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

Barcelona stormed to a 7-2 victory over Newcastle on Wednesday to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, winning 8-3 on aggregate.

The US Federal Reserve raised its outlook for inflation as it held interest rates steady on Wednesday, citing an "uncertain" economic outlook due to the war in Iran.

Markwayne Mullin, US President Donald Trump's pick for Homeland Security chief, distanced himself from his fired predecessor Kristi Noem as he was grilled over immigration policy at a contentious Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday.

The first shipment of international aid for crisis-hit Cuba has arrived in the country in the shape of five tons of medical supplies, official sources said Wednesday.

At least eight people died Wednesday during a police operation against organized crime in Rio de Janeiro, including one of Brazil's most-wanted drug lords, authorities said.

Iran suffered a fresh blow Wednesday with the killing of its intelligence minister as the new supreme leader, yet to be seen since replacing his slain father, vowed to avenge the death of the country's security chief.

The Slovak government said Wednesday it would restrict diesel sales for 30 days because of a shortage due to the suspension of supplies by the Druzhba pipeline.

US actor Sean Penn met frontline troops in Ukraine, pictures showed Wednesday, the latest appearance in a surprise tour of the war-torn country after skipping the Oscar awards ceremony on Sunday.

Thousands of people gathered outside Istanbul City Hall Wednesday to mark one year since the arrest of the city's mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu in a graft probe widely seen as a politically motivated act against the key opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The WNBA and the league's players' union have reached a verbal agreement on a record-breaking labor deal, officials said Thursday, heading off the prospect of a strike.

The US Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged as expected Wednesday, in defiance of President Donald Trump as the world's largest economy battles stubborn inflation, weak labor demand and an "uncertain" economic outlook due to the war in Iran.

Senegal on Wednesday called for an "independent international investigation" into corruption following the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) decision to strip the country of its Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco.

Since the 1979 revolution, Iran has taken steps to ensure it is not reliant on a single security force but rather multiple structures to defend the Islamic republic against external and internal threats.

British billionaire businessman James Dyson has acquired a 50 percent stake in Bath, the English Prem rugby champions announced Wednesday.

Senegal's government said on Wednesday it wanted an "independent international investigation" into corruption after its national team were sensationally stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations title with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) declaring Morocco champions, two months after their chaotic final.

They already have the bill of a duck, the tail of a beaver, lay eggs like reptiles and have venom like snakes.

Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola has been ruled out for "the next few weeks" with an ankle injury, the Champions League holders said Wednesday.

Colombian immigration authorities said Wednesday that they had arrested an Ecuadoran drug trafficker linked to the 2023 murder of a popular candidate just before Ecuador's presidential election.

Gulf states and Western nations strongly criticised Iran at an emergency meeting Wednesday of the UN's maritime body, convened amid growing fears for thousands of stranded ships and seafarers.

Through one conflict after another, herders in Iraqi Kurdistan have grazed their animals under the endless blue skies of the Zagros Mountains -- a lifestyle they are stoically trying to maintain as yet another war engulfs the region.

The Iranian women's football team, whose plight has become embroiled in the Middle East war, returned back to Iran on Wednesday where they were promised a welcome ceremony in Tehran.

The United States and allies in Latin America and the Caribbean have ushered in a new phase of anti-drug cooperation including extraditions, shared intelligence and security plans despite criticism from international organizations.

Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday announced a halt in fighting during celebrations for the end of Ramadan, after the deadliest strike in their escalating conflict killed hundreds in Kabul earlier this week.

Just a trickle of cargo ships and tankers has made it through the Strait of Hormuz since Iranian forces blocked the crucial trade route in the Middle East war.

President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday announced that France's next nuclear-powered aircraft carrier will be called "France Libre" (Free France), as the country looks to reinforce its status as a major maritime power.

Oil prices surged Wednesday following a strike on one of Iran's gas facilities that raised the spectre of a further escalation of attacks on energy infrastructure in the Gulf region.

An international media association on Wednesday criticised an "unprovoked assault" by Israeli police on journalists in Jerusalem, which it said left a CNN producer with a fractured wrist.

Aston Villa captain John McGinn wants his side to be remembered as more than a "maybe team" in their quest for Europa League glory.

Rory McIlroy is pleased with his recovery from a back injury and excited to play the Masters in three weeks as defending champion after last year's emotional Augusta National triumph.

Gianluigi Donnarumma has questioned why Vinicius Junior celebrated his goals at Manchester City on Tuesday in front of the home support, saying a player of his calibre "should be loved by everyone".

US intelligence concluded Wednesday that Iran was not rebuilding nuclear enrichment capacities destroyed last year by the United States and Israel, contradicting a key justification by President Donald Trump for his ongoing war.

Michael Carrick has urged England manager Thomas Tuchel to give Manchester United trio Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo a chance to underline their World Cup credentials.