WORLD FINANCE UPDATE:
The Australian dollar is nearly flat as markets await the release of key economic data.
At 0700 AEST on Wednesday, the local unit was trading at 72.34 US cents, marginally lower than 72.37 cents on Tuesday.
And the Australian share market looks set to open lower after mixed performances on international markets.
At 0645 AEST on Wednesday, the share price index was down 18 points at 5,364.
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ELSEWHERE:
LONDON - The British pound has fallen sharply after two opinion polls for The Guardian newspaper indicated support for a British exit from the 28-country European Union in June's referendum.
WASHINGTON - US consumer spending recorded its biggest increase in more than six years in April and inflation rose steadily, pointing to an acceleration in economic growth that could persuade the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates again as early as June.
WASHINGTON - US home prices kept climbing in March as the spring home buying season began, but so far the higher costs haven't thwarted sales.
VIENNA - A Nigerian oil technocrat has emerged as frontrunner to take the top job at OPEC, with members seeing Mohammed Barkindo as a rare compromise candidate to lead the group amid rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
OTTAWA - Canada, following the lead of Australia and Britain, is set to introduce compulsory plain packaging of cigarettes in a bid to cut the rate of smoking, Health Minister Jane Philpott says.
DUBLIN - Ireland-based Jazz Pharmaceuticals will buy US-based Celator Pharmaceuticals in a cash deal valued at about $US1.5 billion ($A2.09 billion), to gain access to an investigational product in development for treating acute myeloid leukaemia.
NEW YORK - Activist investor Carl Icahn says he bought a "large" stake in Botox-maker Allergan and said he's supportive of the company's CEO, Brent Saunders.
BALI - The heir to the Netherlands' largest supermarket chain is facing drug charges in Bali.
