WORLD FINANCE UPDATE:
The Australian dollar is hovering as investors await the release of local jobs figures on Thursday.
At 0630 AEDT on Wednesday, the local currency was trading at 81.59 US cents, up slightly from 81.56 cents on Tuesday.
And the Australian share market looks set to open lower following falls on Wall Street with further falls in oil and commodities prices dragging stocks down.
At 0645 AEST on Wednesday, the March share price index futures contract was down 28 points at 5,325.
ELSEWHERE:
MOSCOW - The Russian rouble has plunged by around five per cent against the US dollar as global oil prices tumbled towards a six-year low.
TEHRAN, Jan 13 AFP - President Hassan Rouhani says Iran can withstand the economic pain of falling oil prices, suggesting Saudi Arabia would suffer more in the long run from the current slump.
LONDON, Jan 13 AFP - Britain's annual inflation rate dived in December to 0.5 per cent, matching a record low on the back of sliding oil prices, official data says.
BERLIN, Jan 13 AFP - The German government has managed to balance its books for the first time since 1969 in 2014 and a year ahead of target, the finance ministry says.
CARACAS - A government raid on a warehouse in western Venezuela has resulted in the confiscation of more than 1.5 million nappies along with over 360 tonnes of detergent which were being illegally hoarded.
PARIS - Shareholders of Euro Disney, which operates Disneyland Paris, have approved a recapitalisation plan to raise one billion euros ($A1.50 billion) to revive the struggling theme park burdened by huge debt and fewer visitors.
WELLINGTON - New Zealand's banks are expected to maintain their profit margins as the country's upbeat economic momentum continues to support their business in the coming year, according to rating agency Fitch Ratings.
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