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Wednesday, 11 Jun 2025

What We’re Tracking Tonight
For Your Commute
Under The Lamplight
Out And About
Go With The Flow
The Enterprise Entertainment Calendar

The hatchet

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Today at a glance

1

The Big Story Today

World Bank keeps our FY 2024-25 growth forecast unchanged.
2

FOR YOUR COMMUTE

Are Google and OpenAI burying the hatchet?
3

Under the Lamplight

Life lessons from Aisle 7.
4

OUT AND ABOUT

Mahraganat madness.

Wednesday, 11 Jun 2025

What We’re Tracking Tonight
For Your Commute
Under The Lamplight
Out And About
Go With The Flow
The Enterprise Entertainment Calendar
1

WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TONIGHT

World Bank keeps our FY 2024-25 growth forecast unchanged

Good afternoon, friends, and welcome to the almost-weekend. The already summering news cycle is winding down yet again in anticipation of the end of a short week.

THE BIG STORY TODAY-

World Bank reaffirms its predictions for Egypt’s growth outlook in FY 2024-2025: The World Bank sees the Egyptian economy growing at a 3.8% clip in the fiscal year 2024-2025, keeping its outlook unchanged from its April forecast, the international lender said in its latest Global Economic Prospects report (pdf).

Growth should improve further down the line: The bank sees growth rising to 4.2% in FY 2025-2026 and 4.6% in FY 2026-2027, driven by “stronger private consumption, higher private investment — spurred by the implementation of the investment deal with the United Arab Emirates and anticipated monetary easing — and a gradual rebound in manufacturing activity,” the report reads.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

The agreement between the US and China to revive their trade truce continues to dominate headlines. The agreement would lift restrictions on China’s exports of rare earth minerals and magnets, as well as recent US export controls. Delegations from both country will present the plan to US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for final approval. (Bloomberg | Financial Times | Reuters)

☀️ TOMORROW’S WEATHER- We’ll be seeing a repeat of today’s weather tomorrow in the capital, with the mercury peaking at 37°C during the day and cooling to 24°C at night, according to our favorite weather app.

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2

FOR YOUR COMMUTE

Are Google and OpenAI burying the hatchet?

In a surprising development in the AI arms race, it seems as though rival tech giants Google and OpenAI are exchanging competition for collaboration. According to anonymous sources cited by Reuters, OpenAI will be utilizing Alphabet’s Google Cloud service in an attempt to keep up with its growing computing needs. The deal — finalized in May but reported to have been in works for several months prior — is an unexpected development according to the newswire, considering OpenAI has been touted as Google’s biggest threat.

Up goes Google, down goes Microsoft. Following the announcement on Tuesday, Alphabet’s stock increased 2.1%, with Microsoft’s dropping 0.6%. The latter’s cloud computing platform, Microsoft Azure, had been OpenAI’s exclusive cloud computing provider — and one of its staunchest supporters and investors — from 2016 up until January 2025, when OpenAI partnered with Oracle and Softbank as part of US President Trump’s Stargate project. Ars Technica reports that OpenAI had been seeking partnerships away from Microsoft as early as October 2024, noting Microsoft’s inability to supply the AI data center services OpenAI needed.

The news follows OpenAI’s announcement that its annualized revenue run rate rose to USD 10 bn, up from USD 5.5 bn in 4Q 2024. With ChatGPT’s rising popularity, the deal emphasizes OpenAI’s rigorous growth plans, and comes not a second too soon for the emerging AI superpower, who seem to have been dealing with a few power outages as of late — though not for much longer, we would presume.

Google’s Hail Mary. Google may be the one providing OpenAI with power, but could this partnership be Google’s attempt to stay ahead in a race in which they are no longer effectively competing? In contrast to OpenAI’s rise, Google has found itself falling from grace in its attempt to get a leg up on AI — from its flailing AI Mode search to weekly PR nightmares and frequent attempts to decrease headcount, it hasn’t been a good year for the California-based tech giant. But this new deal could just be the lifeboat Google has been searching for. Google Cloud generated USD 43 bn in sales in 2024 — 12% of Alphabet’s total revenue —, and with OpenAI fresh on the client list, joining Apple, Alphabet may have just found its way out of the mud, likely attracting more AI startups in the process.

But can Google walk the walk? OpenAI’s departure from Microsoft was due to the latter’s inability to supply enough power consistent with OpenAI’s growth, but Google might be facing the same problem — 1Q 2025 saw Google Cloud unable to meet customer demand. While the deal might be mutually beneficial for the time being, the Alphabet subsidiary could be feeding a hand that will eventually bite back. Reuters notes that selling computing power both reduces Google’s supply of computer chips, all whilst propping up rivals, begging the question: Who will Google prioritize: itself, or its clients? It’s too soon to tell, but we expect the company that has implemented a “if you don’t like it, leave” and all-or-nothing policy for publishers, clients, and users as of late will be putting its ego first.

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3

Under the Lamplight

Life lessons from Aisle 7

? A simple but unconventional life. Sayaka Murata’s English debut novel ConvenienceStore Woman follows 36-year old Keiko Furukura, a Japanese woman who has worked at the same convenience store in Japan since she was 18. Rather than following a traditional plot structure, this character-driven narrative explores what it means to live a “normal” life through the perspective of someone society has always viewed as having unconventionally sub-normal ambitions, perfect for readers who appreciate quiet, introspective fiction that finds profound meaning in everyday life.

A character study in conformity: For Keiko, the convenience store provides more than financial stability — it offers peace, purpose, and a clear set of rules to follow. The structured environment allows her to mimic societal expectations and finally find a place where she belongs. But even this sanctuary cannot shield her from external pressures entirely.

The weight of social expectations: Keiko faces relentless pressure from family and peers to pursue better career options and marriage. Despite her contentment with her current life, the questioning of her choices forces her to doubt herself. Murata skillfully exposes how Japanese society — and modern society more broadly — demands conformity, particularly from women who are expected to check specific boxes to be seen as productive or successful members of society.

Subversive simplicity: Murata employs a deliberately detached, satirical voice that mirrors her protagonists’ observant but emotionally distant (and some would even call unremarkable) personality. While some readers may find this tone dry and robotic, it serves a deeper purpose. The mundane narrative style becomes a subtle but powerful critique of societal pressures and rigid gender roles, challenging readers to question why we value conformity over individual fulfillment, especially when the bar for an individual's contentment is lower than expected.

WHERE TO GET IT- You can find Convenience Store Woman on Amazon and Diwan.

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4

OUT AND ABOUT

Mahraganat madness

MARK YOUR CALENDAR-

? Get loud or get out. CJC 610 is bringing back Casino El Fotrikiano, its signature Mahraganat madness experience, on Wednesday, 18 June, and it’s set to be louder than ever. Turning it up with his signature sha’bi sound, Mozmar Abdelsalam will be joined by Egyptian Mahraganat singer Mahmoud Elleithy and DJ Sadam for a night celebrating the best that Egypt’s local genre has to offer. You can secure your spot through CJC 610’s website.

HAPPENING THIS WEEK-

Care for a sonic ride? Felukah’s got you covered. Tonight, 11 June, NYC-based Egyptian singer, songwriter, and rapper Felukah is paying the homeland a visit with a live show at CJC 610. Having gone viral for her English-Arabic mash-ups and remixes, the rising Egyptian star will be bringing her signature genre-bending hits to the Sheikh Zayed nightlife hotspot. Row your way to Ticketsmarché to secure your spot.

Swedish beats take on Sharm El Sheikh. Norrköping-hailing DJ and producer Vidojean — one-half of the duo Vidojean X Oliver Loenn — will be firing it up at Sharm’s Space on Thursday, 12 June. Put on your most comfortable shoes, because you’ll likely be dancing all through the night. Tickets can be found on Space Sharm’s official website.

Don’t call it a comeback. It’s more like a ‘awda. On Friday, 13 June, beloved Egyptian artist Hamid El Shari will be joining forces with veteran DJ Andy Cheiko at CJC 610 as part of the club’s Ma Yatloboho El Mostami3oon series. You can book your spot through CJC’s official website.

HAPPENING LATER-

Need a dash of folklore in your life? Reconnect with your Egyptian roots at El Sawy Culturewheel on Friday, 20 June, as the all-Egyptian, all-women band Tablet el Sitt take the stage. On a mission to spread joy and preserve Egyptian folk music, the band will be performing from 8pm to 10:30pm. Tickets are available on El Sawy Culturewheel’s official website.

Ever dreamt of being a DJ? Kamelizer wants to make your beat-dropping dreams come true at District 5’s Townhall by Kamelizer this June. Collaborating with the DJ Academy in Cairo, Kamelizer is hosting a three-week-long DJ Bootcamp kicking off on Monday, 23 June, and taking place on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 9:30pm. Want to master mixing? Be a transition-tron? Know how to work a crowd? The bootcamp will teach you how to do all that and more — and the best part? You’ll get to show off your skills at two live events following the bootcamp. To register for the bootcamp and find out more details, head to Kamelizer Spaces’ Instagram and click the link in their bio.

The ‘90s are calling, and on Friday, 27 June, we’re picking up. Egyptian band Cassette ‘90s will be performing live at Zamalek’s El-Sawy Culturewheel, and you best believe they’ll be doubling down on nostalgia. This motley crew of ‘90s aficionados knows how to keep an audience on their feet, so if a trip a few decades back sounds like a fun time, secure your spot through El-Sawy Culturewheel’s website.

What do the blues, the early noughties, and the Cairo Opera House have in common? On Friday, 27 June, the answer would be Medhat Saleh. Taking to the Cairo Opera House’s Main Hall alongside his orchestra — spearheaded by maestro Ahmed Amer — and Egyptian musician Amr Selim, singer and actor Medhat Saleh will be performing a medley of his most memorable hits in a one-night-only concert. Already humming Habibi Ya Asheq? You can grab a ticket from Tazkarti.

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5

GO WITH THE FLOW

What the markets are doing on 11 June 2025

The EGX30 rose marginally at today’s close on turnover of EGP 5.3 bn (12.0% above the 90-day average). International investors were the sole net buyers. The index is up 10.7% YTD.

In the green: GB Corp (+4.0%), CIB (+2.0%), and Egypt Aluminum (+1.9%).

In the red: Qalaa Holdings (-3.1%), Eastern Company (-2.8%), and Emaar Misr (-2.3%).

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THE ENTERPRISE ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

11 June (Wednesday): Felukah at CJC 610.

12 June (Thursday): Vidojean at Space Sharm.

13 June (Friday): Hamid El Shari at CJC 610.

14 June (Saturday): Sip and Paint at CJC 610.

18 June (Wednesday): Casino El Fotrikiano at CJC 610.

19 June (Tuesday): Sainte Vie at CJC 610.

20 June (Friday): Tablet el Sitt at El-Sawy Culturewheel.

23 June - 9 July (Monday - Wednesday): DJ Bootcamp at Townhall by Kamelizer.

26 June (Thursday): Jeff Dunham at the New Capital’s Drama Hall.

26 June (Thursday): Lena Chamamyan at Theatro Arkan.

27 June (Friday): Medhat Saleh at Cairo Opera House.

27 June (Friday): Cassette ‘90s at El-Sawy Culturewheel.

28 June (Saturday): Cairokee Empire concert at Cairo International Stadium.

JULY

4 July (Friday): Amr Diab, Monolinkand WhoMadeWho at Sol Beach Marassi.

19 July - 30 September (Saturday - Tuesday): Art Space at New Alamein.

AUGUST

6-30 August (Wednesday - Saturday): Egypt Sculpture Symposium at New Alamein.

8 August (Friday): &ME at Sol Beach.

OCTOBER

16-24 October (Thursday-Friday): Gouna Film Festival.

30 October - 22 November (Thursday-Saturday): Forever is Now at the Great Pyramids of Giza.

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