German media and publishing group Bertelsmann reported net profits of over one billion euros for the fourth straight year on Tuesday, a figure boosted by sales of Michelle Obama's memoir.

France's budget deficit fell to a 12-year low of 2.5 percent in 2018, a greater-than-expected decline achieved despite falling growth and purchasing power, national statistics agency Insee said Tuesday.

The deficit was lower than the government's forecast of 2.6 percent, and came as Insee revised upwards the shortfall between spending and revenue for 2017 to 2.8 percent of GDP, from a previous estimate of 2.6 percent.

Ride-hailing service Uber announced on Tuesday it has acquired its Mideast competitor Careem for $3.1 billion, making it the largest-ever technology purchase in the region.

Uber said in a prepared statement that the $3.1 billion purchase consists of $1.7 billion in convertible notes and $1.4 billion in cash. Under the deal, Careem will keep its brand as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Uber, operating as an independent company led by its original founders.

Indonesia's capital inaugurated its first mass rapid transit system on Sunday, a $1.1 billion project seen as crucial to tackling some of the world's worst traffic congestion.

The European Parliament will vote Tuesday on controversial copyright reforms championed by news publishers and the music business but criticized by big tech and internet freedom activists.

The boss of German chemicals giant Bayer insisted Sunday its multi-billion dollar takeover of Monsanto was a "good idea", despite huge legal costs piling up over its Roundup weedkiller.

The EU warned Sunday of a new row brewing with Italy over its budget, barely a few months after both sides agreed on a hard-fought deal with Rome's disputed 2019 finances.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sought Friday to allay Western unease over his new Silk Road initiative by emphasizing the vast infrastructure project's two-way nature as he kicked off a whistlestop European tour in Rome.

The pound rose Friday but was struggling to claw back its latest losses after the EU gave Britain a Brexit deadline extension, while equity markets mostly rose on a positive lead from Wall Street.

The Royal Mint, Britain's official coin-maker, has joined the legions of people and businesses left in limbo over Brexit as the country asks the EU to delay its departure from the bloc.