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THE WEEK IN REVIEW

THIS WEEKEND: Shoukry among leaders pushing for an end to Israeli aggression + Net foreign reserves inch higher in November

Good morning friends and happy Friday to us all. As you chase the winter sun this weekend we have an issue packed with news updates and activities to keep you engaged as the year comes to an end.

Egypt is packed with travel opportunities, if traveling out of Egypt isn’t an option for you, and we intend to guide you on some destinations you may not have considered or should probably re-visit this winter.

Enterprise Weekend comes out each Friday at 9:00am CLT. We’ll be back on Sunday at 6am with EnterpriseAM. Until then: Enjoy the weekend.

LAST WEEK IN 3 MINS-

Israel’s devastating military campaign in Gaza — which is now on its 63rd day — topped headlines at home and around the world as fighting intensified and Palestinian civilians were left with virtually no options for safe refuge.

On the domestic front, we had a handful of troubling macro indicators, some major energy updates, and some progress on the state’s privatization drive, which could see stakes in another military-owned fuel retailer offloaded in the near future.

ISRAEL’S RAMPAGE IN GAZA-

#1- Israel resumed its bombing campaign in Gaza late last week after negotiations with Hamas to extend the temporary ceasefire collapsed. The Israeli forces said on Saturday that it had bombed 400 targets in Gaza and 50 targets in Khan Younis in the first 24 hours following the end of the truce, airstrikes which according to the Gaza Health Ministry killed 193 Palestinians. Further attacks throughout the week have severely strained remaining Palestinian hospitals.

…and continued to push thousands of Palestinians towards the Egyptian border: The Israeli military expanded its devastating air campaign and ground invasion to the south of the territory, where it had previously ordered hundreds of thousands of civilians living in the north to flee.

#2- Nearly 18k Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since 7 October and over 400k people in northern Gaza no longer have access to medical services, while at least 1.8 mn people — almost 80% of the population — have been internally displaced over the course of the past nine weeks.

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry will join other Arab and Islamic ministers in DC for a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinkenamid ongoing efforts to put an end to Israeli aggression.

MACRO + FISCAL + MONETARY INDICATORS CONTINUED TO POUR IN…

#1- We have at least USD 42.3 bn in foreign debt to repay in 2024. Egypt will have to pay some USD 32.8 bn to fulfill medium and long-term debt obligations in 2024 in addition to USD 9.5 bn in short-term debt obligations during the first half of 2024.

#2- Net foreign liabilities hit a record high in October as pressure on the country’s external position continued to mount. Our net foreign asset deficit widened to USD 27.2 bn from USD 26.8 bn in September.

Meanwhile, our net foreign reserves inched up for the fifteenth consecutive month in November, according to Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) data released yesterday. Our reserves rose to USD 35.2 bn at the end of November vs USD 35.1 bn at the end of October. The CBE managed to recover a total of USD 2 bn since September 2022.

AND-We’ve seen more meetings between the IMF and Egyptian officials ahead of the anticipated post-election devaluation, with the most recent one taking place at COP28 between IMF head Kristalina Georgieva and CBE Governor Hassan Abdalla, where Georgieva said she expects the size of the loan to Egypt to be increased due to the country’s “additional burden and the impact of the surrounding external crises.”

#3-Egypt’s budget deficit almost doubled y-o-y in the first quarter of the current fiscal year as rising borrowing costs squeeze public finances. The deficit widened to 3.9% of GDP in 1Q FY 2023-24 from 2.1% a year earlier, largely due to the government’s spiraling interest bill.

#4- The Madbouly government downgraded its growth forecast for the current fiscal year by 0.7 percentage points, to a 3.5% clip in the fiscal year ending June 2024, down from a previous 4.2% forecast last month.

#5-Egypt’s non-oil private sector remained in contraction in November, albeit at a softer pace, as inflationary pressures weighed on demand and sent business confidence to record lows, according to S&P Global’s purchasing managers’ index. The PMI came in at 48.4 in November, up slightly from 47.9 in October.

MAKING MOVES IN THE GULF-

#1- The Engineering Export Council of Egypt will start a weeklong trade mission to Saudi Arabia tomorrow with an eye to bring in orders and investment for pumps, car parts, and boilers, among other products.

SOME MOVEMENT ON THE STATE’S PRIVATIZATION PROGRAM-

#1- The government is looking to offload a stake in the military’s Chill Out fuel retailer,Planning Minister Hala El Said said on the sidelines of COP28. The company is owned by the National Service Projects Organization (NSPO) via its National Roads Company subsidiary, and would become the second military-owned fuel retailer to sell shares to private investors after Wataniya.

…but Wataniya’s stake sale has been delayed: We were expecting the government to finalize the sale later this month but according to El Said the transaction will take several more weeks to close.

ALSO- The government plans to complete the sale of a stake in a group of historic hotels before the end of the year, according to El Said.

#2- SFE brings in advisor to assist with massive wind farm sales: The Sovereign Fund of Egypt (SFE) appointed Belgium-headquartered Tractebel to act as a consultant for the sale of stakes in the state-owned 580-MW Gabal El Zeit and 545-MW Zafarana wind farms.

MEANWHILE- Officials are mulling the sale of EGP 8 bn worth of real estate assets to investors in 1Q 2024. Heliopolis Housing and Development is among the state-run companies investors are looking at selling along with private sector partnerships that will see investors developing land plots owned by state-run companies.

A SMATTERING OF ENERGY NEWS-

#1- Norwegian renewables company Scatec inked a USD 1.1 bn green methanol MoU with the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) this week at COP28 in Dubai.

#2- Scatec is also looking to establish a 1-GW solar and 200-MWh battery storage project in Egyptunder an agreement signed with the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC) also at COP.

#3- A group of state-owned companies are looking to set up a second plant for producing green fuel in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone). The consortium, which includes Helwan Fertilizers, Abu Qir Fertilizers, and Al Ahly Capital Holding have their eyes on a green ammonia project that would require USD 1.2 bn of investment.

#4- UAE-based K&K Group signed an MoU with Italian firm CESI to develop a subsea electricity link connecting Egypt to Italy. The proposed 3 GW link would ship power generated by renewable energy in Egypt across the Med.

#5- Infinity Power, Hassan Allam Utilities, and Masdar are set to start construction on their 10 GW wind farm in 1Q 2025. The consortium is planning to reach financial closure by 1Q 2025 with operations scheduled to begin in 2027.

DEBT WATCH-

#1- Egypt could turn to Indian capital markets next year: The Finance Ministry is looking to raise USD 500 mn in a bond issuance in India in 2024, Minister Mohamed Maait said earlier this week.

#2- The African Development Bank (AfDB) approved a USD 148 mn financial package for CIB foron-lending to clients and strengthening its capital position.

#3- GB Corp’s auto financing arm Drive raised EGP 1.4 bn via a securitized bond issuance. The issuance, which was 1.7x oversubscribed, is the first in Drive’s three-year EGP 5 bn securitization program.

TOURISM-

Tourism bookings to Egypt will be back on track after the holiday season as“confidence returns and customers seek what is a value winter sun destination,” travel agency TUI CEO Sebastian Ebel told Reuters.

SOME INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURERS ARE GETTING A BOOST-

#1- China-based chemicals manufacturer Befar Group could build a USD 2 bn industrial complex to produce specialty chemicals in East Port Said under a letter of intent signed with the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) last week.

#2- UAE-based Sharkia Group fertilizers manufacturing arm Futurefert will set up a USD50 mn fertilizer complex in Elsewedy’s Sokhna 360 industrial zone.

#3- Chinese fiberglass manufacturer Jushi will invest USD 8 mn to expand its factory inChina’s TEDA trade zone after Elsewedy Industrial Development awarded it a 60k-sqm plot.

#4- Catalyst Capital Egypt acquired a 30% stake in a new Alex Steel subsidiary in exchange fora EGP 100 mn investment in the company named Alexandria for Industrial Development (AID).

WHAT’S HAPPENING NEXT WEEK-

Capmas and the CBE will publish last month’s inflation data on Sunday, 10 December.Annual urban inflation in October eased for the first time in six months to 35.8% y-o-y from 38.0% in September due to slowing food and beverage price inflation.

Voters here at home will head to the polls from Sunday to Tuesday to cast their ballots in the presidential election. First-round results are due on 18 December and a runoff, if necessary, will take place in early January.

The US Federal Reserve Open Market Committee meets next Tuesday and Wednesday, with policymakers expected to hold rates steady next week for the third meeting in a row as inflation in the US gradually cools. Rate cuts could, however, be in the cards over the coming months — the mere hint of which sent the USD to three-month lows last week.

El Gouna Film Festival kicks off next Thursday, 14 December and runs through the following week on Thursday, 21 December.

The bidding deadline for five gold mine concessions in the Eastern Desert elapses Thursday, 14 December. The bidding deadline for the Eastern Desert concessions was initially slated for 9 November.

Check out our full calendar on the web for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events, national holidays and news triggers.

YOUR MOST CLICKED LINKS-

IMF head Kristalina Georgiva’s remarks on the fate of Egypt’s USD 3 bn IMF program grabbed the most attention over the week. (Enterprise)
The five-minute primer for CEOs from the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency was frequently opened. (CISA)
As was this report on cyber security for small businesses, which many of you read following a couple of security breaches. (CEO Monthly)
The Torah Bridge captured your imagination: The bridge being torn down and subsequently backing up traffic in Maadi, and the lack of clarity on when the project would be completed was a concern for many of you. (Cairo24 | El Watan)

AROUND THE WORLD IN SEVEN DAYS-

Israel’s use of AI to amplify its destruction in Gaza was picked up by international news outlets: Israeli forces have reportedly been using an artificial intelligence system called “Habsora” to carry out strikes on entire residential homes where a single Hamas member might be residing. The AI-based system, described as a “mass assassination factory” by a former intelligence officer, has helped the Israeli forces generate more potential targets for its attacks than ever before, and has allowed it to expand its destructive capacity in the process.

Argentina’s potential Brics membership coming to a halt got some attention: Argentina was expected to formally join the alliance on 1 January before a decision by Javier Milei’s new hard-right administration to reverse course. Milei’s has pledged a foreign policy realignment that would see the country distance itself from China and strengthen ties with the US.

🌥️ THE WEATHER THIS WEEKEND- Today will continue to be overcast with the thermometers reaching a high of 21°C and plummeting to a cold 13°C in the evening. Saturday is expected to bring more of the same, but with more fog and a cooler evening, with the mercury reading 12°C at night, according to our favorite weather app.

HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND-

THEATER-

As a response to Palestinian-based ASHTAR Theater’s global call for solidarity with Gaza, Orient Productions is hosting The Gaza Monologues tonight at 8pm in Cinema Radio.The event will feature readings on stage, by heavy hitters Sayed Ragab, Salwa Mohamed Ali, Nanda Mohammad, Yosra El Lozy, Mohamed Hatem, Rakeen Saad and Ahmed Malek, with musical accompaniment performed by Mohamed Sami. All proceeds will be sent to the Mersal Foundation for aid in Gaza. Get your tickets here.

ART-

The Cairo Art Fair is opening its doors today at TAM Gallery at District 5. The exhibition will be showcasing over 130 artists in the largest collection of contemporary Egyptian art to date with 1.5k artworks.

The event will be open to the public from 12pm to 10pm. The artworks will stay on display until Wednesday 24 January. Find out more by clicking here.

Nurture your inner artist at the self-portrait workshop hosted by Dawar Arts every Saturday until 16 December. Click here for more information.

EVENTS-

Meet the virtual Tutankhamun: The Grand Egyptian Museum is hosting an interactive Tutankhamun exhibition, in partnership with the Spanish Madrid Artes Digitales Foundation. The exhibition kicked off and will continue until Saturday, 16 December. You can book your tour from here.

CHRISTMAS-

We’re kicking off the season to be jolly with the City of the Lights Christmas Bazaar at Galleria40. The market launched last weekend and will end during this weekend.

Cairo Jazz Club 610’s Xmas Bazaar in collaboration with Alkemia will be happening. 20+ local vendors, live music, good food, gluhwein, and a kid’s area is available to you from 12pm to 8pm.

The monthly Cairo Flea Market is putting up their Christmas decorations tomorrowat the Zamalek Fish Garden as per usual.

BOOKS-

Bookworms, assemble: AUC’s Christmas Book Fair is running everyday until tomorrow. All books are getting a 20% markdown, and the El Kousha Theatre Troupe for Puppets will be performing for the kids on Saturday.

Awardwinning Egyptian author Ashraf El-Ashmawi will be hosting a book signing event for his latest novel Maximum Speed Zero at Bibliothek Egypt tomorrow at 5:30pm. The novel follows the journey of an Egyptian family who experience peculiar occurrences and encounter different individuals that influence their destinies.

HAPPENING NEXT WEEKEND-

Want to sit back and enjoy some Christmasy tunes? Arkan Plaza has you covered. Their Christmas Show, put together by Gaby Bishara, will bring you the smooth sounds of Louis Armstrong and Ol’ Blue Eyes himself in a blend of your favorite jazz tunes and classic Christmas tracks. Clear your schedule on Friday, 22 December to head on over.

Zawya cinema will be screening five movies for the late director Ali Badrakhan until Tuesday, 26 December. You can know more about the schedule from here.

THEATER-

Relive the good old days with the ACT Theater Group. The group is reintroducing tales of Goha’s (mis)adventures into circulation, alongside other folktales of yore. Adults can bask in nostalgia, and younger ones can connect with their cultural heritage. Register for the shows on 15 and 16 December here.

Investigation, or Tahqeeq, is bringing interactive theater to its audience. Help the writer and characters solve a mystery that is revealed on the day of the performance. This unscripted, improvised performance will be playing in Rawabet on Thursday 14 December and Friday, 15 December, starting at 8pm. Get your tickets through TicketsMarche.

Try out these local destination for this winter season

WINTER TRAVEL DESTINATIONS IN EGYPT- In part two of our guide on winter destinations, we focus on domestic travel spots.With winter weather finally making its presence known — and travel abroad becoming cost-restrictive for many — we can pack our bags and take some time off by traveling around Om El Donia without breaking the bank.

GO LOCAL- These destinations might not be new, but getting there and saving when you arrive is the focus here.

GET ORGANIZED- Make your experience seamless, even if you are going to a destination inside Egypt by recruiting a travel agency to sort out the details of your trip. As we recommended last week, the following companies and agencies are good options:

QUICK REMINDER- Prices are listed in an approximate range due to unpredictable fluctuations as well as seasonal pricing. Here is a full list of prices as of 1 June 2023, for visiting sites and museums in Egypt.

DESTINATION #1-

LUXOR + ASWAN- These two picturesque cities in Upper Egypt, offering a journey back in time with their awe-inspiring ancestors, ancient temples, vibrant local culture, and breathtaking views along the iconic Nile River.

Endless sunshine in this outdoor museum- The sun shines for eight hours, making the weather ideal to explore temples, museums, pharaonic mosques on the banks of the Nile and a lot of popular markets with famous bazaars.

TRAVEL- Traveling by train takes nine hours, while flights take one hour. There is internal transportation in the two cities such as felucca, horse-drawn carriages, tuk tuks, and taxis.

ACCOMMODATION COSTS- For hotels, prices range from EGP 1k-15k per day in Luxor and Aswan. As for cruises there are three, four, and seven-day trips, with prices varying from USD 150-300 per person per night, click here to see options. Cruise prices include itineraries for exploration, as well as accommodation and dining.

MUST DO/VISIT- Monuments are worth exploring include, Valley of the Kings, Temple of Deir el-Bahri/Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple, Karnak Temple and more.

SUGGESTION- You can start by staying a few nights at the Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa, enjoy sightseeing for two days then take one of Ashranda Boutiques dahabiyah to take you from Luxor to Aswan — and once you arrive there, we suggest staying at the BenBen by Dhare Hotel.

DON’T MISS OUT ON-

The hot air balloon experience of watching the sunrise over Luxor is an activity that even the night owls shouldn’t miss out on.

PRO TIP- Pack some comfortable sneakers, a backpack, and an instant-print camera for this memory-making trip.

DESTINATION #2-

SIWA- Our own national spa is located in the western desert. It is an underrated tourist attraction that invites relaxation.

The weather is very polarized: In Siwa it’s warm through the day and very cold at night with a rare possibility of rain. So maybe stock up on those multi-vitamins to avoid getting sick.

TRAVEL- It’s 10-12 hours by bus or car.

SUGGESTION-

#1- Not one to plan, book and schedule? Tassili Camp Siwa does that all for you where they create a set itinerary for a weekend, including accommodation and activities.

#2- If you like running on your own time, stay at Taziry eco-village where they allow you to self explore the city, providing obviously a brochure or guide to help you.

ACCOMMODATION COSTS- For hotels prices range from EGP 2k-10k per day.

MUST DO/VISIT-Even though Siwa is an oasis for tranquility, there are a few sites that you are must sees such as Amun’s Temple, where the phenomenon of spring equinox occurs twice a year, the Mountain of the Dead, where some say the sand has natural elements used for the purposes of alternative medicine, Cleopatra’s Bath, and much more.

NOTE- Since there are more conservative Egyptian locals who live in Siwa the dress code matters with women where they’re expected to cover up, legs, chest and shoulders, not entirely, but for example at Cleopatra’s Bath ditching the bikini to wear a shirt over a one-piece bathing suit will suffice.

DESTINATION #3-

FAYOUM- Just a 100 km away from Cairo, this city offers a distinct array of activities. Known for its abundant biodiversity and stunning natural scenery it is a popular destination.

The pleasant weather makes it a suitable place to visit at any time of the year. Whether you are interested in exploring ancient monuments or simply want to relax and enjoy traditional Egyptian cuisine, Fayoum has something to offer for everyone.

TRAVEL-Buses typically take two hours, while driving by car will take a little bit less (around an hour and a half).

SUGGESTION-

#1- Add a little luxury to camping at Remal Al Rayan, an all-facilitated tent that even has its own jacuzzi.

#2- A traditional hotel experience at Lazib Inn, where you can stay in a villa that feels like home (an insider tip: you can host a campfire there).

#3- To get the best of both camping and traditional hotel staying, Tzila Lodge is the place to be.

ACCOMMODATION COSTS- For hotels, prices range from EGP 1k to EGP 10k per day.

MUST DO/VISIT- You can go stargazing, spend a day in Tunis Village trying out your hand in pottery design, checking out desert camping, sandboarding on the desert dunes and more.

PRO TIP- In the winter there can be high levels of winds and with the city mainly covered in sand, storms are inevitable — so it's safe to say your allergies will be leaping for joy. Should you unfortunately be caught in a storm, opt for indoor activities instead.

Meg Ryan is back with a grown-up What Happens Later, Marsh King’s Daughter is a female led action film, PLUS: Namuen offers more than just Korean food

📽 AT THE MOVIES-

Don’t let the bad reviews stop you from seeing What Happens Later. There’s much to say about Meg Ryan’s revival of the rom-com (watch trailer, runtime: 2:36), but in one way or another it will become a hallmark of the genre — it just may be ahead of its time.

It follows W. Davis (Ryan) and… W. Davis (David Duchovny), ex-lovers who find themselves snowed in at an airport with no one’s company but each other’s. Willa lives in Austin and is heading to Boston, and William lives in Boston heading to Austin — literally going in opposite directions. We follow the gradual postmortem of their relationship, the audience learning little by little the complexities of their relationship and their characters as they reconnect.

Ryan rose to superstardom on the back of the genre, especially with timeless hits like You’ve Got Mail, When Harry Met Sally, and Sleepless in Seattle. As an experienced veteran, she was able to pinpoint which tropes she felt were tired, and which tropes were necessary.

It isn’t an application of the genre, it’s a rebellion. In fact, in one of the earliest scenes, William unplugs an electronic poster advertising a movie called Rom Com to charge his phone.

Ryan, who is director, co-writer, and leading lady of the film, upends some of the tropes that we’re familiar with, making the film an interesting departure from the typical feel-good guy-gets-the-girl movies of yore.

But the intentional subversion of rom-com tropes makes the ones included in What Happens Later feel caricatural. This may have been done on purpose — Willa seems like an exaggerated amalgamation of Ryan’s past roles, the classic manic pixie dream girl, and William is the typical emotionally-clogged male lead who blossoms under her influence. Though it would be disingenuous to say that that’s all they are.

The title, What Happens Later, is an answer rather than a question. It is an ode to those who grew up watching rom-coms and realized just how removed from the realities of relationships these movies were. So what happens later? Well, life. It gets in the way of our plans, molding us into different people in the process — but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

WHERE TO WATCH- What Happens Later is showing at Cima Arkan, and Cairo Festival City.

The Marsh King’s Daughter is a thriller covering childhood trauma — but not how you’d expect it(watch trailer, runtime: 2:24). Helena (Daisy Ridley), has managed to build a stable life for herself far away from her troubled past. She has a cookie-cutter life: A husband, and daughters who know nothing about her traumatizing past.

It all falls apart when Helena’s father (Ben Mendelsohn) breaks out of prison, it is then revealed that she was a product of his aggression, and the woman he held captive in the woods for years.

Helena worries that her father will come to take her daughter and she sets out to stop him before he can. All the while, the movie brings together scenes from her childhood when she was raised in the woods, and present day where she dedicates her life to fighting her past from coming back to haunt her.

Not everything is black and white, which the movie does a great job of portraying. During Helena’s flashbacks, we’re shown her having a seemingly loving relationship with her father, which makes it even more devastating when she finds out that he is a kidnapper and her world comes crashing down. We appreciated the nuance of having the antagonist be a character that, at times, you don’t want to hate.

The real standouts of the film are Ridley and Mendelsohn’s performances. Both actors excel in their roles, even when the dialogue was a bit dry. We found that to be the case especially in Helena’s present life when her conversations with her husband were extremely surface level and lacking affection, which could be the result of her character’s experiences.

While predictable, the film delivers on the thrill. Stale dialogue aside, the flashback scenes were especially interesting to watch and we wished there were more of them. But, overall, we enjoyed the movie and think the rating is unreasonably low.

WHERE TO WATCH- Vox Cinemas in either City Centre Almaza, or Mall of Egypt.

📚 FROM THE BOOKSTORE-

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone is a captivating mystery-thriller novel. The protagonist (Ernie/Ern)’s entire family has killed, and some of them more than once, including him.

When they all end up at a ski resort for a family reunion, things get messy. We find out that Ern was ostracized from the family for some years, but was obligated to attend the affair for reasons we find out later.

They’re not all grade-A assassins like you might think, though. It’s a little more complicated than that. As we discover the family’s mishaps and unusual past, you’re taken on a journey of mystery and surprise. The writing is extra enjoyable because of the dark, yet smart humor incorporated throughout.

You’ll have to pay attention to the details. Benjamin Stevenson’s writing is extremely clever and riddled with complex hints. Every metaphor, piece of punctuation, or word choice is intentional. Ernie, also the narrator, doesn’t make it easy for the reader before he eventually unveils some truths, making the read even more thrilling.

Good news, if you finish this and don’t know what to do with yourself, there’s a second part to the series to fill that hole. The recently published Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect is another fan favorite. Written in his unique style, Stevenson places Ernie in another tricky set of situations. We’ll see how he figures this one out.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can buy the book to read on Kindle.

🍴 HOT AND FRESH OUT OF THE KITCHEN-

Namuen is a bit of a hidden gem. Tucked away in Heliopolis, this Korean spot is not only a restaurant, it is also a cultural salon of sorts that hosts activities and special events.

Sophia, the owner of the restaurant, keeps their Facebook updated with their activities. In one recent special promotion, every customer was given a free Korean facemask (while supplies lasted). Delicious food and free skincare? That’s a good deal if you ask us.

The menu has all the traditional Korean meals fans of the cuisine would be craving. As a starter, we’d recommend the fried dumplings and the tteokbokki (plain or with fish cakes).

Their main course wasn't disappointing. If you’re going for beef, the beef japchae (a type of glass noodles) is delicious without being too greasy, and if you’d prefer chicken, the sweet and sour can’t go wrong. There are also seafood options. Along with every meal, you get a bowl of steamed rice, so no need to worry about a complicated order.

💵 Per person: 400-500

🪑 Outdoor seating: No

🍺 Alcohol: No

🦽 Accessibility friendly: No

Bodies is a key addition to your winter-watch list

Bodies is a captivating crime/sci-fi series created by Paul Tomalin that’s based on the DC (Detective Comics) Vertigo graphic novelof the same name by Si Spencer. The Guardian has already dubbed it the key watch for the autumnal season as it combines a powerhouse ensemble cast, riveting storyline, and captivating cinematography.

The story revolves around the discovery of a dead body on Longharvest Lane in London, which occurs in four different years: 1890, 1941, 2023, and 2053. Each time period features a different detective investigation.

Each detective has his/her distinctive skills and character. In 1890, we meet Alfred Hillinghead (Kyle Soller), a persistent police inspector determined to unravel the truth behind the crime.

Fast forward to the 1940s,we encounter Charles Whiteman (Jacob Fortune-Lloyd), a charismatic adventurer who brings his unique approach to the investigation.

Then landing in the present time in 2023, we are introduced to Shahara Hasan (Amaka Okafor), a fearless and capable female detective who adds a contemporary perspective to the case.

Finally, in the post-apocalyptic world of 2053, Iris Maplewood (Shira Haas), a detective with a haunting perspective, joins the efforts to solve the murder.

The first episode titled “You’re Dead Already” features three detectives with a glimpse at the end referring to the fourth one. In the year 2023, DS (Detective Sergeant) Shahara Hasan, a member of London’s Metropolitan Police, was assigned to maintain order during a right-wing street protest.

While on duty, she spots Syed, a young man armed with a gun, and chases him. Her pursuit leads her to Longharvest Lane in Whitechapel, where she discovers the body of a murdered man. Jumping back in time to 1941, DS (Detective Sergeant) Charles Whiteman, received an order from a secretive organization he was working with to retrieve an apparently identical body from Longharvest Lane and deliver it to a specific location. Traveling further back to 1890, DI (Detective Inspector) Alfred Hillinghead, is summoned to Longharvest Lane upon the discovery of the same body.

The episode ends with a slight referral to DC (Detective Constable) Iris Maplewood, who resides in the year 2053. Maplewood eventually stumbles upon the same body, but the difference is, it is still alive.

The series puts you in the exact frame of the time-period. Filming manager Helen Flower told BBC that “the set changed as the time period changed. Every window, every detail, every bit of signage changed.”

WHERE TO WATCH- The eight-episode limited series is available on Netflix.

This podcast should accompany your morning cup of joe

The Dailyby the New York Times is a news and storytelling podcast discussing current events from all around the world.

Expect a new episode to come out during western weekdays with each episode ranging between 20-50 minutes.

Michael Barbaro and Sabrina Tavernise are the journalist-hosts at the mics, but some episodes are hosted by New York Times contributors who talk about their columns and features. The hosts’ straightforward manner in explaining a topic while interviewing expert guests to share a more in-depth overview of the topic make them an essential part of every morning.

In US V. Google, Tavernise interviews David McCabe, a technology policy correspondent for the Gray Lady. She engages his expertise to give comprehensive insight into how the American government has been working on curbing the influence of the big corporates for years, one of which is Google. The episode delivers some points including how Google’s monopoly is harming consumers, stopping the creative and ambitious start-ups from appearing and rising, and invading the privacy of a wide range of users.

WHERE TO LISTEN- You can listen to The Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

THE ENTERPRISE ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

DECEMBER

4-26 December (Sunday-Tuesday): Ali Badrakhan’s cinema, Zawya Cinema, Downtown.

4-9 December (Sunday-Saturday): City of the Lights Christmas Bazaar at Galleria40.

4-9 December (Sunday-Saturday): Christmas Book Fair at AUC Tahrir.

4-16 December (Sunday-Saturday): Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition at the Grand Egyptian Museum.

8 December-24 January (Friday-Wednesday): Cairo Art Fair at District 5.

8 December: The Gaza Monologues at Cinema Radio.

9 December (Saturday): Cairo Flea Market Xmas Edition at the Zamalek Fish Garden.

9 December (Saturday): CJC 610 x Alkemia Xmas Bazaar.

9 December (Saturday): Ashraf El-Ashmawi book signing event, Bibliothek Egypt, Arkan Plaza, Sheikh Zayed.

9 December (Saturday) Komedy Koshk Vol. 14 at Room Art Space.

11-12 December (Monday- Tuesday): Omar Khairat’s concerts, Cairo Opera House, Zamalek.

14-21 December (Thursday-Thursday): Gouna Film Festival (GFF), Gouna.

15-16 December (Friday-Saturday): Stories of Goha and Folktales of Yore by Act Theatre Group at Tahir Cultural Center.

22 December (Wednesday): The Christmas Show by Gaby Bishara at Theatro Arkan.

22 December (Wednesday): Tamer Ashour Live Concert at Dandy Mall.

23 December (Saturday): The Cairo Symphony Orchestra’s concert, Cairo Opera House, Zamalek.

25 December (Monday): Disney Classics concert, Cairo Opera House, Zamalek.

26-30 December (Tuesday-Saturday): NutCracker shows, Cairo Opera House, Zamalek.

31 December (Sunday): The Cairo Symphony Orchestra New Year’s Eve concert, Cairo Opera House, Zamalek.

EVENTS WITH NO SET DATE

2023: The inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum.

Q1 2024: Opening of the newly developed Pyramids Plateau in Giza.

2024

JANUARY

7 January (Sunday): Coptic Christmas.

25 January (Thursday): Revolution Day.

26 January-6 February (Friday-Tuesday): Cairo International Book Fair.

MARCH

11-12 March (Monday-Tuesday): Creative Industry Summit.

APRIL

9 April (Tuesday): Eid El Fitr (TBC).

25 April (Thursday): National holiday in observance of Sinai Liberation Day (TBC).

MAY

1 May (Wednesday): National holiday in observance of Labor Day (TBC).

5 May (Sunday): Coptic Easter.

6 May (Monday): Sham El Nessim (TBC).

JUNE

15-19 June (Saturday-Wednesday): Eid El Adha (TBC).

30 June (Sunday): June 30 Revolution Day (TBC).

JULY

7 July (Sunday): National holiday in observance of Islamic New Year (TBC).

23 July (Tuesday): Revolution Day (TBC).

SEPTEMBER

15 September (Sunday): National holiday in observance of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (TBC).

OCTOBER

6 October (Sunday): Armed Forces Day.

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