Unexpected growth in Germany and France helps the 16 countries that use the euro post a less-than-expected drop in GDP between April and June. But Europe still faces the prospect of rising unemployment and worries about what happens after some government spending programs expire.

There are claims that many of those in detention in Iran following that country’s disputed presidential election have been tortured. Borzou Daragahi of the Los Angeles Times says it’s unclear just how many people are in prison.

There are reports that a ship with a Russian crew may have been hijacked. Russian warships have been ordered to search the Atlantic for The Arctic Sea, which is registered in Malta. The vessel has not been seen since it passed through the English Channel two weeks ago.

A Philippine general says 23 soldiers have been killed in fierce clashes that also left at least 20 al-Qaida-linked militants dead in the country’s restive south. Military officials say troops targeted Abu Sayyaf chieftains Khair Mundus and Furuji Indama, but it was not immediately clear if they were among the slain militants.

Miguel Sabah scored in the 82nd minute, lifting Mexico to a 2-1 victory over the United States in a World Cup qualifier played Wednesday in Mexico City. The win strengthened Mexico’s chances of reaching next year’s World Cup in South Africa.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tells Nigeria’s leaders the problems have “eroded the legitimacy of the government” in Africa’s largest nation. The U.S. stance is applauded by the ousted head of Nigeria’s anti-corruption watchdog agency.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez took a swing at golf recently, calling it a “bourgeois sport.” And State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley shot back at him on Wednesday.

After months of negotiations, Swiss banking giant UBS and the U.S. government announced Wednesday that they have reached a settlement in a lawsuit over the names of American account holders.

In Brazil, a bizarre crime story is unfolding. A state legislator and host of a popular TV crime show is accused of arranging executions in an effort to boost his show’s ratings. Madeleine Brand speaks with Guardian reporter Tom Phillips, who’s been following the story.

Melissa Block speaks to NPR’s Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson about the latest on the Marine operation to dislodge the Taliban from a key locale in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.