1. SYDNEY — The Australian dollar is higher against its US counterpart, but down against other major currencies. The local currency was trading at 75.85 US cents at 0700 AEDT on Wednesday, from 75.63 on Tuesday. 2. SYDNEY — The Australian market looks set to open higher despite falls on US markets for the second straight session. At 0700 AEDT on Wednesday, the share price futures index was up 16 points at 5,571. 3. LONDON — Dozens of British lawmakers said they will vote to authorise the start of European Union exit talks — signalling likely victory for the government on the vote it had fought in court to avoid. 4. FRANKFURT — Europe’s recovery is gathering speed, with inflation picking up and unemployment at its lowest in nearly eight years, official figures show. 5. BERLIN — Germany’s unemployment rate fell to a record low of 5.9 per cent in January after Europe’s biggest economy powered into the new year, according to data released. 6. FRANKFURT — Deutsche Bank agreed to pay $US630 million ($A832 million) in fines to US and UK regulators for failing to prevent around $US10 billion in suspicious trades being laundered out of Russia, settling a second major legal case this month. 7. STOCKHOLM — Swedish clothing retailer Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) has reported a rise in fourth quarter net profits although the strong US dollar pushed up purchasing costs. 8. LONDON — Royal Dutch Shell has agreed to sell stakes in 10 North Sea oilfields to smaller rival Chrysaor for as much as $US3.8 billion ($A5 billion) as it dumps assets to refocus its business in an era of lower oil prices.
9. NEW DELHI — India’s economy is expected to grow by between 6.75 and 7.5 per cent in the coming fiscal year, the finance ministry says in its pre-budget Economic Survey.
