WORLD FINANCE UPDATE:
The Australian dollar is strengthening on pessimism about a US rate hike in June.
At 0700 AEST on Friday, the local unit was trading at 72.24 US cents, up from 71.95 cents on Thursday.
The Australian share market looks set to open slightly higher after a mixed night on Wall Street as defensive sectors offset falls in materials, banks and other cyclical industries.
At 0645 AEST on Friday, the share price index was up six points at 5,399.
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WASHINGTON - A US rate hike may come "fairly soon" if data confirms the economy is continuing to grow and labour markets are still tightening, Federal Reserve Governor Jerome Powell has said, in remarks that may help tee up higher rates as soon as mid-June.
BISMARCK - Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, says that he would pull the United States out of the UN global climate accord and slash environmental regulations on the energy industry if elected.
WASHINGTON - Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is confident voters would make the "right decision" despite concerns over findings by an internal government watchdog that her use of a private email server while secretary of state broke government rules.
NEW YORK - Ionis Pharmaceuticals's shares have plunged 40 per cent, wiping out over $US900 million ($A1.25 billion) from its market value, after the company said GlaxoSmithKline had scrapped plans to test their heart drug in a late-stage trial.
LE HAVRE - Thousands of dock workers have poured into a public square in the French port city of Le Havre, setting off smoke bombs as part of escalating nationwide protests against a labour bill that would loosen protections for French workers.
