WORLD FINANCE UPDATE:
The Australian dollar is higher amid signs of a deal that could end the US political stalemate.
At 0630 AEDT on Friday, the local unit was trading at 94.57 US cents, up from 94.08 cents on Thursday.
And the Australian market looks set to open higher following gains on international markets as traders reacted strongly to signs of a deal in Washington to avoid a dilapidating US debt default.
At 0645 AEDT on Friday, the December share price index futures contract was up 66 points at 5,199.
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WASHINGTON - The White House says President Barack Obama will be open to a Republican plan for a short-term debt ceiling hike - but only if no conditions are attached hold him to "ransom."
WASHINGTON - International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde has warned that a US debt default could damage the global economy, as Washington remained gridlocked in a budget battle.
WASHINGTON - A top Chinese central banker has called on the US to overcome political gridlock and avoid a debt default.
WASHINGTON - The number of people applying for US unemployment benefits has jumped by 66,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 374,000.
PARIS - Etihad Airways it has nearly doubled its stake in Virgin Australia to 19.9 per cent as it continues to deepen their strategic partnership.
NEW YORK - BlackBerry co-founder Mike Lazaridis has boosted his stake in the troubled Canadian tech firm with the intention of making an acquisition bid, regulatory documents show.
LONDON - Britain's Royal Mail will be valued at STG3.3 billion ($A5.6 billion) when it launches on the stock market in a controversial part-privatisation.
LONDON - The Financial Times is moving to a single print edition and increasing the number of digitial editions, editor Lionel Barber says.
