text:
AM — Threat of conflict in Ukraine brings "uncertainty" to global wheat markets -El Moselhy
The Ukraine crisis is stirring up "uncertainty" in the wheat market -El Moselhy. (Commodities)
EFG Hermes is hiring advisers for FAB's acquisition offer. (M&A Watch)
The Egypt Petroleum Show kicks off today. (What We're Tracking Today)
Cloud hub startup Takery raises undisclosed pre-seed funding round. (Startup Watch)
Minimum 1-day paternity leave draws critics after Senate nods to Labor Act. (Last Night's Talk Shows)
Edita expands its Oniro brand with a new biscuit. (Also On Our Radar)
How higher inflation is affecting our private schools. (Blackboard)
Energy squeeze sends demand rocketing for oil + gas bonds and scores a reprieve from antitrust probe for Qatari gas. (Planet Finance)
WHAT WE'RE TRACKING TODAY
Good morning, wonderful people, and welcome to our first slow news day in more than two weeks — we consider it our just recompense for having survived the vicissitudes of a news cycle that's been rolling by in fast-forward for to long now..
We expect to be talking about oil and gas quite a lot in the coming days as the Egypt Petroleum Show (Egyps) gets underway today at the Egypt International Exhibition Center. The event runs through Wednesday. Speakers include OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo and International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol. Also speaking: Our ministers of oil, finance and the environment (among other government officials), as well as energy and oil ministers from countries including the UAE, Jordan, Yemen, Israel, Cyprus and Greece. Top execs from major oil and energy firms will also be in attendance.
There will be lots of noise about Egypt as the natural energy hub of the Eastern Med, a notion that longtime readers will recall we've been championing for years — and that has new relevance with Europe facing the prospect of a longer-term energy crunch thanks to tensions with Moscow. (More on those tensions below.)
On the other end of the "good for the planet" scale: We now have tariffs for charging electric vehicles after the Madbouly government published its rate sheet in the Official Gazette. We'll have a deep dive into the details tomorrow in our Going Green vertical, presented each week thanks to the support of our friends at Infinity.
THE BIG STORY TODAY here at home? Policymakers are confirming what we've been saying for weeks here at Enterprise World Headquarters: War between Ukraine and Russia would not be good for the global wheat market. We're the world's largest importer of the grain. What's more: They're also two of our most important tourism markets (in volume terms, though admittedly not margin) — Russia is a key security and defense partner.
THE BIG STORY ABROAD- Is the Ukraine crisis coming to a head? This week could decide whether tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine bubble over into armed conflict, Bloomberg and the Associated Press are reporting this morning. US President Joe Biden promised a "rapid response" if Russia does invade its neighbor in a phone call with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday, as White House advisers continued to brief that Russia could create a surprise "pretext" to invade Ukraine any day now. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will head to Moscow today before meeting with Zelensky for talks on Tuesday for a last-ditch effort at diplomacy. More than a dozen countries have moved to pull non-essential diplomatic staff from Ukraine, with some airlines going as far as canceling flights to the country. The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and Reuters have more.
Will there be war? Some pundits in our socials are suggesting that Putin doesn't need to invade to accomplish his goals: Taking the threat right up to the red line (but not crossing it) has already done enough to draw a line under his "security sphere" and open sew discord among Western allies, they suggest.
The prospect of war in Ukraine and the wheat crunch come at the same time as the global commodity shortage is back in the headlines. Stockpiles of goods from copper to coffee are at historically low levels, threatening further inflationary pressures, the Financial Times reports. Raw materials, food staples, metals and energy futures have all slipped into backwardation — when spot prices exceed futures prices, signaling scarcity. Traders are paying over the odds to secure immediate metal supply, while copper stocks at major commodity exchanges sit at less than a week's worth of global consumption. Add to that an oil supply squeeze that has pushed prices to record highs (now being further boosted by geopolitical tensions in Ukraine), and last year's alarm bells over a "commodities supercycle" are ringing in our heads again.
The good news: We aren't set to see global shortages (yet). "The risk of shortages by the end of winter is remote at this point," one analyst says. "But the market will still need to secure significant supply through the summer in order to prevent those concerns coming back next winter."
PSA #1- Are you about to quote Forbes "magazine" in a presentation or proposal? Don't. Stop. Go read this. Then think again. Why? It's not looking much like a real media outlet these days as much as it does an unedited platform for "scams, grift, and bad journalism" writes the founder of Harvard's Nieman Lab. If it's tagged as being written by a "contributor"? It's someone's personal blog, not an edited work of journalism.
PSA #2- Are you running Zoom on a Mac? It might be listening to you right now, warns Macworld.
What to try instead? Google's video and voice conference stuff is better, we think (it's called Google Meet… we think? They rebrand this particular service more frequently than Amer Group changes CEOs). Microsoft's Teams isn't bad at all, just ugly as sin.
From the Dumpster fire that is our social media:
Did your #2 just call in sick because his emotional support alligator is having a bad day after being caught in construction on the Ring Road all morning? Our collective ability to come up with inventive excuses for missing work dates back at least 3.2k years.
Bye-bye, pandemic. The guy who wanted to "close everything" at the beginning of the outbreak now wants to reopen all the things. (The Atlantic)
It may be a bit harder to get a laptop, tablet or new phone in the next little while after 6.5 mn TB of flash memory was ruined at two of the world's leading producers thanks to contamination. (Bloomberg | Apple Insider)
CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-
It's day two of the three-day Arab sustainable development week. Some 400 participants including the EU, World Bank and other institutions are chewing over how to tackle in a sustainable way the development challenges of the Arab world.
The Industrial Development Authority will receive offers from companies for licenses to manufacture iron products tomorrow.
Orange Ventures' deadline to receive applications from seed-stage fintech startups for its seed challenge is also tomorrow.
Check out our full calendar on the web for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events, national holidays and news triggers.
*** It's Blackboard day: We have our weekly look at the business of education in Egypt, from pre-K through the highest reaches of higher ed. Blackboard appears every Monday in Enterprise in the place of our traditional industry news roundups.
In today's issue: Private schools have been hit by price increases in recent months, as domestic inflation accelerates. With inflation running close to two-and-a-half-year highs, spending is being impacted across the board, with rising capex costs putting particular pressure on companies in the sector, say several operators. Today, we look at how the impact of inflation varies among Egypt's private schools, and what they're doing to mitigate it.
This Valentine's Day, gift your lover a romantic weekend escape and get pampered with soothing massages, lavish meals, and breathtaking views by the bay. Enjoy special hotel packages for an ultra-indulgent weekend full of love and unforgettable memories.
Ukraine crisis spurs "uncertainty" in wheat market -El Moselhy
Rising tensions in the tug-of-war between Russia and Ukraine are causing "uncertainty" in the wheat market, Al Shorouk quoted Supply Minister Ali El Moselhy as saying. While the Madbouly government has previously suggested it had no plans to start hedging wheat, El Moselhy is quoted as having said a decision to do so could come by the end of next month.
Why Ukraine matters for our wheat supply: The world's largest wheat importer, Egypt is also the largest consumer of Ukrainian wheat, last year purchasing the equivalent of around 14% of its total wheat needs from the eastern European country. Now, a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine threatens to disrupt supplies from the country. Prices "spiked" the last time Russia invaded Ukraine (when it seized Crimea back in 2014), according to the Economist. Russia is also a top supplier: around 50% of our wheat imports shipped from the country last year (while 30% came from Ukraine), Al Arabiya reports, picking up a Reuters story citing data from two regional traders.
The Supply Ministry is continuing to work on diversifying wheat imports, El Moselhy added. Diversification efforts that began last year saw us purchase wheat from Latvia for the first time and consider importing from other countries including France, Canada, and possibly the US.
We currently hold more than five months' worth of wheat in our strategic reserves, El Moselhy said. Wheat prices have been declining over the past two weeks as the market saw a surplus and pandemic-induced demand began to subside, he added.
Wheat prices have been an issue since far before the crisis in Ukraine: Prices hit ten-year highs in the global market last year on the back of reduced crop production in some of the world's biggest producers, higher shipping costs, and trade tariffs — meaning wheat is likely to sap an additional EGP 12 bn out of the fiscal budget for this fiscal year. Meanwhile, major producer Russia has been mulling higher export tariffs on the grain. As a result, the ministry is considering several scenarios for tapering bread subsidies for the first time in decades, including targeted cuts that ringfence the most vulnerable people and replacing subsidies with cash payments. Expect a final decision on how they will be reworked by the end of March.
M&A WATCH
EFG looks to hire advisers for FAB acquisition bid
EFG Hermes is looking to appoint an international financial advisor and an Egyptian law firm to advise on First Abu Dhabi Bank's acquisition offer, the leading financial services corporation announced yesterday in an EGX disclosure (pdf). EFG's board of directors held a meeting on Thursday to discuss the possible transaction and hiring the as-yet-unnamed advisors, the disclosure said, without providing further details.
FAB's offer: In what would be the country's biggest acquisition in years, the Emirati lender last week announced it had offered to purchase at least 51% of EFG in a transaction that would value the firm at EGP 18.5 bn. By comparison, the Aldar / ADQ acquisition of SODIC valued the upmarket realtor at EGP 7.1 bn. Rothschild & Co is providing financial advice to FAB, while Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy are the lender's local legal advisors.
FAB could raise its offer price due to "the prominence of EFG Hermes, its financial position, and its strategic role in the financial markets in Egypt and the region," Al Shorouk reported, citing unnamed sources it claims have knowledge of the matter. The bank has offered to purchase the shares for EGP 19.00 apiece, a 21% premium on EFG's closing share price the day before the announcement.
EFG's share price has been on the rise since FAB announced its offer, gaining another 0.6% on the EGX yesterday to close at EGP 17.80.
FAB's potential acquisition of EFG Hermes is a top priority for the bank's board this year, and they would be willing to raise their offer based on the outcome of the due diligence process, according to the unidentified sources.
FAB eyes more Egyptian investments this year: The UAE bank is reportedly looking into more potential investments in the Egyptian market, and will be making decisions soon, the sources said, adding that FAB is particularly interested in listed companies, tech companies, and non-banking financial firms. Management has a strategic plan to consolidate upcoming Emirati investments in Egypt by ensuring that transactions are concluded through the bank and its subsidiaries, the sources reportedly added.
STARTUP WATCH
Cloud hub startup Takery lands pre-seed funding
Takery Cloud Hubs, an Egypt-based cloud hub startup, has raised an undisclosed amount in a pre-seed funding round, according to a press release (pdf). The funding will be used to expand the company's cloud branches, grow its team, and develop its tech. Including this first round, the company is looking to secure up to USD 3 mn in 2022, the statement says.
About the company: Takery is Egypt's first company specialized in establishing and managing cloud hubs, according to founder and CEO Karim Morsi. The company offers fast-food chains and fast-moving consumer goods companies the digital infrastructure to grow their footprints, either by entering new markets altogether or expanding geographically.
More brands to land in Egypt? Takery is looking to bring new international and Gulf brands into the Egyptian market, the press release says, without providing further details.
LAST NIGHT'S TALK SHOWS
The draft Labor Act (which got the Senate's final nod yesterday) dominated coverage on the airwaves. The Senate approved an article that would give new fathers one day of paternity leave for the day of birth, after it had earlier struck down the initial proposal to allow them seven days of leave, Senate member Mohamed El Sebaie said in a phone call with Al Hayah Al Youm's Lobna Assal (watch, runtime: 8:59). Senate Energy, Environment, and Manpower Committee head Abdel Khalek Ayad addressed criticism over the shortened paternity leave in a call with El Hekaya's Amr Adib (watch, runtime: 8:49), arguing that the minimum requirement can be expanded by employers on a case by case basis. We have an explainer on the bill's finer points here.
New measures to prevent illegal building on public land also got airtime: The government will use satellite technology to track and automatically report illegal building in governorates via a central operating room that could be up and running within months, the Agriculture Ministry's head of agricultural services and follow-up, Abbas El Shenawy, told Kelma Akhira's Lamees El Hadidi (watch, runtime: 9:36).
Meanwhile, last week's discussions on the so-called old-rent law and the Real Estate Registry Act continued on Masaa DMC (watch, runtime: 32:39).
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EGYPT IN THE NEWS
It's a nice, quiet morning for Egypt in the international press.
Star of critically acclaimed film Feathers and self-taught actor Damiana Nassar is the subject of a New York Times profile that also takes in the film's reception at home and abroad.
On the human rights front, recently released Egyptian-Palestinian activist Ramy Shaath has spoken in a BBC interview on prison conditions.
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ALSO ON OUR RADAR
Edita Food Industries is expanding its biscuits segment with the launch of Oniro Mini Lava at a retail price of EGP 3 per pack, the company announced in a press release (pdf). The four-stick biscuit packs come in vanilla and chocolate flavors. The launch comes as part of Edita's efforts to grow its biscuits segment, which the snackfoods maker says grew at a rate of 79.2% y-o-y in 9M2021, making it Edita's second fastest-growing segment.
Other things we're keeping an eye on this morning:
UAE's Tabreed is coming to Egypt: National Central Cooling Company (Tabreed) has partnered with real estate developer Marakez and the Egyptian Company for Energy and Cooling Projects (Gascool) to provide cooling services for Marakez's D5M Mall in New Cairo.
Russia releases our oranges: Russian customs authorities have released Egyptian citrus exports that were held for days due to a reported sudden change in import rules at Russian ports.
EgyptAir reportedly plans to set up Air Sphinx, a low-cost airline subsidiary, this year.
Emirati firm Al Nowais' subsidiary AMEA Power is set to send proposals to the government on two projects in seawater desalination and green hydrogen.
Recycling company BariQ has secured EUR 8 mn in funding from three foreign institutions and two local banks to finance expansions. The company is working (pdf) on expanding its bottle recycling factory to double production capacity to 60k tonnes/year.
COVID WATCH
The Health Ministry reported 2,131 new covid-19 infections yesterday, down from 2,145 the day before. Egypt has now disclosed a total of 454,952 confirmed cases of covid-19. The ministry also reported 57 new deaths, bringing the country's total death toll to 23,349.
The vaccine tally: 29,083,027 people are now fully vaccinated against the virus, while some 9.5 mn people have received only their first shots and 749,799 people have received booster shots.
Egypt has some 70 mn covid-19 jabs ready and waiting to be administered, head of the government's covid-19 committee Hossam Hosny told Ala Mas'ouleety (watch, runtime: 15:29).
Anti-vax and anti-mask protests have erupted across major cities over the past week, as resentment grows against ongoing covid-19 restrictions even as the pandemic appears to be subsiding. Canadian police have finally cleared a six-day blockade that halted one of the country's busiest trade links with the United States, Reuters reports, after truck drivers staged a "freedom convoy" against a vaccine-or-quarantine mandate for cross-border drivers. The protests have inspired similar demonstrations in the Australian capital of Canberra, while France saw a protest convoy against covid restrictions breach warnings to stay away from central Paris, with the police firing tear gas on demonstrators.
A ray of light? Some anti-vaxxers are being swayed by the protein-based Novavax jab. Many unvaccinated people in Germany have signed up to take the Novavax covid-19 vaccine, which uses a long-established protein-based technology, signaling that some who have doubts about novel mRNA vaccines could be persuaded to take other jabs, Reuters reports.
Investor appetite for oil + gas bonds grows as prices rally: Investors are keen to buy oil and gas companies' debt as crude oil prices soar, the Financial Times reports. Funds are now overweight on high-yield energy bonds, while one US gas producer reportedly saw double the usual levels of investor demand in a January issuance, raising USD 500 mn.
ESG? Not so important now we're in an energy supply crunch. ESG has "gone to the back burner" now oil is performing, according to one debt banker. Others say industry efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in production are attracting fresh investment from environmentally conscious funds.
And now isn't the time for antitrust concerns, either: EU regulators have halted a long-running probe into whether Qatari gas contracts breach EU antitrust rules, amid concerns that supply from Russia could be disrupted in the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Financial Times reports. US President Joe Biden is among those trying to secure more natural gas supplies from Doha — which is the world's second-biggest exporter of liquefied natural gas — in hopes of resolving Europe's energy crisis.
Saudi Arabia has transferred a 4% stake (worth USD 80 bn) in Aramco to the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund, ahead of plans for the fund to tap international debt markets for the first time, Bloomberg and Reuters report. The country's economy grew at a 6.8% clip in 4Q2021 on the back of higher oil prices, according to a flash estimate (pdf) from the country's General Authority for Statistics, maintaining "the fastest pace of growth in almost a decade," Bloomberg reports.
Fitch downgraded Turkish debt to B+ from BB- with a negative outlook amid high inflation, low external liquidity and weak policy credibility. The ratings agency predicts the country's economy slowing to 3.2% in 2022 from the 11% recorded last year.
EGX30
-1.2% (YTD: -4.3%)
USD (CBE)
USD at CIB
Interest rates CBE
8.25% deposit
9.25% lending
Tadawul
-2.0% (YTD: +6.6%)
+0.8% (YTD: +6.0%)
Natural gas (Nymex)
+0.8% (as of midnight)
THE CLOSING BELL-
The EGX30 fell 1.2% at yesterday's close on turnover of EGP 797 mn (23.8% below the 90-day average). Local investors were net buyers. The index is down 4.3% YTD.
In the green: TMG Holding (+2.7%), GB Auto (+2.5%) and Qalaa Holdings (+1.3%).
In the red: Rameda (-5.6%), Palm Hills Development (-4.8%) and Housing and Development Bank (-4.6%).
Asian markets are down across the board in early trading this morning as a spike in covid-19 cases in Hong Kong and high tensions over Ukraine play out in equities. Futures suggest European markets will almost all open in the red, while Wall Street looks set for a mixed open later today.
Libyan politics is again in danger of splitting into two rival administrations, after the Tobruk-based House of Representatives on Thursday appointed a new prime minister in a challenge to the UN-backed government in Tripoli, the Financial Times reports. Former interior minister Fathi Bashagha's appointment throws the UN-backed process to unite the country into further uncertainty, following the blow dealt by the failure to hold elections that were scheduled for December. Interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh rejected the appointment of his rival and refused to step down until elections are held.
Inflation is hitting Egypt's private schools, and those with high CAPEX expenses are feeling the greatest squeeze: Private schools have been hit by price increases in recent months, as Egypt's inflation accelerates amid high shipping and construction costs, and high domestic selling prices. With urban inflation now running at near two and a half year highs, spending is being impacted across the board, with rising capex costs putting particular pressure on companies in the sector, say several operators. Today, we look at how the impact of inflation varies among Egypt's private schools, and what they're doing to mitigate it.
Several private schools have seen rising inflation drive up overall costs, operators tell Enterprise. El Alsson's OPEX spending is an estimated 12-15% higher now than it was in April 2021 — the last time its annual budget was set, says Executive Director Karim Rogers. Education management company Eduhive's total costs increased by a minimum of 25% in the last year, estimates CEO Karim Mostafa: "Everything's inflated: the price of electricity, utilities, purchases, cleaning materials and sanitizers — even teacher housing and plane tickets."
Families are feeling the pinch, too: A trend of transferring children to less expensive schools, seen in the last five years, has recently been increasing, says Mostafa. "People paying EGP 100k per year are now looking for schools in the EGP 60-70k range. This is a sign everybody's getting hit." This trend is impacting enrollment at private schools, where schools in the lower-middle income bracket are seeing enrollment at an estimated two-three times the rate of high-income schools, education investment platform Lighthouse Education Deputy Chairman Mohamed El Sherif says. Education costs rose 13.9% y-o-y in January, with primary education rising 19.5% and secondary education rising 5.3%, Capmas data (pdf) shows.
But it's schools with hefty CAPEX costs — especially land purchases — that seem to be hit hardest: Inflation has substantially impacted land prices and construction costs, with greenfield projects becoming particularly expensive, El Sherif tells Enterprise. "It costs a lot to buy land and build a school that's up to standard." Land pricing was already expensive, as we noted last year. Now, prices are being increased by brokers, says El Sherif. Land has essentially become unaffordable, notes Mostafa. And construction costs have been rising rapidly, with noticeable price differences in iron, steel and concrete since summer 2021, says Rogers.
Ultimately, this means investment in greenfield projects will slow, El Sherif predicts. "We're currently seeing many new players who bought land with the intention of building schools. But prices have gone up, so they've decided it's more profitable for them to sell the land than build schools. This tells you that something's not right." Growth is effectively limited to investors with sector experience, he adds.
The impact won't be felt immediately: It's difficult to predict how much investment will slow by, as it's down to individual project economics — which can be impacted by many variables, says El Sherif. But it usually takes around two years from land acquisition to a school becoming operational, which is when the impact will be felt, he adds.
Schools without significant CAPEX investment are more sanguine: Schutz always takes inflation into account when setting its annual budget, but isn't feeling the general sense of alarm about inflation that seems to be prevalent in the country, says Assistant Head of School Massimo Laterza. "Still, we're not currently engaged in any major capital developments. We're not in the middle of projects with any debt, or affected by the rapidly increasing prices of steel or cement," says Laterza.
OPEX losses don't appear to be all that impacted: OPEX cost increases can be an "annoyance," but El Alsson hasn't taken any major financial hits, Rogers notes.
But inflation could be compounding FX losses for int'l schools: All international schools spend about 70-75% of their budgets in FX — to pay expat teachers — while collecting all their revenue in EGP, notes Mostafa. This makes them highly vulnerable to any exchange rate fluctuations, so inflationary cost increases become even more challenging, he argues.
And other fees aren't helping: Meanwhile, new expenses — like the obligatory 1-3% of annual revenue that schools now need to pay to the government's Support Education fund — aren't factored into school budgets or buffers when they are introduced in the middle of the yearly business cycle, months after the budgets have been set, says Rogers.
The Education Ministry's 7% cap on tuition fee increases further compounds the problem, because it doesn't take inflation into account "as part of the formula," says Mostafa. Tuition fees are the only source of revenue for education operators, he notes.
What steps are schools taking to mitigate the fallout from high inflation? Cost-cutting is one obvious move: Schools are cutting costs where they can, to limit financial pressures, say sources. International schools won't cut their salary structures, which are carefully calibrated according to market research, say Mostafa and Rogers. But they might look at trimming benefits packages, Mostafa says: "Sometimes you have to cap the housing or transportation allowance, as these things add up."
Some school operators hope the Education Ministry might review the cap on tuition fee increases, one leader tells Enterprise off the record. "We're holding meetings, submitting requests and having open conversations. I think the ministry is receptive to our ideas, and I'm optimistic this issue can be resolved." It looks like the cap may be revised within a year or two — possibly pushed up to 10%, or even scrapped completely, the source adds.
But some are hoping inflation is "transitory," which could also be a reason for overall optimism, says Laterza. Even as inflation accelerates, the Central Bank of Egypt expects price stability in the medium term, it said following its last monetary policy committee meeting.
And inflation's full impact may only be seen when operators set their budgets in the coming months. El Alsson usually plans its budget in March, and so far, the buffer set last year has absorbed the worst of the cost increases, says Rogers. "But I can't predict what will happen in the next couple of weeks or months. I'm stable, but my guard is up for the unpredictable." Schutz typically starts its budgeting process in April or May, says Laterza. That's when it will gauge internal expenses to determine how cost increases could impact next year's budget.
Your top education stories for the week:
Aldar could target retail + education acquisitions in Egypt: Aldar Properties will spend at least AED 5 bn (c. USD 1.4 bn) on acquiring retail and education assets in Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, CFO Greg Fewer said.
EGX-listed Taaleem's Nahda University in Beni Suef will launch (pdf) new arts and architecture faculties by September, after receiving presidential approval.
Amendments to the Education Act struck down in parliament: The House of Representatives struck down proposed amendments to the Education Act, deeming proposals to ban parents of truant children from accessing public services "unconstitutional."
1Q2022: Launch of the Egyptian Commodities Exchange.
1Q2022: Swvl acquisition of Viapool expected to close.
1Q2022: Waste collection startup Bekia plans to expand to the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
1Q2022: Rameda Pharma will begin selling its generic version of Merck's oral antiviral covid-19 med.
1Q2022: Pharos Energy's sale of a 55% stake in El Fayum, Beni Suef concessions to IPR Energy Group subsidiary IPR Lake Qarun expected to close.
Early 2022: Results to be announced for the second round of the state's gold and precious metals auction.
1H2022: Target date for IDH to close its acquisition of 50% of Islamabad Diagnostic Center.
1H2022: e-Finance's digital healthcare service platform, eHealth, will launch its services.
1H2022: The government will respond to private companies' bids to build desalination plants.
1H2022: Egypt's second corporate green bond issuance expected to be announced.
1H2022: The Transport Ministry to sign a memorandum of understanding with Abu Dhabi Ports to set up a transport route across the Nile to transport products from Al Canal's Minya sugar factory.
January-February 2022: Construction work on the Abu Qir metro upgrade will begin.
February: Hassan Allam Construction's new construction firm established with Russia's Titan-2 to handle construction work on the Dabaa nuclear power plant begins its operations.
February: Ghazl El Mahalla shares will begin trading on the EGX.
Mid-February: End of grace period to comply with new minimum wage for firms who sent in exemption requests.
Mid-February: A Hungarian delegation will arrive in Egypt for talks over a potential investment in an industrial area in the SCZone.
4-20 February (Friday-Sunday): 2022 Winter Olympics, Beijing.
11-12 February (Friday-Saturday): German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will be in Cairo for a two-day visit.
11-13 February (Friday-Sunday): FIBA Intercontinental Cup, Cairo.
13-15 February (Sunday-Tuesday): Arab Sustainable Development Week. Arab League headquarters, Nile Ritz Carlton.
14-16 February (Monday-Wednesday): Egypt Petroleum Show, Egypt International Exhibition Center, New Cairo, Egypt.
14-19 February (Monday- Saturday): An art exhibition created by marginalized children will be held at Townhouse Gallery. The event is organized by the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, AlexBank, Townhouse Gallery, Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment, and Ubuntu Art Gallery.
15 February (Tuesday): The Industrial Development Authority's deadline for receiving offers from companies for licenses to manufacture steel products.
15 February (Tuesday): Orange Ventures' deadline to receive applications from seed-stage fintech startups.
19 February (Saturday): Public universities begin the second term of the 2021-2022 academic year.
19-21 February (Saturday-Monday): Nebu Expo for Gold and Jewelry 2022.
21 February (Monday): Hearing at Cairo Economic Court (pdf) on FRA lawsuits filed against Speed Medical.
22 February (Tuesday): The Egyptian National Railway is holding a forum to gauge public interest in its plans to delegate the management and operations of freight transport to the private sector.
22-24 February (Tuesday-Thursday): Investment Forum, General Authority For Investments (GAFI) Main Office, Nasr City.
26 February (Saturday): Speed Medical will elect a new board during ordinary general assembly (pdf).
27 February (Sunday): British-Egyptian Business Association (BEBA) green finance event with Finance Minister Mohamed Maait, Semiramis Intercontinental, Cairo
28 February- 1 March (Monday-Tuesday): The Future of Data Centers Summit.
End of February: Lebanon to receive gas from Egypt via a pipeline crossing Jordan and Syria.
March: Rollout of the government financial management information system (GFMIS), a suite of electronic tools to automate the government's financial management processes (pdf) that will replace the existing "closed" financial management system.
March: 4Q2021 earnings season.
March: Deadline for the World Health Organization's intergovernmental negotiating body to meet to discuss binding treaty on future pandemic cooperation.
March: World Cup playoffs.
March: The government hopes to sign a final contract between El Nasr Automotive and a new partner for the local production of electric cars.
March: Target date for Saudi tech firm Brmaja to IPO on the EGX.
March: Egypt to host World Tourirsm Organization Middle East committee meeting.
March: The Salam – new administrative capital – 10th of Ramadan Light Rail Train (LRT) line will start operating.
3 March (Thursday): Fawry's extraordinary general assembly (pdf) to vote on EGP 800 mn capital increase.
9-18 March (Wednesday-Friday): The 55th edition of the Cairo International Fair.
15-16 March (Tuesday-Wednesday): Federal Reserve interest rate meeting.
24 March (Thursday): Central Bank of Egypt's Monetary Policy Committee meeting.
24 March (Thursday): Egypt will host Senegal in the first leg of their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers' playoff.
26 March (Saturday): Egypt-EU World Trade Organization dispute settlement consultations end.
28-29 March (Monday-Tuesday): The Egypt International Mining Show (EIMS 2022) will take place virtually.
29 March (Tuesday): The second leg of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers' playoff between Egypt and Senegal.
31 March (Thursday): Deadline for submitting tax returns for individual taxpayers.
31 March (Thursday): Vodacom purchase of Vodafone Group's stake in Vodafone Egypt expected to be completed by this date.
31 March (Thursday): Supply Ministry expected to take final decision on bread subsidies by this date.
April: Fuel pricing committee meets to decide quarterly fuel prices.
2 April (Saturday): First day of Ramadan (TBC).
3 April (Sunday): Bidding begins on the Industrial Development Authority's license to manufacture tobacco products.
4 April (Monday): CDC Group will formally change its name to British International Investment.
14 April (Thursday): European Central Bank monetary policy meeting.
Mid-April: Trading on the Egyptian Commodity Exchange to start.
22-24 April (Friday-Sunday): World Bank-IMF spring meeting, Washington D.C.
24 April (Sunday): Coptic Easter Sunday (holiday for Coptic Christians).
25 April (Monday): Sham El Nessim.
25 April (Monday): Sinai Liberation Day.
28 April (Thursday): National Holiday in observance of Sham El Nessim.
30 April (Saturday): Deadline for submitting corporate tax returns for companies whose financial year ends 31 December.
Late April – 15 May: 1Q2022 earnings season
May: Investment in Logistics Conference, Cairo, Egypt.
1 May (Sunday): Labor Day.
3-4 May (Tuesday-Wednesday): Federal Reserve interest rate meeting.
4 May (Wednesday): 3 February (Thursday): Deadline to send in applications for Cultural Property Agreement Implementation projects to the US Embassy in Cairo.
5 May (Thursday): National Holiday in observance of Labor Day.
2 May (Monday): Eid El Fitr (TBC).
19 May (Thursday): Central Bank of Egypt's Monetary Policy Committee meeting.
9 June (Thursday): European Central Bank monetary policy meeting.
14-15 June (Tuesday-Wednesday): Federal Reserve interest rate meeting.
15-18 June (Wednesday-Saturday): St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), St. Petersburg.
16 June (Thursday): End of 2021-2022 academic year for public schools.
23 June (Thursday): Central Bank of Egypt's Monetary Policy Committee meeting.
27 June-3 July (Monday-Sunday): World University Squash Championships, New Giza.
30 June (Thursday): June 30 Revolution Day, national holiday.
End of 2Q2022: The Financial Regulatory Authority's new Ins. Act should be approved.
End of 1H2022: Emirati industrial company M Glory Holding and the Military Production Ministry will begin the mass production of dual fuel pickup trucks that can run on natural gas.
2H2022: The inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum.
2H2022: IEF-IGU Ministerial Gas Forum, Egypt. Date + location TBA.
2H2022: The government will have vaccinated 70% of the population.
July: A law governing ins. for seasonal contractors will come into effect.
July: Fuel pricing committee meets to decide quarterly fuel prices.
1 July (Friday): FY 2022-2023 begins.
8 July (Friday): Arafat Day.
9-13 July (Saturday-Wednesday): Eid Al Adha, national holiday.
21 July (Thursday): European Central Bank monetary policy meeting.
26-27 July (Tuesday-Wednesday): Federal Reserve interest rate meeting.
30 July (Saturday): Islamic New Year.
Late July – 14 August: 2Q2022 earnings season.
18 August (Thursday): Central Bank of Egypt's Monetary Policy Committee meeting.
September: Egypt will display its first naval exhibition with the title Naval Power.
September: Central Bank of Egypt's Innovation and Financial Technology Center to launch incubator for 25 fintech startups.
8 September (Thursday): European Central Bank monetary policy meeting.
20-21 September (Tuesday-Wednesday): Federal Reserve Finterest rate meeting.
22 September (Thursday): Central Bank of Egypt's Monetary Policy Committee meeting.
October: World Bank and IMF annual meetings in Washington, DC
October: Fuel pricing committee meets to decide quarterly fuel prices.
6 October (Thursday): Armed Forces Day, national holiday.
8 October (Saturday): Prophet Muhammad's birthday, national holiday.
18-20 October(Tuesday-Thursday): Mediterranean Offshore Conference, Alexandria, Egypt.
27 October (Thursday): European Central Bank monetary policy meeting.
Late October – 14 November: 3Q2022 earnings season.
November: Cairo Water Week 2022.
1-2 November (Tuesday-Wednesday): Federal Reserve interest rate meeting.
3 November (Thursday): Central Bank of Egypt's Monetary Policy Committee meeting.
7-18 November (Monday-Friday): Egypt will host COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh.
21 November-18 December (Monday-Sunday): 2022 Fifa World Cup, Qatar.
13-14 December (Tuesday-Wednesday): Federal Reserve interest rate meeting.
15 December (Thursday): European Central Bank monetary policy meeting.
22 December (Thursday): Central Bank of Egypt's Monetary Policy Committee meeting.
End of 2022: e-Aswaaq's tourism platform will complete the roll out of its ticketing and online booking portal across Egypt.
January 2023: EGX-listed companies and non-bank lenders will submit ESG reports for the first time.
January: Fuel pricing committee meets to decide quarterly fuel prices.
**Note to readers: Some national holidays may appear twice above. Since 2020, Egypt has observed most mid-week holidays on Thursdays regardless of the day on which they fall and may also move those days to Sundays. We distinguish above between the actual holiday and its observance.


text:
Q: Refresh Facebook page from within app - iframe I want to refresh the complete Facebook page (not just my app within the iframe) from within my app, using javascript. How can I achieve that.?
I've tried and failed with all of the following.
top.location
window.location
parent.location

A: try:
window.top.location = window.top.location

you can try this at browser console by pressing F12 which you can open by

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Posted in Personal by Will on Friday, March 28th, 2008 ~ 12am
The lawsuit that was brought against alternative artist/photographer Philip Warner — popularly known as Lithium Picnic — by the malicious man who runs Suicide Girls may have ended. (See my earlier blog entry about the outlandish lawsuit designed to ruin Philip's livelihood).
The case was due to be heard in March, and now we are approaching the last days of March, and the website that used to be updated with information about the case — which was being updated by Philip's wife, Apnea — has vanished, and in early March Philip wrote a single line on his DeviantART account stating "i am under a contract that prevents me from discussing it but there's probably lots of info on both sides of the story available via google."
So far there does not appear to be any news stories that reveal whether the case was settled, and how it was settled if it was. With a gag order in place, there is as yet no authoritative statement about the outcome. I'll keep searching.
Meanwhile, regardless of the outcome, legal expenses were at least $25,000 as March began, so click the print above-left and buy something from him. I'm keen on that poster, myself, but I'm, um, not wealthy.
UPDATE: There is some indication that Philip Warner may have won (which still leaves him with legal expenses since you can't sue someone for suing you)… and that Sean Suhl, the man who owns Suicide Girls, countered his loss by immediately suing Philip's wife, Apnea. So far this info is vague so don't consider it vetted yet, but Apnea is being sued and the timing is uncanny. Also, the gag order appears to be quite strict — they simply cannot say anything. We'll just have to wait for the court records to go online.
Posted in Personal by Will on Wednesday, March 26th, 2008 ~ 1pm
Oh man, am I crazy for wanting this toilet seat from Ikea? The top is stainless steel, and the seat area is polyproylene, my favorite kind of plastic. The steel probably gets cold, which may make the plastic seat cool too, but, it is cool in the wow sense of the word too. It's only $10 more than a regular toilet seat, more or less (depending on whether you live near an Ikea).
I'd have to carry it with me from one apartment to the next whenever I move, of course. Which seems weird.
Posted in Personal by Will on Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 ~ 11am
I'm loving this. -Will
One-and-a-half-year old Chihuahua dog "Conan" prays with his owner and chief priest Joei Yoshikuni during a morning pray at the Shuri-Kannondo temple in Okinawa islands, southwestern Japan, Monday, March 24, 2008.(AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)
NAHA, Japan — At a Zen Buddhist temple in southern Japan, even the dog prays. Mimicking his master, priest Joei Yoshikuni, a 1 1/2-year-old black-and-white Chihuahua named Conan joins in the daily prayers at Naha's Shuri Kannondo temple, sitting up on his hind legs and putting his front paws together before the altar.
It took him only a few days to learn the motions, and now he is the talk of the town.
"Word has spread, and we are getting a lot more tourists," Yoshikuni said Monday.
Yoshikuni said Conan generally goes through his prayer routine at the temple in the capital of Japan's southern Okinawa prefecture (state) without prompting before his morning and evening meals.
"I think he saw me doing it all the time and got the idea to do it, too," Yoshikuni said.
The priest is now trying to teach him how to meditate.
"Basically, I am just trying to get him to sit still while I meditate," he explained. "It's not like we can make him cross his legs."
Buddhist dog prays for worldly desires
Published: Monday March 24, 2008
Buddhists clasp their palms together to pray for enlightenment, but Conan, a chihuahua, appears to have more worldly motivations.
The dog has become a popular attraction at a Japanese temple after learning to imitate the worshippers around him.
"Conan started to pose in prayer like us whenever he wanted treats," said Joei Yoshikuni, a priest at Jigenin temple on the southern island of Okinawa.
"Clasping hands is a basic action of Buddhist prayer to show appreciation. He may be showing his thanks for treats and walks," he said.
Conan, a two-year-old male with long, black hair and a brown collar, sits next to Yoshikuni in front of the altar and looks right up at the statue of a Buddhist deity.
When the priest starts chanting and raises his clasped hands, Conan also raises his paws and joins them at the tip of his nose.
Visitors to the temple look on with curiosity.
"It's so funny that he does it," said Kazuko Oshiro, 71, who has frequented the temple for more than 25 years.
"He gets angry when somebody else sits on his favourite spot. He must be thinking that it's his special place," Oshiro said.
Conan, originally a temple pet, has become so popular that people come in to take pictures almost every week, the priest said.
Yoshikuni estimated that the temple receives 30 percent more visitors, especially young tourists, than it would otherwise.
"I'm glad that people feel more comfortable visiting the temple because of Conan," he said as he jokingly joined his hands and bowed to the dog.
Posted in Personal by Will on Sunday, March 23rd, 2008 ~ 6pm
I am sad now because I've just learned my best friend here in Boulder is moving, with preparations (sampling new city) starting next month, and with her entirely gone within a year or year-and-a-half (but really, I expect in less than a year). To give you an idea how close we are, when I pulled up this form to write this blog entry, my cellphone rang and she was on the other end of it (exercising, I think; she must have brushed the buttons of her phone). She is who encouraged me to arrive in Boulder in the first place, and she is my friend who knows me best. (I have a high school friend who knows me second best, due to the time frame being different). Always there to be a sounding board, to prompt me to see myself and to change when I need to. She sees clearly. I haven't had people aside from her who saw so clear. I could get advice from her. And I didn't pester her, she just happens to be skilled in seeing, and in knowing when people need to change. This also, sadly for me, applies to her as well. And she needs to change locale because she is not being her best here.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Test work shows there are numerous benefits not just in reducing capital and operating costs, but also for improving sustainability and environmental efforts.
Radically improve the traditional processing circuit using Coarse Particle Flotation. Recover particles as large as 800 microns with as little as 1% mineral surface expression.


Plaza San Martín is a green haven in a stylish neighborhood that contains some of the most expensive real estate in the city as well as boutiques and high-end furniture stores. Many office workers come here at lunchtime to get some fresh air and have a sandwich (purchased, perhaps, at El Buen Libro, a popular sandwich shop where you can put together your own sandwich). This is also the site of the moving Monumento a los Caídos en Malvinas: twenty-five marble slabs with the names of the 649 soldiers that died in the war that ensued in 1982. Just across Avenida Alem, right in front of the Torre de los Ingleses, is the Retiro train station; thousands of Buenos Aires residents come through the station every day on their way to and from work.
Plaza San Martín is also where Florida Street —a pedestrian street ideal for wandering around, window shopping, and exploring small shopping centers— begins. The further you walk down Florida Street away from the plaza, the more people, especially people wearing suit and tie, you'll see. If you want to get a sense of the city's pulse, just take a look around.
If you cross Avenida Alem towards the river, you will find the most modern section of Buenos Aires. In the nineties, Puerto Madero—an oasis in the middle of the city—was constructed on docks where, years ago, there were silos from which ship would load their goods. Puerto Madero now holds office buildings, a wide range of restaurants, and large open areas in which to take a stroll or play sports. Due to the silence and safety, you may feel like you are no longer in Buenos Aires. To prove that you really are, go to dock 3 (Pierina Deleassi and Gorriti streets) and walk over Puente del Mujer, a modern bridge in the shape of a couple dancing tango that opened in 2001. Stand on the middle of the bridge, take in the silence, and look down at the water under your feet and then up at the city's skyline… This, too, is Buenos Aires.
In terms of restaurants, Lupita serves margaritas and Mexican fare. Chila provides a gourmet experience as costly as it is extraordinary. For meat, the high-end option for tourists is Cabaña Las Lilas, but the steaks at other grill joints like Estilo Campo and Cabaña Villegas are almost as good at half the price. If it's pasta you want, Bice is famous for its raviolis and Marcelo for its risotto. These are just a few of the many options.
While it is not, strictly speaking, in Retiro, Avenida Corrientes (known as "the street that never sleeps") is the place to go if you are interested in theater, whether mainstream or alternative. If it no longer has the glamour of its golden years (from 1930 to 1980), Corrientes still contains a great deal of the Buenos Aires theater scene, which is one of the largest in South America. The Complejo La Plaza, the Teatro San Martín, the Ópera, and the Gran Rex are among its most emblematic theaters. Tickets are available online or at the theaters themselves, but you can save as much as 50% if you purchase tickets at a small shop known as the Cartelera in the back of Galería Apolo (1382 Corrientes, Local 24).
Getting pizza before or after the show is a local tradition and there are a number of pizzerias —some of them over eighty years old— where you can get a hefty slice of a cheese pie. While Güerrín, Banchero, and El Cuartito are among the most acclaimed, Las Cuartetas, Los Inmortales, La Rey, and El Imperio de la Pizza are no less worthy. Pizza with a glass of beer or moscato wine is a Buenos Aires institution.
Just a few blocks away is the Teatro Colón, one of the largest opera houses in the world where you can go for a guided tour or to see a concert.
Corrientes is also famous for its bargain bookstores; there are a score on the blocks between 9 de Julio and Callao that offer a large selection at discount prices. If you take your time and go through the tables, you are sure to find something of interest.
There are a good many bars and pubs on Reconquista Street, which was recently turned into a walking street. Most of these establishments fill up after 6 p.m. when office workers stop by for a drink before heading home. Kilkenny, with its own house brew, is one of the most popular, though the somewhat quieter Druid Inn also draws a crowd. Also nearby are the French bar La Cigale and the newer The Sensi, known for its creative cocktails. Lesser known and more rustic is Chabres whose owner Oscar Chabres —one of the most experienced bartenders in the city— waits on customers.
Restaurant options are equally varied. If you are looking for quality Peruvian food, head to Mullu and Sipan. Sabot and El Dorá offer classic Spanish cuisine. Filo is a modern classic with an Italian air. Broccolino is a reliable choice for lunch or dinner. Dadá is a bistro in Pop style. And there are, as always, a few hidden gems: the sandwiches at Café Paulín (a favorite among office workers for lunch), meat empanadas at La Cocina (a small shop in the back of Galería Boston), and the gourmet hotdogs at Dogg, a new fast-food joint that is all the rage.
In the last two years, the northern section of this neighborhood (that is, a few blocks north of Plaza San Martín) has undergone something of a revival thanks mostly to the opening of Florería Atlántico, a basement bar with some of the best drinks in the city in an atmosphere reminiscent of old immigrant bars. The first floor houses a florist. On the corner is Farinelli, which offers fresh food for lunch and great baked goods all day long. Gran Café is another great option for a light lunch. Right next store is Basa, an immaculate restaurant with a great cocktail bar. Nearby is the tried-and-true Gran Bar Danzón, a wine and cocktail bar that was instrumental in starting the Buenos Aires cocktail scene in the late nineties.
One final tip: if you want a different —perhaps extreme— experience, book a table at El Gato Viejo, housed in the home of eccentric sculptor Carlos Regazzoni, the owner and cook who waits on customers personally amidst railway containers. The food may not be great, but the experience is unforgettable.
San Telmo, perhaps the most traditional neighborhood, is located in the southern section of Buenos Aires. Closely associated with tango, it has become a sort of Buenos Aires Montmartre thanks to the bohemian air that hovers over its narrow sidewalks. The antique fair that draws tourists to Plaza Dorrego each Sunday is worth a visit, but it's just as enjoyable to get lost in the neighborhood's cobblestoned streets, to stumble upon a bar to have a snack and a beer, and maybe even to come upon a milonga, or tango dance hall. Defensa Street and surroundings are the center of this neighborhood.
At almost 16-square kilometers, Palermo is the largest neighborhood in the city. It is divided into small sections, two of which hold the latest in food, fashion, and design. Palermo Hollywood gets its name from the large number of film and television production companies that have moved to the neighborhood in the last fifteen years. This district is the home to a number of bars and dance clubs, specifically on Niceto Vega Street, as well as a wide range of restaurants. On the other side of the train tracks lies Palermo Soho (in reference to Soho in New York), where you can find the best boutiques and design houses. This area also contains a great many traditional and trend-setting bars, cafés, and restaurants. Stop for a cup of coffee at the sidewalk tables on Armenia or Cortázar Plaza, the epicenters of a lively neighborhood that seems to keep growing.
Just a few blocks away, in the Almagro neighborhood, scores of major clothing brands have opened outlets with tempting deals. If you're looking for name-brand clothes at bargain prices, start exploring this neighborhood at the corner of Aguirre and Gurruchaga streets.
As soon as you set foot on Avenida Alvear, one of the most iconic streets in the area, and take a look at facades of buildings clearly influenced by Parisian architecture, you can tell that this was once the most chic section of the city. Art is central to Recoleta. The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes is the home of the country's finest permanent collection, with works by Argentine artists like Berni and Fader and international artist like Picasso, Manet, and Van Gogh. The Palais de Glace often holds interesting temporary exhibitions. The more modern Malba (Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires), a major force on the local cultural scene, houses a collection of contemporary art. Another must visit in the neighborhood is the iconic Recoleta cemetery, where the remains of Eva Perón and many other important figures in Argentine history rest. Some of the tombs and gravestones in this cemetery are true works of art. The nerve center of the neighborhood is the Plaza Intendente Torcuato Alvear, where a colorful market featuring "pass-the-hat" performances takes place on weekends. This is a great place to take in the urban fauna.
Plaza de Mayo: The oldest plaza in the city, this is the site of many of the most important political events in Argentine history. Attractions located on the plaza include the Casa Rosada (seat of the national government), the Catedral Metropolitana, and the Cabildo.
Caminito: In the heart of the traditional La Boca neighborhood, this is an alley lined with tenements whose tin facades are painted in bright colors. A picturesque crafts fair with artists and tango dancers takes place here.
Barrio Chino: Just four blocks from the Belgrano neighborhood there is a cluster of businesses run by members of the local Chinese community. Chinese grocers and houseware stores, as well as scores of Asian food restaurants, can be found here. This fun outing is well worth it.
Reserva Ecológica: The largest green space in Buenos Aires is located in the southern section of the city. It is a perfect spot for those that like to go for walks and take bike rides. If you want to grab a bite along the way, stop at one of the stands that sells bondiola, or pork, sandwiches and the famous choripan, or grilled sausage sandwich.
Do you want to have dinner at the private home of a local chef? Every day of the week hundreds of professional and amateur cooks serve food they make themselves at their own homes. You can get all the information at this website and mobile app. A great way to enjoy delicious food and meet new people.
This website contains information about all the restaurants in the city as well as customers' comments and ratings. This is the most complete guide to eating out in Buenos Aires.
A website and easy-to-use mobile app to book tables at scores of Buenos Aires restaurants, many of which offer up to 40% off if you make a reservation using this system.
What began as a Twitter account (@Hoyquesale) on nightlife in Buenos Aires has become a website that brings together all the information you need about going out and parties in Buenos Aires every time of day every day of the week.
Small gourmet tours for between ten and fifteen people are organized once a week. Three different places are visited and at each one you eat and drink something different. This is a good way to get to know different places and to socialize.
A number of different websites provide information on tango classes and milongas, or tango dance halls. www.hoy-milonga.com, www.buenosairesyeltango.com, www.puntotango.com.ar are three of the best. They feature useful and current information for those who love the 2x4 beat.


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Joe Mauer
Twins Bounce Back to Defeat Orioles 6-1 Today
The Minnesota Twins put an end to their four game losing streak with a 6-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday.
Dan DeBaun
Mauer Not the First Future Hall of Famer to Move to First Base
The Twins announced this week that Joe Mauer will move from catcher to first base starting in 2014. Mauer joins some elite players who moved to first base late in their careers.
Jay Caldwell
More Minnesota Twins on The Way… This Time They're Going to be 'Wild'
Minnesota Wild's Zach Parise found out he and...
Matt Fallon


"When you look at nuggets, which are a solid piece of gold, the biggest are around 2,000 ounces, so this is right up there in terms of the largest specimens we've ever seen".
In a "once-in-a-lifetime discovery", miners in Western Australia have unearthed massive rocks encrusted with more than 9,000 ounces of high-grade gold and worth millions of dollars, according to reports.
"To give people context ... out of about your living room, we pulled out $15 million worth of gold", he said.
Australian miners often extract just 2g of gold per ton of rock - an expert said the gold particles are often too small to be seen by the naked eye - but, in this case, Canadian mining company RNC Minerals said 2,200g per ton was extracted, the BBC reports.
Previous bonanza grade specimen stone occurrences at Beta Hunt, says the company, were associated with the nickel-sulphide bearing contact between the Lunnon Basalt and the overlying Kambalda Komatiite, where RNC and previous operators have mostly mined nickel.
Gold recovered from the Beta Hunt mine. There was chunks of gold in the face, on the ground, truly unique I reckon.
Airleg driller Henry Dole made the astonishing find at the Beta Hunt gold mine near Kambalda, Australia.
Dole continued: "I almost fell over looking at it ... we were picking it up for hours".
"And then after we fired it and I came in the next day and washed it all down, it was just everywhere".
But now the real question for RNC's owners: To sell or not to sell?
"These discoveries highlight the high-grade gold potential of Beta Hunt", he said, adding that the largest of the rocks would go to auction as collector items.


This Buttery Lemon Spaghetti is a super quick fully flavor packed pasta recipe and dinner idea! A family favorite!
I am all about a quick dinner idea. When I forget to plan my slow cooker meals in advance (which is often) I'm always left with a giant question mark where dinner ideas should be.
This Buttery Lemon Spaghetti is a super simple option on those nights where you aren't really sure what else to do…AND lemon anything is pretty much right up my alley…oh and butter. Butter anything is always a first choice.
Plus, this pasta recipe is so quick it can literally be prepared in the amount of time it takes to boil your pasta. I mean, hello perfect!
This Lemon Pasta recipe is a no brainer for busy nights. You may even have all the ingredients you need in your pantry right now! I love serving this on it's own for an easy and quick dinner recipe, or add some chicken to make it a more hearty meal. Especially if you marinate your chicken in my favorite chicken marinade recipe!
Melt butter in a skillet. Use salted butter, as this will help add a little more flavor!
Add some garlic and crushed red pepper into the melted butter to flavor the butter even more!
Whisk in the heavy cream and your sauce is all done!
When the pasta is done, mix that with the sauce, and then mix in your Parmesan Cheese, parsley, lemon juice and zest.
That's it! Season it some more with salt and pepper if you would like and serve it immediately! This is a great side dish, or light dinner. And it's especially great in warm weather months!
This is a creamy and bright lemon pasta recipe that is delicious on it's own, or served as a side dish!
Drain the pasta and add it immediately into the butter mixture, coating the pasta evenly.
Add in the Parmesan cheese, parsley, lemon zest and lemon juice stirring to evenly incorporate. Season with salt and pepper.
Serve immediately and garnish with extra Parmesan Cheese if desired.
Mmmm this looks like the perfect dinner for crazy busy nights!
As much as I love this dish, I equally love your white square plate! I am a huge fan of butter and I don't even care what the first 4 letters of butter are! I will not let that discourage me! Ha. It just adds the right flavor to every meal!!!
hahaha! omg I never thought about that!
First time visitor. What is "Challenge Butter", something labeled different that plain butter?
Fast, easy, and gorgeous. Sign me up girl! I'm still wishing I had more zucchini in the garden though to make your chocolate cake. The best!
This is right up my alley! Lemon pasta is my favorite!


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Game of spreads: using game theory to create better trading algos
Why are traders playing poker so much? Aside from the adrenaline rushes, trading, a multi-party activity plagued with the risks of incomplete information, is remarkably similar to this seemingly straightforward game.
Once upon a time, gaining an informational advantage to behave in a better-informed manner was regarded to be the key to competing. To this purpose, poker players have gone to considerable pains to discover a "tell" — a subtly performed move that offers a helpful signal about a player's cards. In the movie Rounders, Matt Damon's character defeats his opponent with a big hand after recognizing his cookie-bluffing tell, which is a classic illustration of this.
Players used to turn to HUDs (Heads Up Display) software for an information edge, even though cookies are not typically available on poker tables. HUDs gather and show historical information regarding prior actions taken by opponents. With the aid of this information, players can plan their tactics in light of an opponent's previous behavioral tendencies. For instance, if you observe someone folding virtually always in response to a raise, you may want to raise more frequently, even if your hands aren't the best.
Prior to the arrival of Libratus, HUD was almost a gold standard. The Carnegie Mellon University-developed artificial intelligence programme Libratus uses the Game Theory Optimal (GTO) strategy. In 2017, it outplayed four of the top poker players in the world, marking the first time artificial intelligence has destroyed human poker professionals. Human users who adapted the GTO approach quickly rose to the top of the high-stakes poker field, including Linus Loeliger, who is currently regarded as one of the finest players in the world.
Beginning with game theory is necessary in order to comprehend what GTO is. The study of interactive decision-making, or game theory, examines how the actions of other agents might affect the outcome of a single agent's decision. A player's chances of being taken advantage of by other players have reduced thanks to the strategies that the GTO poker strategy develops based on its guiding principles.
Finance professionals are undoubtedly familiar with the concept of game theory. Game theory wonderfully illustrates how the stock market operates through the Keynesian beauty pageant, where participants are rewarded for receiving the most votes. In his book The Alchemy of Finance, George Soros described his interpretation of game theory for trading as "fallibility and reflexivity," which showed how it might be used to build a track record of outperforming the market.
An excessive dependence on historical data, similar to how poker players used to rely on historical statistics gathered by HUDs, is one of the main issues we currently face in the field of algorithmic trading in APAC markets. For the purpose of predicting future market movement, researchers compile historical data on stock price, volatility, trading volume, and spreads. They then input this historical data into mathematical models.
In a market where there is competition, such as the stock market, a large number of traders with access to cutting-edge technology and massive amounts of historical data compete for a few basis points. However, depending solely on historical data results in a decreasingly narrower edge over competitors. This is even more obvious when a set of predetermined restrictions forbid algorithms from taking certain trading rules or restrict them from responding to signals.
While most in the industry agree that it is crucial to have algorithms that can respond intelligently to real-time market events and the live order book, most prediction models stop short of going beyond analytics based on historical data. But game theory offers an alternative viewpoint that might go beyond the limitations of conventional paradigms.
If one were to approach trading from the standpoint of trade rules, one may see the stock market as a centralized auction market where transactions could either take the form of a batch auction or a continuous auction. Using this perspective, the execution algorithm's job becomes determining when, where, how much, and at what price to participate in a series of mini auctions, with the aim of maximizing the reward from the accumulation of modest positive results across all auctions taken part in.
One of the applications of game theory in economics is auction theory. The economists Robert Wilson and Paul Milgrom received the 2020 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics for their contributions to the area. Extensive research in auction theory, including the Revenue Equivalence idea and private value and common value models, offers priceless insights that can be used in algo slicing and pricing logic, particularly when it comes to optimizing placement in the order book.
Applying auction theory requires a deep comprehension of the variations in market structure found in APAC markets. An oversized quote in a reasonable-sized spread, for instance, should result in a strong take signal in a liquid market with a fast-moving book rather than a hold signal based on the notion that there might be more behind.
Nash Equilibrium is a key idea in game theory. It describes the best outcome in a multi-party non-cooperative game where no actors are motivated to alter their course of action. Stock market trading regulations are a significant factor in setting ecological equilibrium in the multi-party non-cooperative game known as trading.
The equilibrium of the market structure is movable. Tick sizes, timings, or short sale regulations are just a few examples of factors that could vary slightly and have unanticipated or unwanted effects. Research had shown that when the Taiwan Stock Exchange switched from regular batch auctions to continuous trading, market efficiency in mid-cap and small-cap names rose, but liquidity and efficiency in large-cap names declined. Understanding game theory, keeping note of any possible changes to the equilibrium state, and fine-tuning algo parameters appropriately will help you gain an advantage when trading using algorithms.
When deciding on trading regulations, stock exchanges and regulators may find the equilibrium state in game theory to be useful. Game theory is a powerful tool for ex-ante modeling in the pursuit of optimum policy formulation, but most studies on the consequences of policy rely on ex-post empirical evidence.
In this brief post, we have covered ideas on how to improve trading algos utilizing auction theory and Nash equilibrium, which scratches the surface of game theory. Algorithms can set optimum parameters based on market structure equilibrium with the use of the Nash Equilibrium and auction theory, which both help them respond to live order books and unforeseen events better.
Game theory has the virtue of being simultaneously profoundly scientific and philosophical. According to Kenneth Waltz in Man, the State one conclusion of game theory is that "any one state's freedom of choice is limited by the actions of the others." This simplicity will remain the same despite all the difficulties algorithmic trading faces.
© 2023 BHFT. All rights reserved.
info@bhft.com


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NEVADA VIEWS: Not giving up the fight for choice for Nevada children
School choice has helped many families through the pandemic.
By Valeria Gurr Special to the Review-Journal
While the coronavirus has impacted all of us, the impact on children is particularly profound and potentially the longest-lasting. While we hope we will return to something approaching our prior lives in a few short months thanks to vaccinations, children who have lost more than a year of schooling face obstacles that could haunt them for the rest of their lives. The burden that children now face does make one thing clear: Nevadans are not about to give up the fight for more learning choices.
School choice has helped many families through the pandemic. In some cases, choice has allowed families who couldn't keep their children at home to opt into a school that reopened for in-person learning. In other cases, it's allowed families to choose an all-virtual mode if that worked better for them. Some Nevada students were already using school choice before the pandemic to attend virtual school full-time, which means their instructors didn't struggle to adapt to lessons via Zoom.
But as the past several months have demonstrated, it is those with the least access to school choice who suffer the most. Wealthy families can afford to buy laptops, pay tuition for independent schools or even hire private tutors for one-on-one lessons. By contrast, poorer students often face difficulties even accessing the internet for online learning. Little wonder that a recent Census Bureau survey showed that nearly three times as many children in low-income households had only sporadic live contact with their teachers (18.5 percent) as households with incomes of more than $200,000 (6.5 percent).
We can't afford to leave thousands of low-income and vulnerable students behind, as we did when one-third of students failed to log on for online lessons in Clark County last spring. For this reason, parents and community leaders and I have worked hard to fill in the gaps, trying to connect students with laptops and internet connections. Businesses and donors have generously given to our Donate a Laptop campaign, which seeks to match families — particularly families with English language learners — to the resources they need for online learning.
The support has been encouraging, but the fight to bring more learning opportunities and school choice to Nevada must expand, especially during the upcoming legislative session. We should work to expand the Opportunity Scholarship program for low-income families, which currently helps just more than 1,000 students. We should be open and supportive of new learning options — such as microschools and learning pods — that are forming to fill gaps in our current system and keep children learning in safe ways that work for their families.
The Donate a Laptop campaign, learning pods and other choice initiatives hold one factor in common: They seek to reach children and families where they are — responding to their needs, rather than expecting the students to respond to them. That philosophy of placing the student's needs first underpins the entire school choice movement, which seeks to match each student to the right school for his or her talents, learning style and family situation.
National School Choice Week, held from Jan. 24 through Jan. 30, highlights the benefits of choice for the millions of students who have found a learning environment that works well for them. But even as we celebrate the many students who love their public school, private school, online school or microschool, we also continue to seek out those left behind. Just as we worked to provide laptops for each child this fall, so, too, will we persevere until every family can choose the quality educational option that works best for them — because the next generation remains too important for any child to be left without learning opportunities.
Valeria Gurr is Nevada state director of the American Federation for Children.
Posted on: Opinion
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"You need a license to buy a dog, to drive a car - hell, you even need a license to catch a fish. But they'll let any butt-reaming asshole be a father."
By Seth Freilich | Industry | March 24, 2009 |
Obviously, film and TV are two very different breeds. The nature of how stories are presented and told differs greatly if you're talking about a two-hour chunk or one-to-two dozen 40-minute chunks. This is why TV shows based on good movies are, more often than not, garbage (see "Nine to Five," "Clueless" (I wouldn't classify Clueless as a good movie, mind you, but I know many others do) and "Down and Out in Beverly Hills," among others). But it is possible to capture lightening in a bottle and transform a movie into something that works on the small screen, as was done, for example, with "In the Heat of the Night" and "The Odd Couple." In fact, Fox has a pretty good movie-to-TV series running right now ("Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles") and though it's been circling the drain for years, the amazing "Friday Night Lights" is about to (hopefully) get a fourth season.
So while it can be done well, I'm generally more than a little skeptical when a network announces a new "based on the film" TV show. Such was the case when NBC announced that it was doing a pilot based on Parenthood, the wonderful Ron Howard flick from the late 80s. In fact, NBC already tried this once, back in 1990, and despite the fact that the show included Joss Whedon as a writer and had Leo DiCaprio, David Arquette and Thora Birch as some of the kids, it was a quickly-flushed turd.
However, I'm now becoming cautiously optimistic about NBC's second attempt at "Parenthood." For one thing, it's got Ron Howard (and ever-by-his-side Brian Grazer) as exec-producers — not only does this mean that he may be able to help ensure that it captures some of the flick's tone, but he's got a pretty good track record when it comes to TV production (standouts on his resume include "Sports Night," "Felicity" (included in this list for Dustin's benefit) and "Arrested Development"). More importantly, the show is also being exec-produced and run by Jason Katims, the creator of "Friday Night Lights." He clearly knows how to translate good movie to great TV.
And now they're starting to put the cast together, with Peter Krause and Maura Tierney having just signed on to two of the leading roles. Krause will play Adam Braverman, which appears to be based on Steve Martin's Gil Buckman, and Tierney will play his sister, based on Dianne Wiest's single-mother role. Both Krause and Tierney are capable of delivering both the types of funny and sentiment that the movie had, which is excellent news for the show. The producers are also negotiating with Craig T. Nelson and Mae Whitman for supporting roles, which is further great news, as well as Dax Shepard (which is not so great although, assuming its for Tom Hulce's character, he may be bearable). Other pilots have similarly started out strong on paper (*ahem* "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip") while ultimately failing to give us the series we hoped for. So "Parenthood's" got itself a long way to go. But this is a fine, fine start.
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Seth is a Senior Editor and sometime critic. You may email him here or follow him on Twitter.


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About BASHOF
1983, Baseball
Cincinnati Reds, 1956-65
Baltimore Orioles, 1966-71
Los Angeles Dodgers, 1973-74
Cleveland Indians, 1974-76
Raised in Oakland, Frank Robinson was a baseball star at McClymonds High School before joining the Cincinnati Reds, where he was selected National League Rookie of the Year. A member of the Reds for 10 years and the Baltimore Orioles for six, Robinson holds the distinction of being the first player to win baseball's MVP award in both the American and National Leagues, of making five World Series appearances with the Reds and the Orioles, and of playing in 11 All-Star games. He has a lifetime batting average of .294, hitting 586 home runs and 528 doubles. Robinson led the National League in slugging percentage three years straight, from 1960 to 1962. He was elected to Baseball's Hall of Fame in 1982.
Inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1983.
Plaque location: Oakland Coliseum
What can I search for
Inductees By Year:
Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame
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© 2008–2019 Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame | Design and Developed by : GUMAS


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This is not the first time Creighton has gone on in the role. While the show was still in previews, Grey was unable to perform one Sunday due to a vocal injury. Creighton got the call at 11:30 a.m. and an hour later was on the stage of the Stephen Sondheim Theatre with Foster receiving his first rehearsal as Moonface. In addition to no prior rehearsal, there hadn't been time for a costume fitting. Creighton brought his own suit and tuxedo pants to the show. "It was scary, but it was also the highlight of my career," Creighton said.
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What do you think, Rushers? Do you think magic exists? Have you ever seen a truly great magic act? Who would your picks be for the leads in the Les Miserables film? Do you think the rumored cast will do the musical justice? Dream the dream, and while you do, leave your thoughts in the comments below!
The oldie musicals came to Broadway in Bryant Park this week to show the newbies who's boss. The lively casts of The Phantom of the Opera, The Fantasticks, Hair, and Anything Goes performed their classic, well-trodden material with fresh enthusiasm.
At first, I wasn't so sure about the Phantom set. Kyle Barisich and Marni Raab sang a sweet "All I Ask of You," but the acting was so out of context on the Bryant Park stage that I had trouble holding back a few snide laughs. I shut up when Hugh Panaro took the stage for "Music of the Night." The Broadway A-lister and long-time Phantom sang the famous number with remarkable control, and his power notes filled the park effortlessly.
What do you think, Rushers? Are my predictions spot on or do you think I'm off base? Who do you think will take home the gold on Tony night? What are your Tony viewing plans? Leave your Tony Awards excitement in the comments below!
The new Broadway season swoops in with quite a homecoming when it takes over the area it inhabits. During the annual Broadway on Broadway concert, Broadway the art takes full control of Broadway the district. In its nineteenth year, the free outdoor concert in Times Square offered strong performances, many of theater's biggest stars, and a lack of new offerings.
Sponsored by The Broadway League and billed as a kick-off to the new theater season, Broadway on Broadway should (and usually does) feature the new musical productions that will be bowing in the coming months. It's an exciting sneak peak of shows that are opening in a few weeks, and some much further into the year. Last year, new productions like Finian's Rainbow and Memphis were among those that debuted their songs and cast to the Times Square audience. This year, just two new musicals performed, out of the 10+ productions slated for Broadway this year.
Only one of those two productions, Elf, features original music. Beth Leavel was on hand to perform "There Is A Santa Claus," which was pretty paint-by-numbers in melody, but embodied a strong seasonal flavor. Will Swenson (with newly cropped hair, much to the female audience's audible disdain) performed "I Say A Little Prayer" from Priscilla Queen of the Desert—a jukebox musical. Not two of the strongest numbers of the day, but still exciting, being they were new.
Are you a fan (or a groupie?) of Jeremy Woodard and Andre Ward from Rock of Ages, Rushers? Did any of their backstage stories surprise you, like the cable TV story surprised me? Did you snap up one of the $19.31 tickets to The Scottsboro Boys? Have you seen Trust? Did you manage to rush it? Leave your thoughts and questions in the comments below, and don't forget to watch Part 2 of Ensemble Watch: Rock of Ages early next week.
Whisper House's Holly Brook introduces!
What do you think, Rushers? Have you seen Andrew Jackson? Does it deserve to get an open-ended off-Broadway run? Did you pay for better seats to Anyone Can Whistle than I did? Do you think I'm right about the people who are buying tickets for American Idiot? Leave it in the comments!