BERLIN (Reuters) -German trade union ver.di is demanding a 9.5% pay rise, or at least 350 euros ($368) per month more over 12 months, for Lufthansa ground staff to cushion the effects of soaring inflation, it said on Wednesday.

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan's SoftBank Group Corp said on Wednesday it has appointed Alex Clavel as chief executive of its SoftBank Group International (SBGI) unit, replacing Michel Combes who leaves after just six months in the role.

(Reuters) -Belgium's Umicore plans to invest around 5 billion euros ($5.25 billion) by 2026 to capitalise on the shift towards electric vehicles, the maker of chemicals and battery materials said on Wednesday, jolting investors and sending shares tumbling 15%.

TOKYO (Reuters) -Some Bank of Japan board members were concerned that excessive currency volatility could disrupt corporate business plans, minutes of the bank's April meeting showed, highlighting the challenge for policymakers from the yen's sharp declines.

HONG KONG (Reuters) -Ratings agency S&P Global on Wednesday downgraded Greenland Holdings to "selective default", after the Chinese state-backed property developer extended the maturity of its $500-million bonds by one year.

TOKYO (Reuters) -The yen's rapid decline was among key topics of debate at the Bank of Japan's April policy meeting with some board members fretting that excessive volatility could disrupt corporate business plans, minutes of the meeting showed on Wednesday.