GLOBAL MARKETS

Asian shares were subdued on Wednesday after data showed China's consumer prices still remained soft, while the dollar held firm ahead of a key U.S. inflation report and Federal Reserve policy decision that would set the near-term course for interest rates.nL4N3I91TE

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WORLD OIL PRICES

Oil prices ticked higher on Wednesday amid upbeat global demand views from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and OPEC, reinforced by industry data showing U.S. crude oil inventories fell more than expected last week.nL1N3IA01D

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EMERGING MARKETS

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AFRICA STOCKS

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SOUTH AFRICA MARKETS

The South African rand gained on Tuesday, as political parties continued talks to try and form a government of national unity in the country, days away from the first sitting of lawmakers.nL1N3I90NI

NIGERIA LNG

Nigeria's state firm NNPC has signed an agreement with Golar LNG GLNG.O to deploy a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessel off the coast of its oil-rich Niger Delta, NNPC said on Tuesday.nL8N3I9114

NIGERIA GUINNESS

Singapore-based consumer group Tolaram on Tuesday agreed to buy Diageo's DGE.L 58.02% shareholding in Guinness Nigeria GUINNES.LG and enter into long-term licence and royalty agreements, the Nigerian brewer said in a statement.nL1N3I9093

KENYA MARKETS

Kenya's shilling KES= was unchanged on Tuesday, with dollar inflows from tea, coffee and horticulture exports expected to strengthen it in the coming days, traders said.nL8N3I90B1

ETHIOPIA BUDGET

Ethiopia's budget deficit is estimated at 2.1% of gross domestic product next fiscal year, the East African country's finance minister Ahmed Shide said on Tuesday.nL8N3I90V7

MALAWI VICE PRESIDENT

Malawi's Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and nine others, including former first lady Shanil Dzimbiri, were killed when the military plane they were travelling in crashed, President Lazarus Chakwera said on Tuesday.nL8N3I90DE

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