More than half of Germany's medium-sized companies expect an economic downturn next year, according to a survey by the BVMW business association. Christoph Ahlhaus, the association's chief executive, said on Saturday that "superficial reforms are no longer enough to get Germany back on track.

Police in Germany were accused of excessive use of force by protesters after riot police charged and used batons on a group of anti-fascist demonstrators over the weekend. The protest alliance Widersetzen, demonstrating against the founding of a youth organization tied to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, accused police of brutality against protesters in the western German city of Giessen.

A magical encounter in northern Finland blends ancient folklore, swirling auroras and an unexpectedly curious fox.