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

The images of France's riots posted and broadcast around the world have cast a pall on the country's important tourism sector, with many fearing worse consequences if violence returns.

Paris Saint-Germain could be without star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for the rest of the season after he tore his ACL in the Champions League win against Barcelona while Ousmane Dembele also faces weeks out of action, the European champions said on Wednesday.

President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday took an apparent swipe at counterpart Donald Trump of exploiting France's riots for advantage in the US midterm election battle, as Paris prepared for more protests this weekend.

Russia's Vladimir Putin began talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff on ending the Ukraine war in Saint Petersburg on Wednesday, with the American official saying he had brought "ideas" for a possible peace deal.

North Korea plans to begin once again blasting loudspeakers across its border with South Korea, the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un said on Wednesday, after warning Pyongyang had moved new troop units into "firing position".

Stock markets mostly rose Wednesday, with sentiment boosted by news that Elon Musk's SpaceX reported its first quarterly profit as a public company.

Indonesia's president lashed out at MSCI on Wednesday, accusing the index compiler of "trying to scare us" over its threat to downgrade the country's stock market.

More than 150 writers and personalities signed an open letter Wednesday urging the UK government to amend its "draconian" ban on Palestine Action after Irish author Sally Rooney said she was halting book sales in Britain as a result.

President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday criticised world leaders for making "stupid" comments about the rioting on the sidelines of protests in France, in an apparent swipe at US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

A shark that has become a viral sensation in South Korea was coaxed out of a canal in which it was stuck, authorities said on Wednesday, as falling temperatures raised concerns for its survival.

Residents of Indonesian Borneo urged the government on Wednesday to do more to combat the wildfires consuming vast tracts of land and emitting a foul haze that has sickened thousands and curtailed daily life for months.

Paris Saint-Germain could be without Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for the rest of the season after the winger tore his ACL in the Champions League win against Barcelona and Ousmane Dembele faces weeks out too, the club said on Wednesday.

The second tranche of tickets for the landmark Bayeux Tapestry exhibition at London's British Museum went on sale Wednesday, as thousands joined an online queue shrugging off some initial visitor complaints.

Indonesia's president railed Wednesday against "countries that like to insult" his nation over wildfires that have razed vast areas, spewing toxic haze into neighbouring countries.

Australian lawmaker Helen Haines has had both legs amputated after being hit by a car, her husband said on Wednesday, hailing her as a "fighter" despite critical injuries sustained in what police described as a targeted attack.

Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia requires surgery after tearing his ACL in the Champions League win against Barcelona, the European champions said on Wednesday.

Britain's Labour government announced plans Wednesday to start drilling in a controversial gas field in the North Sea, claiming it would boost energy security amid price shocks from the Iran war.

Japan sent a senior diplomat to Moscow this week to discuss the release of a journalist detained by Russia on spying accusations, Tokyo said on Wednesday.

Carrefour, France's largest publicly traded retailing group, saw its shares drop more than 13 percent Wednesday after it warned that the recent violent protests across France would dent profits.

UK inflation and public borrowing rose more than expected in September, official data showed Wednesday, heaping pressure on the country's Labour government ahead of its annual budget due next week.

North Korea has moved new units into "firing positions", the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un said Wednesday, days after Pyongyang warned it was considering deploying additional strike means to its border with South Korea.

Britain's government announced Wednesday it had approved plans to begin drilling in a controversial gas field in the North Sea, ending months of speculation about the future of the divisive project.

Australian lawmaker Helen Haines has had both legs removed, her husband told journalists on Wednesday, after what police called a "targeted" attack.

Washington's envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Saint Petersburg early Wednesday to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin following what US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described as "positive" talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine.

A teenager wakes up after a traffic crash convinced his mother has been replaced by an imposter -- but almost no one believes him.

The UK government said Wednesday that it had approved plans to begin drilling in a controversial new gas field in the North Sea, ending months of speculation about the future of the site.

Kevin Martinez has come up with a creative new way to avoid shutting his restaurant when water runs low in Cuba, a common source of frustration for the business owner.

With art-filled treatment areas, museum tours and even ancient temple ruins on its grounds, a Rome hospital is hoping culture therapy will boost its cancer patients' "desire for life".

A rare wild pepper endemic to Madagascar and prized by international chefs is facing an uncertain future, victim of its own success and the destruction of its forest habitat.

Weeks before Serbia's highly anticipated election, Zoran Kesic, the country's star late-night talk show host, opened his monologue with a stark warning.

Global commitments to cut planet-heating emissions are falling far short of the Paris climate goals and put the world on course for 2.6C warming this century, the UN warned Wednesday.

Washington's envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Saint Petersburgand meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday following what US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described as "positive" talks with Ukraine's leader.