WORLD FINANCE UPDATE:
The Australian dollar has slipped back below 78 US cents as the US dollar regain its strength.
At 0630 AEDT on Wednesday, the local currency was trading at 77.67 US cents, down from 78.22 cents on Tuesday.
And the Australian share market looks set to open higher following gains most international markets on hopes of a Greek debt breakthrough deal.
At 0645 AEDT on Wednesday, the March share price index futures contract was up 26 points at 5,778.
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LONDON - Britain's financial regulator has admitted it had no knowledge of an investigation by tax authorities into allegations that banking giant HSBC helped wealthy customers dodge millions of dollars in taxes.
GENEVA - Bankers from HSBC's Swiss division held hundreds of often illegal meetings with wealthy clients in 25 countries as part of their efforts to open undeclared accounts for them, Swiss media have reported.
ATHENS - Greece's new leftist government is fine-tuning a 10-point plan aimed at persuading its international creditors to reluctantly rethink their bailout terms and prevent the country from going bust.
ISTANBUL - German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has poured cold water on suggestions a new economic program for Greece is being negotiated, saying talks on an existing package had to take place first.
ATHENS - The Greek stock exchange has jumped 8.0 per cent after the new government revealed that it has a 10-point plan to convince sceptical creditors to ease the country's bailout obligations.
ISTANBUL - The world's top 20 economies have expressed determination to raise global growth but struggled to overcome divisions over the most suitable methods and how best to overcome the Greek debt crisis.
NEW YORK - Oil and gas drilling services company Halliburton says it will eliminate at least 5,000 jobs in response to falling oil prices.
LONDON - Broadcasters Sky and BT have won the UK television rights to broadcast Premier League football games in 2016-2019 for a record STG5.1 billion ($A9.94 billion).
NEW YORK - Activist shareholders are seeking $US8 billion ($A10 billion) in share buybacks and a board seat at General Motors, the US car giant says.
ATLANTA - Coca-Cola's profit fell in the fourth quarter, hurt by unfavourable currency exchange rates and expenses related with its cost-cutting plan.
ZURICH - Banking giant UBS says its net profit jumped 12.6 per cent last year, but highlighted recent pressures due to the ballooning value of the Swiss franc and negative interest rates.
