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

There are rooftops draped in blue and white and murals of Lionel Messi everywhere -- but this is not Argentina, it is Bangladesh where football-crazy fans are again celebrating their unique bond with the South American giants.

Statues of independence hero Aung San are quietly disappearing across Myanmar in a contest over his legacy as father of both the nation and of detained democracy figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi.

US President Donald Trump threatened on Friday a tariff increase on Canada to cover the cost of smoke pollution from wildfires that have choked large parts of the United States.

The United Nations looks set to list a Biblical site, Lebanese castles, an antelope migration path and the world's deepest lake as world treasures under threat, including from war or climate change.

The World Cup has "exceeded expectations" with an 80% increase in betting volume compared to the 2022 edition, even taking into account the higher number of matches for a 48-team tournament, a betting expert told AFP.

In the labyrinthine alleyways of Cairo's Garbage City, recycling specialist Peter Romany finds himself fielding calls from factories scrambling for plastic to plug supply shortfalls caused by the Iran war.

Russian couple Yelena and Dmitry passed four petrol stations before finally finding one that actually had fuel as they returned to the city of Vologda, some 300 miles (480 kilometres) north of Moscow, from their country allotment plot.

Spain and Argentina prepared to do battle in the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday as organisers said they were keeping a close eye on smoke from wildfires in Canada.

Europe's great cormorant has recovered from near-extinction to overabundance in half a century, stoking a long-running debate over population control between fishers troubled by its voracious appetite and conservationists.

A convoy of World Food Programme (WFP) trucks trundles up a winding road along the Venezuelan coast, leaving the quake-leveled town of Catia La Mar far behind.

Thomas Tuchel said Friday that England's players carry the "scars" of a painful World Cup exit, admitting there was still a gap to close to the top nations.

While Latin Americans have traditionally rallied behind football teams from the region who advance deep into the World Cup tournament, a flood of memes, jokes and criticism has made it clear there is one exception: Argentina.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni urged fans to make the most of seeing Lionel Messi lead his team out in another World Cup final at the age of 39 as the holders aim to retain the trophy when they take on Spain this weekend.

Bombing intensified in the Middle East for the seventh consecutive night, with Iran reporting three deaths from US strikes and retaliating with attacks on several US military sites in Kuwait and Jordan.

Aston Villa announced the signing of Switzerland World Cup star Johan Manzambi from German side Freiburg on Friday for a reported club record fee of just over £50 million ($67 million).

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said Friday that thinking about his team's success in recent years sometimes brings him to tears as they attempt to retain the World Cup trophy in the final against Spain.

To the long list of critics of England's tactics in the World Cup semi-final they lost to Argentina can now be added Donald Trump.

Luis de la Fuente said Spain planned to pay "special attention" to Lionel Messi in Sunday's World Cup final but ruled out trying to man-mark the Argentina captain.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Saturday that two oil tankers exploded after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz, as the United States and Tehran continued to trade drone and missile strikes.

Spain captain Rodri is bracing for a "physical" battle with reigning champions Argentina when the two sides collide in the World Cup final on Sunday.

Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada has had his ban for criticising a referee downgraded to one Test, with the Argentinian saying Saturday he "deeply regrets" the outburst.

A black leather jacket sported by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang sold for $960,000 at a New York auction on Friday, 16 times higher than the estimated value of $60,000, according to Sotheby's.

The late Garry Sobers "stood out" even among cricket's greats but remained humble despite his standing in the game, former West Indies bowler Michael Holding told AFP on Friday.

Lucas Herbert stormed into a two-shot lead at the British Open on Friday after the Australian and American Sam Burns equalled the record for the lowest round in major golf history on Friday with eight-under par 62s.

Bryson DeChambeau's charge towards the top of the British Open leaderboard was dealt a huge blow by a two-shot penalty after the conclusion of Friday's second round.

New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge's rib injury is healing, but he's still not ready to resume baseball activities, the Major League Baseball club said Friday.

Wall Street stocks fell decisively Friday, joining most global markets in retreating on continued weakness in artificial intelligence shares and rebounding oil prices.

If Lionel Messi and Argentina are to clinch back-to-back World Cup titles on Sunday, they will have to find a way past one of the meanest defences in tournament history.

Lionel Messi could end any debate about whether he is the greatest player of all time if he leads Argentina to World Cup glory again on Sunday at the MetLife Stadium -- where a decade ago he tearfully declared his international career over.

Kimi K3, a new artificial intelligence program from a Chinese startup called Moonshot AI, stunned the US tech industry on Friday, setting off fresh discussion over the China-US rivalry to dominate AI.

Lucas Herbert said he hoped to have inspired the next generation of golfers back in Australia after equalling the low score for a round at a major of 62 at the British Open.

Lucas Herbert stormed into the lead at the British Open on Friday after the Australian and American Sam Burns equalled the record for the lowest round in major golf history on Friday with eight-under par 62s.