Global FX TESTING DATA:

• • • Asian markets
      
      

      Asian shares gained on Monday with investors shrugging of reports of clashes between Iraqi government troops and Kurdish regional Government paramilitary forces in the Kirkuk region that could turn into a wider regional conflict as Turkey and Iran also oppose any move to independence by the Kurds in Iraq.

    • GOLD
      
      
      Gold slipped on Monday on a firmer dollar and stronger Asian equities, but stayed above the key psychological level of $1,300.
       
    • OIL
      
      Oil markets jumped on Monday on concerns over potential renewed U.S. sanctions against Iran as well as conflict in Iraq, while an explosion at a U.S. oil rig and reduced exploration activity supported prices there.
       
    • COMBODIA
      
      Cambodia’s parliament voted to change party laws on Monday to re-distribute seats if a party is dissolved after the government filed a lawsuit earlier this month to dissolve the main opposition party, part of an escalating political crisis.

    • PHILIPINE
      
      Philippine troops killed two leaders of a militant alliance in an operation in southern Marawi City on Monday, the defence minister said, a big boost to a military battling to contain the spread of Islamic State’s radical ideology.

    • JAPAN
      
      Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling coalition is on track for a big win in Sunday’s general election - even though almost half the country’s voters don’t want him to keep his job, a media survey showed on Monday.
       
    • AUSTRIA
      
      With conservative leader Sebastian Kurz winning Austria’s parliamentary elections on Sunday with around 32 percent of votes, many of his supporters see little reason to shy away from forming a government with the far right Freedom Party (FPO).
       
    • CHINA
      
      China’s economy is expected to grow 7 percent in the second half of this year, the central bank governor said, accelerating from the first six months and defying widespread expectations for a slowdown.
       
    • SOUTH KOREA
      
      South Korea and the United States began week-long joint Navy drills in the waters around the Korean peninsula on Monday, amid high tensions over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programme.
       
    • IRAQ
      
      Iraqi government forces took control of “vast areas” in the region of Kirkuk, including oilfields west of the city, in the early hours of Monday, Iraqi state TV said, but the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) disputed the assertions.