Technology stocks were among the biggest weights on the broader market Wednesday.

In addition, the widening rupture between the world’s democracies and its autocracies has further darkened the global economic outlook.

But economists forecast that growth could fall to as low as 0.5% in the first three months of this year and may even slip into negative territory.

Berlin and Paris also call on companies and households to conserve energy following demands by Russia that deliveries should be paid in rubles.

It appears the infections are coming from migrating wild birds, the state veterinarian says.