The Australian dollar is lower after the release of a range of weak economic indicators from Europe. At 0630 AEDT on Friday, the local unit was trading at 96.14 US cents, down from 96.66 cents on Thursday. And the Australian share market looks set to open open flat despite gains on international markets overnight. At 0645 AEDT on Friday, the December share price index futures contract was up four points at 5,374. WASHINGTON - The US trade deficit widened slightly in August, as exports fell from the previous month, according to new Commerce Department data. WASHINGTON - US jobless claims remained high for the second week of the government shutdown, but fell from the previous week, Labor Department data shows. PARIS - Unemployment in France hit a new record high in September, with the number of people officially registered as looking for work rising 60,000 to 3.29 million, the labour ministry said on Thursday. MADRID - The number of unemployed people in Spain dropped by 72,800 to 5.9 million in the third quarter, pushing the unemployment rate down to 25.98 per cent. WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve has proposed new liquidity rules for banks that are tougher than the international Basel III standards, aiming to address industry weaknesses exposed by the financial crisis. NEW YORK - Bank of America is cutting 1200 employees in its mortgage finance division due to lower refinancing demand and a decline in mortgage delinquencies. LONDON - BHP Billiton boss Andrew Mackenzie has denied the resources giant is burying its head in the sand regarding the risk climate change poses to its profitability. MUMBAI - India's foreign investment panel has approved plans by Singapore Airlines and the giant Tata Group to start a new airline.