World news in brief: Trump tariffs could hit German economy hard

Trump tariffs could hit German economy hard

The German Council of Economic Experts cut its forecast for Europe’s largest economy on Wednesday, now expecting it to stagnate this year during a “pronounced phase of weakness”. The academic body that advises the German government on economic policy had predicted the economy would grow 0.4% this year in previous forecasts published in November. Germany has been the only member of the G7 advanced economies that failed to grow for the last two years, burdened by fiscal restraints and an industrial downturn. The tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump are expected to deal a major blow to its export-orientated economy. — Reuters

Former Ukrainian politician shot dead in Spain

Unidentified gunmen shot and killed a former Ukrainian politician on Wednesday morning outside a school in a wealthy suburb of Madrid, Spain’s interior ministry said. Police received a call about the shooting of a Ukrainian citizen at 9.15am (7.15am GMT) local time outside the elite American School of Madrid, located in Pozuelo de Alarcon, Madrid police said.  “Several people shot him in the back and the head and then fled towards a forested area,” an interior ministry source said. The victim, Andriy Portnov, 51, was a senior aide to Ukraine’s pro-Russian former President Viktor Yanukovich, who was ousted in a 2014 popular uprising. — Reuters

Kremlin-Washington prisoner swap discussed

The Kremlin said on Wednesday that Russia and the US were working on a prisoner swap between the two countries, but that the timing of the exchange was not yet known. US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed a possible prisoner exchange involving nine people from each side during a phone call on Monday. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said “the appropriate government agencies” from both sides were in touch with each other on the issue. A source close to the Kremlin said the US side had previously provided Moscow with a list of nine Americans jailed in Russia that Washington wants returned. — Reuters

Starmer to revisit pensioner fuel payment cuts

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday the government wanted to make winter fuel payments available to more pensioners, suggesting he was open to reversing a widely criticised cut in the payments. “I recognise that people are still feeling the pressure of the cost of living crisis, including pensioners,” Starmer told parliament. “We want to ensure that as we go forward, more pensioners are eligible for winter fuel payments. “As the economy improves, we want to take measures that will impact on people’s lives, and therefore we will look at the [winter payment] threshold, but that will have to be part of a fiscal event,” he added. — Reuters

Ukrainian drones ‘shot down on way to Moscow’

Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Wednesday that air defence forces had downed three drones en route to Russia’s capital. “The defence ministry’s forces repelled an attack by three drones flying towards Moscow. Emergency services specialists are working at the site where the debris fell,” Sobyanin said on Telegram. The ministry said air defence units had shot down 159 Ukrainian drones over various regions and at least six had been shot down over the Moscow region. Russia’s aviation watchdog said three of Moscow’s airports had resumed operations after restrictions to ensure the safety of flights. Reuters

Farm minister resigns after free rice blunder

Japanese farm minister Taku Eto resigned on Wednesday after remarks he made about rice triggered criticism from voters and legislators, posing a challenge to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s government. Eto has been in hot water since media reports exposed comments he made at the weekend that he had “never had to buy rice” thanks to gifts from supporters. The comment led to a frenzy of criticism from voters, already angry about the high price of the staple food. Ishiba appointed former environment minister Shinjiro Koizumi as his replacement at the ministry of agriculture, forestry & fisheries. Reuters

Man executed for shooting at Azerbaijan embassy

A man charged over a fatal shooting at Azerbaijan’s embassy in the Iranian capital, Tehran, was executed on Wednesday, Iran's judiciary news outlet Mizan said. The shooting, in January 2023 and led to the killing of the Azeri embassy security chief, brought relations between Tehran and Baku to a new low, with the latter branding the shooting an “act of terrorism”. Judicial authorities ruled the attack was for “personal reasons”, Mizan reported. “I thought my wife was at Azerbaijan’s embassy in Tehran and was not willing to meet me. I decided to go there with a Kalashnikov rifle,” the defendant said during his trial. Reuters

Members of suspected terrorist group arrested 

German authorities on Wednesday arrested five adolescents suspected of forming a far-right terrorist group and said the charges included attempted murder and severe arson. The arrests follow arson attacks on a community centre and a refugee shelter. Federal prosecutors said in a statement the five were male culpable minors who formed a group which styled itself as the “last wave of defence” to protect the “German nation”. The group’s “aim is to commit acts of violence primarily against migrants and political opponents to bring about the collapse of the democratic system of Germany,” the statement said. Reuters

Syria welcomes lifting of EU economic sanctions

Syria has welcomed the EU foreign ministers’ decision on Tuesday to lift economic sanctions against it. The EU’s policy shift comes after President Donald Trump said last week he would order the lifting of US sanctions on Syria after its 14-year civil war. “We want to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in a post on social media platform X after discussions with ministers in Brussels. Syria foreign minister Asaad al-Shibani said on X the EU’s decision would bolster Syria's security and stability. Reuters