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

Oil prices rose and stock markets diverged Monday as the Middle East crisis escalated with the entry of Houthi rebels into the Iran war and speculation that the United States could deploy troops on the ground.

Israel and Iran exchanged more missile fire Monday as concerns that the United States might escalate the Middle East conflict by launching ground raids against the Islamic republic's Gulf islands sent oil prices soaring.

More than three-quarters of Premier League fans would like to see VAR scrapped and even more believe it has a detrimental impact on the matchday experience, according to a survey by the Football Supporters' Association (FSA).

Italy have one more obstacle standing between them and a return to the World Cup in the shape of Bosnia and Hercegovina, who host the Azzurri on Tuesday in what promises to be a tense qualification play-off final in Zenica.

Japanese locals and tourists packed the country's most stunning cherry blossom spots on Monday to enjoy the dazzling flowers at full bloom.

The EU upped the amount of mackerel that can be fished out of the North Atlantic Monday, sidestepping environmental concerns to match quotas set by Britain, Norway and other rival fishing nations.

Oil prices rose and most stocks fell Monday as the Middle East crisis escalated with the entry of Houthi rebels into the Iran war and investors grew increasingly concerned the United States would send in ground troops.

A top Australian Rules player was Monday slapped with a three-match ban for wiping blood from his nose on the face of an opponent in what was condemned as "disgraceful behaviour".

Three months after state vets seized and killed hundreds of his sheep to stamp out an ongoing pox pandemic, Kostas Theofilou fights back tears as he gazes at his empty stable.

Desperate to help his sick dog, one Australian man went down the ultimate ChatGPT research hole, using artificial intelligence to design a personalised experimental treatment and finding top scientists to administer it.

Israel said the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem would regain access to Christianity's holiest site after the decision to block him from entering the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday triggered international condemnation.

Israel said Monday it was striking military targets across Tehran, a day after US President Donald Trump insisted a deal could "soon" be reached, while not ruling out ground operations.

Four-time World Cup winners Italy hope to end a 12-year absence from football's biggest stage on Tuesday, while Kosovo are dreaming of a first ever appearance at a major tournament.

Myanmar's junta chief Min Aung Hlaing was nominated as a vice-presidential candidate and replaced as military commander on Monday, paving the way for the coup leader to become president and continue his rule in civilian garb.

More than 1,000 people of Iranian descent gathered in the US capital on Sunday to voice support for the war, riding on calls to bring back Iran's exiled crown prince who has emerged as a figure of intense interest.

The leader of Taiwan's main opposition party accepted an invitation from Chinese leader Xi Jinping to visit in April, her party and Chinese state media reported Monday.

Twenty-two people are to stand trial in France from Monday on charges of murder and other serious crimes centred on a Masonic lodge accused of running hit squads.

President Donald Trump said Sunday the US military was planning to construct a large complex beneath the new ballroom he is building at the White House.

Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Ajinkya Rahane aimed a dig at Cricket Australia after $2.7 million all-rounder Cameron Green was unable to bowl as they opened their IPL season with defeat.

Ministers from the G7 will hold talks on Monday to unpack the economic consequences of the war in the Middle East, the French government said, as oil and gas prices continue to soar.

The Premier League's global appeal is built on packed stadiums and electric atmospheres but as the arms race for talent intensifies, fans are feeling the pinch.

Australia will halve a fuel tax to help motorists experiencing soaring petrol prices due to war in the Middle East, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Monday.

Oil prices rallied and stocks tumbled again Monday as the Middle East crisis escalated with the entry of Houthi rebels into the Iran war and investors grew increasingly concerned the United States would send in ground troops.

Air China restarted direct flights between Beijing and Pyongyang on Monday after a six-year hiatus, another sign isolated North Korea is gradually opening up following the resumption of train services between the capitals.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points and the NBA-best Oklahoma City Thunder beat the New York Knicks 111-100 on Sunday while the Boston Celtics clinched a playoff berth.

Australian police said Monday they shot a fugitive wanted for killing two officers, ending a seven-month manhunt for one of the country's most-wanted criminals.

Kimi Antonelli won the Japanese Grand Prix from pole ahead of McLaren's Oscar Piastri as Max Verstappen endured another miserable outing in his Red Bull.

The Philippines' sole oil refinery has secured nearly 2.5 million barrels of Russian crude out of "extreme necessity", a stock exchange filing revealed Monday, as the country seeks to replenish fast-dwindling fuel reserves.

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that the US-Israel war against Iran has achieved regime change and a deal could be reached "soon" with Tehran.

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that Moscow could send oil to Cuba despite Washington's de facto fuel blockade, as a Russian tanker was expected to deliver some much-needed crude to the crisis-hit island.

All Blacks and Canterbury Crusaders prop Tamaiti Williams was Monday ruled out of the rest of the Super Rugby season after being hospitalised with a serious back infection.

Heavy users of artificial intelligence report being overwhelmed by trying to keep up with and on top of the technology designed to make their lives easier.