Finance news you need to know today

SOME of the BBC’s top female journalists and TV presenters are demanding the broadcaster fix its wide gender pay gap immediately.

THE Australian market looks set to open nearly half a per cent lower amid a sharp slump in commodity prices and following falls on international bourses. At 0700 AEST on Monday, the share price futures index was down 25 points, or 0.44 per cent, at 5,639.

Meanwhile, the Australian dollar is slightly lower against the greenback despite the US dollar index closing 0.5 per cent lower at a 13-month low. The local currency was trading at 79.01 US cents at 0700 AEST on Monday, from 79.07 on Friday.

WORLD FINANCE UPDATE:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The White House says it’s open to legislation toughening sanctions on Russia as momentum increased in the US Congress for stronger action against Moscow.

BEIJING — China has launched a plan to become a leader in the area of artificial intelligence, or AI, by 2030, the official newspaper People’s Daily reports.

DILI — East Timor’s two largest parties have claimed the majority of seats in parliament once again, while a rise in opposition forces reveals growing dissatisfaction in a country facing an uncertain economic future.

LONDON — Some of the BBC’s most prominent female journalists and TV presenters are demanding the broadcaster fix its wide gender pay gap immediately rather than in several years as management has proposed.

LONDON — A five-year-old girl in London who hit the headlines after her homemade lemonade stand was shut down by a council has received dozens of offers to set up stalls at other events.

FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS:

FORTESCUE — Fortescue Metals may appeal a Federal Court decision recognising a native title claim over land in Western Australia where it mines iron ore.

PRIMARY HEALTH — Shares in Primary Health Care absorbed a significant hit to the company’s full- year guidance, eventually closing the day higher, after the company slashed the goodwill value of its medical centres.

OPTUS — Optus is investing $1 billion to build an alternative mobile offering in regional Australia in a bid to break Telstra’s “stranglehold” on coverage away from big cities.

BANKS DATA — Australia’s banks have cautiously welcomed the formalisation of a review to examine how to implement an open banking regime that could dramatically increase competition and reduce costs for customers.

BANKWEST RATES — Bankwest is lifting mortgage rates for interest-only loans, following the lead from the big four banks that already adjusted rates in an attempt to slow down riskier lending.