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

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife died of natural causes about a week apart, a medical examiner said Friday, ending more than a week of mystery surrounding the death of one of Hollywood's most beloved stars.

Tallon Griekspoor stunned top-seeded Alexander Zverev 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4) in the second round at Indian Wells on Friday, avenging a devastating loss to the German at Roland Garros last year.

A measles outbreak in the southwestern United States has killed two people and infected more than 200, prompting a top health agency to issue a travel warning.

Mainz climbed into third place in the Bundesliga with a 3-1 win at Borussia Moenchengladbach on Friday.

French prosecutors have requested that double Olympic swimming champion Yannick Agnel appear before a criminal court for alleged rape and sexual assault of a minor, judicial sources said Friday.

Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Friday urged insurgents from ousted president Bashar al-Assad's Alawite minority to lay down their arms or face the consequences after the fiercest attacks on the war-torn country's new rulers yet.

Intuitive Machines' second Moon mission ended in disappointment on Friday after the US company confirmed that its spacecraft had tipped over and was unable to recharge its solar-powered batteries -- mirroring its first attempt last year.

Colombian guerrillas took 29 soldiers and police hostage during a gun battle in a key cocaine-growing region, the government said Friday, a fresh blow to the country's fragile peace process.

Cyclone Alfred weakened into a tropical low Saturday as it neared the rain and wind-lashed eastern coast of Australia where hundreds of thousands of properties were without power.

Global stocks were mixed Friday as President Donald Trump's unpredictable tariff tinkering weighed down sentiment even as Wall Street stocks shot higher following reassuring comments from the head of the Federal Reserve.

US President Donald Trump said Friday that trade tensions with Mexico and Canada would be a boost for the 2026 World Cup as he announced the creation of a White House task force to help organize the tournament.

A top leader of Mexico's violent Jalisco New Generation cartel was sentenced to life in US prison Friday for his bloody role in creating one of the world's most powerful drug syndicates.

US President Donald Trump said Friday that he could impose reciprocal tariffs on Canadian dairy and lumber within days -- a move set to fuel tensions with Ottawa just days after an earlier wave of levies.

Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen won his sixth European indoor gold as he dominated the 1500m in Apeldoorn on Friday in the first step in his bid for a third consecutive double gold on the covered continental stage.

Donald Trump on Friday hosted top cryptocurrency players at the White House, a political boost for an industry that has struggled to gain legitimacy -- and where the Republican president faces conflict of interest concerns.

A Syria war monitor said Friday that security forces killed 136 members of the Alawite minority, to which toppled president Bashar al-Assad belongs, a day after deadly clashes with gunmen loyal to him triggered a major security operation.

US President Donald Trump said Friday that he has written to Iran's supreme leader pressing for new talks on its nuclear program, warning of possible military action if not.

President Donald Trump's administration said Friday it was cutting $400 million in federal grants to Columbia University, accusing it of failing to protect Jewish students from harassment as protesters rallied against Israel's conduct of the Gaza war.

US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell flagged high uncertainty Friday surrounding President Donald Trump's economic policies and their effects, maintaining that the central bank need not rush to adjust interest rates.

England captain Maro Itoje is adamant criticism of his side's attack is misplaced as they look to maintain their Six Nations title challenge in the closing two rounds against Italy and Wales.

Turkey, with NATO's second-largest army and a Black Sea coastline, is looking to play a key role in Europe's security after Washington's pivot away from the region.

Bosnia's Constitutional Court on Friday suspended legislation proposed by Serb leader Milorad Dodik rejecting the authority of the federal policy and judiciary in the deeply divided country's Serb statelet.

US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell flagged high uncertainty Friday surrounding President Donald Trump's economic policies and their effects, but maintained that the central bank need not rush to adjust interest rates.

A man who shouted a racial slur in the vicinity of former England rugby union international Ugo Monye following a match was found not guilty Friday of a public order offence.

In their home in war-devastated Gaza City, Iman Farhat and her husband cherish the "paradise" brought by their newly-adopted baby, one of many orphans in the Palestinian territory after more than 15 months of fighting between Israel and Hamas.

Intuitive Machines' second Moon mission ended in disappointment Friday after its spacecraft tipped over and was left unable to recharge its solar-powered batteries, mirroring the US company's first attempt last year.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Friday announced a slew of measures aimed at boosting his country's defence, including a possible exit from a landmark anti-mines treaty and large-scale military trainings for men.

As Poland's first abortion centre opened on Friday the choice of location was nothing short of symbolic: just opposite the parliament that failed to follow through on its pledges to relax the country's stringent abortion laws.

Before it could cast its first gold bar, Amaroq had to build a port and housing, repair a road, and ship over equipment -- a logistical nightmare highlighting the complexities of mining in inhospitable Greenland.

Pope Francis's condition remained stable but complex on Friday as he battles pneumonia in hospital, the Vatican said, a day after releasing an audio message in which the 88-year-old sounded weak and breathless.

Canada's Liberal Party elects a new leader this weekend to replace Justin Trudeau as prime minister and take charge of confronting the threats posed by US President Donald Trump.

Scotland co-captain Finn Russell said Friday it was tough to accept the team were yet again out of Six Nations title contention heading into the closing stages of the championship.