WORLD FINANCE UPDATE:
Surging iron ore and commodity prices could maintain support for the Australian dollar and help it above the 78 US cent level.
At 0700 AEST on Thursday, the local unit was trading at 77.97 US cents, up from 77.86 cents on Wednesday.
And the Australian share market looks set to open higher following strong gains on Wall Street and a lift in international oil prices.
At 0645 AEST on Thursday, the share price index was up 36 points at 5,241.
ELSEWHERE:
LONDON - The number of people out of work in Britain rose for the first time since mid-2015 in the three months to February, the latest sign the economy is slowing as Britain gears up for a divisive referendum on its membership of the European Union.
LONDON - Senior staff at Port Talbot, Britain's biggest steel works, are seeking to launch a management buyout plan with the support of staff, investors and the government to save the loss-making plant put up for sale by Tata Steel.
WASHINGTON - US home resales rebounded more than expected in March, suggesting the housing market recovery remained intact despite signs that economic growth probably stalled in the first quarter.
LONDON - US financial regulators are demanding regular updates from Wall Street banks about their contingency plans should Britain vote to leave the European Union.
WASHINGTON - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he would be inclined to replace Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen if he wins the November election despite supporting the central bank's low interest rates.
BERLIN - Volkswagen has reached a deal with US authorities to settle the case over its cheating of diesel emissions tests that would involve it paying each affected customer $US5000 ($A6394), Germany's Die Welt newspaper reportS.
SUNNYVALE - The parent of Britain's Daily Mail said it had not submitted it's own bid to buy Yahoo Inc's core internet business, but was still in talks to partner with other suitors of the US company.
WASHINGTON - Anti-slavery crusader Harriet Tubman will become the first African-American to be featured on the face of US paper currency when she replaces President Andrew Jackson on the $US20 ($A25.58) bill.
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