Badische Presse - Your daily source for Baden-Württemberg, Baden-Baden and Karlsruhe news as well as global information

England launched their World Cup bid with a frantic 4-2 win against Croatia on Wednesday as Cristiano Ronaldo and Portgual stumbled to a draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Recalled by Carlo Ancelotti, Casemiro became an untouchable figure for Brazil -- until a disappointing World Cup start made him a prime target for criticism at home.

Australian airline Qantas announced it will launch the world's first non-stop flights between London and Sydney in October 2027.

Harry Kane scored twice in the first half as England eventually saw off Croatia 4-2 to launch their World Cup title assault in Texas on Wednesday.

Danilo admitted on Wednesday that Brazil's lacklustre start to the World Cup was "frightening", but said he was confident the team would improve.

The United States and Iran on Wednesday released the text of their agreement to end the Middle East war, with Tehran committing to dilute its enriched uranium while being allowed to resume oil sales.

South Africa coach Hugo Broos said he will take no notice of the "trash" criticism he has faced as Bafana Bafana try to get their World Cup back on track against the Czech Republic on Thursday.

US Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh on Wednesday vowed wide-ranging reforms at the central bank, as its rate-setting committee held rates steady but projected a rate hike by year-end to counter surging inflation.

Wall Street stocks finished decisively lower Wednesday while the dollar rallied after the Federal Reserve raised its inflation forecast and projected an interest rate hike by year-end.

Antonee "Jedi" Robinson, the USA's Liverpool-raised left-back with a strong British accent, is laser-focused on helping his national team go deep into the World Cup they are co-hosting, and will have no soft spot for his country of birth when they kick off against Croatia on Wednesday.

Czech Republic captain Ladislav Krejci said Thursday's showdown with South Africa will determine the World Cup fate of both teams after they lost in the opening round.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva suggested Wednesday that Brazil should hire Argentina's Lionel Messi, when asked about his country's performance in the World Cup so far.

Cristiano Ronaldo played in a record-equalling sixth World Cup on Wednesday but his Portugal side were held to a 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo before England begin their bid to end a 60-year wait for a trophy.

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and world number two Rory McIlroy made final US Open preparations on Wednesday in the last practice session before a major showdown at formidable Shinnecock.

Justin Rose was pleased to hear organizers will reduce green speeds for this week's US Open with gusting winds set to howl across Shinnecock.

Cristiano Ronaldo's record-equalling sixth World Cup got off to a disappointing start as the Democratic Republic of Congo secured their first ever point at the finals, drawing 1-1 with Portugal in their Group K match on Wednesday.

Jenny Simpson, an Olympic bronze medallist and former 1,500m world champion, was hospitalized after she collapsed at an athletics event in North Carolina on Tuesday, organizers said.

Cuba's communist leaders were set to meet Wednesday and discuss plans to revive the collapsing economy in the face of a devastating US blockade.

Cody Gakpo says a Christian prayer group among the players has helped bond the Netherlands World Cup squad ahead of a must-win clash with Group F pacesetters Sweden.

The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday held interest rates steady as expected at Kevin Warsh's first meeting in charge of the central bank, raising its year-end inflation expectations and projecting a rate hike by the end of 2026.

Greens will be watered between Thursday and Friday morning and afternoon waves of US Open players at Shinnecock to keep conditions playable in gusty winds, US Golf Association officials said Wednesday.

Brest coach Eric Roy has died aged 58 after suffering from pancreatic cancer, his family announced on Wednesday.

Paula Badosa fought back tears after recording her first victory since April as she fought back to beat Coco Gauff 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals of the Berlin Open on Wednesday.

Marseille were fined 10 million euros on Wednesday for again failing to meet UEFA break-even targets but escaped expulsion from European competition.

Tom Blundell hit New Zealand's first fifty of the series and Glenn Phillips posted an unbeaten 49 as the tourists fought back against England on an intriguing opening day of the second Test at the Oval on Wednesday.

Ombudsman produced a superb performance to become the first horse in over 30 years to win successive Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot on Wednesday.

The US Golf Association, R&A and the PGA and DP World tours said Wednesday in a joint statement they will take until 2030 to examine expanded options to limit driving distance among elite players.

Colombia's hard-right presidential candidate's bombastic campaigning methods have included adopting a military salute, comparing himself to a tiger and co-opting the national football jersey as his own symbol.

The first woman president of OPEC and Nigeria's former oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, was cleared of bribery charges in a UK trial Wednesday, her defence lawyers said in a statement.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he expected the accord with Iran ending the Middle East war to be signed "shortly" but added uncertainty over the exact date.

Thousands of Malawians have crammed into a field in the South African city of Durban in dire conditions, desperate to return home and escape a wave of violence against foreigners.

Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma ran riot as India thrashed the Netherlands by 95 runs in the Women's T20 World Cup on Wednesday.