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

US and European stock markets firmed and energy prices dipped on Wednesday after President Donald Trump sought to ease oil supply concerns triggered by the conflict between the United States and Iran.

The Israeli military is planning on at least "one or two" more weeks of strikes on Iran, Israeli media reported on Wednesday, the war's fifth day, while launching a fresh wave of attacks in Lebanon against Tehran-backed Hezbollah militants.

A ballistic missile launched from Iran and heading toward Turkish airspace via Iraq and Syria was destroyed by NATO air defence systems, Turkish officials said Wednesday.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday defended his handling of the US-Israeli war against Iran after President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack over the British leader's initial refusal to allow the Americans to use UK air bases.

Hungary wants guarantees from Russia that it will not charge Budapest more for oil and gas, despite global prices jumping due to conflict in the Middle East, Hungary's foreign minister said Wednesday.

Harry Brook conceded on Wednesday that India were favourites to win the T20 World Cup on home soil, but warned them that England's "perfect performance" was "just around the corner".

Luke Donald will captain Europe again at the 2027 Ryder Cup at the Adare Manor course in Ireland as he bids to become the first man to lead a side to three consecutive wins in the competition, officials announced Wednesday.

Barcelona will be without defenders Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde for their Champions League last 16 tie against Newcastle after they were diagnosed with hamstring injuries on Wednesday.

More relieved passengers arrived home from the Gulf region on Wednesday as further flights resumed five days into the war triggered by US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

Iran claimed total control of the key energy transit Strait of Hormuz Wednesday, the war's fifth day, as Israel hit Iran with fresh strikes and advanced into Lebanon against Tehran-backed Hezbollah militants.

Alternative phones on offer at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) telecoms trade show in Barcelona this week aim to answer demand for devices that protect users' data and attention.

Adidas's shares slumped Wednesday after its 2026 outlook disappointed investors, while the German sportswear giant said any potential impact on its business from the Middle East war was still unclear.

The EU unveiled Wednesday new "Made in Europe" rules to help bolster the bloc's industries against fierce competition from China in a push held up for months by wrangling over plans some see as overly protectionist.

European stock markets firmed on Wednesday after a global rout driven by fears that surging energy prices from the Middle East war could fan inflation and hit the global economy.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday they had total control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global energy transit, as Israel launched a new wave of strikes on the Iranian capital.

Belgian rider Wout Van Aert claimed he suspects "sabotage" after his return to racing at the Samyn Classic was hit by a late puncture.

Israel ordered residents of a vast region of southern Lebanon to leave their homes on Wednesday, as the military expanded its campaign of air strikes and reportedly sent ground troops deeper into the country.

German agrichemical giant Bayer said Wednesday it made a loss of 3.62 billion euros ($4.20 billion) in 2025 after it booked extra charges related to claims that its popular weedkiller causes blood cancer.

India will need a "special performance" to beat a "street-smart" England in their T20 World Cup semi-final in Mumbai, bowling coach Morne Morkel warned on Wednesday.

Snaking queues of vehicles waited in Myanmar for shrivelling petrol supplies on Wednesday, with some gas stations shuttered as fuel stocks dried up due to the war in the Middle East.

Artificial intelligence has only had minor effects on employment in Europe so far, European Central Bank economists said Wednesday, but they warned the technology's future impact was uncertain.

Six months after joining anti-corruption protests that rocked Nepal, 23-year-old Amrita Ban will vote in Thursday's election, hoping the new government will realise the movement's demands.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday they had total control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global energy transit, as Israel launched a new wave of strikes on the Iranian capital.

Wales have made three changes as they bid to end their long Six Nations losing streak away to Ireland on Friday.

Adidas shares slumped Wednesday after the German sportswear giant gave a disappointing 2026 profit forecast and warned of a 400-million-euro ($465-million) hit from US tariffs and exchange rate effects.

Shohei Ohtani on Wednesday warned his Japan team-mates to expect a bumpy ride as they go in search of back-to-back World Baseball Classic titles, starting this week in Tokyo.

A Philippine congressional committee agreed overwhelmingly on Wednesday to advance the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, setting the stage for a potential vote that could decide her political future.

France is planning a meeting of G7 finance ministers on the Middle East crisis, with central bankers also in attendance, the country's Economy and Finance Minister, Roland Lescure, said on Wednesday.

A Greek appeals court on Wednesday upheld convictions for leaders of the neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn in a landmark trial over crimes committed at the height of the country's economic crisis.

Iran coach Marziyeh Jafari said Wednesday her team had "so much concern" about their families at home as war rages with players "fully disconnected" from them during the Women's Asian Cup.

Israel expanded its air strikes in Lebanon on Wednesday, targeting the area around the presidential palace near Beirut and other areas south of the capital as well as strongholds of the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, killing at least 11 people.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday that US-Israeli strikes on Iran had been "inconsistent with international law", calling for a rapid de-escalation of the conflict.