WORLD FINANCE UPDATE:
The Australian dollar is lower as it looks increasingly likely that the US Federal Reserve will scale back it's economic stimulus program throughout 2014.
At 0700 AEDT on Monday, the local unit was trading at 88.65 US cents, down from 89.06 cents on Friday.
And the Australian share market looks set to open higher despite lacklustre performances on Wall Street at the end of the week.
At 0711 AEDT on Monday, the March share price index futures contract was up 25 points at 5,339.
ELSEWHERE:
BRUSSELS - European Council president Herman Van Rompuy is forecasting an economic upswing for Europe in 2014.
ATHENS - Bailed-out Greece is hoping to return to bond markets in the second half of 2014 - but only if growth and a primary budget surplus permits.
BEIRUT - Saudi Arabia has pledged $US3 billion ($A3.38 billion) for the Lebanese army to buy equipment from France, Lebanese President Michel Sleiman has announced.
PARIS - French President Francois Hollande has finally got his super tax on high incomes with the country's highest court upholding the law's latest version.
ATLANTA - The US company Target says debit-card PINs were among the financial information stolen from millions of customers who shopped at the US retailer earlier this month.
SAN FRANCISCO - Apple CEO Tim Cook was paid $US4.25 million ($A4.79 million) in 2013, the company has reported in a regulatory filing.
