Everyone is still talking about GERD everywhere on talk shows yesterday: Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry talked to Kelma Akhira’s Lamees Al Hadidi to comment on Thursday’s session at the UN Security Council over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) (watch, runtime 20:28). He described the council’s situation as “complicated” due to its political considerations and intertwining interests.

Egypt still hopes for action by the UN Security Council: Comments made by the council’s members during the session have shown so far their great interest in the issue and understanding of the need to reach a legally-binding agreement over the dam via AU-backed discussions.

The issue of mediation was emphasized by Shoukry, who told Lamees that additional mediators such as the UN, the EU or South Africa will need to be brought into the process before negotiations can resume (watch, runtime 20:28). The issue of mediation has been a key point of contention between the three sides: Sudan and Egypt have for months been pushing for new mediators but Ethiopia has insisted that it will only sit down for AU-sponsored talks.

The council’s session also got full coverage and analysis in Al Hayah Al Youm (watch, runtime 28:19) and El Hekaya’s Amr Adib (watch, runtime 15:07)

ALSO ON THE AIRWAVES- The first day of the Thanaweya Amma exams also got attention, with Education Minister Tarek Shawki making appearances on El Hekaya (watch, runtime 14:23), Ala Mas'ouleety (watch, runtime 18:39) and Hadeeth Al Kahira (watch, runtime 14:23) to evaluate the new hybrid examination system during its first day of implementation and address concerns expressed by some students over the difficulty of some exam questions. Al Hayah Al Youm also interviewed students to get their insights on the new system (watch, runtime 3:15).

Refresher: Students are being tested via multiple-choice bubble sheets, and are required to record their answers digitally on tablets and on paper in case of any technical malfunctions.

Eid prayers should have the same precautionary measures implemented during Eid El Fitr, starting from social distancing to wearing face masks, Endowments Minister Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa reiterated in a phone call with Amr Adib (watch, runtime 2:01). Traditional Eid prayers will be only at mosques where Friday prayers are being held. The takbir will only last for seven minutes at most while the sermon will be up for 10 minutes, he added.