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

The Artemis II astronauts were preparing Friday for a high-stakes re-entry and splashdown, the final and perhaps most risky step of their historic 10-day journey around the Moon.

As the Orion spacecraft hurtles home, friction caused by re-entry into Earth's atmosphere will drastically decrease its speed from a potential 25,000 miles per hour (40,000 kilometers per hour).

An Israeli strike, one of multiple on the southern Lebanese city of Nabatiyeh on Friday, killed 13 State Security personnel, the agency said, as Lebanon prepared to start ceasefire talks with Israel.

More than 100,000 Muslim worshippers performed Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in east Jerusalem, the holy site's Islamic authority reported, after it reopened the previous day following a truce agreed between the United States and Iran.

Roberto De Zerbi called on Tottenham to embrace their attacking "DNA" in their relegation battle as he prepares to take charge of the team for the first time against Sunderland on Sunday.

Inflation in the United States rose sharply in March, government data showed Wednesday, as higher energy prices due to the war in the Middle East hit Americans hard.

Soaring fuel prices are driving up costs for Thais travelling home for the holidays, but the chance to spend the new year with loved ones is a price worth paying, they say.

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and England's Justin Rose scrambled not to lose ground on co-leaders Rory McIlroy and Sam Burns early in Friday's second round of the Masters.

For decades, the United States has cast itself as the guarantor of stability in the Middle East, allying militarily with Gulf Arab states as well as Israel and brushing aside global rival China's aspirations for a greater role.

Jannik Sinner brushed aside Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets on Friday to set up a Monte Carlo Masters semi-final against Alexander Zverev.

Inter Milan will be without captain and top scorer Lautaro Martinez for Sunday's Serie A match against Como, the Italian league leaders said.

Ukrainians on Friday were wary of Russia's pledge to pause fighting for an Orthodox Easter ceasefire -- first proposed by Kyiv -- this weekend.

Mikel Arteta challenged Arsenal to pile pressure on Manchester City by extending their lead at the top of the Premier League before their title rivals play 24 hours later.

Thousands of US homeland security employees are facing growing uncertainty over their pay after being told Friday's check could be their last until a record-long partial government shutdown is ended.

Crowds of flag-waving Hungarians have been cheering on their candidates for an election on Sunday, as Prime Minister Viktor Orban and challenger Peter Magyar hold frantic last-minute rallies.

A Swedish man suspected of exploiting his "vulnerable" wife to have sex with scores of men for payment, went on trial on Friday for aggravated pimping, rape and assault.

Inflation in the United States rose sharply in March, government data showed Wednesday, as higher energy prices due to the war in the Middle East hit Americans hard.

US Vice President JD Vance warned Iran on Friday against trying to "play" Washington, as he set off for talks in Islamabad aimed at transforming a fragile ceasefire into a lasting peace deal.

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior said that Enzo Fernandez remains dropped for Sunday's Premier League clash against Manchester City despite apologising for comments that cast doubt over his future at Stamford Bridge.

Borussia Dortmund and Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck has extended his deal by four years until 2031, the club announced Friday.

Roberto De Zerbi vowed to save troubled Tottenham from the humiliation of Premier League relegation as the Italian prepares for his first game in charge against Sunderland on Sunday.

Belgium's Antwerp port said Friday that it had reopened to North Sea shipping after an oil spill brought traffic to a near-halt in Europe's second-largest port.

Stock markets were mixed and oil prices were steady Friday with investors cautiously optimistic about the US-Iran ceasefire holding, and as a US inflation report was not as bad as feared.

Jannik Sinner brushed aside Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets on Friday to set up a Monte Carlo Masters semi-final against Alexander Zverev.

Pope Leo XIV and French President Emmanuel Macron held their first meeting Friday, a private audience at the Vatican where discussions ranged from the Iran war to basketball.

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior said on Friday that Enzo Fernandez had apologised after he "crossed a line" with comments that cast doubt on his future at Stamford Bridge.

Luciano Spalletti will stay on as Juventus coach after signing a new two-year deal, the Serie A club announced on Friday.

The head of a prominent anti-disinformation watchdog has warned of the dangers posed by AI chatbots, saying children are particularly vulnerable.

Pep Guardiola said Friday he was "grumpy" with Bernardo Silva, admitting he was in the dark over the future of his Manchester City captain.

Alexander Zverev edged out Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca in three sets on Friday to reach the Monte Carlo Masters semi-finals for the third time.

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and England's Justin Rose were set for early starts chasing co-leaders Rory McIlroy and Sam Burns as Friday's second round of the Masters began at Augusta National.

Celine Dion's fans are not the only ones excited about the megastar's new tour in Paris -- hotels, restaurants and shops are hoping for a multimillion-euro boost from concertgoers in the French capital.