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WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TONIGHT

EGAS signs JV agreement with Copelouzos headquartered in Greece

Good afternoon, friends. And welcome to another brisk news day here at home.

THE BIG STORY TODAY

EGAS to set up a JV for gas exports in Greece: State gas firm EGAS signed a partnership agreement with Greek infrastructure investment company Copelouzos Group for development of a JV headquartered in Greece focused on the trade, transport, supply, and regasification of natural gas in Eastern European countries and Greece, according to a statement. The agreement follows President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s meeting with the chairman of Copelouzos Group discussing supplying natural gas to Eastern Europe and its ongoing study and development stages.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD

Israel bombs hospital camp, burning dozens: Israel dropped airstrikes on Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital’s courtyard in Gaza, leading to a fire that burned more than two dozen people and killed over 20, reports AP News.

Nobel prize awarded to inequality researchers: The 2024 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded to Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson of MIT, and University of Chicago’s James Robinson, Reuters writes. The winners were chosen for their research on wealth disparities between nations, focusing on the impact of colonization and the current impressions on democracy and authoritarianism.

** CATCH UP QUICK on the top stories from today’s EnterpriseAM:

  • Analysts see the central bank leaving rates unchanged during Thursday meeting: The Central Bank of Egypt is once again expected to leave interest rates unchanged when it meets on Thursday, as inflationary pressures continue to grow in tandem with rising geopolitical tension in the region.
  • It could be a while before we see any new consumer finance or microfinance firms enter the market: The Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) has suspended issuing new licenses for companies seeking to operate in consumer finance or microfinance for one year.
  • Bedaya hits the securitization market again: EFG Holding’ NBFI arm EFG Finance’s Bedaya Mortgage Finance has issued EGP 1.4 bn in securitized bonds.

☀️ TOMORROW’S WEATHER- Temperatures finally taking a slight dip, with the mercury expected to reach a high of 32°C and a low of 23°C in the capital tomorrow, according to our favorite weather app.

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FOR YOUR COMMUTE

Digital game ownership is dead

You don’t own your games, and California wants you to know it. Late last month, California lawmakers passed a law that will force storefronts to acknowledge that paying for and downloading digital copies of games doesn’t mean that you own them. This might have already been clear to gamers that have found content they paid for scrubbed from their libraries with no refund.

(Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links to external sources.)

How is this even legal? It was in the T&Cs you scrolled past. Because of that, lawmakers can’t stop companies from taking away digitally purchased content like video games, movies, or TV shows, but they will now have to be more transparent about the fact that you don’t actually own whatever you paid for — you’re just licensing it.

Next year, digital storefronts won’t be able to use terms that suggest digital ownership. Terms like “buy” or “purchase” will stop appearing on game download pages without disclaimers that make it clear that you won’t be getting unrestricted access to the content you’re paying for, and that it can be pulled by the publisher whenever they feel like it. Companies that fail to do so can be fined for false advertising. Steam, a popular digital gaming platform, has already started issuing disclaimers before checkout that reminds users that they’re buying a license, not the game.

Looking at you, Playstation and Ubisoft. This law was introduced specifically in response to Sony and Ubisoft pulling games from console libraries and shutting down servers for online-only games. Gamer backlash forced Sony to walk back their decision, but highlighted the importance of consumer protection when it comes to digital media.

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ENTERPRISE RECOMMENDS

The Menendez brothers responds to Ryan Murphy's televised series

? ON THE TUBE TONIGHT-
(all times CLT)

After the televised series about their lives, Monsters, the Menendez brothers have released a documented response: In a world obsessed with true crime tales, The Menendez Brothers, directed by Alejandro Hartmann, dives into the Lyle and Erik Menendez case. This documentary revisits their complex narrative, examining it through the brothers’ lens instead of director Ryan Murphy’s — which took some artistic license. This series analyzes our changing views on trauma and abuse, all while unpacking the dramatic trials that turned into a media spectacle.

(Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links to external sources.)

It starts off with a heart-wrenching 911 call from Lyle, where he claims he and Erik stumbled upon their parents shot dead at home — which turned out to be orchestrated by them. The documentary hints that their privileged background might have allowed them to evade suspicion initially, as many interviewees suggest that society struggles to believe that “clean-cut, rich boys” could be capable of such heinous acts.

There's evidence presented: The documentary uses archival footage alongside interviews to illustrate the wild media frenzy that covered the trials. It also features insights from prosecutors, jurors, and others involved, offering a multi-layered view of this sensational case.

But it has its biases. The interviews with Erik and Lyle, conducted over the phone from prison, can feel a bit lenient, since they’re not really pushing them on some of the tougher questions. While the brothers express regret, their sincerity gets a little muddled in the dramatic atmosphere the documentary sometimes creates.

But it leaves us with a whole mess of questions: Were the trials fair? Are the Menendez brothers unrepentant killers, or broken by their father's abuse? Should we even give them a platform in the discussion about trauma? Overall, it invites us to rethink the narratives surrounding crime and victimhood in today’s world, all while acknowledging its own limitations as it tries to take a clear stance on a morally murky issue.

WHERE TO WATCH- You can watch the documentary on Netflix or watch the trailer on YouTube (runtime: 2:33).

Top matches today in the 2025 African Nations Qualifiers:

  • Kenya vs Cameroon — Group 10 (4pm)
  • Togo vs Algeria — Group 5 (7pm)

Matches in the fourth round of the UEFA Nations League that you should keep an eye on, both starting at 9:45pm:

  • Belgium vs France — Group B2
  • Germany vs Netherlands — Group C1

? EAT THIS TONIGHT-

Is it a sandwich or calzone? Find out at Andy’s. If you’re ever wandering around October, you might stumble across Andy’s, a food truck serving up sandwiches — but instead of regular bread, they’ve swapped in pizza dough.

The order: We tried the Boscaiola pizza sandwich — American burger but with an Italian twist. The sandwich comes with chopped beef patty, mushrooms, a healthy dose of American cheese and some fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and red onions, all tied together by Andy’s secret sauce (which tastes curiously like Big Tasty sauce). It’s hearty, cheesy, and just a little bit indulgent.

The Chicken Coleslaw sandwich didn’t disappoint either. For fans of poultry, you can get a delicious sandwich made up of crispy fried chicken, melted mozzarella, and a nice crunch from a coleslaw that brightens the palate up. That same secret sauce makes another appearance, adding a tangy kick.

We also got our hands dirty and went for wings — we chose the sweet chili and a classic buffalo — and they were surprisingly crunchy despite being drenched in sauce. The sweet chili gave that sticky, sweet punch, but it was the buffalo that stood out for us. If you’re feeling creative, you can even mix up your own sauce combo from what they have on hand.

If you're not feeling quite as adventurous, don’t worry — they’ve got traditional burgers on the menu too. So if pizza sandwiches aren’t your thing, you can still grab a classic burger and keep it simple. It’s a good option for when you want something familiar but still delicious.

WHERE TO FIND IT- Their only branch is at The Park at Mall of Arabia, but you’ll have to make the trip for a bite.

? OUT AND ABOUT-
(all times CLT)

HAPPENING THIS WEEK-

A reunion of five wealthy friends in Sahel takes a turn in the play Sa7ebna. From Thursday, 17 October until Sunday, 20 October at AUC Tahrir you’ll get to follow the narrative where tensions rise, and buried emotions and conflicts come to light. You can grab tickets at Ticketsmarche.

City Centre Almaza is hosting a comedy night with The High Five group on Friday, 18 October. Doors open at 7pm, so catch a spot at the fun-filled evening of laughter on Ticketsmarche.

Calling all plant parents. The autumn edition of the International Flower Expo began on Thursday, 10 October at Al Horreya Garden. Take home anything from ornamental plants, trees, and all different kinds of flowers. The expo will continue until Sunday, 10 November.

The celebration of music continues at the Arab Music Festival. The festival’s lineup includes Medhat Saleh, Ali El Haggar, Abeer Nehme, Wael Jassar, Lotfi Bouchnak, and more. The festival will run until Thursday, 24 October — tickets can be booked through Tazkarti.

For the love of tapestry. Today in History is Amsterdam-based Egyptian artist Dina Danish’s first exhibition in Egypt in nearly a decade. Composed of a collection of appliqué tapestries that resemble medieval banners, the exhibition is still open at the Gypsum Gallery till Saturday, 30 October.

HAPPENING LATER-

Got the moves? The 16th edition of Cairo International Jazz Festival will take place from Thursday, October 31 to Friday, November 8, 2024 at the American University in Cairo campus in Tahrir. Tickets available on Ticketsmarche.

The fourth edition of Forever is Now is approaching. This year, a lineup of 12 global visionary artists are ready to display their work at the iconic Pyramids of Giza — including two groundbreaking AI-powered projects. The exhibition will start on Thursday, 24 October and continue till Saturday, 16 November.

Did somebody say cheese? The third edition of Egypt Cheese Festival will begin on Thursday, 31 October at Al Horreya Garden. This is the only dairy and cheese festival in Egypt and the Middle East so prepare to witness all the different sorts of this delicious delicacy. The festival will last till Sunday, November 3.

Prepare for the sixth edition of The Marakez Pyramids Half Marathon, organized by the TriFactory. Pick your race of choice and start training, because the marathon will take place on Saturday, 14 December. Note: Ticket prices will increase in a week, so get in line for early bird registration on the marathon’s website.

? UNDER THE LAMPLIGHT-

Who knew a murdery mystery could be full of both fun and mayhem: Richard Osman’s We Solve Murders, the first book in a new series, shifts focus from the beloved Thursday Murder Club crew to introduce a fresh cast of characters and a global adventure.

Plot: Amy Wheeler, a private security officer protecting Rosie D'Antonio, a bestselling novelist, on an exclusive island. When a string of murders places Amy as the prime suspect, she’s forced to go on the run. She turns to her father-in-law, Steve, a retired police officer in a quiet English village, to help clear her name. Together, they embark on an international quest, with stops from the Caribbean to Ireland and Dubai, to unravel a web of secrets. Along the way, they encounter a mix of characters, including drug dealers, hit men, and a mysterious crime kingpin, François Loubet.

Though the plot may meander at times, the entertaining cast and fast-paced adventure make it a delightful read. If you enjoy mysteries that mix lightheartedness with intrigue, this book is worth picking up.

WHERE TO FIND IT- We Solve Murders is available on Amazon.

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GO WITH THE FLOW

What the markets are doing on 14 October 2024

The EGX30 rose 1.1% at today’s close on turnover of EGP 3.7 bn (10.3% below the 90-day average). Local investors were the sole net sellers. The index is up 21.6% YTD.

In the green: Elsewedy Electric (+4.4%), Oriental Weavers (+3.8%), and Cleopatra Hospitals (+3.0%).

In the red: ADIB (-3.0%), EFG Holding (-0.8%), and Heliopolis Housing (-0.7%).

This publication is proudly sponsored by


OCTOBER

28 September - 24 October (Saturday-Thursday): Bastet’s Daughters Exhibition at Craftastic.

7-21 October (Monday-Monday) First Wave exhibition at Downtown Cairo.

13-17 October (Friday-Tuesday): Cairo Water Week at The New Administrative Capital.

17-20 October (Thursday-Sunday): Sa7ebna play at AUC Tahrir.

18 October (Friday): High Five group at City Centre Almaza.

18 October (Friday): Ma3 Kamel E7terami season finale at El Masrah Theatre.

18 October (Friday): Massar Egbari and Disco Misr at El Malahy.

18 October (Friday): TriFactory Tough Mudder 5K run at Sodic.

18 October (Friday): Ash at Pyramids of Giza.

18 October - 18 November (Friday-Monday): Cairo Prints Exhibition in Garden City

21-26 October (Saturday-Thursday): Premier Padel P2 Tournament at New Giza.

24 October - 16 November (Thursday-Saturday): Forever is Now art exhibition at the Pyramids of Giza.

24 October (Thursday): Omar Khairat Concert at Monaco Hall, Triumph Luxury Hotel.

24 October - 16 November (Thursday - Saturday): Art D'Egypte’s Forever is Now Bus Tour at the Pyramids.

25 October (Friday): TriFactory Trailmaster run at Wadi Degla.

29-30 October (Tuesday-Wednesday): Intelligent Cities Exhibition & Conference (ICEC) at Waldorf Astoria.

31 October (Thursday): TriFactory’s The Glow Run at Badya Palm Hills.

31 October- 3 November (Thursday-Sunday): Egypt Cheese Festival at Al Horreya Garden.

31 October - 8 November (Thursday-Friday): Cairo International Jazz Festival at the historic American University in Cairo.

NOVEMBER

8 November (Friday): TriFactory’s The Run for Upper Egypt at New Giza.

14-16 November (Thursday-Saturday): Raabta Wellness Festival at El Gouna.

15 November (Friday): Circoloco Ibiza at The Great Pyramids of Giza.

16 November (Saturday): Charlotte Cardin at Cairo Jazz Club 610.

16 November (Saturday): TriFactory Half Marathon at El Gouna.

22 November (Friday): TriFactory TMK run at District 5.

DECEMBER

6 December (Friday): TriFactory PMH warm-up run at District 5.

13 December (Friday): Aura Music Festival at Lac Du Caire

14 December (Saturday): TriFactory’s The Marakez Pyramids Half Marathon at the Great Pyramids of Giza.

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