The star continued his phenomenal play and once again led Portland in points and assists, coming just two rebounds short of a back-to-back triple-double. In 38 minutes on the court, he shot 6-of-15 from the field (3-of-7 from three) and made 10 of 15 free throws. He also finished with a plus-minus rating of +11.

The opponent elevated their game in the final minutes, especially on defense. Avdija committed a critical offensive foul, and in the following possession, he was blocked in a questionable no-call situation with a four-point deficit. The Canadians improved to 7-15 and ended a two-game losing streak, as Tuesday's game marked the first of a five-game homestand for them.

Portland was close again but came away empty-handed, and Tiago Splitter's team continues to mature. Tuesday's game was the first of a five-game road trip, with the next opponent the Cleveland Cavaliers, already tonight at 2:00 AM. After that comes the red-hot Detroit Pistons.

The post Avdija sets career-high despite Portland's 3rd straight loss appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Following his dominant outing against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the account DC Sports Buzz published a striking, and almost unbelievable, statistical comparison between Avdija and none other than LeBron James, one of the greatest basketball players of all time. The comparison presents the numbers each posted at the age Avdija is now, 24, based on per-36-minute production in their sixth NBA seasons.

According to that data, Avdija is posting averages that are almost identical to James' at the same stage of his career. Avdija is shooting better from beyond the arc, pulling down more rebounds, getting to the free-throw line more often and scoring the exact same number of points.

Nearly Identical Numbers

Avdija's per-36-minute averages in his sixth NBA season:
27.2 points on 17.7 field-goal attempts, 47.6% from the field, 37.8% from three, 7.4 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 9.5 free-throw attempts per game.

James' per-36-minute averages in his sixth NBA season:
27.2 points on 19 field-goal attempts, 48.9% from the field, 34.4% from three, 7.2 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 9 free-throw attempts per game.

Thanks to his performance against Oklahoma City, which capped an especially strong month, Avdija finished November averaging 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game. There is no doubt: Israel has a true NBA All-Star in the making.

The post Deni Avdija is tracking like LeBron James – and there's statistical proof appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Booker finished first in the official Strongman Games World Championships in Arlington, but the organizers later stated that Booker had violated the competition rules, which explicitly require competitors to compete in the category corresponding to their biological sex at birth.

The organizers declared their decision in a social media announcement, stating, "It appears that an athlete born male and who currently identifies as female competed in the women's category." They added, "Official Strongman management was not aware of this before the competition, and we have been investigating the case since we were informed.

"Had we known this, or had it been noted at any point before or during the competition, this athlete would not have been authorized to compete in the Open Women's category," the organizers stressed.

The move followed controversy surrounding the second-place finish. British competitor Andrea Thompson was documented leaving the podium angrily following the decision to award the title to Booker. Thompson was subsequently declared the winner, as many fans online had demanded from the beginning.

Booker, for her part, has yet to publicly comment on her disqualification. The organizers noted that attempts to contact her after the competition were unsuccessful.

The post 'World's strongest woman' disqualified after organizers learn she was born male appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Josh Howie, a prominent comedian and television host of Jewish descent, delivered a speech on GB News ahead of the match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Aston Villa. In his speech, he sharply criticized the city and police policy and announced he would attend the match as an act of protest.

Howie criticized "bullies" who wanted "to ban Jews" from attending the match, and believes other Jews should join him to stand up for British democracy.

'I am a British Jew, and on Thursday I am going to Birmingham to watch a football match!'

Josh Howie slams 'bullies' who wanted to 'ban Jews' from attending the Aston Villa match against Tel Aviv Maccabi, and believes others should join him to stand up for British democracy. pic.twitter.com/4LPwFK2RMp

— GB News (@GBNEWS) November 2, 2025

More Jewish organizations are joining Howie's call, stating, "What was supposed to be just a soccer match could go down in British history – as the night when our second city, 80 years after its victory over the Nazis, tested whether it would surrender to Islamofascists led by MP Javed Khan and his associates Ahmad Yaqub and Shakeel Afsar. Resist."

Pro-Palestinian protest groups planning to attend the match are calling it "the battle for Birmingham," claiming the entire city is united "against Israel." "We have over 30 organizations that are going to show up, families and fans who are going to show the fury we have toward Israel." The organizations claim the protests will be non-violent, but local police are preparing for major tensions between Muslims and Jews.

As a reminder, Maccabi Tel Aviv decided to forfeit the allocation it received in any case, due to the danger of confrontations, but in England, officials understand that Jewish and Israeli fans will likely arrive at the match anyway.

The post British police brace for Maccabi Tel Aviv match in Birmingham appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Avdija fell just one rebound shy of becoming the only Portland Trail Blazers player in franchise history to surpass 20 points and five rebounds in the season's opening four games.

Deandre Ayton, who shared the court with Avdija in Portland last season, "blamed" Deni for the Lakers' defeat. "Every shot he made he just kept rubbing it in," Ayton said.

NBA reporters expressed strong admiration for the Israeli's showing. "Deni Avdija is the best deal in the NBA. What an acquisition," Portland online persona ChadinPortland wrote. "Avdija is a completely legitimate All-Star," the Bowrld account, followed by tens of thousands, declared. CuffsTheLegend posted, "I'll say it again: Deni Avdija is the most underrated player in the National Basketball Association."

Reporter David Mackay suggested that one of Portland's key decisions involves starting the Israeli while bringing Jeremy Grant off the bench. "By moving Deni Avdija into the starting five this year and shifting Jeremy Grant to the bench, Portland has positioned two players competing for NBA awards. I'd be surprised if Deni doesn't receive votes for Most Improved Player, or if Jeremy doesn't capture Sixth Man of the Year," Mackay stated.

The post Deni Avdija lights up Lakers for 25 points while ex-teammate watches in amazement appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Rashid continued his incitement, "If you meet an IDF soldier and make an intervention with him, you can take from him, but not give. If you tell him, 'If your team wins, you'll receive $10,000 and if you lose, you'll have to give me $10,000,' and your team really won – take the money from him. If your team lost – you don't pay him. This is the law that applies to people like IDF soldiers."

Video: The imam's preaching against Israelis / Credit: MEMRI

"Does this also apply to the straight Dutchman, an honest person, nice, who has no hostility toward Islam? There are so many such Europeans that we as Muslims must be a personal example to them – both to Muslims and to non-Muslims living in Europe, so they will know the true character of Islam," Rashid added. He said these words directly to the camera, in a relaxed atmosphere, without fearing consequences.

Maccabi Tel Aviv is scheduled to visit Villa Park on November 6 as part of the European League, and Rashid's shocking words evoke difficult memories from last year, when Maccabi Tel Aviv fans who accompanied the team to Amsterdam were subjected to a severe antisemitic lynching by Muslims. Approximately 30% of Birmingham's population, England's second-largest city, is Muslims. Rashid is one of the known anti-Israel figures in the area and is regularly present at rallies and demonstrations in the city.

Local Member of Parliament, Pakistani Ayub Khan, has already called to cancel the match, labeled Maccabi Tel Aviv fans "thugs" and claimed he fears they will make provocations and harm residents, "like they did in Amsterdam." Khan has been seen more than once alongside Rashid, including last month at a demonstration where the preacher called to "detonate Zionism." Rashid is extreme and dangerous, supported "preventive actions against Zionists," and claimed that prayers for Jews are treason.

Rashid received sharp criticism for his call for violence against Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, and even British Muslims called the video "abhorrent," made clear that he "doesn't represent Islam's values," and accused Rashid of incitement. Until now, the local police have neither arrested him nor announced an investigation, which is causing great anger online. "Pure incitement against Jews, how is he still not in prison?" a commentator wrote.

The post UK imam floats attack on incoming Maccabi fans appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The British daily noted that last month several European clubs had asked UEFA to find a way to avoid playing against Israeli opponents, with Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel's sole representative in the Europa League, at the center of the debate. According to The Times, this accelerated the push to discuss Israel's suspension, and the matter is now expected to come up for a vote.

The report coincides with a statement from the US State Department, which said that US President Donald Trump and Marco Rubio had intervened with UEFA and FIFA in an effort to prevent Israeli teams from being expelled. Trump stressed that "this is unacceptable to him" and that he is fighting to ensure Israeli sports remain part of international competitions.

It should be noted that the American statement mentioned Israel's national team in the context of the World Cup but did not refer to UEFA, the Europa League, or Maccabi Tel Aviv. According to The Times, UEFA is citing the precedent of Russia's suspension following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, after which Russian clubs and national teams were banned from European competitions and have yet to be reinstated.

The post Majority in UEFA backs expelling Israel appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

According to Carrasco, the forum itself does not have the authority to impose sanctions but could adopt an initial joint stance, a step that might serve as a springboard for harsher measures by UEFA's Executive Committee, which holds the power to suspend or expel member states. "The meeting will not decide on expulsion, but it is clear that the issue will be raised, and the pressure is growing," Carrasco wrote, adding that the United Nations, through a group of envoys, has formally called on FIFA and UEFA to suspend Israel over what it described as "serious human rights violations."

Israel is one of UEFA's 55 member associations, and its representative is expected to participate in the meeting, though only in shaping policy rather than making binding decisions.

A unified front

As Israel Hayom reported, a Qatari-backed proposal to immediately expel Israel from UEFA frameworks was dropped Tuesday after intense lobbying by Israeli diplomats, football officials worldwide, and even American representatives, who engaged directly with UEFA's leadership.

According to OKDiario, Israel is unlikely to face expulsion in the short term, but "the dirty work," as the report put it, will take place in upcoming discussions aimed at forging a unified front against its continued participation. Carrasco also highlighted Qatar's involvement, describing it as working "behind the scenes" to push for sanctions in response to the war in Gaza.

The post UEFA moves forward to suspend Israel despite delay appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

McGregor was recorded throwing heavy punches during sparring sessions in Italy and Spain last weekend. Videos from the training were circulated on social media, where many alleged he applied unreasonable force. "Conor McGregor in shocking 'bullying' video as he beats up young sparring partners," proclaimed the headline in Britain's Daily Mail.

Conor McGregor sparring with young fighters in Italy, and he wasn't going easy on them

@TheNotoriousMMA pic.twitter.com/M2m6vxPJXx

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 22, 2025

 Notably, the Irish star's training sessions drew numerous fans, who appear in the footage at the facility entrance attempting to watch the star in action.

The backlash arrived mere days after he declared on social media his candidacy for the Irish presidency, following his unsuccessful appeal of a high-profile civil case in which he was found liable for civil rape.

McGregor was scheduled to return to the octagon in June 2024, but withdrew from the planned bout against Michael Chandler after fracturing his left foot's pinky toe. Last month, he made progress toward a comeback when he rejoined the UFC's drug testing pool. This month, he submitted two random samples, both testing negative for banned substances.

McGregor, 37, shared a photograph on Wednesday morning with his partner, Dee Devlin, 38, and their four children, Conor Junior, Croía, Rian, and Mác, stating: "I've never been so at peace with my life as I am now."

The post Conor McGregor faces backlash for excessive force in sparring appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Numerous tweets on X described the pair: "Lance Stroll was photographed with the rage-inducing Zionist Yael Shelbia in Israel. Clearly this is shocking news and a devastating situation for Aston Martin fans. But we must not get confused, we must continue to believe 1000% that Palestine must be freed. We must not turn our backs on the Palestinian people's struggle because of love for the Aston Martin team. Humanity before sport, always!"

Others tried to defend Lance Stroll and wrote, "I saw that many people started exploiting the situation with Lance Stroll to condemn and go against Jews. Not all Jews are Zionists, hope this helps." Another user wrote, "So while everyone is crashing following the photos of Lance Stroll with Yael Shelbia, it's better to use the opportunity to raise awareness about the situation of the Palestinian people instead of just tweeting how much you hate him personally."

"I woke up to news about Lance Stroll partying with Yael Shelbia, a former IDF soldier and enthusiastic Zionist, specifically on the day Israel eliminated the entire Al Jazeera journalism team in Gaza. How the hell am I supposed to tolerate him after this s**t? Free Palestine!" another wrote. "What Lance is doing by traveling for vacation in Israel and partying with a former IDF soldier is disgusting and despicable, all while Gaza residents, not far from where he partied, are starving to death, oppressed by the Zionist occupier and undergoing genocide, it's simply revolting. Even Lance's fans cannot remain silent about this thing."

The post Formula 1 driver under fire for Tel Aviv visit with Israeli model appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.