Back to basics

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WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TONIGHT

Ramses Central fire continues to curtail services, leaves four dead

Good afternoon, friends. We hope your workday has been smooth despite the ongoing disruption to telecoms service across the country.

THE BIG STORY TODAY-

The fallout from yesterday’s fire at the Ramses telecoms data center remains the talk of the town after the blaze claimed the lives of four Telecom Egypt employees and injured 27 others. The incident has continued to disrupt telecoms and banking services across the country as of dispatch time, while ICT Minister Amr Talaat pledged telecom services would gradually return to normal within 24 hours.

Mobile services remain spotty, depending on your location, your provider, and the network you’re trying to reach.

The EGX pulled the plug: The bourse called off today’s trading session, citing the need to “protect the interests of all parties and ensure a level playing field for market participants.”

Banking services are still facing disruptions: ATMs and banking services remain down or unstable at several lenders, four sources in the banking sector told EnterprisePM. Some banks have resumed operations by switching to emergency systems, the sources added. The Central Bank of Egypt responded by allowing banks to extend their operating hours to 5pm — starting today until further notice — with each bank deciding which branches will implement the extended hours. It also temporarily doubled the daily withdrawal limit to EGP 500k.

Real estate registry and notary services were also disrupted, Shorouk News reports, citing an unnamed source.

Payments are gradually recovering: Services on digital payment platforms including Instapay, Vodafone Cash, and Fawry have mostly resumed in the recent hours.

And airport operations are back to normal, with the Civil Aviation Ministry confirming that all flights delayed yesterday due to telecoms disruptions have since departed.

International data traffic remains unaffected — global routing infrastructure remains intact and international bandwidth is stable, Telecom Egypt CEO Mohamed Nasr told Asharq Business.

The fire’s aftermath is still receiving coverage across the global press: AP I Reuters I Bloomberg

Mark your calendar for the 2025 EnterpriseAM Egypt Forum, our flagship forum and part of our must-attend series of invitation-only, C-suite-level gatherings. Tap to register your interest to attend. Want to partner with us? Reach out to Moustafa Taalab at mtaalab@enterprisemea.com to explore sponsorship opportunities

THE BIG STORY ABROAD

All eyes remain on US President Donald Trump’s trade war: US President Donald Trump announced a 25-40% tariff on all goods imported from 14 countries to the US, effective 1 August, through a series of letters published on Truth Social. The move marks a new escalation in the trade wars, as Trump left the door open for negotiations but warned that any retaliation would trigger even higher tariffs on the countries involved. (Reuters | NYT | CNN)

☀️ TOMORROW’S WEATHER- Brace yourself for yet another hot day tomorrow, with the mercury set to peak at 38°C before dropping to 21°C at night. Up north, the weather remains relatively cooler, with temperatures reaching just 28°C before slightly cooling down to 25°C, according to our favorite weather app.

Are flip phones making a comeback?

A return to form. In 1996, Motorola released the world’s first flip phone, the Startac — a simple, compact, and inconspicuous device that would go on to inspire other manufacturers. The flip became one of the noughties’ most popular phone form factors, but by the early 2010s, they all but died out — until now. From Google to Samsung, and — if the rumors are true — Apple, flip phones are back in fashion, and they’re smarter than ever.

Is it just a nod to nostalgia? There certainly is a vintage appeal to modern flip phones, with many users who made the switch taking to social media to recreate iconic pop culture moments featuring the classic flips. Yet, it’s not just nostalgia driving the flip’s resurgence — it’s convenience. Flip smartphones are compact, easy to operate, and offer all the perks one has come to expect from a flagship smartphone. With today’s tech and yesteryear’s form factor, manufacturers began to act.

In 2020, Samsung released the first mainstream flip smartphone. The Korean tech giant claimed that it “broke the laws of physics” by bending glass. The device had its issues, including severe scratching and screen damage — those, however, would be addressed in later models within the series. Samsung’s dare to bring back the flip — and introduce a new form factor which would expand the phone into a tablet — inspired myriad other manufacturers to do the same. Months after Samsung’s flip debut, Motorola would release a new and improved smart model of its signature Razr — and so the race began.

We’re about to see a lot more flip smartphones. What was once deemed a passing fad is potentially proving that it’s here to stay. Since its debut, Samsung has released six more editions of its Z Flip models, with the upcoming seventh generation rumored to be substantially thinner yet more powerful than its predecessors.

Earlier in 2024, rumors began spreading that Apple was toying with the idea of a foldable iPhone, with the latest pointing towards a potential 2026 release. A belated start to the race, but that’s just how Apple likes to do things. Google, OnePlus, Oppo, and Honor are also pushing out more and more flip and foldable models.

While the numbers aren’t skyrocketing, there’s noticeable growth. According to IDC’s Worldwide Foldable Phone Forecast, total foldable phone shipments worldwide are expected to reach a total 45.7 mn units by 2028.

There’s a catch — they’re significantly more expensive than traditional smartphones. Samsung’s Z Fold 6 starts off at USD 1.1k, and its counterparts aren’t that far behind. Yet as competition heats up and manufacturing becomes more efficient, it’s likely that we’ll be seeing a resurgence in the flip form factor — especially if Apple follows through on its plans. “Price cuts, increased durability, and perhaps a certain brand joining the party could be the catalyst in the years to come," the IDC forecast reads.

Fried to perfection at Chez Koukou

🍗 Chez Koukou keeps things simple, and that’s its strength. The menu is built around fried chicken, and while the selection isn’t expansive, what Chez Koukou offers is executed with care and consistency. This isn’t a place for endless choices, but it’s a spot for fried chicken done right — with a few solid supporting options. Portions are generous, the food is filling, and service is quick whether you’re dining in or ordering out.

Start with the basics. The fried chicken is a standout, whether you go for the strips or the classic pieces. The chicken comes out hot, crispy, and golden — and the coating has just the right crunch to it. There’s a kick of spice that builds without overpowering the flavor, making it easy to keep going back for more.

It’s also great for sharing. Chez Koukou has several meals that make it easy to order for a family dinner or casual get-together. Whether you’re loading up on buckets of strips or classic chicken, this is the kind of food that’s best enjoyed with company.

Not in the mood for fried? The grilled ranch chicken sandwich is a solid choice. The chicken is tender and flavorful, with a smoky edge that pairs nicely with the ranch sauce.

Then there’s the rozroz — a rice and chicken combo that tries to expand the menu’s scope. The rice is packed with flavor, though perhaps a bit too much. The spice blend leans on the heavy side, occasionally competing with the chicken rather than complementing it.

The only real drawback is the menu’s narrow scope. Outside the fried chicken and a handful of sandwich or rice options, there’s not a lot to explore. But what they do serve, they do with care — and that alone makes it worth trying.

Get it wherever you are: You can dine at Chez Koukou’s branches at Maadi’s The Field and Palm Hills in 6 October. The fried chicken joint also delivers through Talabat, El Menus, and their website, as well as through their hotline 16737 across Greater Cairo and the North Coast.

The race to the finals

⚽ English or Brazilian — who will make it to the finals? The Club World Cup semi-finals kick off today with a match between Chelsea and Fluminense at 10pm.

The Blues have faced two Brazilian clubs thus far in the tournament, and Fluminense marks their third Brazilian face-off. Chelsea lost its first match to Flamengo in the group stage 3-1, and secured a 2-1 victory over Palmeiras in the quarter finals.

Fluminense meets its third blue club. On its way to the semi-finals, Fluminense eliminated two clubs whose official color is blue: Inter Milan in the round of 16 (2-0), and Al Hilal in the quarter finals (2-1). Will the third time remain a charm?

A reunion. Fluminense captain and former Chelsea captain, Thiago Silva, will be going head-to-head with former teammates from Stamford Bridge.

Amal Maher and Walid Toufic head up to Marassi

MARK YOUR CALENDAR-

🎤 Marassi’s music festival is going strong, and on Saturday, 12 July, Egyptian singer Amal Maher and Lebanese singer Walid Toufic will be lighting up the stage at The Address Beach Resort. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketsmarchè.

HAPPENING THIS WEEK-

Need a dash of folklore in your life? Reconnect with your Egyptian roots at Theatro Arkan on Thursday, 10 July, as the all-Egyptian, all-women band Tablet el Sitt take the stage. Tickets are available through Ticketsmarché.

Ready to face a quadruple threat? On Friday, 11 July at Marina’s Roman Theatre, iconic pop stars Mohamed Fouad, Ehab Tawfik, Hamid El Shaeri, and Hesham Abbas will be bringing the heat to the North Coast as part of the Tiatro Romano Summer 2025 Festival. Oh, you’re humming 2000s hits already? Head to Ticketsmarchè to secure your spot.

Did that trip to Ibiza not make it out of the group chat? Well, you’re in luck. Paradise Ibiza — one of the Mediterranean island’s most celebrated party series — is marching to the beat of its own EDM drum all the way to the North Coast’s Solare in Ras El Hekma on Friday, 11 July. The line up includes Welsh DJ Jamie Jones (the brains behind Paradise), US DJ Seth Troxler, UK’s East End Dubs, Danish-Filipino Manda Moor, and Egypt’s own Awadly. Tickets are available on Paradise Ibiza’s website.

HAPPENING LATER-

On Friday, 18 July, Ras El Hekma’s ESCĀ Beach Club will be the place to be up North. Crossing the Mediterranean, Milan-hailing DJ Stephan Jolk will be bringing the groove to Sahel. Joining him will be French DJ Adrien Apache, Egyptian DJs Ziad Moussa, and ThatGirlSherryK. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketsmarché.

Cardio by the shore? Sign us up. On Friday, 18 July, Ramla by Marakez will host Egypt’s adrenaline-packed spinning marathon Party on Wheels. The event, which is making its long-awaited Sahel debut after years of spinning in El Gouna, will hit Sahel’s shores for a five-hour ride. So if you couldn’t quite get that beach body ready by summer, all is not lost — and with Party on Wheels, fitness comes with a side of DJ beats… and much more. To sign up, reach out to info@beachmonkeyz.com

The Martinez Brothers will be giving the North Coast’s Sol Beach a taste of what New York City’s nightlife scene has to offer on Friday, 1 August. The DJ duo — and brothers from the same mother — will be joined by Lebanese DJ and producer Rolbac, so you know things will be heating up quite fast. You can grab your tickets from Ticketsmarché.

ENTERPRISE ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

JULY

7-21 July (Monday - Monday): Bibliotheca Alexandrina’s book fair.

8 July (Tuesday): Dramatically playful night at Soul lounge.

10 July (Thursday): Tablet El Sitt at Theatro Arkan.

10 July (Thursday): Jeff Buckley tribute night at Room Art Space, Garden City.

11 July (Friday): Paradise Ibiza at Solare Ras Al Hekma.

11 July (Friday): Mohamed Fouad, Ehab Tawfik, Hamid El Shaeri, and Hesham Abbas at the Roman Theatre.

12 July (Saturday): Amal Maher and Walid Toufic at The Address Beach Resort.

14 July (Monday): Karaoke night at CJC 610.

17 July (Thursday): Autostrad at El Sawy Culturewheel Theatre, Nile University.

18 July (Friday): Stephan Jolk and Adrien Apache at ESCĀ Beach Club.

18 July (Friday): Sharmoofers at Family Park.

18 July (Friday): Party on Wheels in Ramla.

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

25 July (Friday): Mohamed Ramadan at Porto Golf Marina.

26 July (Saturday): Open water festival at Ghazala Bay.

31 July (Thursday): Massar Egbari at El Sawy Culturewheel Theatre, Nile University.

AUGUST

1 August (Friday): The Martinez Brothers at Sol Beach.

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

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

8 August (Friday): All Day I Dream at ESCĀ Beach Club.

OCTOBER

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

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

DECEMBER

19 December (Friday): DJ Tiësto at the Giza Plateau.

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Ramses Central fire continues to curtail services, leaves four dead

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