Good afternoon, friends and happy Monday. Welcome to another rainy day in the capital city and a slow one on the local news front.
THE BIG STORY TODAY
First Saudi subsea cable links KSA and Egypt via Red Sea: Saudi Arabia’s telecom giant Mobily and Telecom Egypt have signed an agreement to lay a Mobily-owned submarine cable passing through the Red Sea, connecting Egypt and Saudi Arabia, a joint press release (pdf). The new subsea cable will link Sharm El Sheikh and Duba, creating a Gulf-to-Egypt digital corridor and plugging into Egypt’s vast subsea network for enhanced regional connectivity.
THE BIG STORY ABROAD
Trump intensifies accusations of electoral fraud as polls show US elections coming down to the wire: All eyes are on the last-day push for US presidential hopefuls Kamala Harris and Donald Trump ahead of election day, with Trump saying at a rally at Pennsylvania that his Democratic opponents are “fighting so hard to steal this damn thing” and that he “shouldn’t have left” office. The Republican is set to spend his last campaign day visiting Raleigh, North Carolina, Reading and Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, while Harris plans to spend Monday campaigning in different cities in Pennsylvania — the biggest prize among the battleground states. (Reuters | Bloomberg | Financial Times)
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Egypt’s fourth IMF review is right around the corner: The International Monetary Fund will begin the long-awaited fourth review of Egypt’s IMF loan program tomorrow.
Natural gas for households just got pricer: The Madbouly government has hiked theprices of natural gas for households by EGP 0.40-1.00 per cubic meter as part of wider plans to phase out fuel subsidies.
Auto sales continued to decline in September: Auto sales in September dropped 5% m-o-m to record 9.5k vehicles, down from 10k in August.
☀️ TOMORROW’S WEATHER- The weather has cooled yet again, with a high of 26°C and a low of 18°C in the capital tomorrow, according to our favorite weather app.
You may share more with your doppelganger than you think: A recent Timothee Chalamet lookalike contest saw chaos in the streets of New York City as multiple of the actor’s doppelgangers came together to duke it out over who most resembled the French-American heartthrob. Given the striking resemblances on offer, it may not be surprising to learn that lookalikes have similar genetic profiles despite being biologically unrelated, National Geographic reports.
There are only so many ways to arrange a human face, it turns out: Molecular geneticist Manel Esteller found in a recent study that ‘ultra lookalikes’ — strangers that three separate facial algorithms found to be indistinguishable — share distinct parts of their genetic sequences, including those that control features like bone structure, skin pigmentation, and water retention, despite being unrelated. “There are so many people in the world right now,” Esteller explained, “that eventually, people that share a higher number of [genetic] variants are expected.”
Sharing a face does not equal sharing a personality: Despite sharing significant portions of their genomes, the lookalikes studied by Esteller had vastly different personalities. A study conducted by University of California Fullerton psychology professor Nancy Segal showed that doppelgangers from the same sample used by Esteller had no odds of sharing personality traits — a confirmation that nurture is just as important as nature in shaping our identities.
Identical strangers do have some things in common, though: While our character traits are clearly linked to our upbringing, genetic similarities do often coincide with certain shared physical or behavioral traits, Esteller noted, pointing to the similar gaits and shared propensity toward addictive behaviors like smoking of his study’s subjects. It all goes to show that while Chalamet’s doppelgangers may be able to walk the actor’s walk, his charismatic talk is all his.
Want to find your doppleganger? A number of sites help people locate their dopplegangers, including twinstrangers.net and Reddit’s /r/Doppelgangers. Proceed with caution, however — as Esteller notes, you may be disappointed by how unalike you and your twin actually are.
WHERE’S THE X ELON MUSK ONCE PROMISED US?
Musk is making empty promises: Nearly a year ago, Elon Musk said in an internal X meeting that in a year the platform would be handling “someone’s entire financial life.” Fast forward to today, and Musk’s promise to turn the platform into a “digital town square” and an “everything app” has been a total failure, The Verge writes.
A laundry list of unmet goals: Musk’s list of promised additions to the social media site once including a money transfer feature, a dating app, LinkedIn-like recruitment features, and a platform for long-form videos like Youtube — none of which have yet materialized.
The platform’s stalled development may not matter to the billionaire, though, with the Verge writing that “after only two years, it increasingly looks like Musk thinks of X not as a town square or an everything app but as his personal Fox News and source of training data” for AI.
Musk is clearly preoccupied with the AI rat race, with the billionaire seemingly intent on seeing his AI model Grok compete with ChatGPT. Musk has been focusing all of his energy on raising money to fuel his AI start-up xAI, which at its current valuation of USD 40 bn is worth significantly more on paper than X.
📺 Mat’am El Habayeb is a family adventure with a dose of Egyptian cuisine, with the 12-episode mini series blending comedy and family drama in a series that showcases the ties that bind us — alongside our nostalgia for the past.
A professional setback sees a celebrity chef set a new course: Abu Al Majd (Bayoumi Fouad) is a famous chef who has his own cooking show, but when it gets canceled, he decides to reopen his grandparents’ old restaurant. He brings in a team of chefs, including Sobhi (Ahmed Malek), a street food vendor, Ghalia (Entessar), Mo Bashandi (Islam Ibrahim), and Chef Hassan (Hamza El Eily) — and when his daughter Wadida (Huda El Mufti) hits a rough patch financially, her father makes her join the restaurant’s staff.
The show has a charming storyline, with whimsical yet touching scenes filled with dynamic characters. Entessar and Islam Ibrahim are particularly exciting to watch, given their strong on-screen comedic chemistry. The series is a perfect cozy pick for a heartfelt watch this winter — just make sure you have a snack on hand.
WHERE TO WATCH- The series is available to watch on Shahid or you can watch the trailer on YouTube (runtime: 1:32)
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EAT THIS TONIGHT-
🍗Are you on the hunt for fried chicken that rivals (and possibly out-crisps) the big leagues? Heros fried chicken is possibly your new go-to. This spot, which has locations in New Cairo, Heliopolis, and Shubra, is a fried chicken and fast food paradise, serving up all the essentials — from buckets and wraps to classic burgers and sandwiches, all with a side of perfectly crafted coleslaw that’s worth a shoutout on its own.
The fried chicken’s crunch factor is on point, with each piece’s crispy exterior packing a flavorful punch while the chicken inside remains juicy and tender. If you’re looking for a bit of extra heat, Heros has spicy options that add just the right kick. And for those who like to mix things up, the eatery’s range of wraps and sandwiches should hit the spot, from classic fried chicken wraps and sandwiches to specialty burgers.
Heros’ menu is anything but basic: Alongside the classic fried chicken fare, Heros offers a few surprises that set them apart. Those who fast for the nativity can find Seyami options, while those that find themselves hankering for something a bit more Levantine will find shawarma — served in either the traditional saj wrap or a bun. And lets not forget their fattah option, a hearty addition that rounds out the diverse menu.
It’s worth a try: Whether you’re stopping for their fried chicken or indulging in a Levantine-inspired meal, Heros proves itself as a one-for-all dining destination.
Do they deliver? Heros delivers on taste and to the location of your choice, with ordering available through Talabat.
Related
SPORTS-
⚽ It’s a calm day on the European football pitches today, with just five matches on the roster wrapping up the weekend action in the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A — as we gear up for the return of the Champions League tomorrow and Wednesday:
Parma vs. Genoa – Serie A (7:30pm)
Empoli vs. Como – Serie A (7:30pm)
Lazio vs. Cagliari – Serie A (9:45pm)
Fulham vs. Brentford – Premier League (10pm)
Celta Vigo vs. Getafe – La Liga (10pm)
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OUT AND ABOUT-
HAPPENING THIS WEEK-
🎤 Anghami presents El Hadaba. Join Amr Diab for this luxury open-air concert, followed by an electrifying closing act by Desiree. This is an exclusive VIP event that will take place on Friday, 8 November at Cairo Gate Compound, Sheikh Zayed. You can grab your tickets from Ticketsmarche — but beware, they are on the pricier side.
The Cairo Opera Ballet Company is bringing back One Thousand and One Nights after a 17-year hiatus. Accompanied by the Cairo Opera Orchestra and conducted by Nader Abbasi with music from Fikre Amirov, the show started its run Monday and will continue with two additional shows tomorrow and on Wednesday, 6 November. Tickets are available on Tazkarti.
Watch a blind date happen live. Binge Circle are hosting the first ever The Blind Date Show:Live on Stage. Two strangers will meet and converse from behind a curtain and decide whether it will be a night to remember — or a date they’d rather forget. The event will take place on Friday, 8 November at Trivium Square. Tickets are available at Collard Tickets.
Shop for the winter at the next edition of the Cairo Flea Market. CFM is back on Saturday, 9 November at the Fish Garden in Zamalek, starting at 10am and ending at 7pm. The flea market boasts beautiful artisan crafts, vintage items, and pre-loved clothes.
HAPPENING LATER-
Party like you’re in Ibiza. Circoloco — the iconic Ibiza party — is coming to the Pyramids on Friday, 15 November. The 9-hour party kicks off at 6pm and will feature an array of electronic, house, and techno music. Grab your tickets from Collard Tickets.
El Khatba Show x Boom Room: Prepare for a unique night at this live dating comedy show experience with comedy group Al Mothalath. The event will take place at Boom Room in Open Air Mall Madinaty on Tuesday, 12 November. Grab your tickets from Ticketsmarche.
Another Tablet El Sitt show on the Theatro stage in Sheikh Zayed. The show will take place on Saturday, 16 November at 8pm. Grab your tickets from Ticketsmarche.
Masked viral singer Tul8te is taking the stage at ZED Park as part of The Cocktail Tour on Thursday, 5 December. Tickets are available on Ticketsmarche.
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UNDER THE LAMPLIGHT-
💡The narrative centers around Tanner Hughes, a US Army Ranger on a quest to find his estranged father after the death of his grandmother. In Counting Miracles, Nicholas Sparks delivers a poignant exploration of human connection and the profound impact of our choices. As Tanner grapples with loss and the complexities of familial bonds, he unexpectedly crosses paths with Kaitlyn Cooper, a devoted doctor and single mother in Asheboro, North Carolina.
Wholesome encounters: Sparks intricately weaves Tanner’s story with that of Jasper, an elderly man determined to protect a rare white deer from poachers. This narrative not only highlights the intertwining destinies of the characters but also emphasizes the novel’s central themes of fate and the fragility of life.
The book alternates between each character’s perspective: By delving into the thoughts and emotions of Tanner, Kaitlyn, and Jasper, readers gain a multi-faceted view of their struggles and growth. This approach enhances the emotional depth of the narrative, allowing for a nuanced understanding of the characters’ motivations and vulnerabilities.
As the story unfolds, Sparks masterfully balances heartache with hope. The characters navigate personal challenges and profound sacrifices, leading to an exploration of the intricacies of human relationships. The novel showcases how resilience can emerge in the face of overwhelming odds.
The EGX30 fell 0.6% at today’s close on turnover of EGP 4.0 bn (5.9% below the 90-day average). Local investors were the sole net sellers. The index is up 23.1% YTD.
In the green: Juhayna (+2.9%), Madinet Masr (+1.5%), and Ezz Steel (+0.8%).
In the red: B Investments (-2.1%), Cleopatra Hospitals (-2.0%), and Beltone Holding (-1.3%).
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