WORLD FINANCE UPDATE:
The Australian dollar is firmer even though European Central Bank stimulus measures helped the greenback.
At 0630 AEDT on Tuesday, the local currency was trading at 77.12 US cents, up from 76.99 cents on Monday.
And the Australian share market looks set to open higher following gains on Wall Street.
At 0645 AEDT on Tuesday, the March share price index futures contract was up 11 points at 5,826.
ELSEWHERE:
FRANKFURT - The European Central Bank along with the national central banks of the eurozone have started buying bonds as part of a long-awaited purchase program to kick-start inflation and stimulate growth in the single currency area.
BRUSSELS - European finance ministers have urged Greece to stop wasting time in talks on its crucial bailout as debt-stricken Athens warned of a possible referendum if its reform plans are rejected.
ATHENS - Greek authorities have indicted more than 60 people to stand trial over an alleged bribery scandal 17 years ago, involving a telecom contract for German industrial giant Siemens AG.
LONDON - The head of Argentina's tax authority has demanded HSBC bring back $US3.5 billion ($A4.5 billion) in assets, claiming the London-based bank helped Argentinian clients move offshore to dodge tax.
STOCKHOLM - Japanese electronics giant Sony says it will shed 1,000 jobs at its Swedish mobile unit as the division moves to drop over a quarter of its workforce.
NEW YORK - General Motors has pledged to buy back $US5 billion ($A6.5 billion) in shares in a deal with an activist investor who has agreed to drop his bid to join the carmaker's board.
NEW YORK - McDonald's says global sales declined in February, including a four per cent drop in the US that the company blamed on "aggressive competitive activity".
PARIS - US plane leasing firm ALC has confirmed an order for 55 of Airbus's newest, fuel-efficient planes worth at least $US10.8 billion ($A14.0 billion), the European aviation giant says.
SAN FRANCISCO - Apple has unveiled its entry in the smartwatch market, a high-end device that allows users to send and receive calls and messages, and track health and fitness.
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