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

The United States and Iran appear closer than ever to a deal that would end a war that has engulfed the Middle East and disrupted the global oil market.

Barcelona reclaimed the Women's Champions League title in emphatic fashion on Saturday but their fourth victory in six seasons in Europe's elite club competition could mark the end of an era with the future of several players up in the air, notably captain Alexia Putellas.

Unlike other residents of Mongbwalu, a town at the heart of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's latest devastating Ebola outbreak, Laureine Sakiya believes that the blood-letting virus exists after seeing some of her neighbours die.

India voiced concern on Sunday over a US visa crackdown, striking a rare critical note even as it expressed broad alignment with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on other fractious issues.

China's Li Shifeng defended his Malaysia Masters men's singles crown with a one-sided 21-16, 21-17 victory over Thailand's Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

A blast targeting a train carrying military personnel killed at least 24 people on Sunday in Pakistan's turbulent southwestern province of Balochistan, a senior official said.

A group of Senegalese football supporters jailed following their country's chaotic, violence-plagued Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco in January returned home Sunday after being pardoned by the Moroccan king.

Russia pounded Kyiv with a massive missile and drone attack that killed four people early on Sunday, authorities said, after President Vladimir Putin threatened retaliation for strikes in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine.

A man died after a shark attack in northern Queensland state on Sunday, the third fatal shark attack this year in Australia.

Fast, fashionable mode of transport for some, scourge of the cycle path for others: in bike-mad Amsterdam, complaints about "fatbikes" have driven authorities to impose an unprecedented ban in one of the city's top parks.

The United States and Iran sought on Sunday to finalize an agreement to formally end the Middle East war after Donald Trump said a proposal that included opening the blockaded Strait of Hormuz was "largely negotiated".

At least 16 people have died of heatstroke in southern India so far this summer, officials said Sunday, as a heatwave grips swathes of the country following official health warnings.

Bolivian police clashed with protesters on Saturday to clear roads and allow provisions into Bolivia's political capital of La Paz, amid a wave of protests against right-wing President Rodrigo Paz.

Bangladesh's densely populated capital, infamous for grinding gridlock, has launched its first AI-powered traffic enforcement system in a bid to bring order to one of the world's most congested cities.

Russia pounded Kyiv with a large missile and drone attack early on Sunday, killing one person and wounding 20, authorities said, after Moscow threatened retaliation for strikes in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine.

The New York Knicks are on the brink of their first NBA Finals since 1999 after a 121-108 victory at Cleveland on Saturday stretched their playoff win streak to 10 games.

With people increasingly adopting AI to help plan their vacations, hotels are working to make sure that you check them out -- and check in.

Wellington Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw said "top-class" Ruben Love was equipped to become New Zealand's first-choice fly-half after being largely overlooked by the previous All Blacks coaching regime.

A gunman opened fire near the White House on Saturday evening, with US Secret Service agents killing the assailant in a shoot-out during which a bystander was also struck, authorities said.

Rows of townhouses torn down in hours, roads ripped up by bulldozers and city blocks reduced to rubble in the name of progress -- giant construction sites litter Hanoi as it races ahead with urban renewal.

Heavyweight boxing king Oleksandr Usyk retained his titles after a dramatic and controversial stoppage victory over kick-boxer Rico Verhoeven with a second left of the 11th round in Egypt on Saturday.

As Twenty20 cricket competitions explode around the world, Australia's Big Bash League is struggling to chart a vision for the future, after plans to privatise its franchises stalled.

World Cup fever is beginning to hit New York's immigrant communities where wariness of the Trump administration's deportation crackdown has weighed on foot traffic.

A large ballistic missile attack pounded Kyiv early on Sunday, authorities said, wounding at least five people after Moscow threatened retaliation for strikes in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine.

Emergency rescuers in northern China were undertaking a major operation on Sunday to find two people still missing after a gas explosion at a coal mine killed at least 82.

Police and security forces swarmed the White House on Saturday evening after shots were fired in the area, authorities said.

Heavyweight boxing king Oleksandr Usyk retained his titles after a dramatic and controversial stoppage victory over kick-boxer Rico Verhoeven with a second left of the 11th round in Egypt on Saturday.

The head of the Enhanced Games on Saturday predicted multiple world records will be "beaten" at this weekend's drug-fueled event, even if the feats will not be officially recognized due to the banned substances athletes are taking.

South Korean Kim Si-woo clung to a two-stroke lead after firing a three-under par 68 in Saturday's third round of the PGA Tour CJ Cup Byron Nelson tournament.

Police and security forces swarmed the area around the White House on Saturday evening after reports of shots fired, AFP journalists said.

Officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo updated the death toll from the Ebola outbreak to 204 late Saturday, hours after the Red Cross said three volunteers had died there and Uganda confirmed three new Ebola cases.

George Russell powered to pole position for the Canadian Grand Prix with a spectacular last-gasp flying lap on Saturday ahead of his championship-leading Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli.