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

Italy said Thursday it was seizing more than 200 million euros ($232 million) in assets belonging to late Mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro derived from drug trafficking and reinvested in Europe and beyond.

The EU slapped a 200-million-euro ($232 million) fine on Chinese-owned online retailer Temu on Thursday for allowing the sale of illegal products, including dangerous baby toys and defective chargers.

A fire in a girls' dormitory in Kenya on Thursday killed 16 children and hospitalised 79 in the latest deadly blaze to hit a school in the east African country.

French AI firm Mistral on Thursday announced partnerships with carmaker BMW and aerospace company Airbus as it aims to boost its growth by fostering links with defence and industry giants.

The United States and Iran traded strikes on Thursday in their most serious clash since an April ceasefire began, rattling ongoing efforts to negotiate an end to the war and open the vital Strait of Hormuz.

Runaway profits and sky-high valuations for microchip companies have fuelled worker demands over pay packages in South Korea, raising the question: who profits from the artificial intelligence boom?

Originating as a creepy shared story told online by ordinary internet users, the "Backrooms" universe erupts into American cinemas on Friday with a film directed by star YouTuber Kane Parsons.

Latvia is to install a new government on Thursday, weeks after the previous coalition collapsed in a row over stray Ukrainian drones.

Oil prices bounced higher on Thursday while Asian stocks fell, as new US strikes on Iran marked the latest test of a shaky ceasefire in the Middle East war.

France is Thursday expected to move towards repealing outdated legislation that defines people enslaved in its colonies as "moveable goods", in a symbolic move as the country grapples with its colonial legacy.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's latest extraordinary innings was hailed by cricket greats on Thursday, as calls grow for the 15-year-old phenomenon to be propelled straight into the senior India team.

China's military said on Wednesday it drove away a Dutch navy vessel it accused of "illegally intruding" into the area around the Paracel Islands in the contested South China Sea.

The Israeli military said on Thursday it had begun new strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure around the southern Lebanese city of Tyre after issuing an evacuation warning to its residents.

The United States struck southern Iran on Thursday, drawing retaliation from Tehran against a US military base, in the most serious clashes since an April ceasefire began.

Global average temperatures are likely to continue at or near record levels this year and for the next four years afterwards, the United Nations warned Thursday.

New Zealand's government will boost defence spending by nine percent, according to its 2026 budget unveiled Thursday, with Finance Minister Nicola Willis saying the country faced its "most adverse" security environment in eight decades.

Australian police charged on Thursday a woman linked to the Islamic State group with membership of a terrorist organisation and entering a known conflict zone.

Oil prices bounced higher on Thursday while Asian stocks mostly fell, as new US strikes on Iran marked the latest test of a shaky ceasefire in the Middle East war.

Men's world number one Jannik Sinner continues his bid for a first French Open title on Thursday as his women's counterpart Aryna Sabalenka also seeks to move into the last 32 at Roland Garros.

Egypt's Mohamed Salah and Belgium stalwarts Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois head into Group G at the 2026 World Cup knowing this summer's tournament will likely be their last chance for glory on football's biggest stage.

Veteran New Zealand defender Tommy Smith admits there's only one reason he toiled away all last season in an English football backwater -- a ticket to his second World Cup.

Mohamed Salah has unfinished business in what could be his final World Cup as Egypt's superstar seeks to deliver a first win at the tournament for the Pharaohs.

Australia's government said Thursday it had launched an AU$2 billion ($1.43 billion) legal action against US consumer goods giant 3M over the contamination of military bases that used firefighting foam containing so-called "forever chemicals".

On a hot afternoon deep in Brazil's Amazon rainforest, Indigenous chief Megaron soaps himself and enjoys a quick swim in the river, a brief respite from battling threats to his people's lands.

The United States carried out new strikes on southern Iran on Thursday, after President Donald Trump threatened to "finish the job" if Tehran did not agree to a peace deal.

Hong Kong resident Lisa Lau put on a costume drama as she settled on the bed that occupies much of her tiny apartment, trying to take her mind off of a looming eviction.

A trust fund set up to help a South Pacific nation gravely threatened by climate change has invested in coal mining, gas exploration and the world's largest crude oil refinery, an AFP investigation has revealed.

Marcelo Bielsa is widely revered as a pioneer of coaching but his unconventional methods risk ruining Uruguay's World Cup chances before the tournament has even begun.

Spain's World Cup preparations have been beset by fitness concerns, including to star winger Lamine Yamal, as Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa faces a challenge to his authority before aiming to shock the European champions in Group H.

Nestory Irankunda and Mohamed Toure are thriving in England's Championship and Australia coach Tony Popovic is banking on the young attacking duo to fire the Socceroos to a best-ever World Cup.

Israel said on Wednesday it had killed the new head of Hamas's armed wing in Gaza, Mohammed Odeh, after killing his predecessor earlier this month despite an ongoing ceasefire.

Outgoing Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner said he had made no plans for his future other than "flying back to London with a hangover" after taking charge of his last match with the club.