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

Former double world champion Conor McGregor lost to Max Holloway after only 69 seconds because of a right knee injury on Saturday, in his return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship after a five-year layoff.

Prominent US Senator Lindsey Graham, a key ally of President Donald Trump, died on Saturday aged 71 following a "brief and sudden illness," his office said.

A wildfire that has killed at least 12 people in southern Spain was close to being brought under control Sunday, allowing hundreds of evacuated residents to return home as firefighters worked to fully stabilise the blaze, offficials said.

England and Argentina will meet on Wednesday in a blockbuster World Cup semi-final infused with decades of bitter rivalry after they battled past Norway and Switzerland respectively in the quarter-finals.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni insisted Wednesday's heavyweight World Cup semi-final against England was "just a football game" after his side beat Switzerland 3-1 in the last eight.

Hovering over the volcano, a buzzing drone pauses in front of a laser beam on the crater's edge, as researchers test whether the devices can measure gases to predict eruptions.

Julian Alvarez said "you have to know how to suffer" after Argentina came through yet another gruelling World Cup test to beat 10-man Switzerland 3-1 in the quarter-finals following extra-time on Saturday.

Former double world champion Conor McGregor lost to Max Holloway after only 69 seconds because of a right knee injury on Saturday, in his return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship after a five-year layoff.

Tehran announced it was closing the Strait of Hormuz Sunday and launched missiles and drones at its Gulf neighbours, in retaliation for new US strikes following an attack by Iranian forces on a merchant vessel that was abandoned in flames by its crew.

Despite a year of searching, previous stints at big automotive suppliers and sending out about 50 applications, German software engineer Max Peil is still looking for a job.

England and Argentina set up a blockbuster World Cup semi-final showdown on Saturday after battling past Norway and Switzerland to book their passage to the last four.

Julian Alvarez scored a breathtaking goal as Argentina battled past 10-man Switzerland 3-1 after extra-time on Saturday, setting up a mouthwatering World Cup semi-final against bitter rivals England.

Bangladesh's new government won power promising to end political violence, but six months after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman took office, the killings continue.

Businesses in Afghanistan's western city of Herat have suffered from a downturn in female customers opting to stay home following a recent crackdown by morality police on women's attire, according to shopkeepers, drivers and residents.

Erling Haaland said Norway's World Cup performances had inspired a new generation despite the disappointment of a 2-1 quarter-final defeat to England after extra-time on Saturday.

Bhutan is offering families cash incentives to have more children as the tiny Himalayan kingdom grapples with a nosediving birthrate and a growing exodus of young people seeking opportunities abroad.

England manager Thomas Tuchel said his team were "lucky" to squeeze past Norway 2-1 after extra-time to reach the World Cup semi-finals, but praised "world-class" Jude Bellingham after his two goals dragged the Three Lions to victory.

Norway coach Stale Solbakken said Saturday he was convinced the ball struck an overhead camera cable before England scored a crucial equaliser in their World Cup quarter-final victory.

Joyous -- and relieved -- England fans chanted and cheered in packed-out pubs across London as they celebrated their team's nail-biting quarter-final win over Norway at the World Cup early Sunday.

The European Union's plan to regulate children's access to social media follows the implementation or proposal of similar measures around the world.

When Diana Tupiza and Andres Alquinga decided to get married, they selected a rather unusual witness for the civil wedding ceremony: Luna, their Pekingese pup who stamped her paw print on the marriage certificate.

Australia coach Joe Schmidt said he wants "to leave the house in good order" after he ends his tenure as Wallabies coach in the Nations Championship clash against Italy in Perth next weekend.

Typhoon Bavi was downgraded to a severe tropical storm Sunday after making landfall in eastern China, where authorities had evacuated nearly two million people in its path.

Coach Dave Rennie gave New Zealand a "pass mark" after surging past Italy but says the All Blacks will need to be better to beat Ireland in the clash of two unbeaten Nations Championship teams next weekend.

Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday "until further notice" after firing on a vessel it said was taking an unauthorised route, prompting US retaliatory strikes that further undermine an already shaky ceasefire.

Coach Eddie Jones says Japan are on the right trajectory, with the way they played against Italy and Ireland in their first two Nations Championship Tests proving it was "pretty obvious".

Andy Farrell admits Ireland lacked cohesion at times against Japan, but said the way his new-look side "kept on squeezing until the end" boded well for the future.

Jude Bellingham scored twice as England staged an extra-time escape act to defeat Norway 2-1 on Saturday and book their place in the World Cup semi-finals.

Jude Bellingham was England's hero once more by scoring twice as the Three Lions came from behind to end Norway's historic run and reach the World Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 win after extra-time on Saturday.

An ownership group led by India-born billionaire Vinod Khosla has purchased the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, the NFL team announced on Saturday.

Linda Noskova revealed a glimpse of the Wimbledon trophy during a bathroom break inspired her fightback to beat Karolina Muchova in an extraordinary final on Saturday.

Argentina snuffed out the brief Welsh rugby revival on Saturday with a 35-21 win in San Juan to conclude the second round of Nations Championship.