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

The war in the Middle East has boosted demand to move vital cargo through the Panama Canal to such an extent that one vessel carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) paid $4 million to skip the line and avoid a wait that can take up to five days, according to an official report.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday extended the US ceasefire with Iran to allow more time for talks, just hours before hostilities were set to resume, but he vowed to maintain a blockade of Tehran's ports.

Former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, a candidate for UN secretary-general, said Tuesday she hoped the world is finally "ready" for a woman in the position.

Dirk Nowitzki and Sue Bird were among eight new inductees into the FIBA Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Berlin on Tuesday, which also featured the draw for the 2026 Women's World Cup.

Oil prices climbed and stocks slid Tuesday as uncertainty reigned over US-Iranian peace talks resuming, and the expiration of the two-week ceasefire in the Middle East loomed.

US defense companies are reporting a surge in demand for military equipment, as the war in the Middle East prompts fresh orders from governments around the world.

Mexican authorities said Tuesday that the man who killed a Canadian woman and wounded 13 others the day before at the famed Teotihuacan pyramids had planned the attack in advance.

With his sensational statements on Truth Social and serial phone chats with individual journalists, President Donald Trump has only added to the confusion surrounding his plans for Iran in recent days.

Churchill Downs Incorporated has entered an agreement to purchase the Preakness Stakes for $85 million, uniting two major events of American horse racing's Triple Crown, the buyers announced on Tuesday.

Artificial Intelligence pioneer Geoffrey Hinton insisted Tuesday on the need to strictly regulate the technology, warning that it remained unclear if humanity could co-exist with super intelligent AI.

Tourists flocked to an iconic Rio de Janeiro viewpoint on Tuesday, a day after a gunfight between police and drug gangs in a nearby favela trapped over 200 people on the hilltop.

Diego Maradona's daughter Gianinna on Tuesday testified about what she called the "total manipulation" of the late player's family by doctors in the lead-up to his 2020 death.

Swashbuckling opener Abhishek Sharma struck an unbeaten 135 to fire Sunrisers Hyderabad to their third IPL win in a row as they hammered Delhi Capitals by 47 runs on Tuesday.

The head of the US delegation to anticipated peace talks with Iran had yet to leave Washington on Tuesday, with Tehran still undecided on whether it would participate as the end of a temporary ceasefire drew near.

Top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand seeks her first major title while Australian Hannah Green hopes to extend her hot streak when the LPGA Chevron Championship tees off on Thursday.

A new batch of World Cup tickets to all 104 matches will go on sale this Wednesday, just 50 days before the tournament kicks off, FIFA said Tuesday.

Veteran songstress Madonna is appealing for the return of missing costumes she wore during her recent Coachella set with Sabrina Carpenter.

The director of the first Argentine film to win an Oscar, Luis Puenzo, died on Tuesday aged 80, the main organization representing Argentine creatives said Tuesday.

Prosecutors in the rape retrial of disgraced US movie mogul Harvey Weinstein told Tuesday how he wielded his power to prey on then-aspiring actress Jessica Mann.

Iran has stepped up repression during the Middle East war with high-profile executions and hundreds of arrests, activists said on Tuesday, urging Washington to put human rights at the centre of any talks with the Islamic republic.

French teenager Paul Seixas says he is eager to face the challenge of the decisive climb that often settles Wednesday's Fleche Wallonne classic.

Donald Trump's choice to lead the US Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh, stressed Tuesday that he would not be controlled by the president as he fielded questions on his assets and central bank independence during his confirmation hearing.

Singapore's Daren Tang was reappointed Tuesday for a second six-year term in charge of the United Nations' patent and innovation agency.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has postponed an official trip to Eswatini, the democratic island's only diplomatic ally in Africa, after several countries revoked overflight permits following "intense pressure" from China, a senior aide said Tuesday.

Downing Street on Tuesday denied a claim from a former official that it had applied pressure on civil servants to approve the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK envoy to Washington and seemed to dismiss security concerns.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday warned he would hit back with reciprocal measures after Washington expelled a Brazilian police attache in the latest spat between the two countries.

Karren Brady, who blazed a trail for women executives in English football, has stepped down as vice-chair of Premier League strugglers West Ham bringing down the curtain on her 16 years at the club.

Donald Trump's choice to lead the US Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh, stressed Tuesday that he would not be controlled by the president as he fielded questions on his assets and central bank independence during his confirmation hearing.

Oil prices climbed and stocks slid Tuesday as uncertainty reigned over US-Iranian peace talks resuming and the expiration of the two-week ceasefire in the Middle East loomed.

Virginia voted Tuesday in a referendum that could hand Democrats four extra seats in the US House of Representatives, turning President Donald Trump's redistricting push into a potential liability for Republicans in upcoming midterm elections.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday championed trade multilateralism, saying Brazil seeks commercial ties "without preference" with partners from China and the United States to Russia and France.

World number one Jannik Sinner said Tuesday his principal aim as he prepares for the Madrid Open is to be in the "best possible shape" for Roland Garros next month as he seeks to complete a career Grand Slam.