WORLD FINANCE UPDATE:
Optimism in the US dollar, equity markets and oil prices has pushed the Australian dollar lower.
At 0630 AEDT on Wednesday, the local unit was trading at 70.98 US cents, down from 71.48 cents on Tuesday.
And the Australian share market looks set to open flat despite gains on global markets as investors went bargain hunting.
At 0645 AEDT on Wednesday, the share price index was up two points at 4,877.
ELSEWHERE:
BANGKOK - Australian health and fitness operator Jetts is focusing on the Thai urban middle class by opening its first commercial gym in Thailand.
HAVANA - American and Cuban officials have signed an arrangement to restore scheduled air service between the two countries after half a century, setting off competition among US airlines for the best routes to the Caribbean island.
TRENTON, New Jersey - Drugmaker Pfizer Inc has swung to a fourth-quarter financial loss, instead of a modest profit, as a result of a just-announced charge to settle a long-running federal case over reimbursements for its former blockbuster heartburn pill.
PARIS - Tyre maker Michelin says its profits rose last year as high demand from booming car markets in western Europe and North America drove sales growth.
OAKVILLE, Ontario - Restaurant Brands International's fourth-quarter profit has beaten expectations, as a key sales figure rose at Burger King and Tim Hortons.
NEW YORK - Alibaba has bought nearly 33 million shares of online daily deal service Groupon.
WASHINGTON - A US federal agency has rejected a protest by Boeing and Lockheed Martin and will uphold the Air Force's decision to award a lucrative new bomber contract to Northrop Grumman.
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