WORLD FINANCE UPDATE:
The Australian dollar is slightly lower as the currency stays in a range just above 70 US cents amid speculation that the US Federal Reserve will raise its interest rate in December.
At 0630 AEDT on Thursday, the currency was trading at 70.58 US cents, down from 70.64 cents on Wednesday.
And the Australian share market looks set to open lower after US shares mainly fell with a drop in oil prices weighing on energy stocks and limiting gains.
At 0645 AEDT on Thursday, the December share price index futures contract was down 12 points at 5,116.
ELSEWHERE:
MARIANA, Brazil - New evacuations have been ordered at the scene of Brazil's deadly iron ore mine dam burst as the chief executives of the mining giants that own the operation made a joint visit.
LONDON - The world's top brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev has clinched a gigantic $US121 billion ($A172.28 billion) deal for its nearest rival, SABMiller, in the third biggest takeover in global corporate history.
MILAN - Italy's top bank UniCredit has announced plans to shed over 18,000 jobs in an effort to stay profitable as low interest rates and the weak economy weigh on earnings.
LONDON - British interdealer brokers Tullett Prebon Plc and ICAP Plc have agreed to combine their voice broking businesses in a STG1.11 billion ($A2.39 billion) deal to better compete in a sector where trading volumes have shrunk.
BERLIN - Lufthansa has scrapped 930 more flights, grounding 100,000 passengers, after losing two court challenges to halt a cabin crew strike that is shaping up to be the worst in the German airline's history.
BERLIN - German car giant BMW says it has acquired Chinese firm Herald Leasing as part of its bid to broaden the business in its biggest market to include car leasing.
BEIJING - Chinese internet users have spent billions of dollars in the planet's biggest online shopping splurge as "Singles Day" hit new heights, despite slowing growth in the world's second-largest economy.
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