AAP

US regulators have warned Facebook about making changes to the privacy policy of WhatsApp, the smartphone messaging service set to be acquired by the social network for a whopping $US19 billion ($A

 The New Zealand dollar extended its decline against its trans-Tasman counterpart after figures showed Australian unemployment unexpectedly fell last month.

The global economy has picked up but bold action is needed to surmount serious dangers and deliver the benefits more evenly, International Monetary Fund managing Director Christine Lagarde says.

Oil prices dipped on Thursday, weighed down by signs some Libyan crude exports will resume soon and weak trade data in China, the world's second-biggest oil consumer.

The tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index has led US stocks sharply lower as anxiety about pricey technology equities returned with a vengeance and dragged down the broader market.

The Australian dollar remains above 94 US cents following stronger-than-expected jobs figures.

The Australian dollar has pushed past 94 US cents after a surprise fall in the unemployment rate.

Ten Network boss Hamish McLennan still believes he can turn the struggling broadcaster around, but says he needs more time.

National Australia Bank is severing ties to digital currency providers, saying they pose an unacceptable level of risk to the bank's business and reputation.

The share market has been driven higher by financial stocks after the release of better than expected jobs figures.

The Australian share market has made strong gains in opening trade continuing Wednesday's momentum when it hit near-six-year highs.

Base metals on the London Metal Exchange (LME) have closed mixed as prices within the complex showed signs of diverging.

The New Zealand dollar jumped three quarters of a US cent against the greenback to its highest since July 2011 after the Federal Reserve minutes from its last meeting in March pushed out expectatio

Treasurer Joe Hockey is flagging a new era of personal and corporate responsibility in the lead-up to the budget, declaring that welfare must be a "safety net, not a cargo net".

The Australian market looks set to open strongly higher following Wall Street's surge led by tech stocks after US Federal Reserve minutes showed no support for an early rise in interest rates.

Wall Street stocks have bolted higher with tech equities leading the way after US Federal Reserve minutes showed no support for an early rise in interest rates.

The Australian dollar has reached a fresh four-month high on greenback weakness following the release of US Federal Reserve meeting minutes.

The Australian share market closed at its highest level since the global financial crisis in mid-2008, boosted by a range of positive drivers.

The huge Chinese market is expected to open up to Western Australian cattle producers, with a further step taken towards trial shipments.

A surge in investment housing has driven monthly home loan approvals higher than expected, with Western Australia again posting strong growth.

Alcoa lost $US178 million in the first quarter as revenue fell on lower aluminium prices, but profit beat expectations after excluding charges to idle capacity at aluminum smelters and mills.

Global engineering group WorleyParsons will cut more jobs in a new restructure that will hit this year's bottom line by $35 million.

The share market is higher as resource stocks rally on talk of more stimulus in China.

The business sector hopes a royal commission into union corruption will lead to changes in workplace relations and practices and help lift productivity.

The tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index has rallied, leading the market to its first day of gains after three straight losses.

Global oil prices have jumped on renewed Ukraine tensions after pro-Russian protesters seized government buildings in the eastern city of Donetsk.

The Australian dollar has rallied, reaching a four month high against a weaker greenback.

The Western Australian government has moved to extend its controversial shark cull trial by three years, despite public protests against the program.

The share market has rebounded from early losses to close flat, as bargain hunters stepped in.

Public servants in Perth's central business district were this morning set to walk off the job as part of a campaign for a better pay deal.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says Australians will feel the benefits of a historic trade agreement inked with Japan with cheaper cars and consumer goods and better access for the agriculture sector.

The Australian dollar has drifted lower following soft economic data.