Volkswacht Bodensee - News from Lake Constance, St. Gallen, Thurgau, Schaffhausen, Switzerland, Europe and the whole world

Gazans are "in the midst of an epic humanitarian catastrophe before the eyes of the world," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday, while calling for an expansion of the current pause in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Ministers of the world's largest regional security body are to meet Thursday in Skopje as the 57-member organisation faces its most serious crisis since its creation as tensions from Russia's invasion of Ukraine remain heightened.

Liverpool are set to be without goalkeeper Alisson Becker and forward Diogo Jota for a spell after both picked up injuries during a 1-1 draw at Manchester City, manager Jurgen Klopp said on Wednesday.

China and the United States -- the world's two biggest greenhouse gas polluters -- will work together at the UN climate talks in Dubai, US envoy John Kerry said Wednesday.

Wall Street and Europe's main stock markets mostly climbed Wednesday as traders ramped up bets on the US Federal Reserve cutting interest rates in the new year after a top official sounded an optimistic note on the battle against inflation.

The Paris appeals court on Wednesday rejected a bid by Romania for the extradition of a descendant of the country's last kings, which had described an influence-peddling conviction against him as "political" persecution.

The speaker of Kenya's parliament has cracked down on what he described as inappropriate attire worn by MPs, even banning traditional African dress and safari-style suits favoured by President William Ruto.

Russian forces were ramping up attacks in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday, Moscow and Kyiv said, as they vie to secure elusive territorial gains before the end of the year.

General Motors announced hefty new initiatives Wednesday to return billions of dollars to shareholders, lifting its stock price as it estimated the recent labor strike hit at $1.1 billion.

The Paris police chief has outlined drastic security measures for next year's summer Olympics, sparking an outcry from politicians Wednesday who said they were an attack on civic freedoms.

Luke Donald will remain Europe's Ryder Cup captain for the 2025 tournament at Bethpage Black in New York after masterminding this year's victory, team bosses announced on Wednesday.

In his small flat in Moscow, Igor was putting purple eyeliner and fake lashes on fellow drag queen Saffron, but their sessions trying out make-up tips could soon be illegal.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker and forward Diogo Jota are facing spells on the sidelines after sustaining injuries during Liverpool's 1-1 draw at Manchester City, manager Jurgen Klopp said on Wednesday.

Croatia was struggling to contain a whooping cough epidemic that health officials said Wednesday was due in part to a drop in inoculation rates linked to the growth of the anti-vaccine movement.

Japan's defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds stayed alive in the Asian Champions League on Wednesday after retiring striker Jose Kante scored a 90th-minute winner to sink China's Wuhan Three Towns.

Luke Donald will remain Europe's Ryder Cup captain for the 2025 tournament at Bethpage Black in New York, Ryder Cup Europe announced on Wednesday.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday defended his decision to snub Kyriakos Mitsotakis, accusing his Greek counterpart of playing to the gallery in a row over ancient sculptures.

Malick Thiaw is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after AC Milan said on Wednesday that he had suffered a hamstring tear during their Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund is to buy ten percent of London's Heathrow airport from Spanish infrastructure giant Ferrovial, whose departure from the hub after almost two decades leaves Qatar as its biggest shareholder.

Swedish furniture giant Ikea saw a five-fold increase in net profit for its full-year 2023 which ended in August, boosted by rising sales, Ingka Group which owns most Ikea franchises said Wednesday.

A golden mole that "swims" in sand has resurfaced in South Africa after 87 years in the wilderness when many specialists feared it had become extinct, researchers have said.

Rene Benko's real estate giant Signa -- whose vast portfolio includes New York's iconic Chrysler building -- on Wednesday announced it would initiate insolvency proceedings, marking the spectacular downfall of the self-made Austrian tycoon.

High in remote mountains in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates, a new plant will soon take atmospheric CO2 and pump it into rock -- part of controversial attempts to target planet-heating emissions without abandoning fossil fuels.

A red keffiyeh scarf around her neck and a beaming smile on her face, Rouba Assi fell into her friends' arms after being freed from an Israeli prison.

Kane Williamson struck a defiant century Wednesday but was unable to put New Zealand in control in the first Test against Bangladesh in Sylhet.

Europe's main stock markets mostly climbed Wednesday as traders ramped up bets on the US Federal Reserve cutting interest rates in the new year after a top official sounded an optimistic note on the battle against inflation.

Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders's stunning election win may have sent shockwaves through Europe's political elite, but in one of the country's poorest districts, his populist message is hitting home.

The world economy is likely headed for a soft landing next year, the OECD said Wednesday as it pared back its growth forecast, but warned the Israel-Hamas conflict could throw a spanner in the works.

The Emirati president of the UN climate conference in Dubai denied Wednesday reports that he sought to use his leadership of COP28 to pursue fossil fuel deals for his country.

Award-winning journalist Mariam Ouedraogo finds it impossible to forget the heartbreaking stories she has covered about sexual assault in Burkina Faso's jihadist war.

Austrian real estate giant Signa -- whose vast portfolio includes New York's iconic Chrysler building -- on Wednesday announced it would initiate insolvency proceedings, filing for court protection as it undergoes restructuring.

A US Osprey military aircraft crashed on Wednesday off a Japanese island, killing one crew member and leaving five unaccounted for, the coastguard said, in the latest incident involving the tilt-rotor military aircraft.