The International Judo Federation suspended on Saturday an Algerian judoka and his coach for withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympics before his event started, after the draw set him on course for a match against an Israeli.Fethi Nourine and his coach Amar Benikhlef gave individual statements to the media announcing their withdrawal from the competition to avoid meeting an Israeli athlete during the event, the IJF said in a statement.Nourine’s withdrawal was “in total opposition to the philosophy of the International Judo Federation,” it said.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“The IJF has a strict non-discrimination policy, promoting solidarity as a key principle, reinforced by the values of judo,” it said.The IJF launched an investigation into the case, leading to a temporary suspension of Nourine and Benikhlef.The Algerian Olympic Committee withdrew the accreditation for both the athlete and coach and would send them home, applying sanctions accordingly, the IJF said, without further elaboration on the type of sanctions.Attempts to reach Nourine for comment were not successful.On Friday, Nourine told Algerian media that his political support for the Palestinian cause made it impossible for him to compete against Israeli Tohar Butbul.The 30-year-old was due to face Sudan’s Mohamed Abdalrasool on Monday for his first match in the men’s 73 kg class. A victory would have paired him with Butbul - who has a first-round bye - in the next round.It is not the first time that Nourine has withdrawn from competition to avoid facing an Israeli opponent. He pulled out of the 2019 world championships in Tokyo for the same reason.Tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict flared again this year as confrontations in contested Jerusalem triggered cross-border clashes.Athletes from other countries, including Iran and Egypt, have also in the past refused to compete against Israelis.Read more:Tunisian swimming double gold medalist Mellouli changes mind, will swim in TokyoFireworks get Tokyo’s no-frills Olympics opening ceremony underwayLebanese shooter hoping to raise spirits back home with Tokyo success
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Tokyo Olympics: Algerian suspended, sent home for withdrawing to avoid Israeli
U.S. to Announce Troop Drawdown From Iraq, but Little Is Expected to Change
The deal appears to be the latest effort by the Iraqi prime minister to balance the needs and demands of the country’s two closest allies: the United States and Iran..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: U.S. to Announce Troop Drawdown From Iraq, but Little Is Expected to Change
Iraq’s prime minister announces arrests over Baghdad suicide bombing
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi announced Saturday that members of a “terrorist cell” suspected of being behind a Baghdad suicide bombing that killed more than 30 people five days ago have been arrested.“We have arrested all the members of the cowardly terrorist cell that planned and perpetrated the attack on Al-Woheilat market” in Sadr City, a Shia suburb in the capital, “and they will be put before a judge today,” Kadhemi said on Twitter.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Last Monday, a suicide bomber killed more than 35 people and wounded dozens in a crowded market in the Sadr City neighborhood of Baghdad, on the eve of the Eid al-Adha festival.Read more:Iraq military base hosting US troops attacked by drone: CoalitionUS set to formalize readjustment of troop role in IraqIraqi police arrest several people behind murder of activist Hisham al-Hashemi: PM
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iraq’s prime minister announces arrests over Baghdad suicide bombing
Pakistan Consulate in Dubai gets first-of-its-kind call centre
The centre can receive multiple calls at a time, the mission said in a Press statement on Saturday..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Pakistan Consulate in Dubai gets first-of-its-kind call centre
Economic crisis leaves Lebanon unprepared for next Covid wave
Lebanon’s deepening economic crisis has piled pressure on hospitals, leaving them ill-equipped to face any new wave of the coronavirus, a top hospital director has warned..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Economic crisis leaves Lebanon unprepared for next Covid wave
PA accuses Israel of ‘war crimes’ after killing of teenager near Ramallah
The PA said that it was still hoping that the ICC would launch an investigation into Israeli "violations and war crimes" in response to the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: PA accuses Israel of ‘war crimes’ after killing of teenager near Ramallah
Man shot by Jordanian army while crossing Israel-Jordan border
Two of the men returned back to Jordanian territory after the first shots were fired, while the third continued to approach the border
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Man shot by Jordanian army while crossing Israel-Jordan border
Jewish summer camps adapting to a COVID-19 reality
With limited capacity and a COVID response team, Jewish summer camps across the US are operating again this summer.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Jewish summer camps adapting to a COVID-19 reality
Government encouraged to raise prices as Egyptians learn to grin and bear it
The Egyptian government has recently raised the prices of some commodities and services more than once. The price hikes, however, were not met by any popular rebuff as Egyptians did not question their government’s economic policies..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Government encouraged to raise prices as Egyptians learn to grin and bear it
Olympics: Israeli Avishag Samberg wins bronze in taekwondo
"I said to myself, 'so what if I'm the youngest?' I will give everything I have. Hope this is not my last medal," Samberg said after her win
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Olympics: Israeli Avishag Samberg wins bronze in taekwondo