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

Veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan hit a half-century as Bangladesh defeated the Netherlands by 25 runs on Thursday to edge closer to the second round of the T20 World Cup.

G7 leaders agreed Thursday on a new $50 billion loan for Ukraine using profits from frozen Russian assets, support that was welcomed by President Volodymr Zelensky -- though he emphasised the need for more weapons.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said his side needed to use the pressure of hosting Euro 2024 to their advantage ahead of Friday's tournament opener against Scotland in Munich.

Afghanistan will send a team of three women and three men to the Paris Olympics as demanded by the International Olympic Committee following the return to power of the Taliban in August 2021, the IOC announced on Thursday.

French hotel group Accor and luxury goods giant LVMH said Thursday they had entered into a "strategic partnership" to develop the fabled Orient Express brand.

Pacific coast gray whales have shrunk in length an astonishing 13 percent since 2000, adding to evidence that climate change and other human activities are making marine mammals smaller, a study says.

Ninth-ranked American Patrick Cantlay birdied three of his last five holes to seize a one-stroke lead early in Thursday's US Open first round as the world's three top-ranked players teed off at Pinehurst.

Boeing said Thursday it is examining fasteners on some undelivered 787 jets after discovering problems with their installation in the latest manufacturing shortcoming to face the company.

Scotland coach Steve Clarke said his team should "fear no one" ahead of Friday's opening match against Euro 2024 hosts Germany in Munich.

The personal wardrobe of late British fashion designer and political activist Vivienne Westwood is going on sale, with proceeds donated to causes supported by the "queen of punk".

Donald Trump enjoyed an effusive welcome on his return to Washington on Thursday as he rallied support from Republican lawmakers following his criminal conviction in New York.

France star Ousmane Dembele admitted on Thursday the political situation in the country had "set alarm bells ringing" and said he and his teammates intended to vote in upcoming legislative elections even if they are still involved at Euro 2024 in Germany.

Heavy rains battered south and central Chile on Thursday, killing one person and causing damage to hundreds of homes as authorities declared a state of catastrophe in five regions of the South American country.

Tyson Fury is counting down the days as he targets "redemption" against Oleksandr Usyk after resuming training following the only defeat of his career.

Stock markets mostly retreated on Thursday as traders reacted to political uncertainty in Europe and the US Federal Reserve's plan to only cut interest rates once this year.

Johannesburg will host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying draw on July 4, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Thursday.

European police forces have arrested around 40 people in a years-long operation to bust a major drug smuggling ring, leading to the seizure of eight tonnes of cocaine, Europol said Thursday.

England captain Harry Kane said the team are primed to "make history" ahead of their Euro 2024 opener against Serbia on Sunday.

The world's favourite French misanthrope writer Michel Houellebecq is too controversial for the world's new AI tools, which find his views so offensive that they cannot be repeated.

Matthijs de Ligt believes the Netherlands' cohesive unit can compensate for a lack of star power in their bid to win Euro 2024.

Kenya's finance minister on Thursday presented the East African nation's biggest ever budget, alongside contentious tax proposals to help plug a hole in the public finances.

Bayern Munich on Thursday announced the signing of Japanese centre-back Hiroki Ito from Stuttgart until 2028 after reportedly triggering his 30 million euro ($32 million) release clause.

Conor Gallagher is hoping England's shock Euro 2024 warm-up defeat to Iceland can spark a reaction when the Three Lions get their tournament underway against Serbia on Sunday.

Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka, Sweden's Ludvig Aberg and France's Matthieu Pavon shared the early lead in Thursday's first round of the US Open at Pinehurst.

The US Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a bid to restrict an abortion pill widely used in the United States to terminate pregnancies.

An international team of scientists said Thursday that polar bears faced local extinction in Canada's Hudson Bay by mid-century if global warming exceeds limits set under the Paris climate accords.

G7 leaders agreed at a summit in Italy Thursday on a new $50-billion loan for Ukraine using profits from frozen Russian assets, a US official said.

Israeli helicopters struck Gaza's Rafah Thursday, residents said, with Hamas militants reporting street battles in the southern city after top US diplomat Antony Blinken said a truce was still possible.

Tesla boss Elon Musk claimed victory in a closely-watched shareholder vote to approve on Thursday a multibillion-dollar pay package seen as critical in keeping the mercurial CEO at the electric auto company.

Russians on the streets of the capital shrugged off new US sanctions on dollar and euro trading Thursday, claiming they had no need for Western currencies in their heavily targeted economy.

Russian prosecutors sent US journalist Evan Gershkovich's case to court on Thursday, paving the way for him to be tried on espionage charges denied by his employer and the White House.

Stock markets diverged on Thursday as traders reacted to the US Federal Reserve's plan to only cut interest rates once this year.