Finance news you need to know today

A LEADER of Italy’s populist 5-Star Movement is pressing for a vote on whether the country should keep the euro as its official currency.

HERE are seven things making news in business and finance today.

1. SYDNEY — The Australian dollar has slipped against its US counterpart with the greenback rising after the European Central Bank extended its quantitative easing program by nine months. At 0730 AEDT on Friday, the local unit was trading at 74.59 US cents, down from 74.89 cents on Thursday.

2. SYDNEY — The Australian share market looks set to open higher following strong gains across the US and European markets after the European Central Bank extended its quantitative easing program by at least nine months. At 0645 AEDT on Friday, the local share price index was up 16 points, or 0.29 per cent, at 5,557.

3. WASHINGTON — The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell from a five-month high last week, pointing to labour strength that underscores the economy’s sustained momentum.

4. ANKARA — Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said on Thursday that members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) should work together to secure implementation of a deal reached last month aimed at stabilising the oil market, Iran’s state TV reported.

5. ROME — A leader of Italy’s populist 5-Star Movement is pressing for a vote on whether the country should keep the euro as its official currency, a pitch for support as the party eyes national power for the first time.

6. LONDON — The UK Supreme Court will give its judgment on whether Prime Minister Theresa May can trigger the formal process for Britain to leave the European Union without parliament’s approval “as soon as possible”, its president says.

7. BRUSSELS — The European Union began legal action on Thursday against Germany, Britain and five other member states for failing to police emissions test cheating by carmakers after the Volkswagen diesel scandal.