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Monday, 17 Feb 2025

What We’re Tracking Tonight
For Your Commute
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Eat This Tonight
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Today at a glance

1

The Big Story Today

Eni to begin producing gas from Mediterranean’s Noor field by mid-2026.
2

FOR YOUR COMMUTE

The world’s airspace is turning into a traffic jam.
3

ON THE TUBE TONIGHT

A spy thriller that isn’t light on laughs.
4

EAT THIS TONIGHT

A koshary spot that ups the fusion ante.
5

Sports

The top-of-the-table drama continues in the Egyptian Premier League and La Liga.
6

OUT AND ABOUT

Get your gamer on at EGYCON.

Monday, 17 Feb 2025

What We’re Tracking Tonight
For Your Commute
On The Tube Tonight
Eat This Tonight
Sports
Out And About
Go With The Flow
The Enterprise Entertainment Calendar
1

WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TONIGHT

Eni to begin producing gas from Mediterranean’s Noor field by mid-2026

Good afternoon all you wonderful people, and happy Monday. We have another packed issue for you today, with all the latest on Eni’s new production plans, the future of aviation and space traffic, and the ongoing misadventures of the world’s worst CIA agent.

THE BIG STORY TODAY

Production from Eni’s Noor field set to go live by mid-2026: Italian energy player Eni plans to begin producing 100 mn cubic feet per day (cf/d) of gas from its Noor field off Egypt’s northern coast by mid-2026, two unnamed government officials told Asharq Business. Eni is also planning to invest USD 80 mn in a new well in the field, with stakeholders set to conduct further seismic surveys later this year to further elucidate the size of gas reserves in the area. Eni holds a 40% stake in the 100 sq km Noor field, with BP holding a 25% stake, Mubadala holding a 20% stake, and Tharwa Petroleum holding a 15% stake.

ICYMI- Eni resumed drilling operations at the Zohr gas field — Egypt’s largest and the Mediterranean's largest-ever find — late last month after the Saipem drillship arrived in Egyptian waters.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD

Today’s int’l headlines are a mixed bag this afternoon, with no one story standing out amid a relatively quiet newsday so far.

New developments in the Russia-Ukraine ceasefire negotiations: As US Secretary of State Marco Rubio departs for Riyadh ahead of anticipated US-Russia talks in the Saudi capital on ending the Russia-Ukraine war, UK prime minister Keir Starmer has announced that the UK willofferpeacekeeping troops to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire in a seeming acknowledgment of the larger role European countries will need to play in assuring Kiev’s security amid a burgeoning rapprochement between Washington and Moscow. The announcement comes ahead of emergency talks today in Paris on Europe’s role in a possible ceasefire, which follows US President Donald Trump's discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the war without prior consultation with the US’ European allies.

Over in China, Xi Jinping is resetting relations with the private sector: Chinese president Xi Jinping met with some of the country’s top business players — including Alibaba’s Jack Ma — in a signal of Beijing’s renewed support for private enterprise amid slowing economic growth, an oncoming trade war with the US, and the Chinese tech industry’s seeming ascendence following the release of startup DeepSeek’s lauded new AI model. Ma’s presence in particular marks his and big tech’s political rehabilitation after four years of icy relations between the businessman and the regime, following Beijing’s crackdown on big tech in 2020. Other attendees included Huawei’s Ren Zhengfei, Xiaomi’s Lei Jun, Meituan’s Wang Xing, and Tencent’s Pony Ma. (Financial Times | Reuters)

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

  • Analysts are divided over whether the MPC will cut rates this week, with some predicting that the Central Bank of Egypt will cut interest rates by 100-200 basis points when its Monetary Policy Committee meets on Thursday.
  • Fresh tax facilities will come into effect next month: A number of tax facilities related to SMEs, simplifying tax procedures, and settling disputes will take effect in March.
  • The government will pay out USD 1 bn of arrears owed to foreign energy companies early next month. This will be followed up by the government settling all dues owed to foreign energy companies operating out of Egypt by the end of the year.

☀️ TOMORROW’S WEATHER- The capital is being treated to sunny spells and pleasant weather with the mercury expected to rise to highs of 24°C before dropping to a moderate low of 13°C.

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2

FOR YOUR COMMUTE

The world’s airspace is turning into a traffic jam

The sky is getting busier — and riskier. Rockets, drones, and flying taxis will all soon be carving out their own lanes in the sky, creating a whole new headache for air traffic management. And with commercial space travel booming — thanks to Elon Musk’s SpaceX — things are about to get even more complicated, the Financial Times reports.

Aviation experts warn that the way we manage airspace needs an overhaul. Passenger planes are expected to increase by a third by 2034, reaching over 36k. At the same time, we could see 10k electrical vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) soon taking to the skies, not to mention increasing rocket launches that rain down parts through the path of flying vehicles.

More planes, more problems. “There are more users and more vehicles that want to use airspace ... the way that we provide our services will probably need to change significantly,” said Eduardo Garcia, senior manager at air traffic management body Canso. Translation? The old rules aren’t going to cut it anymore.

We’ve already started to see incidents tick up: Late last month, a crash between a US Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet getting ready to land in DC’s Reagan National Airport made headlines worldwide, with no passengers surviving the deadly crash and descent. Preliminary investigations by US transportation authorities indicate that possible radio interference may have contributed to the deadly crash — an issue that could again prove deadly as more and more vehicles take to the skies.

The problem isn’t just planes, though. Last month Qantas had to delay flights between Australia and South Africa over concerns that debris from a SpaceX rocket could re-enter the atmosphere and land in the Indian Ocean. As more and more companies enter space, the threat posed by debris is only set to expand, with increasing numbers of startups in the process of developing re-entry rockets for goods soon set to be manufactured in space.

Critically, there still aren’t solid rules regulating the re-entry of space launch debris. This has already caused headaches for governments and citizens, with Spain notably having to shut down its airspace in 2022 amid concerns over the uncontrolled re-entry of a Chinese rocket. While many spacecraft now have end-of-life deorbit plans, there's still no universal rule making controlled re-entry mandatory — offering a key area for future space and aviation regulation.

But that’s not all — enter drones and flying taxis. Drones are already causing mayhem for airlines, with London’s Gatwick Airport famously shutting down for 36 hours in 2019 after drone sightings delayed flights for some 140k passengers. Then there’s the next wave of futuristic airborne vehicles — flying taxis. Companies have been promising these rides for years, but according to Bain & Company, commercial air taxi services could finally start in the next two to three years and reach widespread adoption within a decade. While convenient for city commuters, more airborne vehicles just adds another layer of complexity to an already congested airspace — especially given that these battery-powered, non-pilot operated aircrafts will have to have their own traffic system below 5k feet.

The question is, can air traffic control keep up? The UK’s air traffic control service in London has been testing routes for eVTOLs between major airports, treating them like helicopters for now. The US’ Federal Aviation Administration has already reduced airspace closures for space launches, cutting average downtime from four hours to two, but with increasing traffic, that might not be enough. So what’s the fix? Experts say the answer lies in automation, meaning at some point AI is going to have to step in and help air traffic controllers keep things from turning into complete chaos.

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3

ON THE TUBE TONIGHT

A spy thriller that isn’t light on laughs

? The Recruit is back with a second season of light-hearted espionage. This action-packed ride that had us hooked last season takes on espionage in a comedic way — and it’s so ridiculous, you can’t help but be entertained. If you’re looking for gritty CIA realism, you’re not finding it here, but if you’re in the mood for a show that’s light on logic and heavy on charm, The Recruit will deliver just that.

What’s in store for season 2? This time around we find Owen Hendricks (Noah Centineo) — CIA attorney and certified terrible spy — in Seoul, uncovering a dangerous operation with a long and storied past. Owen’s mission is complicated by everyone around him, including the deadly daughter of a former asset, Nichka (Laura Haddock), who thinks the solution to everything is killing Owen. Meanwhile, his ex-girlfriend Hannah (Fivel Stewart) is fed up with his reckless antics and decides it’s time to move out — because nothing says "commitment" like getting involved in an international conspiracy.

Owen’s bosses at the CIA aren’t thrilled with his behavior and bench him, but when a mysterious letter arrives, Owen convinces his boss to send him to South Korea. Naturally, chaos ensues, with Owen and his grumpy partner Janus (Kristian Bruun) dodging danger at every turn.

Is it still a must-watch for fans of spy thrillers? In short, not if your idea of espionage involves a lot of fight scenes and shootouts. However, if you’re looking for a fun, fast-paced show that doesn’t take itself seriously, then it’s the perfect fit. The Recruit is a show that knows exactly what it is: a silly, action-packed series where the stakes are high, but the tone is light. And, let’s face it — Centineo’s charisma and the show’s many laughs make for an undeniably entertaining time.

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

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4

EAT THIS TONIGHT

A koshary spot that ups the fusion ante

?Koshary goes global at Atomic Koshary. Koshary with a twist? We’ve heard that before. Still, we didn’t anticipate these kinds of variations — and no, we’re not talking about the classic pasta-to-rice ratio debate. Atomic Koshary takes global fusion koshary to an entirely new level — so much so that our experience was, well, out of this world.

They cover the basics: Atomic Koshary has the traditional koshary we all know and love, plus the Alexandrian koshary with yellow lentils and boiled egg. No surprises there. But then they threw in a gluten free option, which intrigued us. Would it still taste like the comforting, carb-loaded dish we know and love?

The verdict: The traditional koshary was exactly what it should be — satisfying, well-balanced, and packed with the deep, tangy punch of their daqqa, which was so good that we went in for an extra splash. As for the gluten-free version, we expected some kind of trade-off, but honestly? It tasted nearly identical — no sacrifices here. We're giving it the green light for those looking for a lighter option.

This is where things get wild. Atomic Koshary don’t just stop at the traditional, though — they’ve also thrown in Italian-, Asian-, and Mexican-inspired koshary. The Italian options are meatball or mushroom risotto koshary. The Asian twist is a wok-fried chicken creation with spicy sriracha mayo, soy sauce, green onions, and peanuts. The Mexican take transforms koshary into a burrito bowl, layering pulled beef, fresh avocado, pico de gallo, and chipotle sauce.

We went for the Asian Wok Koshary and the Mexican Burrito Bowl Koshary. The wok fried chicken had a crisp, golden crunch, the soy sauce and green onions added depth, and the sriracha mayo brought the right amount of heat. The peanuts were a surprising crunch but a great substitute to the crunchy onions. It was bold, flavorful, and — dare we say — one of the best fusion koshary dishes we’ve tried.

The Mexican Burrito Bowl Koshary, on the other hand, felt more like an experiment. The pulled beef was tender and juicy, the avocado gave it a creamy freshness, and the chipotle sauce had that smoky kick. But something felt slightly wrong — the pico de gallo clashed a bit with the lentils, making the dish feel more like a Tex-Mex hybrid than a seamless fusion. But each to their own palate, so take a swing at it — you might end up liking it.

For dessert, we tried their fried rice pudding with Nutella sauce, which is essentially a sweet arancini. If you love deep-fried desserts, you might appreciate the crispy shell and warm, gooey center. But for us, it was an interesting concept that didn’t quite hit the mark — we’ll stick to the classic rice pudding, thanks.

We can honestly say that they’re attempting to shake up the koshary game, and while not every experiment is a home run, we respect the ambition. If you’re craving a classic, they do it justice. But if you’re feeling adventurous, that’s where the real fun begins.

Delivery or pickup? Take your pick, but for those who live further than Nasr City and New Cairo you’ll have to pick up. For those lucky enough to reside in those areas, get it delivered through the link on their webpage.

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5

Sports

The top-of-the-table drama continues in the Egyptian Premier League and La Liga

⚽ It’s Pyramids’ turn to up the ante against Ahly in the Nile League’s race for the title. Matchday 14 of the Nile League continues today with three matches on the roster, including a high-stakes match between Pyramids and Modern Future kicking off at 7pm. Currently sitting second with 30 points, Pyramid's goal is to reclaim the top spot after Ahly stormed back to first place with 32 points after its 4-0 victory over Ismaily last night.

Other matches playing tonight in the Egyptian Premier League:

  • Ceramica Cleopatra vs. Enppi (4pm)
  • Al Ittihad vs. El Gouna (6:30pm)

Barca is still eyeing the top spot in La Liga as the league starts to heat up: Barcelona are heading into their match with Rayo Vallecano at 10pm with the knowledge that a victory will propel them back to the summit of the league during tonight’s Matchday 24 face-off. Despite leading the table from the start of the season until Matchday 14, the Blaugrana now sit third with 48 points — three behind leader Real Madrid with 51 points and two adrift of second place Atletico Madrid with 50 points. With both Madrid clubs dropping points last night, Barca have a golden opportunity to close the gap.

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6

OUT AND ABOUT

Get your gamer on at EGYCON

? For the gamers and the cosplayers. EGYCON 12 is taking place on Friday, 21 February at Family Park, New Cairo. The event will feature Japanese live performances, trivia games, a fire show, a merch bazaar, and a whole lot more. Grab your ticket from the link in the event description.

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

HAPPENING THIS WEEK-

For fans of Lege-cy, don't miss his live performance at Boom Room on Wednesday, 19 February. Get your tickets at Ticketsmarche.

Beatport Live is coming to CJC 610 for the first time. On Thursday, 20 February, Acid Arab are taking the stage to perform their blend of Western electronic music and Eastern sounds and vocals to give you an unforgettable night — alongside other sets from Misty and Aly Goede B2B Jess. Tickets are available on Ticketsmarche.

The Animatex Festival is back for its fifth edition. It’s bringing a packed program including screenings of both short and feature animated films, discussions, panel talks, and workshops for animation enthusiasts — and those looking to network with local and international industry leaders. The festival will take place at the AUC Tahrir campus from Thursday, 20 February until Tuesday, 25 February. You can grab your tickets from Ticketsmarche.

Amal Maher takes on the Sound and Light theatre at the Giza Pyramids. The concert will take place on Thursday, 20 February with doors opening at 7pm. Formal attire is required. You can book your tickets through TicketsMall.

Cairokee x new capital: Cairokee will perform in El Nahr El Akhdar Park in the new administrative capital at 8pm on Friday, 21 February. Tickets are available on Ticketsmarche.

Get dreamy with Ghostly Kisses. The French-Canadian pop band Ghostly Kisses will return to Cairo later this month for a performance at the Mövenpick Media City Theater in Sixth of October. After their initial concert on Friday, 21 February sold out, the band announced that it will be adding a second performance date on Thursday, 20 February as part of their 2025 world tour. Get your tickets to the show on Ticketsmarche.

Massar Egbari is preparing to celebrate the release of their latest album, Maba’etsh Akhaf on Friday, 21 February at 7pm. The event will take place at El Sawy Culturewheel Theatre at Nile University in Sheikh Zayed. Tickets are available through El Sawy Culturewheel’s website.

MENA Product Summit is where innovation meets execution. Join a one-day deep dive into the world of digital product management on Saturday, 22 February at Kamelizer in District 5. The event will bring together MENA’s sharpest minds for insightful keynotes, dynamic panel discussions, and game-changing networking. Tickets are quickly selling out on Ticketsmarche.

HAPPENING LATER-

Attend a classic ballet opera. Sleeping Beauty will be showing at the Cairo Opera House at the end of the month. Tickets for shows on the 24, 25, 26, and 27 February are available on Tazkarti.

Sports Expo 2025 is near: Head down to the Egypt International Exhibition Center to meet global athletes and stock up on all kinds of sporting equipment at this year’s Sports Expo 2025. The government-hosted event will bring together private- and public-sector players in the fitness and health sectors and related industries and will be open from Monday, 24 February until Wednesday, 26 February. Get tickets from Tazkarti.

Why play connect four when you can laugh at it. Don't miss the hilarious comedy game night Connect Four on Tuesday, 25 February at Boom Room, featuring comedians Khaled El Shoky and Islam Amin, delivering non-stop laughs and interactive fun. Get your tickets from Ticketsmarche.

The Loran Gang are back. For all Kefaya Ba2a fans, this is your chance to catch a special live episode with the legendary Loran Gang on Thursday, 27 February at Theatro Arkan. Come for raw takes, big laughs, and an unforgettable night. Grab your tickets now on Ticketsmarche.

Disney On Ice returns to Cairo with Let’s Celebrate. Get ready for a magical experience as Disney On Ice makes its grand return to Cairo with the spectacular show Let’s Celebrate, running from Wednesday, 21 May to Saturday, 31 May. Join Mickey Mouse, Moana, and some of the Disney princesses as they bring beloved stories to life in a performance featuring over 100 world-class skaters, stunning visual effects, and dazzling stage designs. The show will take place at the indoor hall of Cairo International Stadium in Nasr City. Tickets are already selling out, so get them while you can from Tazkarti.

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7

GO WITH THE FLOW

What the markets are doing on 17 February 2025

The EGX30 was essentially flat at today’s close on turnover of EGP 3.8 bn (5% above the 90-day average). Local investors were the sole net buyers. The index is up 2.3% YTD.

In the green: Beltone Holding (+7.3%), GB Corp (+5.1%), and ADIB (+4.3%).

In the red: Eastern Company (-2.9%), Fawry (-2.7%), and Sidpec (-1.8%).

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THE ENTERPRISE ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

FEBRUARY

16-17 February (Sunday-Monday): Da Zanbokom Play at AUC New Cairo.

19 February (Wednesday): Lege-cy at Boom Room.

20 February (Thursday): Beatport Live at CJC 610.

20 February (Thursday): Amal Maher concert at the Sound and Light stage.

20-25 February (Thursday-Tuesday): Animatex Festival at AUC Tahrir

20-21 February (Thursday-Friday): Ghostly Kisses at Movenpick Media City.

21 February (Friday): Massar Egbari launch album at El Sawy Culturewheel.

21 February (Friday): E7kky Festival.

21 February (Friday): Egycon 12 at Family Park, New Cairo.

21 February (Friday): Cairokeeat El Nahr El Akhdar Park in the new administrative capital.

22 February (Friday): MENA Product Summit at Townhall by Kamelizer – District 5.

22 February (Friday): VeryNile’s The Nile Parade.

22 February (Saturday): MENA Product Summit at Kamelizer Spaces.

23 February (Sunday): Umm Kulthoum Tribute Concert at The Grand Egyptian Museum.

23-25 February (Sunday-Tuesday): Sports Expo 2025 at Egypt International Exhibition Center.

24 February (Monday): Umm Kulthoum Tribute Concert at The Grand Egyptian Museum.

24-27 February (Monday-Thursday) Sleeping Beauty at the Cairo Opera House.

25 February (Tuesday): Connect Four at Boom Room.

27 February (Thursday): Loran Gang at Theatro Arkan.

APRIL

1 April (Tuesday): Annual Flower Exhibition at the Agricultural Museum.

MAY

21-31 May (Wednesday-Saturday): Disney On Ice at Cairo International Stadium

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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