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Humanities › Geography
What Is Latin America? Definition and List of Countries
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Key Figures & Milestones
Urban Geography
Rebecca Bodenheimer
Anthropology and History Expert
Ph.D., Ethnomusicology, University of California Berkeley
M.A., Ethnomusicology, University of California Berkeley
B.M., Music, Barnard College
Rebecca Bodenheimer, Ph.D. is the author of "Geographies of Cubanidad: Place, Race, and Musical Performance in Contemporary Cuba." Her work has been published by CNN Opinion, Pacific Standard, Poynter, NPR, and more.
Latin America is a region of the world that spans two continents, North America (including Central America and the Caribbean) and South America. It includes 19 sovereign nations and one non-independent territory, Puerto Rico. Most people in the region speak Spanish or Portuguese, although French, English, Dutch, and Kreyol are also spoken in parts of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.
By and large, the countries in Latin America are still considered "developing" or "emerging" nations, with Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina comprising the largest economies. Latin America's population has a high proportion of mixed-race people due to its colonial history and encounters between Europeans, indigenous people, and Africans. In addition, its population is a result of an unprecedented history of transcontinental migration: after 1492, 60 million Europeans, 11 million Africans, and 5 million Asians arrived in the Americas.
Key Takeaways: What Is Latin America
Latin America spans two continents, North America (including Central America and the Caribbean) and South America.
Latin America includes 19 sovereign nations and one dependent territory, Puerto Rico.
Most people in the region speak Spanish or Portuguese.
Latin America Definition
Latin America is a region that is difficult to define. It is sometimes considered a geographic region that includes the entire Caribbean, i.e., all Western Hemisphere countries south of the United States, regardless of language spoken. It is defined by others as a region where a Romance language (Spanish, Portuguese, or French) predominates, or as the countries with a history of Iberian (Spanish and Portuguese) colonialism.
Latin America single states political map. Peter Hermes Furian / Getty Images
The most limited definition, and the one utilized in this article, defines Latin America as countries where Spanish or Portuguese is currently the dominant language. Thus, not included are the islands of Haiti and the French Caribbean, the Anglophone Caribbean (including Jamaica and Trinidad), the mainland English-speaking countries of Belize and Guyana, and the Dutch-speaking countries of the hemisphere (Suriname, Aruba, and the Netherland Antilles).
Before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492, Latin America had been settled for millennia by a wide range of indigenous groups, some of whom (Aztecs, Mayans, Incas) boasted advanced civilizations. The Spanish were the first Europeans to arrive in the Americas, followed soon after by the Portuguese, who colonized Brazil. Landing first in the Caribbean, the Spanish soon expanded their explorations and conquest to Central America, Mexico, and South America.
The majority of Latin America gained independence from Spain between 1810 and 1825, with Brazil gaining independence from Portugal in 1825. Of Spain's two remaining colonies, Cuba gained its independence in 1898, at which time Spain ceded Puerto Rico to the U.S. in the Treaty of Paris that ended the Spanish-American War.
Latin American Countries
Latin America is divided up into several regions: North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
Despite being the only North American country that is part of Latin America, Mexico is one of the region's largest and most important nations. Mexico is the largest source not only of Latin American immigrants, but of all immigrants to the U.S.
Central America is comprised of seven countries, six of which are Spanish-speaking.
Map of Central America. negoworks / Getty Images
Costa Rica is located between Nicaragua and Panama. It is one of the most stable countries in Central America, primarily because it has been able to capitalize on its rich topography for its ecotourism industry.
El Salvador is the smallest but most densely populated country in Central America. Along with Guatemala and Honduras, the country belongs to the maligned "Northern Triangle," known for its violence and crime that is in large part a result of the civil wars of the 1980s.
Central America's most populous country by far, as well as its most linguistically diverse, is Guatemala, known for the richness of its Mayan culture. Around 40% of the population speaks an indigenous language as their mother tongue.
Honduras borders Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. It is sadly known as one of Latin America's poorest (66% of people live in poverty) and most violent countries.
Central America's largest country in terms of surface area is Nicaragua. It is also the poorestcountry in Central America and the second poorest in the region.
Panama, the southernmost country in Central America, has historically had a very close relationship with the U.S., particularly because of the history of the Panama Canal.
South America is home to 12 independent nations, 10 of which are Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking.
South America single states political map. Peter Hermes Furian/Getty Images
Argentina is South America's second largest and third most populous country, after Brazil and Colombia. It's also Latin America's second biggest economy.
Bolivia is one of South America's highland countries, known for its mountainous geography. It has a relatively large indigenous population, specifically Aymara and Quechua speakers.
South America's largest country in both population and physical size, Brazil is also one of the world's most dominant economies. It covers almost half the land mass of South America and is home to the Amazon Rainforest.
Known for its prosperity relative to the rest of Latin America, Chile also has a whiter population with a smaller proportion of racially mixed people than most of the region.
Colombia is South America's second largest nation, and third largest in all of Latin America. The country is rich in natural resources, particularly petroleum, nickel, iron ore, natural gas, coal, and gold.
Although it is a medium-sized country within South America, Ecuador is the continent's most densely populated nation. It is located along the Earth's equator.
The small nation of Paraguay has a relatively homogenous population: most people are of mixed European and Guaraní (indigenous) ancestry.
Known for its ancient history and Incan Empire, Peru is the fourth most populous country in South America and the fifth in Latin America. It is known for its mountainous topography and relatively large indigenous population.
Uruguay is South America's third smallest country, and, like neighboring Argentina, has a population that is largely of European descent (88%).
With a long coastline on the northern border of South America, Venezuela has much in common culturally with its Caribbean neighbors. It is the birthplace of the "liberator" of South America, Simon Bolivar.
Greater Antilles political map. siraanamwong / Getty Images
The Caribbean is the sub-region with the most diverse history of European colonization: Spanish, French, English, Dutch, and Kreyol are all spoken. Only the Spanish-speaking countries will be discussed in this article.
The last Spanish colony to gain its independence, Cuba is the largest and most populous nation in the Caribbean. Like the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, the indigenous population was virtually eliminated in Cuba, and the primary type of racial mixture was between Africans and Europeans.
The Dominican Republic comprises the eastern two-thirds of what Spanish colonizers named the island of Hispaniola, and it has historically had a tense relationship with the western third of the island, Haiti. Culturally and linguistically, the Dominican Republic has much in common with Cuba and Puerto Rico.
The small island of Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the U.S., although there has been a consistent debate throughout the past century about whether to continue with this status or to pursue statehood or independence. Since 1917, Puerto Ricans have been granted automatic U.S. citizenship, yet they don't have the right to vote in presidential elections.
Moya, Jose. The Oxford Handbook of Latin American History. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011.
"History of Latin America." Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Latin-America
"Latin American Countries." World Atlas. https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/which-countries-make-up-latin-america.html
Bodenheimer, Rebecca. "What Is Latin America? Definition and List of Countries." ThoughtCo, Feb. 17, 2021, thoughtco.com/what-is-latin-america-4691831. Bodenheimer, Rebecca. (2021, February 17). What Is Latin America? Definition and List of Countries. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-latin-america-4691831 Bodenheimer, Rebecca. "What Is Latin America? Definition and List of Countries." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-latin-america-4691831 (accessed January 31, 2023).
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Edgar followed up with a first-round TKO victory over Mark Bocek at UFC 73. He made his main card debut at UFC 78 against veteran fighter Spencer Fisher and won via unanimous decision.
Edgar suffered his first loss at UFC Fight Night 13 against Gray Maynard. This fight marked the first bout of a series. Maynard used his size and wrestling skill to overpower Edgar en route to a unanimous decision. Edgar rebounded with another Fight of the Night victory against Hermes França at UFC: Silva vs. Irvin. Edgar then defeated former UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk, outworking him all three rounds to earn the unanimous decision victory over the stronger and heavier fighter.
Edgar was expected to face Kurt Pellegrino on December 5, 2009, on The Ultimate Fighter 10 finale, but Pellegrino was forced to withdraw due to an injury. Matt Veach was named as Pellegrino's replacement, moving up from an undercard bout.  After being on the defensive for most of the first round, Edgar became the aggressor in the second round by punishing Veach with strikes, Ultimately knocking Veach down with a straight right, Edgar then proceeded to take Veach's back and finishing him with a rear naked choke at 2:22 into the second round.
At UFC 112, Edgar was matched against lightweight champion BJ Penn. After a long, back-and-forth, predominantly standing fight, the judges' scorecards were called on for a decision. The scores were (50–45, 49–46, and 48–47) in favor of Edgar. The unanimous decision win awarded him the UFC Lightweight Championship. 8 of 9 media outlets scored the bout in favor of Penn.
On June 24, 2010, ESPN announced Edgar as a nominee for Best Upset of the Year at the 2010 ESPY Awards.
The bout at UFC 112 was deemed close enough that Edgar's first title defense took the form of a UFC 118 rematch against Penn on August 28, 2010. Edgar defeated Penn via unanimous decision to retain the UFC Lightweight Championship, this time with no controversy after taking Penn down multiple times and out-striking him throughout all five rounds. All three judges scored the bout 50–45 for Edgar, making him the second fighter to defeat Penn in the lightweight division  (the other being Jens Pulver), and the second fighter ever to beat Penn twice (the other being Georges St-Pierre).
Edgar's next title defense was against Gray Maynard, the only man to have defeated Edgar, in a rematch from UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Lauzon. Maynard earned the #1 contender spot at UFC 118 with a win over Kenny Florian. The bout took place on January 1, 2011, at UFC 125, with the fight ending in a split draw (48–46 Maynard, 48–46 Edgar, and 47–47). In the first round of the bout, Maynard dropped Edgar multiple times, but Edgar would survive. His fight with Maynard marks the third time in UFC history that a championship fight ended as a draw.
During the UFC 125 post-fight press conference, it was announced that Edgar's next opponent would be Anthony Pettis, the final World Extreme Cagefighting lightweight champion. However, less than two hours later UFC president Dana White announced a change of plans. Edgar was then scheduled to fight Gray Maynard for the third time at UFC 130. Dana White confirmed on May 9, 2011, that both Edgar and Maynard had sustained injuries and that their bout was pulled from event. The fight was rescheduled as the main event of UFC 136. After a similar first round to their bout at UFC 125, Edgar won via KO at 3:54 of round 4, earning Knockout of the Night honors.
Edgar faced Benson Henderson on February 26, 2012, at UFC 144. Henderson defeated Edgar via unanimous decision to become the new UFC Lightweight Champion. Both participants earned Fight of the Night honors for their performance.
A rematch with Henderson took place on August 11, 2012, at UFC 150. In a bout that was very tightly contested, Henderson defeated Edgar again, this time via split decision.
On the August 21, 2012 edition of UFC Tonight, it was revealed that Frankie Edgar had announced his intentions to move to the featherweight division.
Edgar was briefly linked to a December 2012 bout with Ricardo Lamas, but it was scrapped after Edgar replaced the injured Erik Koch to face champion José Aldo on October 13, 2012, at UFC 153 On September 11, Aldo pulled out of the match with a foot injury.
The bout with Aldo was rescheduled for UFC 156, where Edgar lost to Aldo via unanimous decision. Both men earned Fight of the Night honors for their performances.
Edgar faced Charles Oliveira on July 6, 2013, at UFC 162 in his first non-title bout since 2009. Edgar won via unanimous decision snapping his three fight losing streak. Both fighters received Fight of the Night honors.
On September 11, 2013, the UFC announced during UFC Tonight, that Edgar would coach against former two-time opponent, B.J. Penn for the 19th season of The Ultimate Fighter. The season aired on Fox Sports 1, and the two coaches faced each other for the third time on July 6, 2014, at The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale. Edgar won the one-sided bout by TKO in the third round.
Edgar next faced Cub Swanson on November 22, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 57. Edgar dominated the fight and finished Swanson in the fifth round via submission with only 4 seconds left in the fight. The win also earned Edgar his first Performance of the Night bonus award.
A long speculated "superfight" with former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber took place on May 16, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 66. After speculation as to what weight class the bout was to be contested, either featherweight, bantamweight or at a catchweight of somewhere in between, it was announced that the bout would be contested at featherweight. Edgar won the fight via unanimous decision.
Edgar faced Chad Mendes on December 11, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale. Edgar won the fight by knockout in the first round. The win also earned Edgar his second Performance of the Night bonus award.
Edgar next faced José Aldo in a rematch on July 9, 2016, at UFC 200 for the interim UFC Featherweight Championship. Aldo again defeated Edgar via unanimous decision.
Edgar faced Jeremy Stephens on November 12, 2016, at UFC 205. He won the fight via unanimous decision despite being knocked down by a head kick in the second round.
Edgar faced Yair Rodríguez on May 13, 2017, at UFC 211. After a dominant first two rounds, Edgar won the fight via TKO due to doctor stoppage between the second and third rounds due to the swelling on the left eye of Rodríguez. Edgar dedicated this fight to his teammate Nick Catone and his wife Marjorie who lost their baby the same week.
Edgar was scheduled to face Max Holloway on December 2, 2017, at UFC 218; however, on November 8, 2017, he pulled out from the fight, citing injury. The pairing with Holloway was rescheduled and is expected to take place on March 3, 2018, at UFC 222. In turn, Holloway pulled out of this bout on February 3, due to a leg injury and the matchup was scrapped. Edgar eventually faced Brian Ortega on the card. Edgar lost the fight via knockout in the first round, the first stoppage loss of his career.
Edgar faced Cub Swanson in a rematch on April 21, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 128. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Edgar was scheduled to face Chan Sung Jung on November 10, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 139. However, it was reported on October 26, 2018 that Edgar was pulled from the bout due to a torn bicep muscle and he was replaced by Yair Rodríguez.


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Q: How to minimize a jFrame when the window close button is pressed? I want to minimize the JFrame when the close button is pressed, I am using the code shown below, but whenever I press the close button, the frame first minimizes and then closes automatically. I am working on Ubuntu.
How can I prevent the JFrame from closing?
public class MainClass {

    public static void main(String args[]) throws ClassNotFoundException {

        final Gui frame = new Gui();

        frame.addWindowListener(new WindowAdapter() {
            public void windowClosing(WindowEvent e) {
                frame.setExtendedState(Frame.ICONIFIED);
            }
        });

    }
}

A: Try maybe this way
final Gui frame = new Gui();
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.DO_NOTHING_ON_CLOSE);// <- prevent closing
frame.addWindowListener(new WindowAdapter() {
    public void windowClosing(WindowEvent e) {
        frame.setExtendedState(JFrame.ICONIFIED);
    }
});

frame.setSize(200,200);
frame.setVisible(true);

This will prevent window from closing, and your current code will minimize it (at least this is how it works on Win7, let me know if it helps or not).

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Getting asked if you are a legal midget– "No I am not a legal midget!" is a response often heard from short girls. According to the Little People of America's website, you are only considered a dwarf/midget if you have an adult height of 4'10" or shorter. Short ≠ midget.
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Getting pat/pet on the head– There's something about short people that just makes you want to pet them or pat them on their head, right? You don't see this happening to tall people, do you?
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text:
package es.weso.wiFetcher.dao

import org.scalatest.Matchers
import org.scalatest.BeforeAndAfter
import org.scalatest.FunSuite
import org.scalatest.BeforeAndAfterAll
import org.junit.runner.RunWith
import org.scalatest.junit.JUnitRunner
import java.io.FileNotFoundException
import java.io.FileInputStream
import es.weso.wiFetcher.dao.poi.PrimaryObservationDAOImpl
import java.io.File
import es.weso.wiFetcher.utils.FileUtils
import es.weso.wiFetcher.fetchers.SpreadsheetsFetcher
import es.weso.wiFetcher.dao.poi.SecondaryObservationDAOImpl

@RunWith(classOf[JUnitRunner])
class PrimaryObservationDAOImplSuite extends FunSuite with BeforeAndAfter
	with Matchers with BeforeAndAfterAll{

  test("Try to load a non-existing spreadsheet") {
    intercept[FileNotFoundException]{
      val is = new FileInputStream(new File(
	    FileUtils.getFilePath("files/text.xlsx", true)))
      val observationDAO  = new PrimaryObservationDAOImpl(is)(null)
    }
  }

  test("Load a correct and an existing spreadsheet") {
    val fetcher = SpreadsheetsFetcher(
        new File(FileUtils.getFilePath("files/Structure.xlsx", true)),
        new File(FileUtils.getFilePath("files/example.xlsx", true)))
    val is = new FileInputStream(new File(
	    FileUtils.getFilePath("files/example.xlsx", true)))
    val observationDAO = new PrimaryObservationDAOImpl(is)(fetcher)
    observationDAO.getObservations.size should be (8)
  }

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Zebulon Police Department officers and Santa Claus recently performed 'safety checks' in the city and then visited with children and gave a cash gift to their parents.
Yolanda Cruz was one of the people who was pulled over.
In addition to the suprise safety stops, the ZPD put together a bicycle that was donated to them and delivered it with Santa to a family with two kids on Pine Street.
"We had a good time. We wanted to give back to the community and let people see the positive side of law enforcement," said Hemphill.


Brianna Wu is a game developer. She is also the head of Giant Spacekat which is a female lead gaming development team. She is also often a speaker on the subject of women in the tech industry.
Brianna found a love of technology early in her life. This would serve her well as that love helped her to pave her own way. She was adopted into a conservative family that she would not always feel like she belonged in. Learning to program and work on computers are some of her happiest memories as a child. Thankfully her family supported her in her love of technology and provided her with resources that have helped her to become a successful woman in the field of gaming.
That support helped her to start her first business as a teenager. From her parents' garage she would modify cars and computers. By the time she was in college, she had saved up a nice nest egg, which enabled her to leave the program she was not happy in. Brianna went through many changes and challenges that helped her find her own views and voice in the world during this time. This journey would help her discover what she wanted out of life, and gaming.
Brianna started Giant Spacekat in 2010. The company was not started with a strong feminist stance in mind. Brianna simply wanted to make things that she liked and wanted to see in games. It turns out that what she wanted was a more inclusive gaming space. This tone led to Revolution 60, the first game from Giant Spacekat, that featured all female operatives and strong feminist overtones in the game.
As she spoke with more women in the gaming industry, Brianna found that many of them were having similar experiences to herself. This led her to changing the culture of her studio. It also led Brianna to taking on more speaking appearances and writing about women in the gaming industry.
Brianna Wu is an example of how life takes us on paths we may not expect. Everything is a learning experience and we are meant to grow on this journey we call life.
Posted in Spotlight, Women in Gaming and tagged Brianna Wu, game dev, game developer, Gaming, gaming industry, gaming spotlight, Giant Spacekat, Revolution 60, Video Games, Women, Women in Gaming. Bookmark the permalink.


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Airlines field fewer flights but carry more passengers| MENAFN.COM
Airlines field fewer flights but carry more passengers
(MENAFN- ValueWalk) The commercial aviation industry of years due to increased demand and low profit margins. Findings from a new study looking at major international airport hubss suggest airlines are adapting to this market situation by carrying more passengers on a lower number of larger planes. The trend appears to be happening worldwide, although is especially prevalent in Asia.
Get The Timeless Reading eBook in PDF Get the entire 10-part series on Timeless Reading in PDF. Save it to your desktop, read it on your tablet, or email to your colleagues.
Recent press reports have focused on how major airports are often exceeding capacity with an ever-larger number of passengers passing through. However, the new research draws attention to the way that airlines are adapting, by using bigger aircrafts to take on more passengers.
The study, carried out by , analysed air traffic figures at the world's twenty busiest airports between 2005 and 2016. It revealed that on a global level, while the number of flights per year at many of the world's largest airports has barely budged – or even decreased – the number of passengers has grown over the same period.
For instance, the study showed that at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – the world's busiest – 980,386 flights took off in 2006. However, ten years later in 2016, that number had dropped by almost 8% to 898,356. Nevertheless, the number of passengers had increased by almost 20 million in that time (from about , to 104 million in 2016).
This new trend is most marked in Asia. The number of flights at major international hubs such as Dubai, Hong Kong and Beijing is almost half the total amount of flights in other airports that transport an equivalent number of passengers.
Comparing Chicago's O'Hare International Airport with Hong Kong International Airport, the difference is striking. The American airport manages almost 867.635 flights each year, while Hong Kong fields less than half that number – 411,000. Despite the much higher number of flights, Chicago flies 78 million people per year, while Hong Kong close behind, carries just over 70 million passengers.
Perhaps most strikingly, Dubai International airport, which was the fastest growing airport in 2016 by passenger number, carries an enormous 84 million passengers each year – behind Atlanta and Beijing. Nonetheless, it fields only 418,000 flights – less than half that of either Atlanta or Chicago. What's more, as the graph below shows, hubs like Dubai carry an equivalent number of passengers per hour to some of the world's busiest airports, yet launch far fewer individual flights.
As the chart above clearly demonstrates, certain airports – particularly those in Asia – field significantly fewer flights per hour than their counterparts in other parts of the world, and the United States in particular. Nevertheless, despite the lower number of flights, they manage to carry significantly more passengers each hour.
What might explain these differences? One likely explanation is the growth in aeroplane sizes. Today's aircraft can carry a much greater number of passengers than in the past. For instance, Airbus's A380 can carry up to 853 people on an all-economy seating plan, an innovation that allows
carriers to cut costs and boost operational efficiency. Airlines such as Emirates and Qantas Airways have been investing in lighter and larger aircraft that consume less fuel, which will allow them to carry more passengers, while making fewer individual flights.
Geography is another important factor. Many more flights from European and North American flights are short haul, within countries or to nearby destinations. By contrast, some of Asia's airlines focus almost exclusively on the long-haul market.
This difference in type of flight affects the size of aeroplanes required. Middle-Eastern airlines such as Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar have used the region's unique position to dominate the long-haul market. And, because long-haul flights depend on larger aircraft to carry more passengers in order to make a profit, airports like Dubai see much more traffic from larger crafts.
Experts have long predicted the emergence of larger planes to accommodate the growth in demand for flights. Chicago O'Hare, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Dallas International and Frankfurt all followed this trend in 2016, with a lower number of flights per day in 2016, without this affecting passenger numbers. This suggests that the trend towards larger planes, fewer flights and more passengers is here to stay.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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text:
Gender disparity in educational institutes
India moving 10 times faster than Pakistan to reduce number of out-of-school children.
By Azam Khan
The current government had promised that the allocations for the education sector would be doubled. It is, however, not clear how this pledge will be honoured.
After the announcement of the federal budget 2014-15, all eyes are now on provincial budgets, especially on how much is set aside for two key provincial subjects – education and health. These are two development areas that Pakistan is lagging behind in terms of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
In Pakistan, over 60 out of 1,000 children die before the age of one, putting the country right between Rwanda and Uganda in child mortality rankings. On the other hand, 50 per cent of Pakistani schoolchildren between the ages of six and 16 cannot read a sentence. Over five million children are out of school. Thousands of government-run schools even go without teachers.
India is moving 10 times faster than Pakistan to reduce the number of out-of-school children.
In such a scenario, the provincial budgets, particularly allocations for health and education sectors, has immense importance. The allocation for these two areas also has immense significance in the militancy-hit province Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa where Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is in power. In a recent chat with the K-P minister for education, Atif Khan, I got another assurance: the minister seemed to be optimistic that this time round, huge allocations will be made for these two sectors. But in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 65 per cent of the educational institutes are exclusively meant for boys and only 35 per cent are available for girls. To fill this huge gap is a challenge to honour the promise of 'change'. Even if the education budget is increased and appropriated transparently, how is one to account for this disparity?
Moreover, the situation in some remote areas of the province needs more attention. For instance, in Torghar district only six percent educational institutes are for girls. The disparity clearly changes with geography, which makes proposing a solution all the more complex.
As per official data, out of 28,500 schools in K-P, 8,000 of which have no electricity, the same numbers of institutes are functioning without a drinking water facility and some seven thousand are without toilets. It is time leaders jerked awake from their deep slumber, abandoned their petty blame games and gave due importance to key issues for the sake of a better future of the nation.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 11th, 2014.
Substantial spending for education urged
The ILM-o-AGAHI initiative aims to improve accountability and media coverage of education issues.
Affirmative action: 'Educated youth key to desired social change'
Cheques distributed under Prime Minister's Fee Reimbursement Scheme.
Higher education: Efforts afoot to raise education standards says Sarwar
Governor said some private universities had enrolled more students than their capacity.
Visibly
Jun 11, 2014 - 4:30PM
It is not only India that is moving fast forward. Also Bangladesh is far more successful in terms of literacy for both genders, as well as parity, i.e., number of children, per every women.
The number of children per family is critical for advancement in the next generation. More than two surviving children will always make the next generation poorer
Ready for Kashmir referendum or plebiscite: PM Imran
The go-ahead: Committee endorses 3 judges for appointment


2010-11 - Was an All-American in the 4x400-meter relay during the outdoor season...Qualified for nationals in the same event during the indoor season.
Prep - Named academic all-Ohio three times.
Personal - Born Catherine Anne Wiemers...Daughter of Robert and Jill Wiemers...Has one brother.
Birth Date - September 9, 1990.


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ICAC updates: Gladys Berejiklian's texts and calls with boyfriend Daryl Maguire made public — as it happened
By Paige Cockburn
Posted Thu 28 Oct 2021 at 10:26pm Thursday 28 Oct 2021 at 10:26pm Thu 28 Oct 2021 at 10:26pm , updated Fri 29 Oct 2021 at 5:48am Friday 29 Oct 2021 at 5:48am Fri 29 Oct 2021 at 5:48am
abc.net.au/news/nsw-gladys-berejiklian-gives-evidence-at-icac/100579164
Gladys Berejiklian first day of evidence at NSW's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has concluded.
Several secretly recorded phone calls between the former premier and her ex-boyfriend Daryl Maguire were played, as the corruption watchdog investigates whether Ms Berejiklian breached public trust due to the undeclared relationship with disgraced Wagga Wagga MP.
Here's how the day unfolded:
4:20 AM 4:20 AM Fri 29 Oct 2021 at 4:20am Who's Country Garden?
3:51 AM 3:51 AM Fri 29 Oct 2021 at 3:51am Daryl tells Gladys he has been subpoenaed by ICAC
1:45 AM 1:45 AM Fri 29 Oct 2021 at 1:45am Berejiklian says Maguire 'possibly' influenced her support of grant
1:04 AM 1:04 AM Fri 29 Oct 2021 at 1:04am Gladys 'wasn't listening' when land deal was mentioned
12:53 AM 12:53 AM Fri 29 Oct 2021 at 12:53am No concerns about 'perception' of relationship
12:39 AM 12:39 AM Fri 29 Oct 2021 at 12:39am Berejiklian grilled about not disclosing relationship
11:59 PM 11:59 PM Thu 28 Oct 2021 at 11:59pm Gladys says she got the treasurer to put money in budget for Wagga
11:19 PM 11:19 PM Thu 28 Oct 2021 at 11:19pm Gladys tells Daryl he is her 'family' in a text
10:32 PM 10:32 PM Thu 28 Oct 2021 at 10:32pm If you missed yesterday – here's a quick recap
Fri 29 Oct at 5:46am Friday 29 Oct at 5:46am Fri 29 Oct 2021 at 5:46am
Bye for now
That's it from me for today. I will be back for Gladys Berejiklian's second day of evidence on Monday at 9:00am.
I think some of the key takeaways from today's (often dramatic) hearing were:
Ms Berejiklian said she didn't really mean it when she told Mr Maguire he was her "family"
It never crossed her mind to declare their relationship, despite the fact that she made a declaration about someone she attended a few functions with
She really was convinced Mr Maguire had not committed any wrongdoing around his dealings with property developers
She ordered the state's treasurer, who was Dominic Perrottet at the time, to change his budget and include more than $100 million for a hospital upgrade that Mr Maguire had pushed her for
Thanks for joining me and apologies if I didn't get to your question.
Can someone refuse to front an ICAC Hearing ?
What would happen if a person (Berejiklian) said 'no comments to these questions.
-Paul Etherington
Thanks for the question.
It is an offence to not attend any ICAC hearing that you are summoned for without reasonable excuse.
An arrest warrant can be issued to anyone who fails to attend.
How was ICAC able to gain access to text messages and tapped phone calls from a few years ago? Are these communications through government provided devices or were their personal devices accessed by ICAC? Is that legal and would ICAC have needed a warrant back in 2018 to do that?
-An Individual With Questions
Lots of questions about the intercepted calls.
When investigating potential corruption, ICAC has the power to use surveillance devices and intercept telephone calls.
Telephone intercept applications have to be approved and/or granted by a member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal though.
Mr Maguire's calls dating back to 2012 were tapped by ICAC as part of 'Operation Dasha', which investigated whether former members of Canterbury City Council dishonestly exercised their public duties.
At the 2018 inquiry relating to that investigation, Mr Maguire gave evidence after he was revealed in a phone tap trying to broker a deal on behalf of a Chinese property developer.
So in short, ICAC has access to calls that Mr Maguire made and received dating back to 2012.
Wasn't Mr Moses, Gladys' lawyer last year?
-Natty
Hi Natty,
Yes that's right. Arthur Moses SC represented Gladys Berejiklian at last year's ICAC investigation that focused on Daryl Maguire.
He is a very prominent Sydney lawyer and currently representing former soldier Ben Roberts-Smith in his defamation trial.
Hearing has adjourned
Counsel assisting Scott Robertson has told the hearing that the next topic he wants to question Mr Berejiklian on will take another hour and he would prefer he start that line of questioning on Monday.
Ms Berejiklian then appeared visibly distressed and her lawyer argued she would rather use the rest of the afternoon so as to avoid going overtime on Monday, which is scheduled to be Ms Berejiklian's final day of evidence.
Assistant Commissioner Ruth McColl decided to adjourn today and start an hour earlier on Monday (at 9.00am).
Ms Berejiklian than appeared relieved and sighed a breathe of relief and thanked Ms McColl.
Gladys tells Daryl people will "use him" and he tells her politicians have become "prostitutes".
'Dodgy' people
More extracts from the below call have been played.
Gladys told Daryl she has "always kept her business" from people like former Canterbury Councillor Michael Hawatt.
"I just think they are dodgy."
She went on to say.
"The bottom line is, you've done nothing wrong so nothing to worry about."
Mr Maguire responded: "Not a thing. Glad, I've paid for my meals, any meeting I've had I probably paid for the coffees too. I've always been very careful. You don't know what people are doing in the background."
Maguire said ICAC was probably tapping his calls with Berejiklian
Gladys has told the hearing she wasn't concerned with Mr Maguire's dealings with property developers as "people in that industry are known to members of parliament".
She said she knew he had several friends who were developers.
When Mr Maguire told her he had been subpoenaed, he went on a tirade about the fact that politicians couldn't meet with developers and ICAC was probably tapping their call as they spoke.
GB: Is that going to be a problem?
DM: What have you done?
GB: Nothing! I don't know any of these people
Gladys asks Daryl why he made an introduction for a developer.
Maguire asked Berejiklian's new boyfriend to represent him
On the same phone call from below, Mr Maguire told Ms Berejiklian he had approached high-profile barrister Arthur Moses to represent him at ICAC.
"He said 'look I'm busy' so he got me this girl who's dealt with all this s**t before."
In June this year, it was revealed that Ms Berejiklian was in a relationship with Mr Moses.
The revelation was made on Ms Berejiklian's sister's Instagram:
Arthur Moses, Gladys Berejiklian and Mary Berejiklian
Key Event
Who's Country Garden?
In the phone call that the hearing is focusing on right now, Mr Maguire mentions Chinese property developer, Country Garden Australia.
Just a quick summary on what that's about ---
Country Garden Australia was a possible buyer for a site in the Canterbury Council area in Sydney that was set to be developed.
Mr Maguire told Ms Berejiklian he had a friend that worked in acquisitions for Country Garden Australia, named Tim, who he introduced to former Canterbury Councillor Michael Hawatt.
He said he made the introductions because Tim was a "great mate" and Mr Maguire never asked him for an introduction fee.
Phone taps from mid-2016 between Mr Maguire and Mr Hawatt were played to the ICAC last year.
In it, they discussed a cut they could receive from a business deal with a Chinese developer.
The deal with Country Garden Australia never eventuated and Mr Maguire, as well as Mr Hawatt, did not receive any money.
'I don't want to know any of that stuff'
Berejiklian has been asked why she said "I don't want to know any of that stuff" on her call with Daryl Maguire (detailed below).
She told the hearing she said this because she "would have felt uncomfortable if he was giving evidence to this body (ICAC)".
"He told me he had done nothing wrong so I didn't need to go any further."
"I believed him when he said hadn't done anything wrong."
Berejiklian urges Maguire to 'answer honestly'
In the phone call when Mr Maguire told Ms Berejiklian he was being subpoenaed to ICAC, Ms Berejiklian gave him several warnings about being truthful.
"Two rules – be honest and listen to your lawyer," she said.
"Just answer everything as honestly and as directly….take the lawyer's advice.
"Just be careful .... don't be macho...just take the lawyer's advice, whatever she says."
Mr Maguire told her that because technology and him "don't mix" he gets new phone every so often - a possible reference to the fact that ICAC can intercept calls.
DM: "I didn't ask for a dollar (from the introduction). They certainly didn't ask me to do anything that I considered even slightly wrong, you know me, I wouldn't do that."
GB: "Yeah I know."
Gladys Berejiklian says it didn't even cross her mind to disclose the relationship.
Daryl tells Gladys he has been subpoenaed by ICAC
This phone call is certainly an interesting one...
It's Daryl Maguire telling Gladys Berejiklian he has been subpoenaed to appear before ICAC in 2018.
Country Garden Australia, who is mentioned in the call, was a Chinese developer.
Gladys: You sound very excited in your voice what's happened today?
Daryl: What's happened is I've been subpoenaed to go to ICAC
GB: What?! What for?
DM: Because I introduced that idiot (former Canterbury councillor Michael Hawatt) to Country Garden...
GB: Is there anything to worry about?
DM: No, no
GM: Oh good
DM: I've never accepted a dollar, never done a deal.
GB: So why are you being subpoenaed?
DM: Well I'm being summoned as a witness
GB: To prove what?
DM: Who knows? I think to know what the benefit from the skulduggery he was getting up to was.....
GB: I don't want to know any of that stuff.
Assistant Commissioner snaps at Berejiklian
On the same day that Ms Berejiklian was involved in decision making for the Riverina Conservatorium of Music grant (which Mr Maguire was an intense advocate of) she sent a text to her then boyfriend telling him that he was her "family".
However she has just argued that she used that as a "turn of phrase".
"I didn't mean that in the context that I regarded him as family, especially not in relation to the (ministerial) code.
"I certainly didn't regard that as literal. It was my way of expressing how I felt at the time about him. It wasn't a definition that i was wedding myself to ... I regard my closest friends as family.
"I wouldn't take that one word as a demonstration of what I attributed to the status of the relationship."
The following exchange then followed.
Assistant Commissioner McColl: "It was demonstrative of the deep emotional attachment you had to him was it not?"
Berejiklian: "Absolutely, but I had no assurance it was reciprocated or that it was going to lead anywhere and that is the threshold question with due respect, Assistant Commissioner."
Assistant Commissioner: "I think we'll decide the threshold questions."
Assistant Commissioner questions Berejiklian directly
Ruth McColl SC is now asking questions of Gladys Berejiklian about why she didn't disclose her relationship with Daryl Maguire.
Ms Berejiklian says she doesn't think she ever "turned her mind" to whether she needed to disclose.
She repeated sentiments which were similar to those she provided during last year's ICAC hearing.
"It was something in my personal life and we didn't share anything in common apart from that close and personal relationship. We led separate lives. The threshold for me was would I introduce him to my family? Was it something that would last the distance of time? I didn't feel that."
The term 'hawkiss'
A couple of people have asked me about a word Gladys Berejiklian used in a few of her phone calls with Daryl Maguire.
She was calling him 'hawkiss' which is an Armenian term of endearment, meaning "my soul" or "my beloved".
Armenian is Berejiklian's first language.
ICAC is adjourned for lunch
What a full on morning it has been.
I'll be back at 2pm for more
Gladys told Daryl she would 'sack' public servant
A call from November 26, 2017 has been played where Mr Maguire and Ms Berejiklian discuss a funding grant for the Riverina Conservatorium of Music.
This was another passion project for Mr Maguire which he campaigned directly to Ms Berejiklian about.
On the call, Ms Berejiklian says she wants to sack a public servant, whose identity was not disclosed, but she will wait until they "fix" the conservatorium.
Daryl Maguire: I had, what's his name, some senior....
Gladys Berejiklian: I can't stand that guy, he'll be gone soon.
DM: Not until he fixes my conservatorium...
GB: Ok good tell him to fix it and then after he fixes it I'm sacking him
Ms Berejiklian has told ICAC that "one of the reasons" she may have delayed sacking this employee was so that he had time to fix the Riverina Conservatorium as per Mr Maguire's request.
"I can't say that was the main reason ... but it could be one of the reasons."
She said she never did sack the person and they still work in the public service today.
Posted 28 Oct 2021 28 Oct 2021 Thu 28 Oct 2021 at 10:26pm , updated 29 Oct 2021 29 Oct 2021 Fri 29 Oct 2021 at 5:48am
As it happened: Phone taps between Berejiklian and Maguire played at ICAC


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Pushing people say my name was indeed not a hard job: no-one never ever refused. Thanks to all of them that helped me with the footage and participated in the movie.


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Learning English Ndebele Shona
VOA Zimbabwe TV
Live Talk - The Connection with Mike Hove
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ZimPlus
What Happened to Zimbabwe, Once Known as The Jewel of Africa?
Irwin Chifera
A woman and her baby walk past bags of tobacco early in the selling season in Harare. Zimbabwe thrived on tobacco and other farm exports until the government-instigated seizures, often violent, of white-owned commercial farms starting in 2000, (File)
WASHINGTON DC —
As Zimbabwe commemorates its 35th independence anniversary, some economists and local people say there is nothing to celebrate due to the current hardships faced by millions of jobless people and families wallowing in poverty.
The late Tanzanian president Julius Mwalimu Nyerere once said Zimbabwe was the jewel of Africa.
He made these remarks when the country's economy was one of the strongest in the world soon after independence.
Zimbabwe had vibrant industries, an internationally-acclaimed social security net and abundant natural resources, which are still not being fully explored due many factors, including lack of capital.
Some Zimbabweans now say the country's economy, which is also controlled by international market forces, has degenerated to unprecedented levels over the years under a black government.
Economist Prosper Chitambara of the Labour and Economic Development Institute of Zimbabwe says while the country attained political independence, there has been no significant economic development over the years.
Chitambara says most, if not all, policies implemented by the government since independence have not resulted in significant investment and economic development.
10 YEARS AFTER INDEPENDENCE
A retired civil servant, Garikai Moyo, of Avondale in Harare, agrees, noting that the Zanu PF government has not been competent enough over the years to promote strong economic development in the southern African nation.
He says while government did well by investing in health and education in the first 10 years of independence, not much was done to develop other sectors.
Independent economic commentator Masimba Kuchera concurs, saying at 35 there is nothing to celebrate as the nation's economy is in a sorry state.
Kuchera and Chitambara strongly believe that unbudgeted payment of gratuities to former liberation war fighters in 1997, Zimbabwe's intervention in the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1998 and the implementation of the Economic Structural Adjustment Program devastated the country's economy.
Chitambara says to worsen the situation, the country's land reform program accelerated Zimbabwe's economic decline.
He says the economic environment in Zimbabwe remains bad and the cost of doing business is now high, making the country a bad investment destination.
The nation abandoned its currency in 2009 due to historic hyperinflation.
COMPANY CLOSURES
Hundreds of companies have shut down since independence from British rule due to lack of capital and other issues. They include Shabanie and Mashaba Mines, Zimbabwe Iron and Steel Company and others.
Harare resident, Pertunia Shumba, says given the current state of affairs in the country there won't be anything to celebrate when Zimbabwe turns 35 on Saturday.
But for 36 year old Harare businessman, Simbarashe Ngarande, there is a lot to celebrate as the government has created business opportunities for local blacks, something they were denied during the colonial era.
He says Zimbabweans are now proud owners of land and businesses, thanks to the independence brought by President Mugabe and his fellow liberation war fighters. But economists say the government must take drastic measures in order to improve the economy, burdened by a debt of almost $9 billion.
They say these must include, among other measures, creating fiscal space to enable additional funding for infrastructure and social services, the crafting of a debt clearance strategy as well as enhancing productivity and competitiveness.
Zimbabwe marks 35 years of independence at a time when even the government is struggling to pay its workers and has just announced that it is suspending payment of bonuses for civil servants.
Report on Independence Filed By Irwin Chifera
Traumatic War Encounters Haunting Former Zimbabwe Freedom Fighters
Zimbabwe's 'Born Frees' Speak Out on Independence Day
Zimbabweans Living in Diaspora Reflect on Independence
Zimbabwe Women Express Mixed Views on Independence Benefits
Tough Road for Zimbabwe's Transition to Democracy


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Premier League: Tottenham 2 Brighton 1
Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli) celebrates scoring his side's second goal
Dele Alli continued to be the leading light of Jose Mourinho's reign at Tottenham as he scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over Brighton.
Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Winks (left) and Brighton and Hove Albion's Aaron Mooy battle for the ball
Alli produced a brilliant first-time finish to give Spurs another Boxing Day win after Harry Kane had earlier cancelled out Adam Webster's opener.
It was Alli's fifth goal in eight games under Mourinho and it will have provided some comfort to the Portuguese, who revealed before the match that his Christmas Day had been ruined by his dog dying.
The three points boost Spurs' top-four prospects and continue an incredible record on December 26 for both the club and Mourinho - on this date, they are unbeaten in 14 and eight encounters respectively.
Brighton, who won the reverse fixture 3-0 in October, had threatened to ruin that run as they were the better side in the first half and had Webster's opener to hang onto.
Brighton and Hove Albion's Dan Burn (left) and Tottenham Hotspur's Lucas Moura battle for the ball
But they have now gone three games without a win and must prepare for another lunchtime kick-off against Bournemouth in 48 hours.
Even before the loss of his family pet Mourinho's mood had been soured by spending much of the build-up to this game talking about VAR and how it is killing the game and his feelings would only have worsened in the 25th minute as his side had a goal ruled out.
Spurs had laboured in the opening quarter to get in behind Brighton, so they went long as Harry Winks sent Kane clear.
The England captain finished in the usual accomplished manner, rolling past an onrushing Mat Ryan, but VAR official Mike Dean needed the perpendicular lines to rule Kane centimetres offside.
Tottenham Hotspur's Serge Aurier (left) and Brighton and Hove Albion's Bernardo battle for the ball
Spurs needed that pick-me-up so to have the goal chalked off was a blow and what happened 12 minutes later was perhaps inevitable.
Winks was adjudged to have fouled Ezequiel Schelotto on the left, though contact was minimal, and Pascal Gross whipped in an inviting delivery which Webster climbed highest to power home.
Spurs were booed off by their fans at half-time, but they were immediately better after the break and needed only eight minutes to equalise.
Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane (left) and Brighton and Hove Albion's Shane Duffy in action at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Lucas Moura looked to have run into a blind alley but a lucky deflection saw the ball fall kindly to Kane and after Ryan saved his first attempt, the striker put the ball away at the second attempt.
It was his 10th goal of the Premier League season, the sixth successive season in which he has reached double figures.
That was just what Mourinho will have ordered and Spurs used it as a launchpad to push Brighton back.
Kane would have had another chance had his touch been better after Moussa Sissoko's raid forward, but there was no denying Spurs a second in the 72nd minute.
Tottenham Hotspur's Moussa Sissoko (left) and Brighton and Hove Albion's Aaron Mooy battle for the ball
It was a brilliant team move as Moura and Kane linked up with Christian Eriksen, the Dane's brilliant diagonal ball finding Serge Aurier for him to tee up Alli, whose cushioned first-time finish found the top corner.
Alli should have had a second in the 90th minute when Kane played him through, but Ryan produced a fine flying save to turn the ball over the crossbar.
Tottenham: Gazzaniga, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Aurier, Winks (Eriksen 68), Sissoko, Sessegnon (Lo Celso 56), Lucas Moura (Dier 76), Alli, Kane.
Unused subs: Lamela, Vorm, Foyth, Tanganga.


text:
Matthews seeking new home
As he was packing his bag at Yankee Stadium late Sunday night, a long season over, Gary Matthews Jr. looked up and said, "It's time."
It was not the first time he'd said this, and his meaning was clear. It's time, in Matthews' mind, to move on. Time to find a place where he can play center field every day and take full advantage of his multiple skills at age 35.
Tired of being a fifth wheel in the Angels' outfield, Matthews desperately wants to wear a new uniform with two years remaining on a five-year deal that brought him $50 million after his 2006 All-Star season in Texas.
He thinks there are teams that can see what he has to offer, and he hopes something can be done to make it happen. The $23 million owed him complicates the situation, but there are possible fits with clubs that have high-priced contracts they could move in exchange for a versatile switch-hitter who can play high-caliber center field.
Matthews had one superb half in '07, leading off and batting cleanup and making all the plays in center, before a knee injury set him back and forced him to end his season in civvies while the Angels were getting swept by Boston in the ALDS.
They went out and acquired Torii Hunter that winter, a move not even Matthews could criticize. A smart baseball guy, having grown up in the game with a slugging father, Gary Sr., he understands Hunter's tremendous value on and off the field. It just happened that Torii is one of the elite players in the game at Matthews' natural position.
Life as a backup role player has been unfulfilling for the son of Sarge.
Matthews had a nice little run this season when Hunter was sidelined for a month with a groin injury sustained banging into outfield walls. During that time, Matthews was renewed, emotionally and physically, and it showed in his performance.
Carrying the momentum of a strong June finish, the Angels were 17-9 in July with Hunter missing all but seven games. During one memorable stretch with Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero both sidelined, the Angels were 17-3.
The Angels were 32-13 with Matthews starting in center field, and he batted a robust .358 with runners in scoring position, when his competitive juices were flowing.
Those numbers might be a more accurate reflection of what he can do than his pedestrian .250 batting average, .361 slugging and .336 on-base numbers for the full season, with an irregular work load.
It took him a while to find his stroke after Hunter went on the shelf, but once he did, Matthews carried it to the finish with strong performances in August (.290 average, .452 slugging, .389 on-base percentage) and September/October (.286/.457/.444, respectively).
His play in center field is far superior to what he does in left and right, where he struggles at times with the hooks, slices and angles. In center, Matthews ranks among the top third in the game in the studied view of Hunter, the master.
Teams with needs in center should seriously explore taking on a player who has plenty of game left and a hunger to show what he can do.
This certainly isn't anywhere near the top of the Angels' winter agenda, with seven free agent cases to weigh along with eight arbitration-eligible players to satisfy. But at some point, dealing with Matthews – and dealing him in a mutually satisfying manner – would seem to be the right thing to do.
Posted on October 30, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Filed in: Dailies
Tags: Angels, Gary Matthews Jr., Rangers, Reds, Torii Hunter
A pause for praise
There are so many things to respect and admire about the Angels. Here are some that leap to mind in the afterglow of one of the franchise's greatest triumphs:
The tireless commitment of Torii Hunter, who represents every day, in every way. A guy couldn't have a better teammate. When you play with Torii, you know he's got your back, without hesitation, no questions asked.
The quiet assurance and endearing presence of Bobby Abreu, who walked into a new room and won it over from day one with his style, elegance, humor and wisdom. I had no idea he was this good a player and this brand of leader. If the Angels can't keep him, they'll be losing much more than hits, walks, RBIs, runs and steals. They'll be losing a whole lot of class.
The unique greatness of Vladimir Guerrero. He seems oddly undervalued and underappreciated in this era where so much value is attached to working counts. Sure, he takes some wild swings. But he has been one of the most feared and productive hitters of this or any era, and it was so sweet to see him deliver at the big moment on Sunday – right after Abreu, a clutch hitter with few peers, came through.
The astounding athleticism of Chone Figgins and Erick Aybar on the left side of the infield. It doesn't get any better than this. Figgins and Aybar have more range and stronger arms than any left-side combo in the past 35 years.
That's how long I've been covering the sport – too long, some would say – and I've never seen a better third-base coach than Dino Ebel. He does his homework, knows every outfield arm in the game, stays on top of every possibility and rarely makes a bad decision.
The way Figgins keeps improving, simply by being so dedicated. He is totally immersed in the game, driven to succeed. He struggled finding hits against the Red Sox – Jacoby Ellsbury robbed him of what would have been an inside-the-park homer – but Figgy worked a huge walk against Jonathan Papelbon during the big rally and has a history of delivering in New York. As with Abreu, Figgins' many gifts would be hard to replace as he ventures into free agency.
Jered Weaver's emergence as a sturdy, dependable top-of-the-rotation starter, smart, resourceful and – most of all – extremely tough under duress. He learned his lessons well from John Lackey, his mentor.
Lackey's true grit.
The style and competitive natures of lefties Joe Saunders and Scott Kazmir. Kazmir's arrival on Aug. 28 from Tampa Bay made this team complete. He's a keeper.
The very real and productive mutual respect catchers Jeff Mathis and Mike Napoli continue to display. In another environment, this could be a toxic situation, but these guys have been so close for so long, nothing could pull them apart – not even competition over who catches which pitcher and how often.
Along those same lines, the way Maicer Izturis and Howard Kendrick have handled their second-base platoon with such uncommon grace. Both are everyday players and know it, but they've created not a single ripple of discontent over sharing a job.
Kendry Morales' intelligence. By wisely taking advice from his elders (Abreu, Mickey Hatcher) and controlling his aggression, he turned all that potential into production and accomplished the impossible in making fans get over Mark Teixeira's loss.
Young relievers Jason Bulger and Kevin Jepsen holding up under a heavy workload and holding it together in front of Brian Fuentes.
Fuentes: 50 saves. How can you not appreciate that? He might not be a prototypical closer with premium gas, but the guy gets outs, and that's the whole idea, right?
The strength and consistency of Juan Rivera, a rock-solid left fielder, and the manner in which Gary Matthews Jr. handled his very difficult role – and came through repeatedly in the clutch.
The enduring cool of Darren Oliver. Nothing rattles this guy. A pro's pro.
The way Ervin Santana retained his humor while searching for the right stuff to come back after elbow issues made for some long nights.
The big, good-natured manner of Matt Palmer, who came out of nowhere to deliver much-needed innings and wins and went so respectfully to the bullpen, embracing any role handed him. Nobody appreciates wearing a big-league uniform more than this guy.
The willingness of Robb Quinlan, Reggie Willits, Brandon Wood and Bobby Wilson to do whatever is needed to bring their team closer to a win. Even if it's not something that will show up in a boxscore.
Shane Loux, Dustin Moseley, Kelvim Escobar and Justin Speier, who did their part until they parted, and and all the young pitchers who helped stitch this crazy-quilt pitching staff together over the long haul.
The inner strength of Mike Scioscia, who navigated the most turbulent of waters this season with remarkable calm. Manager of the Year, no doubt. Manager of the Decade? Absolutely.
The dedication of coaches Hatcher, Ron Roenicke, Mike Butcher, Alfredo Griffin, Ebel, Orlando Mercado and Steve Soliz. Wise is the manager who surrounds himself with strong, independent thinkers willing to put in long hours for the greater good.
The way everyone mourned respectfully and continually honored the memory of Nick Adenhart, one of the best and brightest, gone much, much too soon.
Posted on October 12, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Tags: Alfredo Griffin, Angels, Bobby Abreu, Bobby Wilson, Brandon Wood, Brian Fuentes, Chone Figgins, Darren Oliver, Dino Ebel, Dustin Moseley, Erick Aybar, Ervin Santana, Howard Kendrick Kendry Morales, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Bulger, Jeff Mathis, Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders, John Lackey, Juan Rivera, Justin Speier, Kelvim Escobar, Kevin Jepsen, Maicer Izturis, Matt Palmer, Mickey Hatcher, Mike Butcher, Mike Napoli, Mike Scioscia, Nick Adenhart, Orlando Mercado, Reggie Willits, Robb Quinlan, Ron Roenicke, Scott Kazmir, Shane Loux, Steve Soliz, Torii Hunter, Vladimir Guerrero
Kazmir mirrors Adenhart
Scott Kazmir was throwing the longest pre-game toss I've ever seen a few minutes ago, from the warning track in left center at Fenway Park all the way across the outfield to a spot about 40 feet from the right-field foul line.
Finishing his long toss, Kazmir threw some flat-ground deliveries and headed for the bullpen, casually tossing a ball into the crowd on his way.
The Angels' southpaw looked like a kid in the park, having a good time, which is how I would expect him to be. He loves this type of challenge, pitching on the big stage. If the Red Sox beat him in Game 3 of the American League Division Series, it won't have anything to do with Kazmir being intimidated by the crowd or the moment.
He's a pure-bred athlete, a former high school QB in Houston who simply loves to compete.
Among the many things I've grown to like about Kazmir is that he reminds me so much of Nick Adenhart. I was thinking about this on the long flight from LA to Boston. Those quiet moments alone are when I generally start thinking about Adenhart and the tragedy. I knew him and cared deeply about him, and it still hurts every day.
Kazmir didn't get to know Adenhart, which is a shame, because I'm sure they'd have become fast friends. On the other hand, it's possible Kazmir wouldn't be here if a drunken driver hadn't killed Adenhart, Courtney Stewart and Henry Pearson in the early hours of April 9.
It is entirely possible Adenhart, if not for that act of criminal insanity, would have been pitching Game 3 of this series.
Having uncovered some missing ingredients in his delivery, and recovering his confidence, which had sagged in 2008, Nick was just getting started in what would have been a breakout season when his life ended so prematurely at 22.
That's not just my opinion, that Adenhart had stardom in his future. Those who knew him best – teammates and especially catchers – are convinced he'd have had a big year, and then many more.
Kazmir is right there with you, in the moment, when you're talking with him. He's not somewhere else. He has that cool, easy manner that Nick embodied, an effortless grace that marks the premier athletes. Adenhart studied video of past greats and loved hearing stories about pitchers from previous eras. He laughed as I told him stories about some I've covered through the years, especially former Dodgers and A's star Bobby Welch. Welch was so much like Adenhart, and now we have Kazmir, too. It's comforting.
Kazmir's arrival on Aug. 28 changed the season for the Angels. It gave them a sense that they had everything they needed now. Veterans privately expressed shock that Tampa Bay would let a talent like this get away, and that the Angels would be lucky enough to land him through a waiver deal.
"This guy is really, really good," Bobby Abreu said that day. "I love that we got him. I've faced him – I know how tough he is. He is really going to help us."
John Lackey and Jered Weaver were brilliant in Anaheim, but this, of course, is a different venue. The Red Sox will feel the energy of the crowd, and if they regain their confidence, they can be dangerous.
The Angels have a cushion, but they are advised to do everything possible to finish off Boston today. You don't want the Red Sox gaining momentum and feeling good about themselves again.
Posted on October 11, 2009 at 9:09 am
Tags: Angels, Bob Welch, Bobby Abreu, Jered Weaver, John Lackey, Nick Adenhart, Red Sox, Scott Kazmir
Guerrero stays in No. 4 spot
After a robust August, hitting .337 with a .625 slugging percentage, Vladimir Guerrero needed a big September kick to prolong one of the game's most remarkable streaks.
Batting a quiet .262 with two homers and 12 RBIs in 28 games, Guerrero fell short of .300 for the first time in his career, ending a stretch of 12 consecutive seasons at .300 or higher with a .295 average. It was also the first time since his rookie year in 1997, when he played 90 games, that Guerrero didn't hit at least 25 homers, finishing with 15.
He's a .321 career hitter with a .568 slugging percentage, having launched 407 home runs and produced 1,318 runs batted in. That counts for something in the mind of his manager, Mike Scioscia. But, fans being fanatics, it's not enough to stop malcontents from calling for a new lineup spot for the cleanup man.
In Game 1 of the American League Division Series against Boston on Thursday night, Guerrero singled and scored a run in four at-bats. He also had a hit taken away in his first at-bat on a fine play by third baseman Mike Lowell.
But in a big spot early in the game, bases loaded and two outs in the third inning, lefty Jon Lester made Guerrero look bad, striking him out on an elevated fastball at his shoulders.
One of the great bad-ball hitters in the game's history, Guerrero looked bad in that at-bat. But not bad enough for Scioscia to drop him in the order and elevate, say, Kendry Morales, who was in the No. 5 slot in Game 2 against Josh Beckett.
"Veteran's pride is a non-issue," Scioscia said, denying the widely held notion that Scioscia doesn't want to hurt his slugger's feelings. "In that one at-bat, he expanded his zone. One at-bat, he fouled a ball straight back that would have ended up in the rocks [beyond center field]. He hit a sharp ground ball in the hole that Lowell dove for. He had some good swings. In one at-bat, he got a little out of his element."
Scioscia said he likes the "presence" Guerrero brings to the lineup hitting behind Torii Hunter, whose three-run homer was the big blow in Game 1.
"With Vlad, it takes one good swing, and he gets back where he needs to be," Scioscia said. "In the middle of the lineup, we need a consistent presence, and we feel it's going to be Vlad. He hasn't hit the ball that poorly. In the Texas [AL West] clinching game, he hit four bullets all over the field. That was a week ago."
Scioscia said that if Guerrero's struggles warrant a move down in the order, he'd do it.
"If a player's not getting it done at a level you would need, you would understand a change has to be made," Scioscia said. "For our lineup to go, we're definitely going to need Vlad going. We're a better lineup if he's swinging the way he can."
Posted on October 9, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Tags: Angels, Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Kendry Morales, Mike Scioscia, Red Sox, Torii Hunter, Vladimir Guerrero
Setting table for Abreu
With their leading hitter, Erick Aybar, batting in the No. 9 slot for Game 1 of the American League Division Series, the Angels either have an incredibly deep lineup or manager Mike Scioscia has something up his proverbial sleeves.
In this case, it's probably both.
With Bobby Abreu batting second, between Chone Figgins and Torii Hunter, Scioscia likes to have a pair of table-setters in front of the versatile Abreu – a classic "swing man" in the manager's mind, meaning he can set or clear the table.
Figgins and Aybar are the club's fastest two players, and when they get moving, they're a sight to behold. Abreu has the ability to do a lot of things behind, in effect, a pair of swift leadoff men.
Abreu drove in 103 runs and scored 96 this season, batting third 95 times and second 50 times. The Angels had a better record (60-35) with Abreu batting third than second (26-24), but Scioscia likes the way this lineup sets up.
Aybar, who made tremendous strides offensively in his selectivity in large part because of Abreu's influence, excelled in the No. 2 spot. The Angels were 26-9 when the shortstop batted second, compared to a pedestrian 28-29 when Aybar batted ninth.
With Maicer Izturis batting second, the Angels were 34-21. Izturis is expected back at second base in Game 2 against Josh Beckett after Howard Kendrick – a .358 hitter in the second half – got the start at second against lefty Jon Lester.
Scioscia studies numbers to a degree, but he's also an intuitive manager who relies on feel. He'd say the Abreu and Abyar lineup numbers are skewed by the times of the season when Abreu batted third vs. second and when Aybar hit ninth vs. second.
And when you've won six division titles in your first 10 seasons – something no manger has done before you – you certainly deserve a lot of benefit of any doubt
With Jeff Mathis catching John Lackey, the Angels had a .211 hitter batting eighth, right in front of Aybar and his .312 average. But Mathis made much better contact late in the season and hit .234 in the second half, compared to .192 before the All-Star break.
Tags: Angels, Bobby Abreu, Chone Figgins, Erick Aybar, Howard Kendrick, Jeff Mathis, Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Maicer Izturis, Mike Scioscia, Torii Hunter
Angels have 6:37 p.m. PT start times
Assuming the Yankees choose the longer of the two American League Division Series and open at home on Wednesday against the survivor of Tuesday's Tigers-Twins showdown, the Angels will kick off their series against the Red Sox on Thursday evening at 6:37 PT.
The game will be televised by TBS and carried on radio by ESPN.
Game 2 of the Angels-Red Sox series also would start at 6:37 p.m. PT on Friday evening. It too will be carried by TBS and ESPN radio.
If the Yankees choose the shorter series, the Angels and Red Sox would meet at 3:07 p.m. PT on Wednesday in Game 1. Game 2 would remain at 6:37 p.m. PT
The Yankees, by virtue of owning the league's best record, have the option of choosing the longer or shorter of the two series. They have good reason to want to open on Wednesday, given the short turnaround it will be for the winner of Tuesday's one-game playoff between the Tigers and Twins in Minnesota, which will be carried by TBS at 2:07 PT.
The Angels, with the AL's best record last season, chose the longer series against the Red Sox.
In any case, the Angels' John Lackey will face Jon Lester in Game 1.
Tags: Angels, John Lackey, Jon Lester, Red Sox, Tigers, Twins, Yankees
Figgins' historic season
Chone Figgins has had a career year by any and all measures, playing Gold Glove-caliber defense while racking up some historic numbers of his own, like good buddy Bobby Abreu.
Combining at least 100 runs scored, 100 walks, 180 hits and 40 steals, Figgins said he was informed he has done something only Ty Cobb accomplished. Figgins came into Saturday's game against the Athletics with 114 runs, 182 hits, 101 walks and 42 steals.
Cobb did it in 1915, the only season he accepted at least 100 walks. It was one of the dominant seasons in history: .369 batting average, then-record 96 steals, 144 runs, 208 hits, 115 bases on balls.
Rickey Henderson, the greatest of all leadoff men, never made it to 180 hits in a season. He fell one hit shy in his epic 1980 season when he combined 111 runs scored with 100 steals, 117 walks and 179 hits.
Barry Bonds had 181 hits, 126 walks and 129 runs in 1993 but fell 11 steals shy of 40 – not because he wasn't trying. He was caught stealing 12 times.
Abreu fell 10 hits shy of achieving the feat in 2001 with the Phillies when he had 118 runs, 106 walks, 36 steals and 170 hits. In 2000, he had 182 hits and 100 walks along with 103 runs, falling short with 28 steals.
The remarkable seasons of the Angels' twin catalysts come into sharper focus every day. This is a tandem at the top of the order matched by few in history in terms of getting on base and moving around those bases.
Abreu on Friday night became the fifth player in history with at least 30 steals and at least 100 RBIs in a season, joining Cobb, Honus Wagner, Hugh Duffy and Barry Bonds.
Tags: Barry Bonds, Bobby Abreu, Chone Figgins, Honus Wagner, Hugh Duffy, Rickey Henderson, Ty Cobb
Unprecedented feat by Scioscia
Extensive research by Angels broadcasters Terry Smith and Jose Mota has uncovered this gem: Mike Scioscia is the first manager in history to send teams to postseason play six times in his first 10 years.
Even more remarkable, Scioscia has now done it six times in eight years, starting with the 2002 run to the World Series championship in his third year at the helm. He also delivered playoff teams in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and this season.
Scioscia also won two World Series as a catcher with the Dodgers, in 1981 and 1988.
Posted on October 3, 2009 at 9:05 am
Tags: Angels, Dodgers, Jose Mota, Mike Scioscia, Terry Smith
Scioscia advocates harder road for Wild Cards
Mike Scioscia's 2002 Angels won the franchise's only World Series as a Wild Card, but that was not really such an exception.
Since 2000, teams with the best record in their league have been eliminated in the first round of postseason play more often (10 times) than Wild Cards (six times).
In that nine-year time frame, Wild Cards have reached the World Series eight times, winning it all on three occasions.
There's more: Wild Card teams since 2000 have a combined 102-82 record compared to 78-78 by clubs that fashioned the best records in their leagues.
Going back to 1995 and the advent of the current system, Wild Cards have reached nine World Series and won four.
Clearly, going into the postseason as a second-place club is not such a bad deal at all.
Scioscia thinks Wild Card entries should enter the tournament with a more decided handicap rather than having the same path to travel as one of the three division champions.
"I'd like to see a 1-4 setup in the first round for the Wild Card teams," Scioscia said. "Let them play the first game at home and then finish the series on the road. Or go to a 2-1-2 format.
"The way it is now, not enough weight is being given to division winners. Wild Cards should not be on the same ground."
Scioscia always has attached more value to winning divisions across six months and 162 games – "the toughest challenge," he calls it — than getting hot at the right time and winning 11 postseason contests.
Scioscia pointed out that this has nothing to do with the Angels facing a Wild Card in Boston next week for the second season in a row.
The Red Sox last year won the first two games in Anaheim, losing Game 3 at Fenway Park before claiming the series in Game 4.
Scioscia's idea has merit. It should be more difficult for Wild Cards to make it through the opening round. You can win 100 games across six months and find your season over before you know what hit you.
The way it is now, all the Wild Card team needs to do is split the first two games on the road, and suddenly it is in the driver's seat. Going home 1-1, two wins by the Wild Card eliminate a division champion.
This is the route Scioscia's Angels took in '02 when they won Game 2 of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium and carried the momentum home to finish the job.
Giving the Wild Card the opener at home and then finishing the series in the house of the division winner also makes economic and environmental sense.
If the Angels and Red Sox split the first four games, they'll return to Anaheim for Game 5 – two cross-country flights for a whole lot of people in the space of four days.
There's no denying the success of Wild Cards in postseason play. But Scioscia, an independent thinker, will argue that it should have been even more difficult for his '02 Angels to eliminate the Bronx Bombers en route to the Promised Land.
Tags: Angels, Mike Scioscia, Red Sox, Yankees