Finance news you need to know today

DONALD Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn has revealed how foreign connections helped him earn $1.7 million.

HERE are eight things making news in business and finance around the world today.

1. SYDNEY — The Australian market looks set to open slightly higher, bucking the lead from Wall Street where stock fell dragged down by Exxon and JPMorgan Chase. At 0700 AEST on Monday, the share price futures index was up seven points, or 0.12 per cent, at 5,855.

2. SYDNEY — The Australian dollar is down against its US counterpart, although the greenback remained steady in the last offshore session. The local currency was trading at 76.32 US cents at 0700 AEST on Monday, from 76.43 on Friday.

3. LUXEMBOURG — Any Brexit deal should be put to a second referendum, Luxembourg’s prime minister has suggested.

4. LONDON — British Prime Minister Theresa May has reaffirmed her country’s support for its overseas territory of Gibraltar, as Britain begins the process of leaving the European Union.

5. PARIS — French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has told a political rally that the euro currency which she wants France to ditch was like a knife in the ribs of the French people.

6. NEW YORK — The New York Post app has been hacked on April Fools’ Day, sending out push alert notifications that included “Heil President Donald Trump”.

7. ANTANANARIVO — A sapphire rush has brought tens of thousands of people into the remote rainforests of eastern Madagascar, disfiguring a protected environmental area and prompting calls for military intervention.

8. WASHINGTON — Former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn has disclosed that he earned more than $US1.3 million ($A1.7 million) doing work for technology firms, political groups and government contractors as well as for speeches to Russian companies and lobbying for a firm owned by a Turkish businessman.