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

The final line-up for the 2026 World Cup will be decided over the next week, with 16 teams competing for the last four places allocated to European countries.

US star Ilia Malinin returns to the ice seeking the solace of a third straight world figure skating title after his shocking collapse at the Winter Olympics, while Japan's Kaori Sakamoto targets a fourth women's gold starting Wednesday.

Take an everyday video on any suburban transport network, add anime-style music and a rosy filter, and it's suddenly a scene from the Japanese holiday of your dreams.

Asian stocks rose Tuesday after Donald Trump delayed strikes on Iranian energy sites and hailed "very good" talks with Tehran but oil prices edged back up as optimism over a possible de-escalation of the Middle East war remained shaky.

Daniss Jenkins scored a career-high 30 points as the Detroit Pistons halted the Los Angeles Lakers' nine-game winning streak with a 113-110 victory on Monday.

When Moninder Singh learned recently of assassination threats against his family in Canada, where a fellow Sikh activist was killed in 2023, he says he remained defiant.

New All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie on Tuesday named his backroom team to take New Zealand through to next year's Rugby World Cup, retaining one old face but turning mostly to former assistants from his successful club coaching career.

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese struck a long-awaited free trade deal on Tuesday, compromising to boost exports in the face of global uncertainty over trade.

Alvin Hellerstein, the US judge overseeing the case against deposed Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, is a no-nonsense 92-year-old with a long list of high-profile cases on his CV.

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese struck a long-awaited free trade deal on Tuesday, compromising to boost exports in the face of global uncertainty over trade.

Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka kept their "Sunshine Double" dreams alive with emphatic victories at the ATP/WTA Miami Open on Monday as defending men's champion Jakub Mensik joined a slew of seeds who crashed out.

Jurors resume deliberations on Tuesday in a landmark social media trial after signaling that they were having trouble agreeing when it comes to one of the two defendants, Meta and YouTube.

The European Union executive said on Monday reports that the Hungarian foreign minister had passed sensitive information about European Union negotiations to Russia were "greatly concerning".

GA-ASI Wins 2 of the 9 Awards Presented

USPA Gold Cup and U.S. Open Polo Championship Finals to Air on ESPN2

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday as talks to strike a trade pact enter their "last mile" after years of negotiations.

A series of strikes hit Beirut's southern suburbs on Monday and early Tuesday, the first attack on the Hezbollah stronghold in days, as Israel's military said it captured two members of the Iran-backed group in southern Lebanon.

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen will meet Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday as talks to strike a trade pact enter their "last mile" after years of negotiations.

Defending champion Jakub Mensik was bundled out of the Miami Open on Monday, losing a gruelling three-set battle against 19th seed Frances Tiafoe 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 7-6 (13/11).

The jurors in a landmark social media trial signaled Monday that they could not reach a consensus against one of the two defendants, Meta and YouTube.

Ben Stokes reckons the past three months have been the "hardest period" of his time as England captain but is determined the current leadership group can oversee a revival in the Test team's fortunes.

Hundreds of Venezuelan workers and pensioners marched Monday for an increase in "hunger" wages as well as pensions frozen for four years and eroded by galloping inflation.

Rio de Janeiro police said Monday they had arrested eight people for brutally beating a capybara -- the world's largest rodent whose chill demeanor has inspired countless memes online in recent years.

The new Audi Q9 is not arriving at a moment of effortless supremacy. It arrives while Audi is renewing its range, trimming costs and trying to restore the full credibility of its premium promise. A flagship SUV above the Q7 is strategically sensible: more presence, more margin potential and more relevance in a highly profitable class. But that also raises the burden of proof.That burden begins with the facts. Audi has confirmed the Q9, yet there is still no official final price and no published WLTP range. Nor has the production powertrain line-up been fully disclosed in public. So the central question can only be answered provisionally today: the Q9 is not justified by default; its eventual price and its real-world electrified usefulness will have to justify themselves.Range is where the issue becomes especially delicate. If Audi launches the Q9 as an electrified combustion model or a plug-in hybrid, a merely decent figure will not be enough in 2026. Buyers in this class expect more than paper efficiency and a premium screen landscape. They expect genuine everyday usability, calm long-distance comfort, intelligent charging and powertrain logic, and the sense that this is modern mobility done convincingly rather than transitional technology sold expensively.

Oil prices tumbled and stock markets rebounded Monday after US President Donald Trump suddenly ordered a halt to strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure after initially setting a 48-hour deadline, claiming "very good" talks with Tehran.

International markets and the world at large have grown used to US President Donald Trump's abrupt reversals, but Monday's about-face on Iran was one of his most spectacular yet.

President Donald Trump hailed on Monday "very good" talks with an unidentified Iranian official after abruptly shelving plans for fresh attacks, even as Washington's ally Israel vowed to keep up strikes on the Islamic republic.

A woman who said she was drugged and sexually assaulted by veteran US entertainer Bill Cosby was awarded more than $19 million on Monday after a civil hearing in California.

The Los Angeles Dodgers launch their bid for a World Series hat-trick as Major League Baseball's new season gets under way on Wednesday with "robot umpires" ushering in a new era for America's pastime.

With the new Striker, Dacia is attacking a part of the market where European family estates have become noticeably more expensive, heavier and, in many cases, less distinctive. The 4.62-metre lifestyle wagon is set to start below 25,000 euros, with hybrid, hybrid 4x4 and LPG versions confirmed. That places it as a deliberately down-to-earth alternative to far costlier C-segment cars. A full unveiling is scheduled for June 2026, while availability is expected from late 2026 or early 2027 depending on the market.The images released so far already make Dacia’s ambition clear. The Striker is not meant to be a dull load carrier, but a car with presence. Its stretched aerodynamic profile, raised ride height and almost shooting-brake-like silhouette give it character without making it look bloated. The upright front end, new daytime running light signature and glossy black element linking the rear lamps show that Dacia wants to sell more than price alone in this class. The Striker looks more deliberate, more modern and more carefully drawn than many of the brand’s earlier generations.That is exactly why the key question matters so much: can the Striker back up its design promise with convincing quality? For now, caution is essential. The model has only been shown in an early reveal. Full information on the cabin, equipment and final technical data is still to come. Any definitive judgment on materials, ergonomics, noise insulation and long-term quality would therefore be premature in March 2026.

Skoda will launch the Peaq in summer 2026 as its largest electric vehicle to date. The name echoes the word “peak”, reflecting its status at the top of the range. Derived from the Vision 7S concept, the production Peaq adopts the Modern Solid design language with minimalist surfaces, C‑shaped lighting and a Tech‑Deck front end. Official statements emphasise an interior designed for modern families and business users, with a spacious cabin and seven seats. The MEB platform from the Volkswagen Group allows a flat floor and a long wheelbase, promising generous room for passengers and luggage. Skoda highlights “Simply Clever” features such as modular seating, practical storage and recycled materials.Technical details remain scarce, but industry observers expect an around 89 kWh battery enabling a WLTP range of roughly 600 km (373 miles) and DC fast‑charging at up to 200 kW. Dual‑motor versions with all‑wheel drive are likely, offering more power than the current Enyaq. The seven seats should fold flat to create a large cargo area. Positioned above the Kodiaq and Enyaq, the Peaq will become Skoda’s flagship yet is expected to undercut premium rivals such as the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9.

Daniil Medvedev crashed out of the Miami Open on Monday, losing a roller-coaster three-set third round battle against Argentine Francisco Cerundolo 6-0, 4-6, 7-5.