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

President Donald Trump cheered Monday after a West Point military academy ceremony honoring "Saving Private Ryan" star and frequent critic Tom Hanks was canceled.

Europe's top car manufacturer Volkswagen on Monday presented a series of more affordable electric vehicles to take on fast-growing Chinese rivals as Germany's troubled auto sector seeks to turn around its fortunes.

France's excessive debt pile is "life-threatening" for the country, Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said Monday as he defended billions of euros of budget cuts ahead of a confidence vote expected to bring down his government.

Pakistan coach Mike Hesson believes his team's victory in a tri-series tournament with Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates will serve as a "confidence builder" for the Asia Cup starting in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

Bayer Leverkusen on Monday appointed Dane Kasper Hjulmand as coach, replacing Erik ten Hag, who was fired after just two league games in charge.

The appeal trial in the embezzlement case of French far-right leader Marine Le Pen will take place from January 13 to February 12, 2026, the Paris appeals court said Monday, in a potential boost to her hopes of standing in the 2027 presidential election.

Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a bus stop in east Jerusalem on Monday, killing six people and wounding several others, according to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, in one of the deadliest anti-Israeli attacks since the outbreak of the Gaza war.

At least 16 protesters were killed Monday when Nepal police dispersed young demonstrators in Kathmandu demanding the government lift its social media ban and tackle corruption.

The International Criminal Court on Monday postponed "until further notice" a crimes against humanity hearing concerning former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte, while judges weigh his fitness to take part.

British street artist Banksy on Monday took aim at the UK's crackdown on protesters with a new work outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, adding fuel to a free-speech row roiling the country.

Displaying one of her company's hot plates proudly labelled "Made in Germany", Sigrid Klenk concedes that maintaining production at home could become harder due in part to US tariffs.

At least 10 protesters were killed Monday after Nepal police fired rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon to disperse demonstrators in Kathmandu demanding the government lift its ban on social media and tackle corruption.

The private funeral of fashion legend Giorgio Armani was set to take place Monday in a picturesque village near Piacenza, in the northern Italian region where the designer grew up.

Global stock markets rose Monday as traders focused on political upheaval in France and Japan, in addition to mixed economic data.

Two officers were killed and two others wounded in a shooting attack on a police station near the Turkish city of Izmir on Monday, with a 16-year-old suspect arrested, officials said.

Rush-hour commuters faced chaos Monday as staff on the London Underground train network staged a five-day strike, shutting stations and forcing people to work from home or use alternative modes of transport.

A French doctor accused of intentionally poisoning 30 child and adult patients, 12 of whom died, went on trial Monday, saying before the hearing he was not responsible for the "distress" of his alleged victims and their families.

Influential Thai ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra landed back home on Monday ahead of a scheduled watershed ruling by the kingdom's top court which may see him jailed.

Maryna Tereshchenko still remembers the smell of the apricot trees in her Donbas home town, and clings to the hope that she will one day be able to return to east Ukraine.

Norwegians began voting Monday in an election where US President Donald Trump's tariffs and the war in Ukraine could give a boost to the government led by Labour Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.

German exports to the United States dropped in July to their lowest level since 2021, data showed Monday, as President Donald Trump's tariffs exact a heavy toll on Europe's biggest economy.

Israel's defence minister told Hamas on Monday to lay down its arms or face annihilation, after US President Donald Trump said the militant group must accept a deal to release hostages in Gaza.

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus on Monday overhauled his side for their Rugby Championship rematch with New Zealand, making seven changes and restoring Siya Kolisi as captain.

A French doctor who goes on trial Monday accused of intentionally poisoning 30 patients, 12 of whom died, sounded defiant in a radio interview before the hearings opened, saying he was not responsible for the "distress" of his alleged victims and their families.

Sha'Carri Richardson's talent is not in doubt as her stunning 100 metres world title in 2023 proved, but the American star is also like a moth to a flame when it comes to controversy.

Ariana Grande won the MTV Video Music Awards' top honor on Sunday, taking home Video of the Year for "Brighter Days Ahead", which also claimed Best Pop Song at the ceremony near New York City.

Four farmhands whacked a pistachio tree with sticks, and ripe nuts rained down onto tarps. The bounty seemed plentiful but the crew was unimpressed.

Pacific Islands leaders are meeting in the Solomons this week for an influential summit clouded by differences over China's mounting influence in the region that risks scuppering regional cooperation.

Sweden's indigenous Sami fear they will lose their livelihood and culture if plans go ahead to mine a large rare earths deposit located on their traditional reindeer grazing grounds in the far north.

A former top diplomat dubbed the "Trump Whisperer" was the first candidate Monday to join the race to be Japan's next leader, a day after premier Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation.

The Buffalo Bills erased a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit to grab a scintillating 41-40 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in a heavyweight slugfest on the opening Sunday of the NFL season.

The International Criminal Court will from Tuesday hear war crimes charges against fugitive Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony, accused of spearheading a brutal reign of terror that killed tens of thousands.