WORLD FINANCE UPDATE:
The Australian dollar is just keeping its head above 84 US cents after disappointing economic growth figures triggered expectations of another interest rate cut.
At 0630 AEDT on Thursday, the local currency was trading at 84.08 US cents, up from 84.01 cents on Wednesday.
And the Australian share market looks set to open higher after Wall Street made moderate gains as energy and commodity shares rallied while data boosted confidence in the economy.
At 0645 AEST on Thursday, the December share price index futures contract was up 10 points at 5,346.
ELSEWHERE:
WASHINGTON - The US economy continued growing in October and November amid widespread optimism about the growth outlook, according to a Federal Reserve report released on Wednesday.
WASHINGTON - US businesses hired at a solid pace last month, according to a private survey, a signal that Friday's November jobs report from the government will likely also show strength.
WASHINGTON - US workers' productivity increased in the July-September quarter at a slightly faster pace than previously estimated while labour costs declined for a second straight quarter.
WASHINGTON - US service-sector activity rebounded in November after two straight months of declines, according to a purchasing managers survey.
LONDON - Britain's finance minister George Osborne has unveiled his last major budget update before next year's general election, admitting a key deficit-cutting target had been missed, but revising up economic growth forecasts.
LONDON - Britain is to pay back all of its World War I debts, worth some STG1.9 billion ($A3.47 billion), through a refinancing deal involving the issue of new bonds, finance minister George Osborne says.
LONDON - The British government has slapped a new tax rate on multinational companies that seek to avoid paying their fair share to Treasury coffers.
GENEVA - The Palestinian Authority has lost at least $US310 million ($A335.41 million) in customs and sales tax in 2011 as a result of importing from or through Israel, the UN says, urging a radical change to the system.
FRANKFURT - European aerospace giant Airbus has confirmed that its Airbus Defence and Space unit is being investigated for allegations of bribery involving contracts with Saudi Arabia and Romania.
SAN FRANCISCO - Microsoft shareholders have approved an $US84 million ($A91 million) pay package for new CEO Satya Nadella, despite concerns raised by an investor advisory group.
BERLIN - German airline Lufthansa has announced plans to launch budget long-haul services at the end of next year in collaboration with SunExpress, a joint venture with Turkish Airlines.
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