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Australian shares are set to open lower on Friday, amid a global sell-off after geopolitical tensions flared between the United States and Russia over Ukraine.
The local share price index futures fell 1.1%, a 165.2-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index close.
Gold, energy stocks set to drive Australia shares higher
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index fell 0.7% in early trade.