Briefly

ASIA-PACIFIC

2023 regional growth projected at 4.6%

Economic activity in the Asia-Pacific region remains on track to contribute about two-thirds of global growth this year, the International Monetary Fund said in its October 2023 Regional Economic Outlook for Asia and Pacific released on Wednesday. Growth in the region is projected at 4.6 percent this year, an increase from 3.9 percent last year, and broadly as projected in IMF's May 2023 Regional Economic Outlook. The Asia and Pacific region remains a relatively bright spot compared with the 3 percent expected global growth this year. Its growth is projected to moderate to 4.2 percent next year.

FRANCE

Palace of Versailles reopens after scare

The Palace of Versailles, one of France's main tourist sites, reopened on Tuesday after closing temporarily in its second security scare in four days. France was already on its highest state of alert after the Oct 13 murder of a teacher in a suspected Islamist attack. The Palace said earlier in the day on social media that it had evacuated visitors for "security reasons" without providing further details. Tourists waiting in line outside the palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, had mixed feelings. "As foreigners, we're not really used to all of this," 19-year-old Swiss tourist Margarita Costa said. "We find it a bit shocking."

INDIA

At least 14 killed in firecracker explosions

At least 14 people were killed on Tuesday in explosions involving firecrackers in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, police said. The blasts took place in Virudhunagar district, about 547 kilometers southwest of Chennai, capital of Tamil Nadu. The initial explosion, which killed 13 workers, occurred at Kanishkar Fireworks after employees at a nearby shop allegedly showed a demonstration of their firecrackers to customers. The second blast, which killed one worker, took place at another factory in Kichanayakanpatti village when chemicals for fireworks were being manufactured.

EUROPE

EU states strike deal on power subsidies

European Union countries' energy ministers struck a deal to reform power market subsidies, Spain's Energy Minister said on Tuesday, defusing a standoff between France and Germany over the future competitiveness of industrial sectors. The European Commission proposed changes to the EU's electricity market in March after EU power prices soared to record levels last year as Russian gas supplies were cut following the conflict in Ukraine.

Agencies - Xinhua