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

Shanghai stocks rose on Monday as traders digested a pledge by China's finance minister to provide more help for the country's struggling economy, while most other markets tracked another record day on Wall Street.

China deployed fighter jets and warships to encircle Taiwan on Monday in drills Beijing said were aimed at sending a "stern warning" to "separatist" forces on the self-ruled island.

Shanghai stocks rose Monday as traders digested a pledge by China's finance minister to provide more help for the country's struggling economy, while most other Asian markets tracked another record day on Wall Street.

South Korea's military said on Monday it was "fully ready" to respond after North Korea ordered troops on the border to prepare to fire in a dispute over drone flights to Pyongyang.

Aroosa Khan's son was chatting on WhatsApp but suddenly found himself the target of "vigilante" investigators who accused him of having committed blasphemy online, a crime that carries the death penalty in Pakistan.

Raina Kabaivanska was one of the greatest sopranos of her generation -- arguably the greatest Tosca after Maria Callas. And even at 89, the Bulgarian singer is still a force in opera.

Steve Smith's short-lived stint as a Test opener came to an end Monday with confirmation he will drop down the Australian batting order against India next month, while all-rounder Cameron Green was ruled out of the series.

The European Central Bank is expected to lower interest rates again this week as anxiety about inflation in the eurozone fades and concerns over sluggish growth mount.

Is there anywhere else in our solar system that could support life? An imposing NASA probe is due to lift off on Monday on a five-and-a-half-year journey to Europa, one of Jupiter's many moons, to take the first detailed step toward finding out.

China deployed fighter jets and warships to encircle Taiwan on Monday, in drills Beijing said were aimed at sending a "stern warning" to "separatist" forces on the self-ruled island.

Los Angeles pitcher Jack Flaherty dominated over seven scoreless innings and the Dodgers shut out the New York Mets 9-0 on Sunday in game one of Major League Baseball's National League Championship Series.

South Korea's military said Monday it was "fully ready" to respond after North Korea ordered troops on the border to prepare to fire in an escalating dispute over drone flights to Pyongyang.

Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head were Monday ruled out of Australia's home one-day series against Pakistan next month, but Pat Cummins returns as captain after missing their recent England tour.

Shanghai stocks fluctuated Monday as traders digested a pledge by China's finance minister to provide more help for the country's struggling economy, while most other Asian markets tracked another record day on Wall Street.

New captain Tom Latham is promising a "no-fear" approach as he takes charge of New Zealand for the first Test against India in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

Fiery Australian Nick Kyrgios plans to make a comeback at Abu Dhabi in December with his goal to win a Grand Slam and "shut up" those who doubt him.

Public hearings begin on Monday at a British inquiry into the 2018 death of a woman who was exposed to the nerve agent Novichok used in an attempt to kill a Russian double agent, which plunged relations between London and the Kremlin to new lows.

A former East German secret police officer faces a verdict Monday in a murder trial, accused of shooting dead a Polish man trying to flee to the West 50 years ago.

Closing the season, the Norwegian Nobel Committee will announce the Nobel economics prize on Monday, with specialists on credit, the role of government, and wealth inequality seen as possible contenders.

Did a Donald Trump supporter burn down his house while igniting an LGBTQ flag? Did a conservative think tank recommend "period passports" to monitor pregnancies? Was Kamala Harris's running mate dissed by his own state's professional football team?

Rookie Matt McCarty grabbed his first US PGA Tour title Sunday, firing a four-under par 67 for a three-stroke victory in the Black Desert Championship at Ivins, Utah.

Cameron Green was on Monday ruled out of Australia's five-Test series against India beginning next month, with the star all-rounder to undergo surgery on his spine this week.

On a normal day a visitor might pass Igbo-Ora with little more than a double take, wondering why so many pairs of residents wear matching clothes.

The UK's foreign minister will join European ministers at the Foreign Affairs Council for the first time in two years on Monday, as the new government looks to "reset" relations with the continent.

Former NBA stars Vince Carter and Chauncey Billups were among 13 inductees to the Basketball Hall of Fame that were enshrined in ceremonies on Sunday.

Lamar Jackson threw for 323 yards and a touchdown to spark the Baltimore Ravens over Washington 30-23 on Sunday in a showdown of the NFL's top-scoring squads.

Israel's military said a Hezbollah drone had killed four soldiers at one of its northern bases Sunday, as it expanded its bombardments of Lebanon and troops battled militants across the border.

China on Monday launched military drills around Taiwan, Beijing's defence ministry said, sending planes and ships to encircle the self-ruled island.

New York forward Breanna Stewart scored 21 points and came up with an WNBA Finals record seven steals as the Liberty thwarted a late Minnesota surge to beat the Lynx 80-66 and level the championship series at one game apiece on Sunday.

England eased to a 3-1 victory away to Finland in the Nations League on Sunday, while Austria put five past Erling Haaland's Norway.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday denounced attacks that have injured several peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, his spokesman said, as Israeli forces move against Hezbollah militants.

Lamar Jackson threw for 323 yards and a touchdown to spark the Baltimore Ravens over Washington 30-23 on Sunday in a showdown of the NFL's top-scoring squads.