Volkswacht Bodensee

Kazakhstan votes in snap parliamentary polls

Kazakhstan on Sunday voted in snap parliamentary polls that saw new faces on the ballot, but opposition parties still barred one year after deadly protests shook the Central Asian country.

French government defiant on pensions ahead of crucial votes

France's government on Sunday held its ground over a bitterly contested pension reform rammed through parliament without a vote, a day before it faces crucial no-confidence motions.

Assad in UAE as second post-quake Gulf visit signals growing Arab outreach

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met Sunday with Emirati leaders in Abu Dhabi, his second Gulf visit since last month's earthquake prompted renewed efforts to bring Damascus back into the Arab fold.

Montenegro votes in presidential polls after months of deadlock

Montenegrins cast ballots Sunday in a presidential contest pitting the Adriatic nation's longest serving leader Milo Djukanovic against a range of rivals hoping to shake up the country's political scene.

Nigeria counts votes after tense local elections

Vote counting was underway in Nigeria on Sunday following local elections marred by reports of violence, bribery and signs of low turnout.

Putin visits Mariupol in first trip to fallen city

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to Mariupol, state media reported Sunday, his first to the city since it was captured after a lengthy siege at the start of Moscow's offensive in Ukraine.

North Korea fires short-range ballistic missile

North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile on Sunday, Seoul's military said, the fourth show of force in a week as South Korea and the United States stage major military drills.

China's Xi plays peacemaker on Russia visit

President Xi Jinping heads to Russia on Monday hoping to deliver a breakthrough on Ukraine as China seeks to position itself as a peacemaker.

'No other option': Russia's unequal economic marriage with China

Russia has found itself in an unequal relationship with China since intensifying its pivot toward Beijing after the assault on Ukraine.

Two killed, 10 wounded in eastern Ukraine: regional governor

Russian strikes killed two people and wounded 10 in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk on Saturday, a regional governor said, accusing Moscow of using cluster bombs in the attack.

France's Borne: resilient technocrat under pressure

France's Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, who has pushed through a controversial pensions overhaul without a parliament vote, is an experienced technocrat known for her resilience.

Kazakhstan kicks off snap parliamentary polls

Kazakhstan holds snap parliamentary elections Sunday as the leader of the Central Asian country pushes political reforms that critics say are designed to consolidate power one year after deadly protests.

UBS against the clock in Credit Suisse takeover talks

UBS was up against the clock Sunday in talks to finalise a mammoth takeover of its troubled rival Swiss bank Credit Suisse and reassure investors before the markets reopen.

Kosovo and Serbia fail to sign agreement after marathon talks

Kosovo and Serbia stopped short of signing a potentially landmark deal late Saturday night after holding a marathon round of talks, even as the EU hailed progress toward reaching a long-sought agreement between the arch-foes.

UBS in talks to save Credit Suisse

Credit Suisse is in advanced talks with its larger Swiss rival UBS about a deal to salvage Switzerland's second-biggest bank, in a bid to reassure investors before the markets open next week, several media reported Saturday.

Protesters denounce UK plan to halt migrants' Channel crossings

Anti-racism protesters marched in London on Saturday to denounce the government's controversial plan to tackle cross-Channel migrant crossings by preventing arrivals from applying for asylum.

Putin visits Crimea as Ukraine grain deal extended

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday visited Crimea to mark the ninth anniversary of the peninsula's annexation, a day after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against him over the Ukraine conflict.

At least six killed in Peru clash with Shining Path

At least six people were killed in a clash between remnants of the defunct Shining Path rebel group and a military patrol in a coca-growing valley in central Peru, a Defense Ministry unit reported Saturday.

Two killed, eight wounded in eastern Ukraine: mayor

Russian strikes killed two people and wounded eight in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk on Saturday, the mayor said, accusing Moscow of having used cluster bombs in the attack.

Vatican closes Nicaragua embassy amid escalating row

The Vatican representative to Nicaragua has left the country and closed its embassy there amid continuing tensions between Managua and the Holy See, the Vatican News portal has reported.

Protesters demonstrate UK plan to halt Channel crossings

Anti-racism protesters marched to Downing Street in London on Saturday to demonstrate against the government's contentious new plan to halt cross-Channel migrant crossings by barring arrivals from applying for asylum.

Latin finance ministers meet in Panama under shadow of US bank crisis

Top financial officials from Latin American and Caribbean countries are meeting Saturday in an annual conclave of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), after a week overshadowed by the banking crisis in the United States and Europe.

Putin visits Crimea on annexation anniversary, as grain deal extended

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday visited Crimea to mark the ninth anniversary of the peninsula's annexation, a day after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against him over the Ukraine conflict.

Refugees protest tough Greek migration policy

Hundreds of refugees protested against Greece's tough migration policies in Athens on Saturday, accusing the conservative government of "murdering" asylum seekers through illegal pushbacks.

From payment to porn star to Trump's possible indictment

A payment meant to silence a porn star in the days before Donald Trump's stunning election victory in 2016 may now result in his being the first US former president ever to be indicted.

Trump expects 'arrest' on Tuesday in hush money case, calls for protests

Former US President Donald Trump said he expects to be "arrested" on Tuesday over hush money allegedly paid to a porn star before the 2016 election, calling on his supporters to protest.

Pakistan court drops arrest warrant against ex-PM Imran Khan

A Pakistan judge dropped an arrest warrant against former prime minister Imran Khan on Saturday, his lawyers said, after the ex-cricketing star, who had skipped several hearings, travelled to court.

Pro-Kremlin activists rally outside embassies on Crimea anniversary

Pro-Kremlin activists rallied in Moscow Saturday outside embassies of countries considered "unfriendly" by Russia on the ninth anniversary of its annexation of Crimea, a youth movement said.

France bans pension protests opposite parliament

France on Saturday banned protests opposite parliament after a second night of unrest sparked by President Emmanuel Macron imposing an unpopular pension overhaul without a parliament vote.

Trump says expecting 'arrest' on Tuesday, calls for protests