CAIRO: Calls to hold a social dialogue about Egypt’s draft constitution will not achieve any practical benefits, according to the head of Alexandria’s Court of Appeal, Sameh Abdul Allah, because of calls for boycotting the referendum or for voting “yes.”

Transparency International’s 2013 Corruption Perceptions Index has revealed that regimes in Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia have not improved their standing, indicating these countries have not taken adequate measures to combat corruption, achieve independence and integrity of judiciary or legislate laws such as rights to obtain information.

CAIRO: Prime Minister Hazem al-Beblawy said Tuesday that Egypt has completed an important stage in its history, as the 50-member committee has completed a new draft of the constitution, and implementation of the roadmap as it was planned after the June 30 uprising has begun.

The century-old home of Egypt's mummies and King Tutankhamun's treasures is trying to make the best out of the worst times of political turmoil. But the Egyptian Museum is taking a hammering on multiple levels, from riots on its doorstep to funding so meager it can't keep up paper clip supplies for its staff.

A top US official Tuesday refused to be drawn on whether a new Egyptian constitution would pave the way for democratic reforms, saying it was up to Egyptians to approve the draft charter.

CAIRO: President of the Wafd Party Sayed el-Badawy said Tuesday that the founder of the Egyptian Popular Current Hamdeen Sabbahi made a mistake by declaring running for president, pointing out that Sabbahi was under the pressure of the members of Egyptian Popular Current to participate in the elections.

CAIRO: Head of the 50-members committee Amr Moussa said that the committee members have the right to run in any upcoming elections.

Partisan campaigns have launched around Egypt on both sides of the constitution, some calling for voting 'yes' in the referendum on the newly amended Constitution, while others oppose it.

Chairman of the constitution drafting committee Amr Moussa presented on Tuesday the final draft of the charter – finalised Sunday evening – to interim President Adly Mansour.

Strong Egypt Party, April 6 Youth Movement, the Revolutionary Socialists, and the No to Military Trials group all announced their rejection of the newly amended constitution, due to several articles, especially the one allowing military trials for civilians, and the one that requires the approval of the army to dismiss the defense minister.

CAIRO: The Egyptian Coalition on Children’s Rights (ECCR) released a statement on Dec. 2 demanding a fair trail for the two minors accused of murder and attempted rape of five-year-old Zeina Arafa.

The committee responsible for amending the Egyptian constitution finished voting on a new draft of the charter on Sunday evening, approving four articles that had not been passed in earlier sessions.

CAIRO: Egyptians living abroad continue to sign up on the website of the Supreme Electoral Committee to be able to vote in the upcoming constitutional referendum before registration ends on Monday.

Confusion prevailed at the 50-member constitutional committee after committee members submitted requests to alter the roadmap and hold the presidential elections before the parliamentary elections.

CAIRO: Eleven revolutionary movements and political parties and 15 political activists called for an organized protest at Talaat Harb Square on Monday.

CAIRO: Head of Journalists Syndicate and 50-committee member Diaa Rashwan said no constitution in the world includes the freedom of media and of citizens as the newly adopted one in Egypt.

Bassem Youssef is scheduled to be the guest of Yousry Foda’s ONTV talk show “Akher Kalam” on Wednesday evening, making it his first appearance since the suspension of his program on the network CBC.

The 50-member committee approved all articles related to powers of parliament (articles 101-138) before adjourning for Saturday night.

Cairo University holds security services responsible for the violent acts that took place with the students on Thursday, saying it will document the incident with pictures and videos to report to the authorities and bring the wrongdoers to account.

WASHINGTON: Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel telephoned his Egyptian counterpart on Saturday to voice U.S. concerns about a new Egyptian law that curbs protests and has prompted the arrest of a group of Egyptian girls and political activists, a spokesman said.

The National Defence Council met on Saturday, headed by interim President Adly Mansour, to discuss recent developments, after which the presidency released a statement reiterating the state’s commitment to respect freedom of expression, but also to ensure the safety of citizens.