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Economy
Germany cuts growth forecast as recovery slower than hoped
The German government on Wednesday lowered its 2026 growth forecast to one percent, conceding that efforts to kickstart Europe's beleaguered top economy with vast public spending were moving slower than hoped.
Economy
Amazon to cut 16,000 jobs worldwide
US online retail and cloud computing giant Amazon said Wednesday that it would be cutting 16,000 jobs worldwide as part of a restructuring, as it focuses spending on artificial intelligence.
Sports
One dead, five injured in clashes between Colombia football fans
A Colombian football supporter was killed and five other people were injured in clashes between rival fan groups after a match in the northern city of Cucuta, police said Wednesday.
Economy
Greenland dispute is 'wake-up call' for Europe: Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday a standoff with the United States over Greenland was "a strategic wake-up call for all of Europe" as he hosted the leaders of Denmark and the Danish autonomous territory for talks.
Economy
Dollar halts descent, gold keeps climbing before Fed update
The dollar enjoyed a respite Wednesday after this week's steep drop as traders awaited the US Federal Reserve's take on interest rates, while gold reached another record high thanks to investors seeking safety amid an uncertain economic outlook.
Culture
US YouTuber IShowSpeed gains Ghanaian nationality at end of Africa tour
Ghana has granted citizenship to US YouTuber IShowSpeed, the country's foreign minister announced, as the influencer wraps up a month-long tour of Africa.
Economy
Sweden plans to ban mobile phones in schools
Sweden plans to ban mobile phones from primary and middle schools in order to ensure that children can focus on learning in the classroom, the government said on Wednesday.
Sports
Turkey football club faces probe over braids clip backing Syrian Kurds
Turkey's main Kurdish football team is to face action by the national football body for sharing a video in solidarity with Kurdish forces in Syria, Turkey's Football Federation (TFF) has said.
Economy
Deutsche Bank offices searched in money laundering probe
German prosecutors and police on Wednesday searched Deutsche Bank's headquarters in Frankfurt and its office in Berlin in an investigation over suspected money laundering offences, officials said.
Politics
US embassy angers Danish veterans by removing flags
Danish veterans on Wednesday criticised the US embassy in Copenhagen for removing national flags put up in front of the mission to honour Danish soldiers killed in Afghanistan.
Nature
Netherlands 'insufficiently' protects Caribbean island from climate change: court
The Netherlands "insufficiently" protects the tiny Caribbean territory of Bonaire from climate change, a Dutch court ruled Wednesday in a potentially landmark environmental justice ruling.
Sports
Fury confirms April comeback fight against Makhmudov
Former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury will face Arslanbek Makhmudov in his comeback fight in April, weeks after saying he would come out of retirement.
Things to know
Susan Sarandon to be honoured at Spain's top film awards
Veteran Hollywood star Susan Sarandon will receive the international prize at Spain's top film awards next month for her "extraordinary" career and "brave political and social commitment", the Spanish Cinema Academy announced on Wednesday.
Economy
Trump says 'time running out' as Iran rejects talks amid 'threats'
President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned Iran that time was running out for the Islamic republic to prevent American military intervention as Tehran rejected holding negotiations against a backdrop of threats.
Economy
Spain eyes full service on train tragedy line in 10 days
Spain aims to restart within 10 days full service on a key high-speed railway line where a collision between two trains killed 45 people, the transport minister said on Wednesday.
Economy
Greenland dispute 'strategic wake-up call for all of Europe,' says Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday a standoff with the United States over Greenland was "a strategic wake-up call for all of Europe", speaking alongside the leaders of Denmark and the Danish autonomous territory.
Politics
'Intimidation and coercion': Iran pressuring families of killed protesters
When Hossein Mahmoudi, 36, was killed during the anti-government protests in Iran, it only marked the start of the trauma for his family.
Politics
'Pride of the entire nation': Israel holds funeral for last Gaza hostage
Hundreds of tearful mourners packed a stadium in southern Israel on Wednesday for the funeral of Ran Gvili, the last Gaza hostage whose burial marks the end of a painful national saga triggered by Hamas's 2023 attack.
Politics
Europe urged to 'step up' on defence as Trump upends ties
Europe must step up efforts on defence and play a bigger role in NATO as US President Donald Trump has "shaken the transatlantic relationship to its foundation", EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas said Wednesday.
Sports
Sinner hails 'inspiration' Djokovic ahead of Australian Open blockbuster
Reigning champion Jannik Sinner called Novak Djokovic "an inspiration" after setting up an Australian Open semi-final blockbuster against the 24-time Grand Slam winner.
Economy
Dollar rebounds while gold climbs again before Fed update
The dollar recovered slightly on Wednesday as traders awaited the US Federal Reserve's outlook on interest rates, while gold reached another record high as investors seek safety amid an uncertain economic outlook on several fronts.
Sports
Aki a doubt for Ireland's Six Nations opener over disciplinary issue
Ireland could be without veteran centre Bundee Aki for their daunting Six Nations opening match against title holders France in Paris next week after he was dropped from the squad going to a training camp in Portugal.
Sports
West Ham sign Fulham winger Traore
West Ham announced on Wednesday they had signed winger Adama Traore from Fulham for an undisclosed fee.
Djokovic gets lucky to set up Sinner semi-final showdown in Melbourne
Novak Djokovic admitted he got lucky after opponent Lorenzo Musetti retired hurt on Wednesday to send the Serbian great into his 13th Australian Open semi-final and a showdown with reigning champion Jannik Sinner.
Sports
Relentless Sinner sets up Australian Open blockbuster with Djokovic
"Physically strong" reigning champion Jannik Sinner will face 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic in a blockbuster Australian Open semi-final after taming Ben Shelton on Wednesday in straight sets.
Politics
Israel prepares to bury last Gaza hostage
Grieving relatives of Ran Gvili gathered on Wednesday as Israel prepared to bury the last hostage returned from Gaza, marking the end of a painful national saga triggered by Hamas's 2023 attack.
Politics
Iran rejects talks with US amid military 'threats'
Iran on Wednesday rejected holding negotiations with the United States if it makes threats against the Islamic republic, after President Donald Trump refused to rule out military intervention over its deadly crackdown on protests.
Heart attack ends iconic French prop Atonio's career
France prop Uini Atonio has had to retire from all rugby with immediate effect after being hospitalised on Tuesday after "a heart attack", his club La Rochelle announced in a statement.
Economy
SKorean chip giant SK hynix posts record operating profit for 2025
South Korean chip giant SK hynix said on Wednesday its operating profit doubled last year to a record high after a surge in global demand for technology powering artificial intelligence.
Things to know
Greenland's elite dogsled unit patrols desolate, icy Arctic
Donald Trump has ridiculed Denmark's defence of Greenland as amounting to "two dogsleds", but the Sirius Dogsled Patrol is no joke: the elite navy unit works in extreme conditions where only the toughest survive.
Sports
'Extremely lucky' Djokovic says he must improve after Australian Open scare
An "extremely lucky" Novak Djokovic admitted Wednesday he must play far better to stand any chance of winning an elusive 25th Grand Slam crown after surviving a massive scare to reach the Australian Open semi-finals.
Economy
Dutch tech giant ASML posts bumper profits, cuts jobs
Dutch tech giant ASML, which sells cutting-edge machines to make semiconductor chips, reported a significant gain in annual net profit Wednesday but said it would cut hundreds of management jobs to improve internal organisation.