Hamburger Anzeiger - Current news from Hamburg, Northern Germany, Germany and Europe, in six languages, daily around the clock

Steve Smith is happy to be kicking off a new Ashes series at Edgbaston, four years after a performance he ranks as the most enjoyable of his 97 Tests for Australia.

Germany on Wednesday called China a "partner, competitor and systemic rival" in its first national security strategy, accusing Beijing of repeatedly acting against the European giant's interests in a bid to reshape the global order.

EU lawmakers pushed the bloc Wednesday closer to passing one of the world's first laws regulating artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT, by backing a key text that forms the basis of a future law.

The European Commission, which said Wednesday that Google had abused its online ad dominance, has taken the fight to US tech giants on a variety of fronts -- from tax avoidance, disinformation and hate speech to data privacy and monopolistic practices.

Animation studio Illumination, creators of "Minions" and "Super Mario Bros", was presented with a rare honorary award by Pharrell Williams at one of the world's top animation festivals in France on Wednesday.

Climate change, migration, artificial intelligence, perspectives on Africa and combating nationalism take centre-stage this year at Art Basel, the world's top contemporary art fair.

England have favoured Stuart Broad's experience over Mark Wood's raw pace for the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston as they named their team on Wednesday.

European markets rose but Wall street wavered on Wednesday as investors awaited the US Federal Reserve's latest monetary policy decision, with traders expecting a pause in its rate-hike campaign.

Devotees of former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi bid him farewell in Milan on Wednesday at a state funeral for the controversial billionaire, which closes a 30-year chapter in the country's history.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Wednesday that Lionel Messi "deserves" his high-profile transfer to Inter Miami, as the world champions prepared for a friendly against Australia in Beijing.

Hello Space, a promising satellite tech start-up, aims to set a pocketqube constellation in space to revolutionize IoT technologies, by offering reliable, consistent IoT data services to businesses, from even the most remote locations in the world.

Batting sensation Harry Brook hopes to make the same impact as England's 2005 Ashes heroes as he prepares to face Australia for the first time in Test cricket.

South Africa rugby director Rassie Erasmus said on Wednesday that injured Springboks captain Siya Kolisi will definitely miss the Rugby Championship in July, but may play in pre-World Cup matches the following month.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was on Wednesday heading to France where he will meet President Emmanuel Macron, with Paris seeking intensified support from the oil-rich kingdom for Ukraine against Russia's invasion.

At least 78 migrants died after their fishing boat sank off the Peloponnese, Greece's coastguard said Wednesday, as fears mounted that the death toll could rise much higher.

Pilot project of the new technology will begin on a Verona airport bus line this month

More than 100,000 people have been evacuated from the path of a fierce cyclone heading towards India and Pakistan, with forecasters warning Wednesday it could devastate homes and tear down power lines.

Australia will head into the Ashes series with their batters occupying the top three spots in the men's Test rankings.

Devotees of former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi flocked to Milan Wednesday to say farewell at a state funeral for the controversial billionaire, which closes a 30-year chapter in the country's history.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will urge open communication to "responsibly manage" high tensions with China when he pays a rare visit to Beijing this weekend, US officials said.

Najmul Hossain struck his third Test century as Bangladesh dominated a hapless Afghanistan to score 362-5 on the first day of the one-off Test in Dhaka on Wednesday.

Scandinavian organisations are boycotting US group Mondelez, maker of snacks like Oreo and Toblerone, due to the group's continued presence in Russia, as Norway's government held a meeting Wednesday with several actors.

Israeli defence exports hit an all-time high of $12.5 billion last year, with Arab countries that recently established ties accounting for nearly a quarter of purchase contracts, officials said Wednesday.

Mobile phone giant Vodafone has agreed to merge British operations with Three UK, owned by Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison, to accelerate rollout of faster 5G connectivity, the pair announced Wednesday.

The European Commission accused Google on Wednesday of abusing its dominance of the online ad market and recommended the US company sell part of its ad services to ensure fair competition.

Four of the five Japanese ex-soldiers accused of sexually abusing a colleague in a widely followed case denied the allegations on Wednesday despite a previous apology to the victim, reports said.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said he would take on Italy in the Nations League semi-final on Thursday as if it was his "last game" in charge.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signalled Wednesday that he would let his new economic team hike interest rates to combat inflation and stabilise the lira, reversing an era of unconventional policies.

Shell plans to maintain oil production levels until 2030, the British energy giant said Wednesday, triggering an outcry from green campaigners who also slammed a big payout for shareholders.

Europe's stock markets jumped and the dollar weakened Wednesday with Frankfurt striking a record on hopes that the Federal Reserve would pause its interest-rate hiking cycle.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday rebuffed growing international pressure on Ankara to ratify Sweden's NATO membership bid before the Western defence alliance meets in July.

The French Rugby Federation (FFR) announced it had appointed Florian Grill as its new president on Wednesday less than three months out from hosting the Rugby World Cup.