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

A security scare at the Australian prime minister's residence this week was sparked by a bomb threat against an anti-Beijing Chinese dance troupe, the act's hosts said Friday.

As dengue surges globally, an Indian vaccine candidate has entered the final stage of testing, raising hopes for one of the world's first single-dose shots against the deadly mosquito-borne disease.

Pakistan bombed major cities in Afghanistan including the capital Kabul on Friday, with Islamabad's defence minister declaring the neighbours at "open war" following months of tit-for-tat clashes.

The giant Mobile World Congress (MWC) trade fair for telecoms kicks off for its 20th annual edition in Barcelona on Monday, with firms racing to pump AI into their systems even as debate rages over the technology's regulation.

Defending champions China are looking to recreate their glory days at the Women's Asian Cup, but the Steel Roses' hopes of a record 10th title face a daunting challenge from powerhouse Japan, hosts Australia and dark horse North Korea.

Markets stuttered Friday as traders took their foot off the pedal at the end of a healthy week in Asia, where tech firms rallied on a reassessment of AI investments.

Clermont centre Irae Simone says Bayonne's former England star Manu Tuilagi will "want to take some heads off" as he returns to action when the teams meet in the French Top 14 on Saturday.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament on Friday that she opposes changing the imperial family's male succession rules.

Sumo has been hit with another bullying scandal after media reported Friday that a retired grand champion who is now a stablemaster had reported himself to the sport's authorities for violent behaviour.

Multiple US Olympic men's ice hockey players have apologized for their team's response after President Donald Trump said he would "have to" invite the women's team to the White House too.

When director and screenwriter Clint Bentley decided to adapt "Train Dreams" for the big screen, he hoped he could captivate audiences with the tale of an ordinary man living in extraordinary times -- the early 20th century.

Cycling's fabled cobbled classics season will begin with a bang this weekend as former world champion Mathieu van der Poel lines up alongside his long-time rival Wout van Aert at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.

Formula 1 is well anchored in the United States with its American owners and three Grand Prix races, but the sport hopes to push its growing popularity further with the help of Netflix and Apple.

It's hard to recognize Ethan Hawke in "Blue Moon": he's short, bald, slightly greasy-looking and uncomfortable in his own skin.

Mark Davis was just 13 years old when he perished in a juvenile detention facility for Black boys in the eastern US state of Maryland some 140 years ago.

Australian supermarket giant Woolworths has been forced to rein in an AI-powered customer service assistant after users reported it had been rambling about its mother.

Premier League leaders Arsenal face a title test from London rivals Chelsea on Sunday.

Pakistan bombed major cities in Afghanistan including the capital Kabul on Friday, with Islamabad's defence minister declaring the neighbours at "open war" following months of tit-for-tat clashes.

Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been cleared to return for the Oklahoma City Thunder after missing nine straight games with an abdominal strain.

Paramount Skydance, run by pro-Trump technology heir David Ellison, was poised to take control of Warner Bros. Discovery on Thursday after Netflix said it would not raise its takeover offer, ending one of the biggest media bidding wars in a generation.

AI company Anthropic said Thursday it would not give the US Defense Department unrestricted use of its technology despite being pressured to comply by the Pentagon.

Basketball Hall of Famer Chris Bosh says he's "lucky to be alive" after a health scare in which he passed out and woke up to find himself covered in blood.

Multiple US Olympic men's ice hockey players have apologized for their team's response after President Donald Trump joked he would "have to" invite the women's team to the White House too.

Netflix said Thursday it would not raise its takeover offer for Warner Bros. Discovery, effectively ceding the media giant to a rival bid from Paramount Skydance after deciding the deal was no longer financially attractive.

A US-based man identified as one of those killed by the Cuban coast guard in a shootout had wanted to liberate the communist island, a political ally told AFP on Thursday.

France's leading movie awards on Thursday gave Canadian-American actor Jim Carrey a special honour in recognition of his eclectic acting career, a tribute he accepted with a speech delivered in French.

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has moved to Australia after a stint in the United States, national broadcaster RNZ said, joining record numbers of her compatriots moving across the Tasman.

Dating out of your league? New research says it's a tale as old as time.

Nottingham Forest held off a Fenerbahce fightback to qualify for the last 16 of the Europa League with a 4-2 win on aggregate despite losing Thursday's second leg, while Celtic exited after coming up short against Stuttgart.

Killings of civilians in Sudan's war more than doubled in 2025 compared with the previous year, the United Nations rights chief said Thursday, warning that thousands more dead are unidentified or remain missing.

US Olympic men's ice hockey player Charlie McAvoy apologized Thursday for his team's response after President Donald Trump joked he would "have to" invite the women's team to the White House too.

The plaintiff in a blockbuster social media trial in Los Angeles took the stand Thursday, telling the jury that she could not control her use of YouTube and Instagram as a child.