RAMALLAH: A senior Palestinian political leader has called for a united struggle against the incoming government in Israel, labelling it racist and extremist, and warning that its declared goal is to “deepen and consolidate an apartheid regime.”

Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative Movement, urged all Palestinian forces to join together in an immediate bid to boycott and isolate the new Israeli leadership.

CAIRO: Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Sunni Islam’s oldest and foremost seat of learning, confirmed that controversy and disagreement over congratulating the Christian brothers on the occasion of Christmas has been renewed with the approaching end of each year.

The Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism said that this debate was settled by Al-Azhar Al-Sharif a long time ago.

CAIRO: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Thursday approved a document outlining 62 economic activities the state will withdraw from and turn over the private sector, a cabinet statement said.
The document’s approval was required by the International Monetary Fund, which this month approved a 46-month, $3 billion financial support package for Egypt.
The policy aims to give the private sector a greater role in helping to grow the economy, create jobs and increase investment and exports, the statement said.

LONDON: An Iranian chess player is moving to Spain while fearing for her life after playing in a tournament without a hijab, the Daily Telegraph reported on Thursday.

During the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Kazakhstan earlier this week, Sara Khadem appeared without a hijab, in an apparent show of support for women and anti-regime protesters in her home country.

However, sources close to the player said the 25-year-old has decided to move to Spain with her husband and young child following the events as a result of safety fears.

TEHRAN: Iran’s army begins Thursday military exercises in strategic southern regions east of the Strait of Hormuz, state news agency IRNA reported.
Joint drills involving air, land and naval forces — including both drones and submarines — will take place around the southeastern port of Jask “east of the Strait of Hormuz,” deputy coordinator of the armed forces Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said.
The Strait of Hormuz is the strategic chokepoint at the head of the Gulf through which a fifth of world oil output passes.