Chicago, arguably, is the most dismally unsuccessful baseball city known to man.
It has been represented by the Cubs franchise in the National League since the league’s founding in 1876, and by the White Sox in the American League since that organisation took wing in 1901. Between the two clubs, they have won a total of five World Series in 255 collective seasons.
The Cubs are best known for swinging and missing at the big prize a whopping 108 years since they last won in 1908.
At least the White Sox ended their championship drought at a mere 88 years when they scored a rare title in 2005.
But the Sox are really most famous for something else: the so-called Black Sox Scandal of 1919 when eight players on the team were banned from the game for life after they conspired with gamblers to tank the World Series.
But who in the Windy City cares about that long, dubious history of incompetence and shame now? One month into the new season, the Cubs and White Sox are each the class of their respective leagues.
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The Cubs are no surprise. Having won 97 games last year behind a youthful core of rising stars, they entered this year as the consensus favourite to reach and, perhaps, even win the World Series.
The Sox, however, lead the league in how-did-that-happen? They are coming off three wretched seasons in which they averaged 71 wins and 91 losses. They spent this last off-season patching together a makeshift line-up, stopping just short of a complete overhaul.
Most notably, the Sox resisted trade offers and kept the most marketable player on the team, left-handed ace Chris Sale, keeping their one-two pitching punch of Sale and Jose Quintana intact. Closer David Robertson stayed put, as well.
The position players were a different story. Five new regulars, including slugging third baseman Todd Frazier from the Cincinnati Reds, were brought in to shake up the moribund offence.
Run production has improved. The Sox were last (15th) in the AL in runs scored a year ago, but have jumped to eighth in the early going this year.
Holdover first baseman Jose Abreu and Frazier have carried the load, with 19 and 18 runs batted in, respectively, through the team’s 19-10 start
It is stellar pitching, however, that defines the new Sox. The league-leading staff has a 2.93 earned run average. Cast-off Mat Latos, pitching for his sixth team in eight seasons, has made it through five starts with a 4-0 record and a 1.84 ERA.
The bullpen, in particular, has been remarkable, allowing just 18 runs in 81 innings.
The Cubs just look familiar, with an added element of domination. Reigning Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta has got, yes, better with a 6-0 mark and a 0.84 ERA.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo again is the production leader, with nine home runs, 27 RBI and his own brand of cereal, RizzOs.
The Cubs’ 21-6 start is a franchise record. They have scored the most runs in baseball (164) and given up the fewest (68), a record-setting, run-differential pace.
Fans actually are contemplating an all-Chicago World Series, which seems almost as far-fetched as an all-chocolate slice of the city’s signature, deep-dish pizza.
The only time the Cubs and White Sox ever met in a World Series was in 1906, won by the Sox. Since then, these two historically hollow teams have reached the postseason together only one time, in 2008. Neither survived the first round.
Now, though, the unimaginable has occurred. Chicago is baseball’s No 1 city.
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War
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
Rating: Two out of five stars
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
F1 drivers' standings
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 281
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 222
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 177
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 138
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 93
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 86
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 56
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
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BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
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ABU DHABI T10: DAY TWO
Bangla Tigers v Deccan Gladiators (3.30pm)
Delhi Bulls v Karnataka Tuskers (5.45pm)
Northern Warriors v Qalandars (8.00pm)
SQUADS
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Asghar, Bilal Asif, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Wahab Riaz
Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne (vice-capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Lakshan Sandakan, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Gamage
Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG) and Nigel Llong (ENG)
TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
ICC match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
MATCH INFO
Quarter-finals
Saturday (all times UAE)
England v Australia, 11.15am
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm
Sunday
Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5