WORLD FINANCE UPDATE:
The Australian dollar is almost level with its previous local close as traders wait for the outcome of this week's US Federal Reserve policy meeting.
At 0630 AEDT on Tuesday, the local unit was trading at 89.53 US cents, down from 89.54 cents on Monday.
And the Australian share market looks set to open higher following gains on international markets ahead of this week's US Federal Reserve policy meeting.
At 0730 AEDT on Tuesday, the December share price index futures contract was up 35 points at 5,136.
ELSEWHERE:
WASHINGTON - China's holding of US debt surged past $US1.3 trillion ($A1.5 trillion) for the first time in October, worth nearly $US1,000 per Chinese citizen, US Treasury figures show.
BRUSSELS - Business activity in the 17-nation eurozone ticked up in December, but the recovery is uneven and weak French data of particular concern, a key survey shows.
LISBON - Portugal's international lenders have approved the country's performance under its 78-billion-euro ($A120 billion) bailout agreement six months before the program is set to end, the government says.
MADRID - International creditors who rescued Spain's tottering banks say the sector is on the way to recovery, but have warned Madrid to be vigilant as the bailout winds up.
WASHINGTON - The White House has sent a strong signal of its desire to create a huge Pacific free trade area, despite the slippage of its year-end deadline for the 12-nation project.
WASHINGTON - The United States and the European Union have opened a third round of trade negotiations Washington aimed at creating a powerful free-trade bloc to boost their economies and jobs.
LONDON - Lloyd's of London, the 325-year old insurance market, announced on Monday the appointment of its first female chief executive - industry veteran Inga Beale.
DETROIT - Five General Motors factories in three states will soon share in a $US1.3 billion ($A1.46 billion) investment so they can make higher-quality pickup trucks and new fuel-efficient engines and transmissions.
WUHAN, China - French carmaker Renault has signed a $US1.3 billion ($A1.5 billion) joint venture agreement with China's Dongfeng, finally ending a decade without a manufacturing presence in the world's biggest car market.
SINGAPORE - Singapore budget carrier Tigerair and Taiwan's China Airlines are setting up a new no-frills airline to tap growing demand for cheap travel in Asia.
