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

NATO and the EU on Wednesday sought ways to boost anti-drone defences, as Europe scrambles to counter the threat from Russia after a series of air incursions.

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher urged Israel on Wednesday to immediately open all crossings into Gaza for humanitarian aid, as called for in a US-backed ceasefire plan.

Chris Anderson took over TED 25 years ago, when the internet was young and optimism abounded about the future it could deliver.

The EU will urge G7 partners to consider tapping immobilized Russian assets in aiding Ukraine, the bloc's economy commissioner told AFP on Wednesday, as finance ministers of the group convene in Washington.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday said he was working to help corral the private sector around a new $20 billion "facility" to support Argentina's embattled economy.

Pakistan were denied a shock victory over England when their Women's World Cup match was washed out as Colombo continued to be drenched by unrelenting monsoon showers on Wednesday.

Madagascar braced for military rule Wednesday after an elite army unit seized power following President Andry Rajoelina's impeachment, promising elections within two years as the international community voiced alarm over the crisis.

Dutch tech giant ASML warned Wednesday of a steep fall in its China business next year, as it booked flat net profits in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year.

FIFA said on Wednesday it hoped all 16 host cities will be "ready" to stage games at the 2026 World Cup finals after US President Donald Trump suggested matches could be moved for security reasons.

Canadian leaders said Wednesday that Jeep-maker Stellantis's decision to invest $13 billion in the United States threatens Canadian jobs, urging action to counter what they called another casualty of President Donald Trump's trade war.

No 8 Caelan Doris will return from injury to captain Ireland for their four November Tests as part of the Autumn Nations Series, the Irish Rugby Football Union announced on Wednesday.

The Indian city of Ahmedabad is in prime position to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, the Executive Board of Commonwealth Sport announced on Wednesday.

The lifeline Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt remained shut on Wednesday despite reports that it could reopen to aid convoys, as Israel insisted Hamas hand over the remains of the last deceased hostages it holds.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent slammed Beijing's rare earth export curbs Wednesday as "China versus the world," vowing that Washington and its allies would "neither be commanded nor controlled."

Pope Leo XIV will carry a message of peace to Lebanon and the Christians of the Middle East when he visits next month, Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai told AFP on Wednesday.

The German government on Wednesday tried to smooth over a row within its ranks over conscription that threatens to overshadow its push to bolster military deterrence against Russia.

British driver George Russell and Italian Kimi Antonelli have signed contract extensions with Mercedes for next season, the Formula One team announced on Wednesday.

The US Supreme Court was hearing a case Wednesday on Black voter rights that could cement Republican control over the House of Representatives -- potentially even by next year's crucial midterm elections.

Dozens of troops and civilians were killed in a fresh round of border skirmishes between Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday, officials on both sides of the frontier said, hours before Islamabad said the two sides had agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire.

"A king", "a hero", "Nelson Mandela", "Jesus Christ" -- no superlatives were too much for the crowd that came to mourn the death of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga at his Nairobi home on Wednesday.

Greece's parliament on Wednesday debated a controversial reform proposed by the conservative government, which would allow 13-hour workdays under exceptional circumstances, drawing fire from unions and opposition parties.

It is absolutely critical for European countries to boost growth and productivity to catch up with the United States, a senior IMF official told AFP, calling on policymakers to make "smarter" spending choices.

Stephen Graham, the creator and star of searing teen murder saga "Adolescence", launched an appeal Wednesday for fathers around the world to pen and then share letters to their sons.

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) and world number one Magnus Carlsen have a long history of disagreements, but on Wednesday both backed a new world championship concept that sets the stage for the Norwegian's return.

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong signed a new deal until 2029, the Spanish champions announced Wednesday.

New challenges will test Pokemon trainers' reactions in their virtual beast battles, as the near-30-year-old saga's latest instalment hits Nintendo consoles on Thursday.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said Wednesday he wanted to "redefine" relations with Moscow as Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted him in Moscow, their first meeting since key Kremlin ally Bashar al-Assad was ousted last year.

Actor Will Arnett has revealed how "scary" it was doing live stand-up comedy as he prepared to play a novice comedian in Bradley Cooper's new movie "Is This Thing On?".

Madagascar braced for a new era of military rule Wednesday, a day after an elite army unit seized power following President Andry Rajoelina's impeachment and pledged elections in less than two years.

French telecom firm SFR on Wednesday rejected a buyout bid by three rivals, as the government and labour unions warned the deal could harm consumers and employees.

Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga, a "towering statesman" over decades of upheaval, died at the age of 80 on Wednesday during a health visit to India -- a political earthquake that leaves the east African nation on an uncertain path.

Stocks mostly rose and the dollar retreated Wednesday on hopes for further US interest rate cuts and a solid set of company earnings.