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

The far-right, anti-Islam party of firebrand politician Geert Wilders has won the Dutch election, exit polls suggested Wednesday, a political earthquake that will be felt far beyond the country's borders.

Declaring her preference for "something light and comfortable", an Israeli mother-of-four browsed through a collection of pistols in a Jerusalem gun store, which appeared to be experiencing a business boom in wartime.

International oil prices fell Wednesday after a key ministerial meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies was pushed back from Sunday to November 30.

The LIV Golf League released its 2024 regular-season schedule on Wednesday even as merger talks continue between LIV's Saudi backers and the US PGA Tour over a framework agreement.

Greek Olympic rowing champion Stefanos Ntouskos will be the first torchbearer in the relay that will travel from Olympia to Paris for next year's Games, the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) announced on Wednesday.

Venezuela on Wednesday accused the Peruvian government of "kidnapping" its national football team, accusing Lima of refusing to allow the team's aircraft to refuel after a 1-1 draw between the two teams in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.

The head of the United Nations children's agency on Wednesday called the besieged Gaza Strip "the most dangerous place in the world to be a child," and said that the hard-won truce deal between Israel and Hamas was not enough to save their lives.

Tiger Woods, set to make his return to competition next week following ankle surgery in April, said Wednesday he will partner with son Charlie in a parent-child tournament next month.

Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 1989, according to a court filing seen by AFP on Wednesday.

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino said Wednesday there was no place in football for violence after ugly clashes ahead of Brazil's World Cup qualifier against Argentina.

UK foreign minister David Cameron on Wednesday met with Arab and Islamic counterparts to discuss how to secure the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas and to increase aid into Gaza.

Pope Francis on Wednesday met separately with Israeli relatives of Hamas hostages and Palestinians with family in Gaza, while warning the ongoing conflict could result in "a mountain of dead".

Sam Altman's shock return as chief executive of OpenAI late Tuesday -- days after being sacked -- caps a chaotic period that highlighted deep tensions at the heart of the Artificial Intelligence community.

Props from the hit Netflix drama "The Crown", whose final season began last week, are to be sold at auction in early 2024 in London, auction house Bonhams said Wednesday.

Days after floodwaters swallowed her home in eastern Kenya, Fatuma Hassan Gumo waded through thigh-deep murky water to collect her only remaining possessions -- floating utensils.

The emirate of Qatar has further boosted its status as a specialist power in resolving delicate hostage situations by using its influence to help secure the release of hostages by Palestinian militant group Hamas.

One year after the Qatar World Cup, billboards emblazoned with the tournament's official slogan, "All is now," still stand by Doha's roadsides.

Lawyers for Oscar Pistorius said on Wednesday they hope the former South African Paralympic champion who was convicted of murdering his girlfriend a decade ago will be released immediately if granted parole later this week.

Oil prices slumped Wednesday after OPEC+ pushed back a summit meeting, while European and US stocks rose on hopes of an end to the US Federal Reserve's interest rate-hiking cycle.

Britain's Conservative government launched plans Wednesday to stimulate growth and woo voters for the next general election, delivering a massive tax-cut sweetener for workers but also forecasting sharply lower growth and stubbornly high inflation.

The four megastar members of K-pop girl group Blackpink were given one of Britain's most prestigious honours Wednesday by King Charles III, recognising their work as environmental advocates.

For Pavel Butorin, Thanksgiving is the most important American holiday, but there'll be an empty chair and a gaping absence this Thursday, which his wife will spend in a Russian prison.

Novak Djkovic said Wednesday he is aiming to carry his superb form into the Davis Cup and winning the competition with Serbia this week is one of his "greatest goals".

China upgraded diplomatic ties with Uruguay on Wednesday, state media reported, as President Xi Jinping met counterpart Luis Lacalle Pou in Beijing.

Israel and Hamas said Wednesday they had agreed on a four-day truce in the Gaza war during which the Palestinian militant group would free at least 50 of the hostages they took in their deadly October 7 attack.

Mick Schumacher will continue to provide back-up to Lewis Hamilton and George Russell after Mercedes confirmed on Wednesday that he will remain as the team's reserve driver next year.

Works by the celebrated Polish artist Magdalena Abakanowicz, including haunting headless sculptures, enigmatic tapestries and mask-like portraits, will go on auction Thursday.

Israeli and Palestinian families were torn between hope and fear Wednesday following an overnight deal to free hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Ronnie O'Sullivan has warned he will quit snooker if he is restricted from playing non-tour events in China, saying his career is at a "crossroads".

Following the announcement that Gaza militant group Hamas will release at least 50 hostages as part of a deal with Israel, here is what we know about the captives.

Manchester United and England defender Luke Shaw has returned to training after a lengthy injury layoff, the club announced on Wednesday.

US fighter jets struck two targets in Iraq early on Wednesday, killing eight pro-Iran fighters in retaliation for repeated attacks on American troops, US and Iraqi sources said.