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

US officials on Tuesday defended President Donald Trump's oil deal with Venezuela, saying it would lower oil prices for Americans and counter Russian and Chinese influence on Washington's doorstep.

Nepal's rapper-turned-prime minister swept to power six months ago promising reform, but his young government now faces its gravest test after a glacial collapse unleashed catastrophe, analysts say.

France's Gael Monfils turned back the clock Tuesday, making the most of a US Open wild card and an adoring New York crowd to advance to the second round.

Indonesian doctor "Pierre" says he is always on edge. He is gay, but hides it, with anti-LGBTQ sentiment on the rise in the Southeast Asian country.

Yosuke Nagai was an idealistic teenager who wanted to help war-torn Somalia. He now runs the only foreign-funded reintegration programme for Islamist fighters still operating in the country.

Veteran fly-half James O'Connor said on Wednesday he was returning to Super Rugby's Western Force, with the 36-year-old aiming to be part of the Australia squad for next year's World Cup on home soil.

World number two Elena Rybakina and former champion Coco Gauff breezed into the second round of the US Open on Tuesday as men's top seed Alexander Zverev launched his campaign.

Malakeh Barbour caresses her son Haidar, his face scarred from a blast that killed his brother in their home in Syria, where a mine-clearance charity says unexploded ordnance claims a casualty every six hours.

French President Emmanuel Macron begins Wednesday a two-day visit to Britain, inaugurating a landmark exhibition of the Bayeux Tapestry and becoming the first EU leader to meet new Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Downing Street.

Tiger Woods, who pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence after crashing his car in Florida in March, is expected to formally change his plea, court documents showed Tuesday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to hold talks Wednesday with his Egyptian counterpart on his first visit to Cairo in a decade, under the shadow of looming US sanctions over financial links to Iran.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Tuesday that his country's drones would make Russia's airspace "completely unsafe" for the duration of the war, drawing accusations of "state terrorism" from Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Coco Gauff opened her 2026 US Open campaign with a solid straight-set win over Turkey's Zeynep Sonmez that showcased her improved serve.

Britain's foreign secretary vowed a tough response to "appalling" violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, drawing threats from Israel that it would retaliate if the UK imposed sanctions.

A US Postal Service whistleblower has warned that millions of Americans could be prevented from receiving mail ballots ahead of November's midterm elections because of a rushed, new system ordered by President Donald Trump and due for launch on Tuesday.

Iran launched strikes on Wednesday targeting American interests in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan after vowing "severe punishment" in response to US attacks, including one that the Iranian Red Crescent said left four people dead at a wedding celebration.

US Presidents Cup captain Brandt Snedeker opted for raw talent over experience by naming 21-year-old rookie Jackson Koivun among three debutants as he announced his final lineup Tuesday.

John Ternus took over as Apple's chief executive on Tuesday, inheriting a company that towers over the smartphone market but trails its rivals in artificial intelligence.

G20 finance leaders closed their two-day gathering on Tuesday with a statement that all but China backed in full, as Washington insisted that the presence of a Russian minister had no effect on talks.

Elena Rybakina said it was so far, so good with her left heel injury after she eased into the second round of the US Open with a straight sets victory over US teen Thea Frodin.

Thea Frodin is just 17 but she has already appeared in one of Hollywood's most iconic tennis movies.

Premier League clubs shattered their record of £3.1 billion ($4.2 billion) in transfer fees in one window on deadline day as Manchester City splashed out £125 million to Chelsea for Enzo Fernandez and signed Iliman Ndiaye.

Manchester City signed Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea on Tuesday in a reported £125 million deal ($167 million) that equalled the British transfer record.

With his first match in more than four months behind him, defending US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz will look to step up his game against Portugal's Jaime Faria on Wednesday.

Ten years after he first took a knee to protest US police brutality, Colin Kaepernick said he is still being blackballed by the NFL and no longer watches the "disingenuous" league.

A Honduran judge on Tuesday dismissed a corruption case against ex-leader Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was pardoned last year by US President Donald Trump after being convicted on drug trafficking charges.

Atletico Madrid sealed the signing of striker Jonathan David on loan from Juventus on Tuesday.

Ukrainian forward Mykhailo Mudryk, whose doping suspension recently ended, has been loaned by Chelsea to Tottenham Hotspur for the 2026/27 season, the London clubs announced Tuesday.

Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has joined Como on a one-year loan deal, the Serie A outfit announced Tuesday.

A federal judge has sided with Republican states and fossil fuel industry groups to strike down a landmark New York law that would have made polluters pay for the damages caused by global warming.

Premier League clubs shattered their record of £3.1 billion ($4.2 billion) in transfer fees in one window on deadline day as Manchester City closed in on a £125 million deal for Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez and signed Iliman Ndiaye.

US billionaire Stan Kroenke on Tuesday agreed terms to buy the Los Angeles Angels baseball team, adding to his sports franchise empire that already includes the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and the English Premier League's Arsenal.