The nation’s talking heads continued to pore over the government’s efforts to crack down on building violations last night, while government plans to address anticipated Nile flooding and the covid-19 vaccine trials also received air time.

Phase three clinical trials of a Chinese covid-19 vaccine to last two months: Yahduth Fi Misr’s Sherif Amer phoned Hossam Hosni, the head of the Scientific Committee to Combat Coronavirus, who said that phase three clinical trials in Egypt of a Chinese covid-19 vaccine will last for two months. The ministry is currently gathering 6k volunteers to participate in the tests, which are being run by the Chinese government and Emirati health firm G42 Healthcare. Hosni said that production will begin after the trials have ended and analyses have been completed, while a year-long follow-up period continues after the trials, (watch, runtime: 3:02).

All the latest on informal housing and the construction code: Amer phoned Local Development Ministry spokesperson Khaled Kasem, who said that EGP 6.9 bn in settlement fees have now been taken by the government, with Alexandria Governorate taking the most, followed by Cairo, Menoufia (which saw the largest number of requests submitted), Beheira and Qalyubia. The ministry is working overtime to accept as many reconciliation requests as possible ahead of the end-of-month deadline, he added. (watch, runtime: 5:32). Local Development Minister Mahmoud Sharawy yesterday announced the new figure, adding that the government has received 1.1 mn settlement requests. Masaa DMC's Ramy Radwan (watch, runtime: 9:12) and Ala Mas’ouleety’s Ahmed Moussa (watch, runtime: 24:56) also covered the topic.

Emergency flooding plans: Masaa DMC’s Ramy Radwan covered the emergency plans to prevent Nile flooding reviewed by Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly yesterday. The plan includes securing vital facilities, preparing evacuation procedures for land and homes along the river’s banks, mapping out areas that will likely require drainage, and the safe disposal of pollutants in the Rashid and Damietta branches of the river. Madbouly assigned the irrigation minister to prepare maps of the most vulnerable areas, and directed local governors to take all the required measures. Madbouly said that most of the buildings adjacent to rivers are illegal constructions, and that every governor should warn citizens about the dangers of flooding while they implement their emergency plans (watch, runtime: 4:09).

Egypt UN rep wins reelection: Al Hayah Al Youm’s Mostafa Sherdy, highlighted the reelection of Egyptian candidate Mohamed Ezz El Din to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Ezz El Din won with a majority, securing 49 out of a total 54 votes cast by committee members (watch, runtime: 3:53).