Finance News Update, what you need to know The Australian dollar is slightly higher as the currency consolidates following its losses made after the US Federal Reserve meeting. At 0630 AEDT on Friday, the local unit was trading at 88.51 US cents, up from 88.47 cents on Thursday. And the Australian share market looks set to open slightly higher despite a flat lead from Wall Street following the Federal Reserve's announcement it would begin tapering its stimulus measures. At 0645 AEDT on Friday, the March share price index futures contract was up nine points at 5,192. WASHINGTON - First-time claims for US unemployment benefits have risen for the second consecutive week last week, hitting a nine-month high during the year-end holiday season, government data shows. DUBLIN - The Irish economy has recovered further in the third quarter, official data shows just days after Ireland became the first Eurozone country to exit an international bailout. HARARE - Zimbabwe's finance minister Patrick Chinamasa has projected 6.1 per cent economic growth next year despite the country's failure to meet its economic targets this year amid a perennial cash crunch. HAVANA - The Cuban government has announced it will allow unrestricted car imports for the first time in half a century, marking the end of an era that made icons of the island's vintage automobiles. LONDON - The British government says security firm Serco has agreed to repay STG68.5 million ($A127.56 million) after it was accused of overcharging on contracts to monitor offenders using electronic tags. ABU DHABI - Emirati carrier Etihad Airways is in discussions with debt-laden Italian airline Alitalia, spokesman Tom Clarke says, without elaborating. FRANKFURT - German pharmaceuticals giant Bayer says it has launched a 1.9 billion-euro ($A2.96 billion) bid to buy Norwegian cancer treatment specialist Algeta.