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Germany set to further slash 2019 growth forecast
Berlin is set to further lower its economic growth forecast Wednesday as Europe's largest economy cools off, but ministers are unlikely to bend to foreign demands to boost activity with extra government spending. According to media reports, the German government will unveil figures predicting gross domestic product (GDP) will increase by just 0.5 percent this year. The downgrade, if confirmed, comes after economy minister Peter Altmaier in January announced expectations of just 1.0 percent expansion in 2019, knocking 0.8 points off an autumn forecast. Global factors including slowing trade, Brexit and US President ... (full story)