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

British drivers Lando Norris and George Russell secured the bragging rights after the first day of practice for the Dutch Grand Prix on Friday, with local hero Max Verstappen in unfamiliar territory behind them.

Online speculation about a "special guest" at the Democratic National Convention's final night proved to be misguided when no unscheduled stars crashed the party.

Stock markets jumped on Friday after US Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell made clear that the central bank was ready to cut interest rates as inflation is cooling.

Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell said Friday that the "time has come" for the United States to start cutting interest rates, adding that his "confidence has grown" that the battle against inflation is on track.

Divers searching a sunken superyacht off Sicily recovered the body of the teenage daughter of UK tech tycoon Mike Lynch Friday, the seventh and final victim of a tragedy in which the businessman also perished.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his first visit to Kyiv on Friday to again call for a diplomatic solution to more than two years of war with Russia, saying he stood "firmly for peace" in talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Tottenham's new striker Dominic Solanke faces a spell on the sidelines after being ruled out of Saturday's Premier League clash against Everton.

Jake Sullivan, President Joe Biden's national security advisor, will visit China next week in a new bid to manage tensions months before US elections, the White House said Friday.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday he hoped they could have "honest" discussions about thorny issues as they held the first call between leaders of the countries in over two years.

The European Commission on Friday approved Moderna's respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for older adults -- the first time the bloc has authorised an mRNA shot against a disease other than Covid-19.

Jamie Smith scored his maiden Test hundred before England reduced Sri Lanka to 10-2 in their second innings as the hosts strengthened their grip on the series opener at Old Trafford on Friday.

German police said Friday they were helping bolster security at a NATO airbase in the west of the country which has raised its security level over an unspecified "potential threat".

Jamie Smith scored his maiden Test hundred before Mark Wood hit out as England established a sizeable first-innings lead over Sri Lanka at Old Trafford on Friday.

Britain's Lando Norris was fastest in the first practice session for the Dutch Grand Prix Friday, pipping home favourite Max Verstappen in wildly unpredictable weather conditions on the Zandvoort circuit.

A Hamas official on Friday accused Israel's prime minister of refusing to agree to a final truce accord for Gaza, where the presence of Israeli troops on the Egyptian border remained a major sticking point.

A member of K-pop megagroup BTS arrived at a South Korean police station Friday for questioning, telling reporters he was "very sorry" for driving an electric scooter while drunk.

American businessman John Textor hopes to complete a takeover of Everton after outlining his intention to sell his shares in Crystal Palace.

In Lebanon's biggest public hospital, nurses are busy honing their life-saving skills as the spectre of all-out war looms, 10 months into intensifying clashes between Hezbollah and Israel over the Gaza war.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe insists he wants to keep Kieran Trippier after reports that the England defender is looking to leave St James' Park.

Asian and European stock markets mostly rose Friday hours before a much-anticipated speech by US Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell that could shed more light on expected interest-rate cuts.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said striker Kylian Mbappe will enjoy a "beautiful day" when he makes his home debut for the Spanish giants on Sunday in La Liga.

Divers searching for the last person missing after a superyacht sank off Sicily found a body Friday, presumed to be the teenage daughter of UK tech tycoon Mike Lynch, who also perished.

Mikel Arteta will hold talks with Arsenal over extending his contract once the transfer window closes next week.

Berlin Zoo said Friday its resident panda Meng Meng had delivered twins for the second time, hailing the rare births as a boost to the endangered creatures.

Ilkay Gundogan said he had returned to the "best club in the world" after re-signing for Manchester City from Barcelona on Friday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenksy on a historic visit to Kyiv on Friday, where he is pushing for a solution to end more than two years of war with Russia.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot said on Friday he was relaxed about his new club's lack of transfer activity after inheriting a "very good team" at Anfield.

Usually found jetting off to swanky locations, driving the world's fastest cars and lapping up adulation from adoring fans, what do Formula One drivers do when they have time off?

Icelandic authorities said Friday that a second fissure had formed on the southwestern Reykjanes peninsula after lava started spewing forth for the sixth time in the region since December.

Israeli negotiators were in Cairo Friday for talks on a Gaza truce, a spokesman said, but a dispute over the presence of Israeli troops on Gaza's southern border remained among sticking points.

Arsenal's Premier League title aspirations face an early test away at bogey team Aston Villa on Saturday, while Manchester United's defence are set for a stiff examination at Brighton.

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump set out Friday on the final 10-week sprint to election day, with the Democrat surging after an electrifying speech accepting the Democratic Party nomination.