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

Syrian singer Ishtar halted concerts when Islamist-led forces seized power nearly six months ago. She's now back on stage, but lingering fears have reshaped Damascus's nightlife scene.

An Australian woman accused of murdering three people by lacing their lunch with toxic mushrooms told a court on Wednesday she may have unwittingly used "foraged" fungi in the dish.

South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung vowed to reach out to the nuclear-armed North and "heal wounds" as he took office Wednesday, after winning snap elections triggered by his predecessor's disastrous martial law declaration.

Asian shares extended a global rise Wednesday following data indicating the US economy remained resilient, with South Korean equities and the won standing out as the election of a new president ended months of political paralysis.

More than a million worshippers were set to join Islam's most important rite under a beating sun as the hajj pilgrimage kicked off Wednesday, with authorities scrambling to avoid last year's 1,000-plus deaths in sweltering heat.

Vietnam's communist government has scrapped its long-standing policy of limiting families to two children, state media said Wednesday, as the country battles to reverse a declining birth rate.

A former defense minister in El Salvador and two retired colonels were found guilty Tuesday of the 1982 killings of four Dutch journalists during the country's civil war, a lawyer for families of the deceased said.

Rows of tanks filled with liquid nitrogen sit in temperature-controlled chambers at Sydney's Taronga zoo, cradling parts of the Great Barrier Reef's diverse and magnificent corals frozen in time.

Spain are aiming to become the first side to defend the Nations League trophy, with Luis de la Fuente's side going from strength to strength on the international stage ahead of next year's World Cup.

Big guns Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic both chase semi-final berths at the French Open on Wednesday, but the spotlight will be on home hope Lois Boisson in the women's tournament.

The Israeli military said it was shelling targets in Syria on Tuesday in response to a pair of projectile launches, with Defence Minister Israel Katz saying he held Syria's leader "directly responsible".

South Korea's centre-left Lee Jae-myung was declared president Wednesday after winning a snap election, taking the helm of a nation deeply divided after his predecessor's disastrous attempt to declare martial law.

It's never too late to make a splash, as Orestes Quintana, one of the doyens of the Juventud Acumulada (Forever Young) swimming club in Cuba's capital Havana discovered.

A US prisoner on death row and a Catalan jazz star who formed an unusual musical collaboration have released a second album together that rallies against capital punishment.

Canada has lifted a three-decade moratorium on commercial cod fishing, but there are signs Atlantic stocks have not fully recovered, raising questions about the government's rosy outlook for the sector.

World record-holder Katie Ledecky booked her place at the World Swimming Championship on Tuesday with a women's 800-meter freestyle victory on the opening day of the US national championships at Indianapolis.

Zimbabwe will cull dozens of elephants and distribute the meat for consumption to ease the ballooning population of the animals, its wildlife authority said Tuesday.

Powered by young star talent and deep rosters, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers open the NBA Finals on Thursday, each trying to bring their city a first-ever crown.

Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday shrugged off concerns about his decision to return to boxing at the age of 46 as he prepares for next month's world welterweight title comeback against Mario Barrios.

South Korea's center-left Lee Jae-myung was declared president Wednesday after winning a snap election, taking the helm of a nation deeply divided after his predecessor's disastrous attempt to declare martial law.

Carlos Alcaraz said his ruthless quarter-final performance at Roland Garros on Tuesday was partly "inspired" by rival Jannik Sinner as the Spaniard blew away Tommy Paul for the loss of just five games.

Canada's wildfires, which have already forced evacuations of more than 26,000 people, continued their stubborn spread Tuesday, with heavy smoke choking millions of Canadians and Americans and reaching as far away as Europe.

Italy's Lorenzo Musetti battled past American Frances Tiafoe to set up a semi-final clash with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open on Tuesday.

Key quotes from the 10th day of the French Open at Roland Garros on Tuesday:

Three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek set up a blockbuster French Open semi-final clash with world number one Aryna Sabalenka on Tuesday, as reigning men's holder Carlos Alcaraz powered his way into the last four.

The United States will double its tariffs on imported steel and aluminum starting Wednesday, according to the White House, as it published an order signed by President Donald Trump.

South Korea's liberal leader Lee Jae-myung is set to assume the presidency Wednesday, taking the helm of a nation deeply divided after his predecessor's disastrous attempt to declare martial law.

England women's playmaker Fran Kirby has announced her retirement from international football after learning she was unlikely to make Sarina Wiegman's squad for next month's Euros.

Virat Kohli said on Tuesday he had given his "youth and prime" to land one of the best moments of his career as Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured him a first-ever Indian Premier League T20 title at the 18th time of asking.

Ecuador's parliament on Tuesday gave the green light for the establishment of foreign military bases in the country as it seeks international assistance in its battle against violent drug gangs.

Major stock markets rose and the dollar climbed Tuesday as investors kept tabs on the China-US trade war, with speculation swirling that the countries' leaders will soon hold talks.

Jim Marshall, a defensive end who played 270 consecutive games for the Minnesota Vikings in a 20-year NFL career, died Tuesday at age 87, the club announced.