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

Pope Leo XIV singled out the challenges of artificial intelligence as he took office this month, underscoring religious leaders' hopes to influence a technology freighted with both vast hopes and apocalyptic fears.

Carlos Alcaraz will begin his French Open title defence against Japan's Kei Nishikori as Iga Swiatek faces a difficult route to a fourth successive Roland Garros title after a year-long trophy drought.

Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric said Thursday he would leave the Spanish giants after the Club World Cup this summer.

This year's Eurovision Song Contest winner Austrian singer JJ called for Israel to be excluded from next year's competition in an interview published Thursday.

Mixed martial arts superstar Zhang Weili said on Thursday she was confident of the sport's future in China after Ultimate Fighting Championship announced its first event in the mainland since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Stock markets mostly fell and US long-term borrowing costs surged Thursday as investors fretted over the US debt pile after President Donald Trump's sweeping spending and tax cut plan passed the House of Representatives.

Daring provocateurs to their fans, dangerous extremists to their detractors, Belfast rappers Kneecap court controversy and divide opinion like few contemporary bands.

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said on Thursday that the Netherlands's agenda was to have "as free as possible" international trade, following the recent trade talks between China and the United States.

Irish actor Paul Mescal on Thursday balked at critics comparing the latest film he stars in, a gay romance competing at the Cannes Festival, to "Brokeback Mountain".

Fifty-five men were arrested in France this week as part of an operation to dismantle a suspected paedophile ring operating via the Telegram messaging app, authorities said Thursday.

Carlos Alcaraz will begin his French Open title defence against Japan's Kei Nishikori and Jannik Sinner plays home hope Arthur Rinderknech in his first Grand Slam match since serving a doping ban.

Whether or not Russia and Ukraine peace talks actually take place at the Vatican, the mere suggestion it could play host reflects a fresh diplomatic impetus under new pope Leo XIV.

Former world number one golfer, Ernie Els, declared himself a "proud South African" as he was dragged into the ambush of his country's leader Cyril Ramaphosa by US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned Thursday that Russia threatened security in Europe as he visited Lithuania to mark the official formation of Germany's first permanent overseas military unit since World War II, aimed at bolstering NATO's eastern flank.

A British court on Thursday paved the way for a government deal on returning the remote Chagos Islands to Mauritius, lifting a temporary ban which had forced an 11th-hour halt to an accord being signed.

Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley both made fifties as they launched England's home season with an unbeaten century opening stand in a one-off four-day Test against Zimbabwe in Nottingham on Thursday.

Net migration to the UK dropped by half in 2024, the latest official figures showed on Thursday, in what will be a welcome boost for under-fire Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The Norwegian Ski Federation announced on Thursday that it had reached an agreement with three ski jumping officials to terminate their contracts, over their involvement in a equipment manipulation scandal.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said Thursday the Gunners must be in the market to sign the best players to bolster a squad he accepts lacks "firepower".

Chinese mixed martial arts superstar Zhang Weili said on Thursday she would relish fighting on home turf again after Ultimate Fighting Championship announced its first event in mainland China since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Romania's constitutional court on Thursday validated the results of the presidential run-off vote at the weekend, won by pro-European Nicusor Dan, after rejecting an appeal by his defeated far-right rival.

The Israeli army issued an evacuation warning on Thursday for 14 neighbourhoods of northern Gaza, as it pressed a renewed offensive that has drawn international condemnation.

EU lawmakers greenlighted tariffs on Russian fertiliser imports on Thursday, a move the Kremlin derided as Europeans shooting themselves in the foot.

A British court on Thursday was reviewing the government's deal to return the remote Chagos Islands to Mauritius after imposing a last-minute block on the accord.

Equities and oil prices slid Thursday on concerns over the US economy as President Donald Trump tries to push through fresh tax cuts that risks sending the country's deficit ballooning further.

Spanish authorities are investigating the fatal shooting of a pro-Russia former Ukrainian MP as a likely organised crime hit but have not ruled out political motives, a police source said Thursday.

A gunman who killed two people outside a Jewish museum in Washington on Wednesday was initially mistaken for a victim of the shooting and allowed into the building, witnesses said.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned Thursday that Russia threatened security in Europe as he visited Lithuania to mark the official formation of Germany's first permanent overseas military unit since World War II, aimed at bolstering NATO's eastern flank.

Alejandro Garnacho has cast doubt over his future at Manchester United after being dropped by Ruben Amorim for the Red Devils Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.

EU lawmakers greenlighted tariffs on fertiliser imports from Russia on Thursday, despite European farmers' fears the move could send prices soaring.

Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine won the toss and elected to field in a one-off Test against England at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

Irish rappers Kneecap on Thursday denied supporting a proscribed group and vowed to defend themselves after a singer was charged with a "terror" offence for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London concert.