Sawt Falasteen - News from Ramallah, the political, economic and cultural centre of Palestine, as well as the West Bank and the whole world

Indonesia's government is racing to capture the last-known Bornean rhino in the wild in a bid to preserve the species through in-vitro fertilisation, a government official told AFP on Friday.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said Friday "old dog" James Slipper will add vital leadership and experience after the 37-year-old was coaxed out of retirement for the Nations Championship.

A New Zealand minister has defended fishers involved in the deaths of two orcas in commercial fishing incidents and said "these things happen", while conservationists condemned the "devastating" loss.

Mexico became the first team to reach the knockout round of the World Cup on Thursday after a 1-0 victory over South Korea while Canada edged closer to the last 32 after thrashing Qatar.

Co-hosts Mexico became the first team to reach the knockout rounds of the World Cup with a 1-0 win over South Korea at a delirious Guadalajara Stadium on Thursday.

Top ranked South Africa launch their 2026 season against the Barbarians in Gqeberha on Saturday with a warning from head coach Rassie Erasmus ahead of a 14-match schedule.

Roberto 'Pico' Lopes might have been whiling away his time as a mortgage advisor in Ireland instead of preparing to face Uruguay in the World Cup on Sunday had Shamrock Rovers not come calling.

About 100 guerrillas laid down their weapons Thursday in a jungle area of southern Colombia under a deal with leftist President Gustavo Petro, who has sought peace with armed rebels, AFP journalists witnessed.

Waikato Chiefs captain Tupou Vaa'i said Friday the Super Rugby final against the Wellington Hurricanes on Saturday is "the game that everyone wanted to see".

Merlin meets the journalists early in the afternoon after a busy morning at Mexico's biggest TV station. His agenda is jam-packed, going late into the night so he can join thousands of admirers at the World Cup "Fan Fest" in Mexico City.

US Vice President JD Vance postponed a trip to Switzerland for talks that were originally slated for Friday to discuss next steps with the US-Iran agreement on ending the war in the Middle East, according to the White House.

Two years after leaving the United States following a series of unsuccessful MLS tryouts, Yan Diomande is shining at the World Cup for Ivory Coast -- and still grieving a family tragedy.

Veteran prop James Slipper was named in coach Joe Schmidt's 37-strong Australia squad for the opening three Tests of the Nations Championship on Friday, with a trio of potential debutants also included.

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic said victory over the United States on Friday would earn his side "respect," in the wake of disparaging comments by US pundits about the Australian side that have triggered a long-brewing row.

New Zealand's World Cup social media sensation Tim Payne has capitalised on his newfound fame, with the defender announcing on Friday that he has signed for Paraguayan powerhouse Club Olimpia.

Like the protagonist in his taboo novel, former doctor-turned-author Yo Kusakabe believes chopping off elderly patients' useless limbs could help prevent a potential collapse of super-ageing Japan's overstressed care industry.

Wyndham Clark made an eagle and two birdies in three holes to seize a four-stroke lead when darkness halted Thursday's first round of the 126th US Open at blustery Shinnecock.

Scientists have long posited the earliest water animals to transition to land had amphibious tadpole features, going through a metamorphosis akin to that of today's frogs.

Cuban lawmakers on Thursday adopted nearly 200 free-market reforms in a desperate bid to end a severe crisis and secure the end of a crippling US fuel blockade.

Canada thrashed nine-man Qatar 6-0 to secure their first ever World Cup victory on Thursday as Switzerland reignited their campaign with a resounding defeat of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Is it goodbye Air Force One, hello Qatar Force One?

Members of Venezuela's interim government met with the country's opposition party Thursday to discuss a "roadmap for a dialogue on a democratic transition," the US State Department said.

Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes urged Brazil to move on from a disappointing performance in their World Cup opener as they prepare to face Haiti in Philadelphia on Friday.

Canada thrashed nine-man Qatar 6-0 to clinch their first ever World Cup victory on Thursday in a Group B match marred by a horrific injury to midfielder Ismael Kone.

Cuban lawmakers Thursday adopted nearly 200 historic free-market reforms aimed at rescuing the communist island from a severe crisis aggravated by a US oil blockade.

Counting was under way late Thursday in a historic UK by-election which could determine embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer's future, as a Labour rival eyeing a leadership bid vies for a parliamentary seat.

Swiss wunderkind Johan Manzambi on Thursday described coming off the bench at the World Cup to score twice in a 4-1 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina as a "childhood dream come true."

The United States is about to embark on difficult negotiations with the Iranian government, whose survival of a massive US-Israeli military assault has undercut American leverage while bolstering the Islamic republic.

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler struggled to a two-over par 72 in Thursday's first round of the US Open, saying "good" shots were not good enough in punishing winds at Shinnecock.

Cuba on Thursday unveiled nearly 200 historic free-market reforms aimed at rescuing the communist island from a severe crisis aggravated by a US oil blockade.

Polls closed late Thursday in a historic UK by-election which could determine embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer's future, as a Labour rival eyeing a leadership bid vies for a parliamentary seat.

Super subs Johan Manzambi and Ruben Vargas fired Switzerland to a 4-1 win over 10-man Bosnia-Herzegovina in a late rush of goals in Los Angeles on Thursday.