Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and happy almost-Thursday. The newswire is starting to buzz even though we are one day away from the weekend.
THE BIG STORIES TODAY
#1- El Sisi, Jinping talk Gaza, water security: President Abdel Fattah El Sisi participated in a summit in Beijing alongside his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, where they discussed the ongoing situation in Rafah, Egypt’s water security, as well as efforts to strengthen ties between the two countries, according to an Ittihadiya statement. The event saw the signing of a number of cooperation agreements between the two sides — with a particular emphasis on cooperation in the tech sector — as well as an agreement on a joint development plan for China’s Belt and Road initiative. It also witnessed the joint announcement of the “Year of the Egyptian-Chinese Partnership,” which will include “a variety of diplomatic, economic and cultural activities,” the statement read.
#2- Subsidized bread set to quadruple in price next month: A loaf of subsidized bread will be sold at EGP 0.20 starting next month, up from its current price of EGP 0.05, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly announced today. This came two days after Madbouly hinted at cutting down spending on bread subsidies to bring the selling price closer to the “massive” cost of production.
#3- USD 180 mnMAFI agriculture freezone is off the ground: MAFI Agricultural Produce Industries (MAFI) has gotten the greenlight from the Madbouly government to set up a private freezone spanning 155k sq-km for agricultural products in Sadat City, according to a statement. All of the project’s output will be for export, with MAFI aiming to export USD 200 mn in the first phase and double that in the second phase of operations.
Remember: MAFI founder Ahmed Abou Hashima signed contracts with several international companies in January to set up the agri-food industrial complex. It’s slated to be the largest in the Middle East and could create as many as 7k direct and indirect jobs.
THE BIG STORY ABROAD
Donald Trump’s criminal trial is coming to a close. The former US president and current electoral candidate has been on trial for 34 counts of felony due to falsifying business records in the first degree, marking the first criminal trial against an American president. His fate lies in the hands of 12 jurors, whose decision may be reached within hours, or take as long as several weeks. If convicted, Trump is expected to spend four years in prison, or face probation — but it would not disqualify him from his electoral bid, or from serving as president if elected. (NYT | CNN | Washington Post)
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Price hikes to hit pharma sector: Some 200 pharma products could be subject to price hikes ranging from 5-20% starting next week, an industry source told Enterprise.
Thndr heads to the UAE: Homegrown digital investment platform Thndr has receivedthe greenlight from the Abu Dhabi Global Market Financial Services Regulatory Authority to enter the Emirati market.
Tasaheel issues social sustainability bonds for the second time this year: MNT-Halan microfinance subsidiary Tasaheel Finance has issued its second EGP 3.8 bn tranche of a wider three-year EGP 13 bn program.
☀️ TOMORROW’S WEATHER- Expect sunny skies tomorrow as the mercury rises to 32°C in Cairo before dipping to 20°C, according to our favorite weather app.
Looks like AI is going to revolutionize agriculture. New AI tools and advances in computing are providing groundbreaking insights into how plants interact with their environment. These breakthroughs could aid breeders in creating more resilient crops and help farmers prepare for future challenges in agriculture, Axios notes.
A growing global population and vulnerable plant life is behind this move. With the population booming, the pressure’s on to feed the masses with less land. But wait, there’s more: Issues with soil quality, bugs on a rampage, diseases on the loose, and climate change throwing a wild party, are also a factor.
This isn’t new. Robots are already capturing images of plants and using AI deep learning methods to ‘ detect diseases ’ and ‘ analyze plant attributes ’. This gives accurate and reliable data collection, in order for AI to play matchmaker — by analyzing plant traits, and predicting which genetic combos will churn out the superhero of crops a.k.a resistant to drought and disease. It's like Tinder for plants, only with fewer awkward dates and more bumper crops.
It’s also uncovering the complex details of plant biology that were once hidden.AlphaFold is one system that has increased understanding of plant proteins. Before AlphaFold, 2% of the proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana were known, but now we know about 76%.
Soil, climate and farming practices are also factors affecting plant growth. Studies show that machine learning can predict plant genetics based on soil microbiomes, suggesting potential for crops to support beneficial microbes and reduce chemical use.
But it’s not all rainbows and sunshine in the AI garden. Data availability and quality are major concerns, especially considering the scarcity of digitized images for analysis. There’s also a shortage of scientists skilled in both biology and proficient in computer science, and plant research isn’t trendy, in comparison to medical studies, which affects investment into the field.
Yet hope springs eternal in the world of AI all thanks to large language models (LLMs), which are being developed to translate the language of DNA and proteins. These tools hold promise in understanding how different genome regions influence plant traits, potentially reducing the need for extensive field testing.
A deep dive into the systemic roots of policing in Power. Netflix’s new documentary arrives as a profound exploration of the American policing system, eight years after Ava DuVernay’s acclaimed 13th. Known for his Oscar-nominated work on Strong Island, director Yance Ford examines the historical and systemic underpinnings of modern policing, scrutinizing its impact on democratic principles.
The documentary opens with a stark black screen accompanied by Ford’s calm yet seething narration, setting the tone for an academic and philosophical inquiry into critical questions about policing in America. Ford delves into broad topics such as “property,” “social control,” and “resistance,” dissecting these themes through insightful commentary from university professors, long-serving police officers like Charlie Adams from Minneapolis, and individuals affected by discriminatory practices like New York City’s stop-and-frisk.
Tracing the origins of modern policing back to 18th-century slave patrols, 19th-century frontier militias, and 20th-century anti-union strike-breakers, Ford illustrates how these brutal enforcement methods have evolved but continue to reflect deep-seated systemic issues. He connects these historical practices to the aggressive policing of the 1960s urban riots and the resulting Kerner Commission report, which paradoxically called for increased federal funding for police despite highlighting systemic racism.
The documentary posits that America is over-policed, with police wielding a “monopoly on violence” and benefiting from laws that grant them near impunity. The film mixes talking-head interviews with archival footage, blending vintage films with disturbing scenes of violent riots and police misconduct.
It maintains a measured, analytical tone, staying away from provocative language to focus on justice, fairness, equality, and power. This approach might be seen as lacking passion, but it effectively underlines the need for calm, reasoned discourse in an emotionally charged debate. By avoiding polarizing terms, it filters out partisan noise, allowing for a clearer examination of the core issues at stake.
⚽ The 2024 Europa Conference League final: The match will feature Olympiacos and Fiorentina competing for the trophy at the Agia Sophia Stadium in the Greek capital Athens at 10pm tonight. Olympiacos qualified for the final by beating Aston Villa 6-2 on aggregate, while Fiorentina qualified at the expense of Club Brugge 4-3 on aggregate.
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? EAT THIS TONIGHT-
MO The Hangout Spot is the latest destination if you want to change up your outing routine. Want to have a game night but can decide where? MO's got you, with shelves of board and card games. Hungry? Their wholehearted dishes will keep you coming back to the heart of New Cairo, The Fount Mall.
The soul food we always turn to. The options are comfort food heaven, from classic appetizers like Loaded Nachos to Pasta. We ordered their Buffalo Wings, Loaded Nachos, and Truffle Burger with Passion Fruit Mojito as a refresher between each dish.
Starting with starters: As any stereotypical Loaded Nacho dish the chips were crispy and crunchy, smothered with cheese, meat, and filled to the brim with red beans and jalapenos — what stood out for us in this dish is the taste and spice of the minced meat that really brought the dish together and made each bite addictive.
Moving on to the mains. The Buffalo Wings were slightly crispy and the meat was tender and juicy. The buffalo sauce did not give us that kick of spice we craved but, nonetheless, it might be ideal for the not-so-spicy lovers who enjoy a faint taste of heat.
Leaving the best for last, the Truffle Burger: We can strong-heartedly say it was a definite member of the clean plate club. The patty was perfectly juicy, tender, and topped with excessive melted cheese (the cheese overflowed out of the burger that we couldn’t hold it), paired with grilled mushrooms and truffle aioli all encased in a soft, toasted buttery brioche bun. The fries were just the cherry on top of the meal — they were crunchy and fluffy — but the burger would have benefitted from an extra drizzle, or two, of more truffle oil or sauce.
PRO TIP- Drop by on Mondays for wings and fries. The bad news is that they don't deliver or have a phone number to contact to reserve, you’ll have to DM them on their Instagram page to reserve.
Fusing Lebanese and Egyptian music, Disco Beirut will be performing at CJC with tunes from the '70s to the '00s all night long tonight. For reservations, message their Facebook page.
Get ready for the eighth edition of the Manasat Film Festival, set to kick off at ZawyaCinema in Downtown Cairo from tomorrow to Saturday, 1 June. Presented by MasrdotBokra for
Skills Development, this year's festival promises a captivating lineup of films, panel discussion, workshops and more. Secure your tickets now online or by messaging Manasat Film Festival and Zawya Cinema on their official Instagram accounts.
Egyptian rapper Marwan Moussa will perform with Jordanian singer Aziz Maraka tomorrow at Zed Park in Sheikh Zayed. You can also enjoy the concert online through the Minly app. (Zed Park Tickets | Online Tickets)
Brazilian DJ/Producer Mochakk will be performing at Saqqara Pyramids tomorrow. This performance is part of his world tour, calling on different cities to perform, including New York and Dubai. Get your tickets here.
The return of SoldOut Comedy shows. Mohamed Helmy and Alaa El Sheikh, accompanied by Mark Fanous and Ahmed El Hareedy, will take the stage at the Falaki Theater tomorrow at 8 pm, and Friday, May 31 at 5pm and 8:30pm. Tickets for the first show, second show, and third show can be purchased here.
Shababco is celebrating its third birthday with a bazaar on Friday, 31 May at ZED Park. This one-day event is dedicated to showcasing the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of young local brand owners with a diverse array of unique products ranging from handmade crafts and fashion. In addition to the bustling bazaar, enjoy live performances throughout the day from both up-and-coming and well-known local artists. Tickets can be found here.
Cairo Comedy Club presents a special comedy evening at Boom Room in Open Air Mall Madinaty on Friday, May 31. The show is presented by Omar Kintt, Amgad El Shawshy, Khaled El Shoky, Hatem El Sokkary and will start at 9pm. Tickets can be found here.
For all you MMA enthusiasts, get ready for an adrenaline-pumping night with QADYA 04 at Madinaty Golf Club on Friday, 31 May. Experience the thrill of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as they bring you a night of intense fights, incredible athleticism, and unforgettable moments ringside as top fighters from around the world step into the octagon, ready to showcase their skills and determination. Get your tickets here.
HAPPENING LATER-
Take your seat as the curtains pull away for The Greek National Opera Βallet at the CairoOpera House on Thursday, 6 June and Friday, 7 June. In cooperation with the NGO Greek Action Africa, prepare for two nights of ballet in the Opera’s Main Hall. Get your tickets on Tazkarti for first night and second night.
Ahmed Helmy returns to the stage with his play Memo at Grand Nile Tower Hotel in Cairo, after the success of the show in Saudi Arabia. The show will be on Sunday, 16 June at 9pm. Get your tickets here.
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? UNDER THE LAMPLIGHT-
What would you do if you knew you’re losing your hearing? In Soundtrack of Silence: Love,Loss, and a Playlist for Life, by Matt Hay, shares an intimate and inspiring memoir that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It follows his early struggles with hearing loss to his eventual diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 2.
Throughout the memoir, Hay highlights the role of music in his life, using it as a tool to preserve memories and cope with his changing world. With the support of his wife, Nora, he creates a playlist that becomes the soundtrack of his life, embedding cherished songs in his mind to help navigate the challenges ahead.
As his hearing deteriorates, Hay explores various treatments and eventually undergoes an auditory brainstem implant, a groundbreaking procedure that restores some of his ability to hear. His journey is a testament to the power of love, science, and the human spirit, and he shares it with readers in a straightforward and heartfelt manner.
It’s not just a memoir, it’s a story of resilience, hope, and the universal power of music to transcend obstacles. Hay’s fearless approach to his illness, combined with his advocacy for research and awareness, makes this book hard to forget.
The EGX30 fell 0.4% at today’s close on turnover of EGP 3.6 bn (26% below the 90-day average). Local investors were net buyers. The index is up 8.8% YTD.
In the green: Beltone Holding (+4.1%), GB Corp (+3.5%) and Mopco (+3.3%).
In the red: E-Finance (-3.2%), Qalaa Holdings (-2.9%) and Ezz Steel (-2.6%).
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