Finance news you need to know today

AMERICAN Airlines has apologised to a female passenger and suspended an employee after an on-board clash over a baby stroller went viral.

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

1. SYDNEY — The Australian share market looks set to open flat after Wall Street closed slightly lower amid investor caution ahead of the French poll and Donald Trump’s tax plan announcement. At 0700 AEST on Monday, the share price futures index was flat at 5,838.

2. SYDNEY — The Australian dollar is higher against its US counterpart with expectations early results in the French presidential poll will be pro-Europe pushing investors into riskier currencies. The local currency was trading at 75.87 US cents at 0700 AEST on Monday, from 75.36 on Friday.

3. WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump’s promised “big announcement” next week on overhauling the US tax code, a top campaign pledge, will consist of “broad principles and priorities,” an administration official says.

4. WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump weighed in on congressional efforts to avoid a government shutdown, telling Democrats that Obamacare will die without a cash infusion the White House has offered in exchange for their agreement to fund his border wall.

5. WASHINGTON — International Monetary Fund members have dropped a pledge to fight protectionism amid a split over trade policy and turned their attention to another looming threat to global economic integration; the first round of France’s presidential election.

6. NEW YORK — American Airlines has apologised to a female passenger and suspended an employee after a video showing an on-board clash over a baby stroller went viral, in the latest embarrassment for a US carrier over how it treated a customer.

7. LONDON — Theresa May’s claim that a general election victory will strengthen her hand in the Brexit negotiations has been dismissed as “nonsensical” by the European Parliament’s Brexit co-ordinator.

8. LONDON — Tony Blair has expressed his increased desire for a return to frontline politics as Britain is being “hijacked” by Brexit backers.