Finance news you need to know today

GREEK politicians are preparing to vote on the terms of the country’s third international bailout since 2010, which have split the ruling radical left Syriza party.

Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos (L) and Economy Minister Giorgos Stathakis vote on procedure during a parliamentary debate in Athens early on August 14, 2015. Greek lawmakers held an emergency parliamentary session for a crucial vote on ratifying a hurriedly-concluded bailout deal, but Germany -- Europe's de facto paymaster -- has cast doubt on the agreement. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI

HERE are ten things making news in business and finance around the world today.

1. SYDNEY — The Australian dollar is mostly flat after a mixed performance on Wall Street overnight. At 0630 AEST on Friday, the local unit was trading at 73.64 US cents, up from 73.62 cents on Thursday.

2. SYDNEY — The Australian market opened flat following a mixed performance on Wall Street.

At 0647 AEST on Friday, the September share price index futures contract was down four points at 5,313.

3. NEW YORK — US retail sales have rebounded in July with strong gains in auto purchasing and solid increases in most other categories, according to the Commerce Department.

4. NEW YORK — New claims for US unemployment benefits have jumped modestly for a third straight week, but remain near record lows, the government says.

5. WASHINGTON — Average long-term US mortgage rates have edged up this week after three straight weeks of declines, with the key 30-year loan rate remaining under four per cent.

6. ATHENS — Greek politicians are preparing to vote on the terms of the country’s third international bailout since 2010, which have split the ruling radical left Syriza party and met with a wary response in Berlin.

7. SAN FRANCISCO — Twitter has lifted its character limit for direct messages between users, saying it would help make the private side of Twitter “more powerful and fun”.

8. NEW YORK — Samsung has unveiled two new smartphones to ramp up its efforts to win over consumers seeking large-screen handsets.

9. ZURICH — The Swiss mining and commodities giant Glencore has announced further spending cuts for 2015 and a reduction in the value of its Chad operation due to low crude prices.

10. TAIPEI — Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC says it would cut more than 2,000 jobs, slashing its workforce by 15 per cent, after posting its biggest quarterly loss.