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

Australia were firmly in the driving seat despite a spirited Sri Lankan fightback to reach 229-9 at stumps on day one of the second Test in Galle on Thursday.

China's former ambassador to France, who earned a reputation for his fierce defence of national interests, has been appointed to a prestigious post in charge of European affairs, Beijing announced Thursday.

The Bank of England on Thursday halved its forecast for UK economic growth this year, blaming global risks amid US tariff threats and deteriorating business confidence in the UK.

US tariffs on Chinese imports and the closing of a customs loophole will wreak disruption on the business models of e-commerce giants Shein and Temu, with consumers potentially bearing the brunt of the cost, analysts say.

The EU on Thursday told online fashion giant Shein to hand over information on risks linked to illegal products on its site, paving the way for a second probe into the Chinese-founded firm.

Spanish football federation (RFEF) president Rafael Louzan will remain in his post after the country's Supreme Court on Thursday granted his appeal against a sentence which banned him from holding public office.

Rwandan-backed M23 said Thursday it wanted to "liberate all of the Congo" in its first public meeting since seizing the eastern city of Goma after deadly clashes, as its fighters advanced towards another regional capital.

Thomas Bach said Italy is ready to host next year's Winter Olympics as the one-year countdown to the sprawling Milan-Cortina Games began at an event in Italy's economic capital on Thursday.

French company Decathlon, the world's biggest sports equipment retailer, on Thursday defended its human rights record after reports it had benefited from forced labour in China.

Swedish police said Thursday they met a scene resembling "an inferno" when they arrived at the scene of country's worst mass shooting that left 10 dead plus the gunman.

Returning US star Lindsey Vonn fell short in her bid for a ninth world medal at her ninth world championships after bombing out of Thursday’s super-G in Saalbach won by Austria’s Stephanie Venier.

Scotland flanker Jamie Ritchie is to leave Edinburgh at the end of the season to join Perpignan on a two-year deal, The French Top 14 side announced on Thursday.

England back Henry Arundell will return to the English Premiership next season after agreeing a three-year deal with Bath, meaning he will be eligible for national team selection again.

Britain's Labour government on Thursday said changes to planning laws will speed up the country's rollout of mini-nuclear reactors aimed at providing cheaper and cleaner energy.

The French parliament on Thursday finally adopted the state's 2025 budget following a tumultuous months-long process that saw the previous government toppled and the current administration survive multiple no confidence votes.

Debutant fast bowler Harshit Rana and spinner Ravindra Jadeja claimed three wickets each Thursday as India dismissed England for 248 in their first one-day international in Nagpur.

Stock markets rose Thursday on easing trade tensions and thanks to some strong company earnings, analysts said.

Manchester United on Thursday confirmed defender Lisandro Martinez sustained cruciate ligament damage in his left knee during the side's Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace at the weekend.

Swedish police said Thursday that there were "multiple nationalities" among the victims in the country's worst mass shooting that left 10 dead plus the gunman.

France head coach Fabien Galthie said on Thursday it was a logical choice for Matthieu Jalibert to replace suspended fly-half Romain Ntamack for this weekend's Six Nations game at England.

Rwandan-backed M23 called its first public meeting on Thursday since seizing the Congolese city of Goma after deadly clashes, as its fighters advanced towards another regional capital.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos said Thursday he will play no role in determining the timing of his vice president's impeachment trial, now expected to take place following mid-term elections in May.

Luxury giant Gucci announced Thursday it was parting ways with its chief designer Sabato De Sarno following a sales slump, in the latest shakeup at a major European label.

Matthieu Jalibert replaces the suspended Romain Ntamack for France's Six Nations game at England this weekend, head coach Fabien Galthie announced on Thursday.

Taulupe Faletau will play his first Test in more than a year as Wales look to end their record 13-match losing streak against Italy in Saturday's Six Nations clash in Rome.

China's controversial former ambassador to France Lu Shaye has been appointed to a prestigious post in charge of European affairs, Beijing announced Thursday.

Switzerland's Marco Odermatt will head into the men's super-G on Friday aiming to replicate his world championship form from two years ago.

Australia snared four wickets in the space of a chaotic hour to leave Sri Lanka reeling at 144-5 at tea on day one of the second Test in Galle on Thursday.

Days after Donald Trump's 2016 election victory, Japan's then-prime minister Shinzo Abe rushed to deliver him a gold-plated golf club, becoming the first leader to visit and setting the tone for a relationship both men said was close.

Israel's defence minister ordered the army on Thursday to start making preparations to allow for "voluntary" departures from the Gaza Strip, after US President Donald Trump floated a proposal to move Palestinians out of the territory.

Asian and European markets rose Thursday, tracking gains on Wall Street and following the US Postal Service's U-turn on a ban on parcels from China and Hong Kong, though trade war fears continue to dampen sentiment.

Thousands of survivors held torchlit vigils across southern Turkey at 4:17 am Thursday, expressing pain and anger as they marked the exact moment two years ago when a devastating earthquake struck that led to the deaths of over 53,000 people in Turkey and some 6,000 in Syria.