On what was the most boring night on the airwaves this week, the only development of note was substantial: IMF Egypt Mission Chief Chris Jarvis’ video call with Hona Al Asema’s Lamees Al Hadidi.

The IMF is not throwing us under the bus: Jarvis told Lamees that the IMF was particularly pleased with the Egyptian government’s efforts to cut fuel subsidies over the next three years and push inflation figures down to single digits, implying — in the most subtle way possible — that the Fund will not be pushing Egypt to hike fuel prices come July. Energy subsidy reforms are necessary, Jarvis said, as they will allow the government to better allocate its resources towards health and education.

IMF board to sign-off on the institution’s staff-level agreement with Egypt over the coming weeks: The IMF’s Executive Board is expected to meet in a few weeks’ time to sign off on the second tranche of Egypt’s USD 12 bn bailout package, Jarvis also told Lamees, encouraged by a strong budget plan for FY2017-18 that outlines clear paths for deficit reduction and promises a primary surplus for the first time in years. Economic reform measures are also expected to reduce sovereign debt this fiscal year, he added, praising efforts to curb inflation and widen the social safety net.

Jarvis also told Lamees that the EGP float and recently-approved investment and industrial permits acts will also drive growth and improve the overall investment and business climate in the next fiscal year and beyond. (watch, runtime: 14:21).

Over on Kol Youm, a clamorous Amr Adib was on the prowl for presidential candidates for 2018 and seemed as genuinely upset as he is able to mimic over the fact that no one has yet announced their intention to run (watch, runtime: 1:06).

He was quick to get over it though, and moved on to an interview with Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo’s family that ONTV had filmed earlier in the day at the Giza plateau (watch, runtime: 7:54).