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

Stock markets struck fresh records on Friday, driven by investor optimism over artificial intelligence and US rate-cut hopes, which overshadowed concerns about a government shutdown dragging on.

Music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs was in court on Friday facing a potential sentence of more than a decade behind bars for his conviction on two prostitution-related counts.

Taylor Swift is in a sparkling new era.

US President Donald Trump has given Hamas until 2200 GMT on Sunday to accept his 20-point plan for peace in Gaza, warning the Palestinian militant group faced "all hell" if it did not agree to the terms.

Lamine Yamal has been ruled out of Spain's World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Bulgaria this month after suffering a recurrence of his groin injury, Barcelona said on Friday.

With a yellow straw hat and a wicked toothy grin, he bobs among crowds of protesting youngsters from Asia to Africa to Latin America and Europe -- a smirking reproach to governments everywhere.

A prominent Greek wildlife group on Friday said it had confirmed the first case of a wolf-dog hybrid in the north of the country.

Ange Postecoglou believes Nottingham Forest are close to turning a corner despite supporters' calls for him to be sacked after less than a month in charge.

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal have to find a new level to win major trophies as he prepares to take charge of the Gunners for the 300th time.

US President Donald Trump on Friday issued an ultimatum to Hamas of 2200 GMT Sunday to accept his Gaza peace deal or face "all hell."

UK police said Friday they may have shot two victims, including one who died, as officers responded to an attack on worshippers at a Manchester synagogue marking a Jewish holiday.

Championship leader Oscar Piastri went fastest Friday in a chaotic second practice session for the Singapore Grand Prix punctuated by two crashes, red flags and a bizarre pit lane shunt.

Britain's Prince William likes to zip about the grounds of Windsor Castle on an electric scooter, his children haven't been given phones and he's ready for "change", he reveals in a rare interview about his future role as king.

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim said only results can silence his critics ahead of a Premier League clash against Sunderland that could decide his future.

Years of criticism of an EU-backed migration pact between Italy and Libya are coming to a head as migrant rescuers say the Libyan coastguard has begun firing directly at them.

Former Manchester United winger Antony has said he felt a "lack of respect" from the club and complained of being treated with "rudeness" after he was frozen out of Ruben Amorim's plans.

Former Red Bull boss Christian Horner is calling "pretty much every team owner" looking for a return to Formula One, Aston Martin team principal Andy Cowell said at the Singapore Grand Prix on Friday.

Novak Djokovic said he had to "fire up all engines" as he overcame a stodgy first set to reach the third round of the Shanghai Masters on Friday, beating fellow veteran Marin Cilic 7-6 (7/2), 6-4.

A power surge that caused a paralysing blackout across all of Spain and Portugal in April was an unprecedented event in Europe and possibly the world, but the root cause remains unknown, an expert panel said Friday.

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi expects Argentina to show plenty of "fight" at Twickenham on Saturday despite last week's 67-30 mauling as the Springboks chase a second straight Rugby Championship crown.

Friends and family of the two men killed during an attack on a Manchester synagogue, Adrien Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, were in mourning Friday for the "lovely blokes".

The United States suspended the publication of a key employment report Friday as a partial government shutdown entered its third day, casting a fog over the health of the world's biggest economy.

The US government shutdown appeared likely to stretch into next week as senators prepared Friday to vote for a fourth time on a funding fix proposed by Donald Trump's Republicans that has little hope of success.

England flexed their muscles in their Women's World Cup opener with a ruthless 10-wicket demolition of South Africa in Guwahati on Friday.

Hong Kong plans to install tens of thousands of surveillance cameras with AI-powered facial recognition, the city's security chief said on Friday, bringing it closer to China where authorities often monitor public spaces with cutting-edge technology.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said Friday there was "no conflict" with Hansi Flick after the Barcelona boss last month criticised the national team's handling of Lamine Yamal.

Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina condemned on Friday what he said was an attempt to topple his government as fresh protests flared against the political elite and years of misrule.

Novak Djokovic said he had to "fire up all engines" as he overcame a stodgy first set to reach the third round of the Shanghai Masters on Friday, beating fellow veteran Marin Cilic 7-6 (7/2), 6-4.

Jessica Pegula fought back to beat fellow American Emma Navarro 6-7 (2/7), 6-2, 6-1 on Friday for a date with Linda Noskova in the China Open semi-finals.

Britain was on heightened alert Friday following an attack outside a Manchester synagogue that killed two people, as police said they may have shot victims as the terrifying assault unfolded.

Israel on Friday deported four Italian activists, the first of hundreds detained from an aid flotilla bound for Gaza, shortly after the interception of a final boat brought an end to its mission.

England manager Thomas Tuchel said Friday that Jude Bellingham's omission from his squad to face Wales and Latvia is due to the midfielder's "lack of rhythm" and is nothing personal.