has played as poorly as the 2023 Sox.But Grifol countered he had read something that contradicted my theory.“There is a pretty good percentage of teams that can turn it around in one year,” he said. “And so obviously it depends on what we do this offseason. I’m pretty confident that we can.”Grifol didn’t have the report handy, but no matter. Now he doesn’t have to bother looking for examples of a one-year turnaround.The Texas Rangers proved him right We...

Myanmar’s army chief vows counterattacks on armed groups that captured northeastern border towns

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:46 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — The leader of Myanmar ’s army-installed government said the military will carry out counterattacks against a powerful alliance of ethnic armed groups that has seized towns near the Chinese border in the country’s northeastern and northern regions, state-run media reported Friday.The Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper quoted Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing as saying he told his Cabinet members that combined forces of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army attacked military outposts and government offices in the northern part of Shan state.Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, a spokesperson for the ruling military council, acknowledged to state MRTV television on Thursday that the army had ceded control of the towns of Chinshwehaw, Pang Hseng and Hpawng Hseng on the border with China. Chinshwehaw is a major point for cross-border trade. “At this time, there are places that the government, administrative and security organizations have had...

A Russian singer who condemned the war in Ukraine is back home. The Orthodox Church wants an apology

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:46 GMT

The Russian Orthodox Church on Friday called for an apology from Alla Pugacheva, the country’s most renowned pop singer who returned home this week, over her criticism of Russia’s war in Ukraine.The 74-year-old Pugacheva, for decades hugely popular in Russia and other parts of the former Soviet Union, left the country for Israel along with her husband several weeks after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.In September 2022, she sparked widespread attention by both supporters and opponents of the conflict by saying that Russian soldiers were dying for “illusory goals” and that the country had become “a pariah.” She also provocatively suggested that authorities should name her a “foreign agent” — a status already applied to her husband Maxim Galkin, an actor and comedian.Although Russia enacted a law after the start of the war in Ukraine that calls for prison terms or fines for denigrating the armed forces, Pugacheva hasn’t been charged...

Magna beats expectations with profit boost as light vehicle production ramps up

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:46 GMT

Magna International Inc. is reporting a jump in profits and revenues for its third quarter, beating analyst expectations.The auto parts manufacturer, which keeps its books in U.S. dollars, says net income leaped 36 per cent to US$394 million in the quarter ended Sept. 30 from US$289 million in the same period last year.Magna says sales rose 15 per cent to US$10.69 billion last quarter from US$9.27 billion the year before.On an adjusted basis, diluted earnings jumped to US$1.46 per share from US$1.10 per share.The one-third increase far exceeded analyst expectations of US$1.32 per share, according to financial markets data firm Refinitiv.The Aurora, Ont.-based company says its profit growth stems from the launch of new programs over the past year, higher light vehicle production across the globe and price increases to cover rising production costs.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 3, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:MG)The Canadian Press

Telus profits plunge 74% despite record customer growth

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:46 GMT

VANCOUVER — Telus Corp. is reporting a74 per cent year-over-year drop in profits in its latest quarter, despite a solid revenue boost and record customer growth.The telecommunications company says net income attributable to shareholders fell to $136 million in the quarter ended Sept. 30 from $514 million in the same period the year before.Telus attributes the plunge to costs related to restructuring after it announced in August it would cut 6,000 jobs due to issues around regulation and competition.The Vancouver-based company says operating revenues rose 7.5 per cent in its third quarter to $4.99 billion from $4.64 billion a year earlier. Adjusted basic earnings fell nearly 27 per cent to 25 cents per share from 34 cents per share, but slightly beat analyst expectations of 24 cents per share, according to financial markets data firm Refinitiv.Telus says net customer growth hit a quarterly record of 406,000, an increase of 59,000 from the year before that it says was driven by demand...

Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah leader taunts Israel in his first speech since Israel-Hamas war started

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:46 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — Celebratory gunshots rang out over Beirut as thousands packed into a square in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital on Friday to watch a televised speech by Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the militant Lebanese Hezbollah group. Nasrallah taunted Israel in his remarks, which were broadcast via a video-link. It was his first address to supporters since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war, sparked by the Palestinian militants’ deadly Oct. 7 incursion into southern Israel.The speech came a day after the most significant escalation in clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces on the Israel-Lebanon border since the war started — and on the same day as a visit to Israel by the top U.S. diplomat. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to urge protections for civilians in the fighting with Hamas, as Israeli troops tightened their encirclement of Gaza City.In his lengthy remarks, Nasrallah praised the Hamas at...

Former NU athletes share experience with racism, hazing for first time

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:46 GMT

CHICAGO — A group of former Northwestern University athletes who were allegedly subjected to racism, hazing, physical abuse, and retaliation while part of the athletic program will share their stories for the first time.A press conference was held Friday ahead of Northwestern’s football game at Wrigley Field Saturday. The athletes shared stories of the abuse they endured during their time at the university.The players are represented by Chicago law firm Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. and co-counsel Stinar Law, PLLC — which represent over 50 former Northwestern student-athletes who have suffered trauma due to the misconduct. Former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald sues university for $130 million The press conference was scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday.

Monitoring Team reports police reform moving slow

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:46 GMT

CHICAGO -- The court appointed Monitoring Team released its latest assessment of CPD reform efforts and the CPD will get a chance to respond and discuss the progress that has been made.After more than four years under federal oversight, the CPD Monitory Team's report compliance continues to lag but also expresses hope under new police superintendent Larry Snelling. Led by attorney Maggie Hickey, the team published its eight report this week which states: "The CPD has reached full compliance on just six percent of consent to decree requirements. The team examined reform efforts between Jan. 1st to June 30, a period where there were three superintendents."It writes CPD has yet to implement a comprehensive consistent and transparent policing strategy. It adds that the department could make significant progress across all parts of the Consent Decree if it did that. Chicago residents fed up with lack of communication on migrant housing locations The team reports progress in addressing ...

National Sandwich Day: Where to get deals, discounts on Nov. 3

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:46 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – If ever there were a day to ingest all of your meats, cheeses and veggies via some type of bread-based vessel, this is it.Nov. 3 marks National Sandwich Day, a quasi-holiday established to justify every American’s burning desire to devour nothing but sandwiches at nearly every meal. And today, plenty of major sandwich chains are happy to indulge our cravings with special deals and discounts on all manner of sammies, subs, grinders and hoagies.In the mood for a sandwich? Of course you are. Take a look at today’s deals below, then cancel any non-sandwich lunch engagements you may or may not have previously scheduled.Capriotti’s Sandwich ShopOn Nov. 3, customers at Capriotti’s can get a free small sub with the purchase of another sub of any size. The offer can be found via the chain’s CAPAddicts app. You’ll never guess what a Kit Kat ‘piece’ is actually called Firehouse SubsThis National Sandwich Day, Firehouse Subs will be donating a portion of the sales from its King’s ...

Dean's Weekender: Black Harvest Film Festival, Russel Peters and more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:46 GMT

Check out Dean's Weekender for the latest events coming to the Chicagoland area this weekend.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!