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

Lionel Messi and World Cup holders Argentina face Austria in Dallas on Monday with the Argentine great needing one more goal to rewrite the record books.

African hospitals face huge new costs as they scramble to replace the main anaesthetic for child operations that is set to run out in 2027, a charity has warned.

A flamboyant US-backed lawyer who has never held public office narrowly won Colombia's polarizing presidential runoff Sunday, swinging the country hard right and sparking violent protests.

The celebrated waves off Jeffreys Bay secured the town a spot on a world surfing tour that for years drew the sport's biggest names to this remote corner of South Africa almost every July.

Iran and the United States agreed Monday to set up communications lines to keep the vital Strait of Hormuz open and end fighting in Lebanon, mediators said, after their first round of talks in Switzerland toward ending the war in the Middle East.

Iran and the United States wrapped up the first round of talks to end the Middle East war at the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland on Monday, with technical talks to continue.

Much of Europe was preparing Monday for an already fierce heatwave to intensify even further in the coming days, with some countries taking special measures to mitigate its effects.

Oil prices fell Monday on optimism over US-Iran peace talks, with mediators flagging a "roadmap" to a final agreement, while most equities rose thanks to another healthy start for tech firms.

Iran and the United States agreed Monday to set up communications lines to keep the vital Strait of Hormuz open and end fighting in Lebanon, mediators said, after their first round of talks in Switzerland towards ending the war in the Middle East.

Sticky, translucent strings dangle from Wesley Smith's chopsticks as the American tourist relishes his natto, the loved-and-hated Japanese fermented soybean superfood going global one slimy mouthful at a time.

Wyndham Clark found his measure of redemption for smashing a locker at last year's US Open by winning this year's edition, but after merciless heckling he fears becoming the PGA Tour's villain.

Cape Verde coach Bubista said his team are targeting a place in the World Cup knockout rounds after battling to a 2-2 draw with Uruguay in the latest stop of their fairytale campaign on Sunday.

Sam Burns teared up as he spoke about his dad being so proud of his US Open runner-up effort on Sunday and what a victory on Father's Day would have meant.

New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie on Monday named Ardie Savea as captain, promising "optimistic" rugby ahead of July Nations Championship Tests against France, Italy and Ireland.

World number one Scottie Scheffler praised playing partner Wyndham Clark for defying New York hecklers as well as formidable Shinnecock to win his second US Open title on Sunday.

Spain got their World Cup campaign back on track with a 4-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia on Sunday as debutants Cape Verde conjured another memorable performance to snatch a draw with Uruguay.

World Cup debutants Cape Verde scored a second-half equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw against Uruguay on Sunday in Miami, backing up their shock opening stalemate with Spain.

Sporting his Mexico team jersey, soccer fan Alan Romero got up at 4 am on Sunday to drive from Tijuana to Los Angeles, just so he could cheer for Iran in its World Cup match against Belgium.

The United States expects talks with Iran to continue through the night in Switzerland, a US diplomat told reporters early Monday, as they work to permanently end the Middle East war.

A flamboyant US-backed lawyer who has never held public office narrowly won Colombia's presidential runoff Sunday, swinging the country hard to the right on a promise to wage war against drug-running guerrilla groups.

Wyndham Clark captured his second US Open title after a back-nine battle on Sunday, holding off Sam Burns for a wire-to-wire triumph at blustery Shinnecock.

Coach Amir Ghalenoei hailed Iran's unbeaten start to the World Cup as a "great achievement" that will be remembered by future generations, following a 0-0 draw with Belgium on Sunday.

Curacao arrived at the World Cup as quirky no-hopers, but their remarkable exploits have captured the hearts of fans and put the tiny Caribbean island firmly on the map.

Colombia's hard-right presidential candidate took an early lead as the country began counting ballots cast in Sunday's polarized presidential runoff, official results showed.

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday work would begin "immediately" on fixing his beleaguered renovation project of the Reflecting Pool in Washington, which as been blighted with algae and peeling paint.

Lamine Yamal made a goalscoring return for Spain as the European champions got their World Cup campaign back on track with a 4-0 drubbing of Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Former world no.4 Holger Rune, who hasn't played since injuring his left Achilles in October, has told AFP that he is still not ready to return to the courts.

Coach Ralf Rangnick warned his Austria team on Sunday that World Cup holders Argentina are "more than just Messi", saying: "They have no weaknesses."

Polls closed in Colombia's polarized presidential runoff Sunday, an election that will reshape the country's fragile peace process and relations with the United States.

Hundreds of football fans gathered beneath the towering bookshelves of Tehran Book Garden on Sunday night to watch Iran take on Belgium in the World Cup.

Rory McIlroy came to Shinnecock ready to battle the brutal winds and fast greens for a US Open title and departed Sunday a clearly beaten golfer.

Belgium were held to a scoreless draw by Iran in a frustrating encounter Sunday that saw the Red Devils reduced to 10 men and facing the possibility of group-stage elimination for a second straight World Cup.