WORLD FINANCE UPDATE:
The Australian dollar has hit a fresh six-year low as the greenback continues to gain strength.
At 0631 AEDT on Wednesday, the local currency was trading at 76.09 US cents, its lowest since May 2009 and down from 76.47 cents on Monday.
And the Australian share market looks set to open lower after widespread falls on international markets and commodities with speculation a strengthening US dollar means a Federal Reserve rate rise.
At 0645 AEDT on Wednesday, the March share price index futures contract was down 46 points at 5,764.
ELSEWHERE:
BRUSSELS - German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has insisted that urgent technical talks on extending Greece's bailout would involve the "troika" of creditors, despite claims by Athens that the much-loathed group would play no part.
ATHENS - Greece's parliament says it will move ahead with a renewed demand to pursue World War II reparations from Germany.
ROME - Italy is to commit 8.0 billion euros ($A11.16 billion) to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker's plan to boost economic growth.
WASHINGTON - US employers advertised the most jobs in 14 years in January, and more workers quit - both signs of a steadily strengthening job market.
WASHINGTON - US wholesale businesses increased their stockpiles by a modest amount in January as sales plunged by the largest amount in six years.
NEW YORK - US retail chain Target is slashing hundreds of jobs as it moves to trim $US2 billion ($A2.59 billion) in expenses after a costly withdrawal from the Canadian market.
SHANGHAI - Chinese regulators have fined US consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble nearly $US1 million ($A1.30 million) over claims a type of Crest toothpaste can whiten teeth.
Share
