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

Only a small fraction of the forest-based carbon credits that companies and governments have purchased to offset their greenhouse gas emissions actually help prevent deforestation, according to new research.

Russia on Friday praised the work of its air defences, saying they had downed 42 drones over the Moscow-controlled Crimean peninsula, a day after Ukraine claimed its forces launched a raid there.

Max Verstappen began his home Dutch Grand Prix weekend in familiar fashion, topping the times in Friday's first practice at Zandvoort.

The plane crash that reportedly killed Yevgeny Prigozhin wiped out the entire top leadership of Russian paramilitary group Wagner but its influence is set to outlive them all both at home and abroad.

Kevin Mayer's defence of his world decathlon title lasted just two events on Friday in Budapest as the left Achilles problem that had been niggling him proved too much.

Greek firefighters struggled Friday to contain scores of wildfires stretching nationwide, as the week's death toll from the raging blazes rose to 21.

Two Spanish Women's World Cup winners, Aitana Bonmati and Olga Carmona, and Chelsea's Australian striker Sam Kerr were on Friday named on the three-player shortlist for UEFA's women's player of the year award.

Australia's Josh Giddey warned his teammates they cannot afford another slow start at the Basketball World Cup after overcoming early struggles to beat Finland in their tournament opener on Friday.

Poll observers from a regional southern African bloc SADC on Friday said certain aspects of Zimbabwe's tense presidential and legislative elections did not conform to democratic principles.

Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales refused to resign on Friday after a week of heavy criticism for his unsolicited kiss on the lips of player Jenni Hermoso following Spain's Women's World Cup triumph.

European stocks pushed higher on Friday ahead of a keenly awaited speech by Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell, brushing aside losses in Asia as investors worried he may signal further interest rate hikes.

On the banks of the River Wye on the border between England and Wales, Pat Stirling flings a plastic measuring jug tied to a rope into the water.

Liverpool manager dismissed suggestions on Friday that Mohamed Salah could become the latest star name to depart European football for Saudi Arabia.

Australia lineout coach Dan Palmer said on Friday Will Skelton was a "genuine leader" after the lock was named to captain the Wallabies for the first time in this weekend's Rugby World Cup warm-up with hosts France.

Greek firefighters struggled on Friday to contain scores of blazes stretching nationwide -- the largest fires in the European Union this year.

The world's major tech titans must crack down on illegal content and keep European users safe online from Friday, when far-reaching EU rules force digital firms to fall into line.

Thousands of Rohingya refugees rallied at camps in Bangladesh on Friday to demand their safe return to Myanmar on the sixth anniversary of the violence that drove them from their homes.

Dutch brewer Heineken on Friday announced it was pulling out of Russia after selling its operations to the Arnest Group, the largest Russian manufacturer of cosmetics, household goods and metal packaging.

La Rochelle lock Will Skelton will captain Australia for the first time in this weekend's Rugby World Cup warm-up with hosts France, Rugby Australia announced on Friday.

Asian markets sank Friday as a mini rally came to a juddering halt ahead of a keenly awaited speech by Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell later in the day, with traders increasingly worried the bank will hike interest rates further.

Seawater samples taken following the release of wastewater from the crippled Fukushima nuclear reactor showed radioactivity levels well within safe limits, operator TEPCO said on Friday.

Asian markets sank Friday as a mini rally came to a juddering halt ahead of a keenly awaited speech by Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell later in the day, with traders increasingly worried the bank will hike interest rates further.

China's Pacific allies -- from Solomon Islands' government to Fiji's opposition -- on Friday echoed Beijing's criticism of Japan releasing wastewater from its disaster-hit Fukushima nuclear plant.

Chinese telecoms giant Huawei said Friday it had renewed a licensing agreement with Ericsson to use each other's technologies, in a rebuff to US warnings about the risk of espionage by Beijing.

NASA and SpaceX said Thursday they have postponed the launch of a crew of four to the International Space Station.

Australian and Filipino troops held exercises on Friday near flashpoint South China Sea waters claimed by China, with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos hailing them as an "extremely important" example of close cooperation.

All the fun of the Oktoberfest, without the hangover: Germans are swapping traditional beer for non-alcoholic brews, driven by health concerns and the increasing quality of booze-free options.

As Greece was hit by wave after wave of wildfires this week, unfounded claims that asylum-seekers are behind some of them whipped up anti-migrant frenzy online.

Shepherd Ibrahim Koc recalls his youth with fondness as he grazes cattle on a barren field that was once lush with vegetation on the edge of Turkey's largest lake.

A days-long fire at a landfill in Indonesia's most populous province has been declared an emergency by local authorities as thick and putrid smoke from the blaze chokes nearby residents, officials said Friday.

Japan was due Friday to publish preliminary sample results, a day after it began releasing wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant, in an attempt to reassure critics that the operation was safe.

Japan's Yuka Saso produced a blistering run of birdies to grab the first-round lead at the CPKC Women's Open with a six-under-par round of 66 at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver on Thursday.