Iraq, with the world’s fifth-biggest oil reserves, needs to keep increasing crude output because lower oil prices have curbed government revenue. Oil prices have slumped in the past year as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries defended market share against production in the U.S. Source Bloomberg
Southeast Asia is seeing a boom in foreign direct investment as the intensifying trade war between the U.S. and China prompts companies to shift production to the region. Source: Bloomberg
Interior Minister Matteo Salvini on Saturday dismissed ratings agency Moody’s decision to downgrade Italy’s credit standing because of the government’s controversial budget plans and said the country’s outlook was “stable.” Source The Local
The Italian Ministry of the Interior, Matteo Salvini, announced on Saturday that Italian police officers would be sent to patrol the French border to prevent the French sending migrants over the border, after protesting against an episode on Friday in Clavière, despite being described as routine by France. Source Le Figro
