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Car-centric Saudi to open first part of Riyadh Metro
Car-centric Saudi to open first part of Riyadh Metro
by  AFP

Saudi Arabia announced Wednesday it is ready to open the first part of the Riyadh Metro, a major project intended to help shift the car-centric kingdom to public transport. Saudi Arabia is the world's biggest exporter of crude oil, though Vision 2030 is intended to transition the kingdom away from fossil fuels.

Brussels, not Paris, will decide EU-Mercosur trade deal: Lula
Brussels, not Paris, will decide EU-Mercosur trade deal: Lula
by  AFP

France does not get to decide whether a free trade deal between the EU and South America's Mercosur bloc goes ahead -- only Brussels does, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Wednesday. Brazil's position, stressed by Lula in a speech on Brazilian industry, crosses swords with that of France, which is determined to block the trade pact.

Spain factory explosion kills three, injures seven
Spain factory explosion kills three, injures seven
by  AFP

An explosion in a plastics factory near the southeastern Spanish city of Alicante killed three people and injured seven on Wednesday, emergency services said. Valencia emergency services had written on X that seven people were injured overall.

US Fed's favored inflation gauge ticks up in October
US Fed's favored inflation gauge ticks up in October
by  AFP

US inflation -- set to be a key issue for incoming president Donald Trump -- accelerated slightly last month, according to data published Wednesday, underscoring price pressures in the world's largest economy. Personal income rose 0.6 percent month-on-month, an acceleration from September, when it rose by 0.3 percent.

Spain govt defends flood response and offers new aid
Spain govt defends flood response and offers new aid
by  AFP

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday announced almost 2.3 billion euros ($2.4 billion) in new aid for Spain's flood-stricken region and defended his government's handling of the deadly disaster last month.

Nigerian state visit signals shift in France's Africa strategy
Nigerian state visit signals shift in France's Africa strategy
by  AFP

President Bola Tinubu will begin a two-day trip to France on Thursday, the first state visit by a Nigerian leader in more than two decades, as Paris seeks to boost ties with anglophone Africa. This state visit with Tinubu "epitomises" France's strategy in anglophone Africa, they said, adding Nigeria "wants a partnership of equals, not a lecture", especially on human rights.

EasyJet annual profit rises 40% on package holidays
EasyJet annual profit rises 40% on package holidays
by  AFP

British no-frills airline EasyJet on Wednesday reported a 40-percent rise in annual net profit on strong demand for its package holidays. The airline reported that for its package holiday division -- which it launched in 2019 -- customer numbers increased by 36 percent from the previous financial year.