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

Pope Francis smashed the stereotypical profile for a pontiff, becoming the Catholic Church's first leader from the Americas and the first non-European since the eighth century.

With Pope Francis laid to rest, all eyes turn now to the conclave, the secretive meeting of cardinals set to convene within days to elect a new head of the Catholic Church.

Cardinals electing Pope Francis's successor will have an easier time than many of their predecessors, who endured spartan conditions and were even locked up so long that some of them died.

For Canadian Zita Dube-Lockhart, whose 12-year-old child receives gender-affirming care, the campaign ahead of Monday's election has avoided issues that matter to her, including LGBTQ rights.

Liverpool are primed for a Premier League title party as they aim to seal a record-equalling 20th English top-flight crown against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday.

With songs, dancing, tears and prayers, mourners in Buenos Aires marked the burial of native son Pope Francis on Saturday.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, fueled by 38 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, held off the Memphis Grizzlies 117-115 on Saturday to complete a 4-0 sweep in their NBA Western Conference playoff series and become the first team to reach the second round.

A massive explosion tore through Iran's largest commercial port on Saturday, triggering a major blaze, with 14 people killed and 750 injured so far.

Barcelona's Copa del Rey final hero Jules Kounde hailed his match-winning goal as the best of his career and said he was proud of his team after beating rivals Real Madrid on Saturday.

"Our newest official partner is dedicated to bringing premium artificial turf solutions to the Romanian market," said George Neagle, president of SYNLawn Global. "With a strong focus on landscaping, golf, and commercial applications, SYNLawn Romania is set to redefine outdoor spaces in its region with high-quality, durable, and environmentally friendly artificial grass."

Rory McIlroy shrugged off a 90-minute storm delay and sank a 30-foot eagle putt to steal the show in Saturday's four-ball format third round of the PGA Zurich Classic.

A massive explosion tore through Iran's largest commercial port on Saturday, triggering a major blaze, with 14 people killed and 750 injured so far.

Cincinnati striker Kevin Denkey scored twice, including a perfectly executed bicycle kick, as the Ohio team beat Sporting Kansas City 2-1 in Major League Soccer on Saturday.

Barcelona defender Jules Kounde struck deep in extra-time to decide a gripping Copa del Rey Clasico final on Saturday in Seville, earning his side a 3-2 win over rivals Real Madrid.

Chris Eubank Jr survived a brutal grudge bout against Conor Benn to seal a unanimous points decision against his bitter rival on Saturday.

The Oklahoma City Thunder, fueled by 38 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, held off the Memphis Grizzlies 117-115 on Saturday to complete a 4-0 sweep in their NBA Western Conference playoff series and become the first team to reach the second round.

South Korea's Ryu Hae-ran and Japan's Mao Saigo, both aided by long birdies, shared the lead after Saturday's third round of the LPGA Chevron Championship.

Canadian leaders campaigned in battleground districts Saturday, two days before a vote electrified by US President Donald Trump's threats, with Prime Minister Mark Carney favored after assuring voters he can stand up to Washington.

Pep Guardiola admits parting with Kevin De Bruyne has been one of the most difficult moments of his Manchester City reign.

Ruben Amorim insists he has "no regrets" about joining troubled Manchester United despite questioning whether he should have delayed his arrival at Old Trafford.

Lyon and Strasbourg both recorded comfortable wins in Ligue 1 on Saturday to remain neck-to-neck in the race for Champions League football next season, while Le Havre held Monaco to a stalemate that condemned Montpellier to relegation.

Toulouse consolidated their grip on the Top 14 with a 52-6 thrashing of local rivals Castres on Saturday as the two teams immediately below them both lost.

Novak Djokovic admits he may have played his last-ever match at the Madrid Open after he crashed out in his opening round encounter on Saturday, while Iga Swiatek advanced to the last-16 on the women's side of the draw.

Reigning Olympic champions Masai Russell and Tara Davis-Woodhall won in solid early season fashion at the 115th Drake Relays on Saturday at Des Moines, Iowa.

University of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, son of former Dallas Cowboys great Deion Sanders, finally got his NFL call on Saturday after a stunning slide in the NFL draft.

The Cleveland Cavaliers throttled Miami 124-87 on Saturday, handing the Heat the worst playoff defeat in franchise history to take a 3-0 stranglehold on their NBA Eastern Conference first-round series.

An explosion of unknown origin tore through Iran's most advanced container port on Saturday, triggering a major fire, killing eight people and injuring hundreds, state media said.

New Zealand's Geordie Beamish, last year's world indoor 1,500m champion, charged late on the outside to win the Penn Relays men's mile in 3mins 56.85 on Saturday.

Hundreds of thousands of mourners joined world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, to bid farewell Saturday to Pope Francis, a champion of the poor who strived to forge a more compassionate Catholic church.

Real Madrid started Saturday's Copa del Rey final against rivals Barcelona with superstar Kylian Mbappe on the bench.

England survived a sparkling French comeback to win the Women's Six Nations rugby union decider 43-42 at Twickenham on Saturday.

Crystal Palace reached the FA Cup final for the first time in nine years as Ismaila Sarr's double and a rocket from Eberechi Eze sealed a 3-0 win against Aston Villa at Wembley on Saturday.