Three trade unionists kidnapped last week near Suez have been freed after a ransom was paid – a fourth hostage is still being held pending the payment of his ransom.

Prominent activist and leading member of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party Hossam Hassan was released in Assiut on Tuesday following a weeks-long detention period over his role in recent protests, according to Al-Ahram's Arabic news website.

A source from the Supreme Electoral Committee said that if anyone wants to participate in the constitutional referendum they have to cast the vote in designated polling stations.

CAIRO: Head of Women’s Complaints Office in the National Council for Women Fatma Khafagi, said that they it received 90 complaints during the first day of the constitutional referendum.

CAIRO,-- A bomb exploded outside a court in Cairo on Tuesday morning, minutes before the referendum on Egypt's new draft constitution kicks off, state-run Al-Ahram news website reported.

A first day of voting has been taking place in Egypt on a new constitution that could pave the way for fresh elections.

The Interior Ministry reported that four people died and nine others were injured, including two policemen, in clashes between Muslim Brotherhood supporters and security forces in Sohag on the first day of the constitution referendum.

CAIRO: Voting continued in different districts on the first day of the referendum on the constitution along with some demonstrations supporting the army, while the Administrative Prosecution Authority (APA) received a number of complaints.

Former MP Mohamed Abou Hamed, spokesperson for the Sisi Supporters Front, said on Tuesday that he survived an assassination attempt while driving on the Cairo-Alexandria desert road, escaping with a broken leg and several head injuries from the attack.

Minister of Tourism Hisham Zaazou said that the Egyptian government is strongly supporting the tourism sector, referring to full cooperation by the Prime Minister and all ministers with the aim of helping tourism restore normal rates.

Ethiopian Minister of Irrigation and Energy Alemayehu Tegenu said on Monday the process of building the Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam was on track without difficulties, adding that the project will be completed on schedule.

The vote on the constitution has the backing of minorities but supporters of ousted former President Mohammed Morsi said the poll moves Egypt further away from democracy.

CAIRO: More than 60 percent of eligible voters are expected to participate in the first day of the constitutional referendum on Tuesday, according to the head of the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) Abou Bakr el-Gendy.

CAIRO: Media adviser and spokesman of renowned Egyptian scientist Ahmed Zewail denied news reports claiming that Dr. Zewail intends to run in Egypt’s presidential elections.

Workers at 15 Egyptian universities have threatened to strike on 18 January over their exclusion from the national minimum wage for public sector workers.

Egyptian Interim President Adly Mansour said Sunday that "the adoption of this new constitution," amended from the 2012 Constitution, "will pave the road towards serious steps on the path to democracy."

Cairo Criminal Court convened on Sunday for the trial of former President Hosni Mubarak, his interior minister Habib al-Adly, and six of his aides, all accused of killing protesters during the 25 January, as well as his two sons Alaa and Gamal who are accused of financial corruption.

Egypt’s interim President Adly Mansour, who promised that the “new constitution will establish a modern civil state,” said the country’s new leader will have “full powers,” without detailing what these powers are in a television address on Sunday.

Egypt's army chief has given his clearest indication yet that he will run for president. General Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, the man who ousted Mohamed Morsi following mass protests last July, appeared to tell military colleagues on Saturday that he would view a strong yes vote in this week's constitutional referendum as a mandate to run for office.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement on the celebration of Christmas by Orthodox Christians following the Julian calendar:

Michelle and I wish Coptic Orthodox Christians in the United States and around the world a joyous Christmas. On this special day, we celebrate the messages of peace and hope that continue to inspire congregations more than 2,000 years after Jesus’ birth. During this season, we reaffirm the commitment of the United States to work for the protection of Christians and other people of faith in Egypt and around the world. The freedom to practice our faiths is critical to stable, pluralistic, and thriving societies, and the United States will continue to be vigilant in its work to protect that freedom. We wish Coptic Christians the blessings of this season and join them in offering prayers for peace in the year ahead.