World Squash Championship in Egypt called off

PARIS — The Men's World Team Squash Championship in Cairo from Dec. 12-18 has been called off for security reasons, the sports' international federation confirmed Friday. Egyptian Squash Federation President Assem Khalifa requested the postponement because "some teams did not wish to attend the championship". "We request this postponement with a heavy heart as Cairo is a safe city," said Khalifa. England, France, Germany, the United States and Canada took the decision earlier this week not to attend the tournament. On Friday, assailants attacked a Cairo club with petrol bombs, killing at least 16 people in the ensuing blaze. While there was no indication of any jihadist link, the arson comes with Egyptian security forces on heightened alert following a series of attacks including in Cairo. — AFP