Volkswacht Bodensee

Russia, Ukraine begin talks in Istanbul

Russia and Ukraine began a fresh round of talks in Istanbul on Wednesday but the Kremlin played down any expectations of a breakthrough after three and a half years of war.

Israel denies Gaza 'mass starvation' accusations

Israel on Wednesday hit back at growing international criticism that it was behind chronic food shortages in Gaza, instead accusing Hamas of deliberately creating a humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory.

WHO chief says 'large proportion' of Gaza's people 'starving'

The World Health Organization's chief warned Wednesday of widespread starvation in Gaza, saying food deliveries into the war-ravaged Palestinian territory were "far below what is needed for the survival of the population".

Macron appoints military advisor as new army chief

President Emmanuel Macron has appointed his closest military advisor, an experienced fighter pilot, as the new chief of staff of France's armed forces, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said Wednesday.

Zelensky defends law curbing anti-graft agencies' independence

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday defended legislative changes removing the independence of two key anti-corruption bodies, sparking the first major protests in Ukraine since the start of Russia's invasion.

Kremlin expects 'difficult' talks with Ukraine in Istanbul

Russia said that it expected talks with Ukraine later on Wednesday in Istanbul to be "difficult", downplaying expectations of a breakthrough at a meeting between the two sides after nearly three and a half years of war.

EU, Japan vow joint push for 'fair' global trade

The EU and Japan pledged on Wednesday to work together on championing a "free and fair" trade global system, as US tariffs and disputes with China rattle their economies.

AFP journalist covers war as Gaza faces extreme shortages

With fuel prices exorbitant and road travel treacherous in the war-battered Gaza Strip, AFP video journalist Youssef Hassouna has to walk for hours in the searing heat every day just to document the news.

Zelensky defends contested anti-corruption law changes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday defended legislative changes removing the independence of two key anti-corruption bodies, sparking the first major protests in Ukraine since the start of Russia's invasion.

Germany seeks US guarantee before sending Patriots to Ukraine

Germany needs firm US assurances that it will quickly receive replacement Patriot anti-missile systems if it sends two of its own units to Ukraine, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said Wednesday.

Speculation swirls about Japan PM's future

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba denied discussing his resignation with party elders on Wednesday, as media speculation about his futureintensified after a weekend election debacle.

Trump announces 'massive' Japan trade deal

Donald Trump announced Tuesday a "massive" trade deal with Japan, marking a key breakthrough for major US trade partners as they scramble to strike agreements before the end of the month.

Japan PM plans to resign after election debacle: local media

Having done a trade deal with US President Donald Trump, Japan's prime minister will soon announce his resignation, reports said Wednesday, after his latest election debacle left his coalition without a majority now in both houses of parliament.

Pacific nation ponders taking asylum seekers from US

The United States is looking to send asylum seekers to the sparsely populated volcanic isles of Palau, the small South Pacific nation said Wednesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei leads Asian rally after Japan-US trade deal

Tokyo stocks rallied with the yen Wednesday after Japan and the United States finally hammered out a trade deal to slash Donald Trump's tariffs, including those on the crucial car sector.

More than 100 NGOs warn 'mass starvation' spreading across Gaza

More than 100 aid organisations warned on Wednesday that "mass starvation" was spreading in Gaza ahead of the US top envoy's visit to Europe for talks on a possible ceasefire and an aid corridor.

Trump announces 'massive' Japan trade deal including 15% tariff

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States had agreed to a "massive" trade deal with Japan that would include a 15 percent tariff on its exports.

Hungry and exhausted, AFP journalists document Gaza war

AFP journalists in the Gaza Strip said Tuesday that chronic food shortages are affecting their ability to cover Israel's conflict with Hamas militants.

Tears of joy as Venezuelan migrants return from Salvadoran prison 'hell'

Tears of joy and relief flowed freely Tuesday as Venezuelan Maikel Olivera returned home to his mother's embrace after four months of "hell" in a Salvadoran prison.

Tears of joy as Venezuelan migrants return from El Salvador prison 'hell'

Tears of joy and relief flowed freely Tuesday as Venezuelan Maikel Olivera returned home to his mother's embrace after surviving four months of "real hell" in a Salvadoran prison.

Nasdaq edges down from records ahead of big tech earnings

The Nasdaq retreated from a record ahead of earnings from Google parent Alphabet and other tech giants, while European markets fretted over an August 1 deadline for the EU to avert steep tariffs from US President Donald Trump.

Republicans seek to rename opera house after Melania Trump

Republicans in the US House of Representatives sought Tuesday to rename the opera house in Washington's John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after First Lady Melania Trump.

Pakistan courts sentence dozens from Khan's party

A Pakistani opposition leader was among more than three dozen members and supporters of former prime minister Imran Khan's party sentenced to 10 years in prison on Tuesday, the government said.

Trump agrees to small reduction in Philippine tariffs

US President Donald Trump agreed Tuesday to reduce threatened tariffs on the Philippines, but only by one percentage point, after what he termed a successful meeting with his counterpart Ferdinand Marcos.

US Justice Department plans to interview Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell

The US Department of Justice is seeking to interview Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned accomplice of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, officials said Tuesday, as President Donald Trump struggles to quell a furor over the handling of the explosive case.

US to leave UN cultural body, citing anti-Israel bias

The United States said Tuesday it would quit UNESCO, saying the UN cultural and education agency, best known for establishing world heritage sites, is biased against Israel and promotes "divisive" causes.

Stocks slip as investors eye tariff impact among corporate earnings

Major stock markets slipped on Tuesday as New York backed off its record highs and European markets fretted over an August 1 deadline for the EU to avert steep tariffs from President Donald Trump.

Russia seeks to fine web users searching for content deemed 'extremist'

Russian lawmakers advanced a bill on Tuesday that would fine internet users who search online for web pages, books, artworks or music albums that authorities have deemed "extremist" -- a move critics have called a dangerous attack on freedom.

Coca-Cola plans US cane sugar alternative after Trump push

Coca-Cola on Tuesday said it would release a version of Coke in the United States made with US-grown real cane sugar, a move requested by President Donald Trump.

US to leave UN cultural body, citing 'national interest'