UNITED KINGDOM

The Australian dollar is weaker once again versus the Greenback starting today at 0.8945 US.

The trade deficit hit its widest point in 15 months in March as a broadening economic recovery boosted demand for foreign goods, with a rise in exports and imports seen as a sign of growing global demand.

(Reuters) - More than two thirds of the estimated 8.8 million deaths in children under five worldwide in 2008 were caused by infectious diseases like pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria, according to a study on behalf of the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Last week's action on Wall Street and other world markets demonstrated anew gold's special qualities as a financial life preserver in tumultuous and uncertain times. With stock prices plummeting and the euro continuing to lose value as well as credibility, gold was virtually the only financial and investment asset to shine, continuing its recent sharp climb and breaking through the $1,200 level, according to Jeffrey Nichols, Senior Economic Advisor to Rosland Capital.

The last major European country to approve keeping Opel afloat with money backstopped by taxpayers could make a preliminary recommendation on Wednesday affecting as many as 120,000 jobs in Germany alone.

The euro slipped on Wednesday on nagging worries about festering euro zone debt problems despite a $1 trillion rescue package unveiled this week, which fueled a short-lived rally in global stocks.

The Australian Dollar has opened weaker this morning following a raft of news releases overnight across the globe.

The Australian dollar rallied against the US during Asia despite data showing a decline in business confidence and job advertisements.

American International Group Inc Chief Executive Robert Benmosche told employees he is confident a $35.5 billion deal to sell its Asian life insurance unit would move forward, a source familiar with the matter said.

SINGAPORE (Reuters Life!) - Nothing makes us happier than our families and loved ones, a new study shows, with face-to-face socializing beating reaching out to people online hands down.

A massive relief rally in world stocks on news of a $1 trillion deal to resolve Europe's debt crisis slowed down on Tuesday in Asia on nagging doubts about how Greece and other debt-laden euro zone countries will reduce their budget deficits.

The AUD is fairly unchanged from yesterday's close to be currently trading around USD0.9030 despite the huge gains posted in the offshore equity markets.

The Australian Dollar opens at 0.8970 today after another turbulent 24 hours.

Car sales in China and India, the world's two fastest growing major markets showed solid growth in April as government incentives and strong economic expansion continued to pull buyers into showrooms.

McDonald's Corp reported a higher-than-expected 4.9 percent rise in worldwide April sales at established restaurants, boosted by strength in Europe, and its shares rose about 4 percent.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc on Monday showed how its trading operations are stronger than ever, but warned that more litigation and investigations loom.

Oil major BP Plc said the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico had cost it $350 million so far, suggesting the final bill could be much higher than many analysts predicted and sending its shares to a six-month low.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc, facing fraud charges from U.S. securities regulators, on Monday warned that more litigation and investigations could be coming.

The Bank of England kept interest rates at 0.5 percent and made no change to its asset purchase target on Monday, keeping in place stimulus measures designed to nurse the economy back to health.

The Bank of England kept interest rates at 0.5 percent and made no change to its asset purchase target on Monday, keeping in place stimulus measures designed to nurse the economy back to health. The decision was predicted by all 63 economists polled by Reuters, most of whom do not expect interest rates to rise until the fourth quarter of the year at the earliest.

European central banks began buying euro zone government bonds under a $1 trillion global emergency rescue package agreed on Monday, sending the euro and European stocks and bonds surging on relieved markets.