WORLD FINANCE UPDATE:
The Australian dollar is slightly lower, weighed down by falls in Asian and European stocks and base metals prices.
At 0630 AEST on Wednesday, the local unit was trading at 73.44 US cents, down from 73.47 cents on Tuesday.
And the Australian share market looks set to open higher, despite falls on Wall Street following a
mixed batch of earnings from retailers and European shares declined after China's main index again plunged.
At 0645 AEST on Wednesday, the share price index futures contract was up 13 points at 5,283.
ELSEWHERE:
WASHINGTON - Fitch Ratings has raised its credit grade for Greece by one notch to CCC, saying the new bail-out deal reached with EU institutions lowered the chance of a new default.
WASHINGTON - Growth in US home construction slowed in July after a strong surge the previous month, Commerce Department data shows.
WASHINGTON - US authorities have proposed the first-ever federal regulations to cut the potent greenhouse gas methane by limiting emissions from the oil and gas industry.
NEW YORK - Target says it's reached a settlement with Visa relating to its massive 2013 data breach that resulted in the theft of millions of debit and credit card numbers.
LONDON - British Airways parent International Airlines Group has confirmed the purchase of Irish carrier Aer Lingus, saying offers for 96 per cent of its share capital had been accepted.
NEW YORK - US retail behemoth Wal-Mart Stores has reported a dip in second-quarter profits caused in part by the strong US dollar and higher operating costs.
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