Global FX TESTING DATA:

• • • Asian markets
      
      

      Asian shares hovered below their 10-year peak on Friday while mainland Chinese shares dropped to three-month lows after big falls the previous day on concerns about fresh government steps to curb financial risks and an ongoing rout in the Chinese bond market.

    • GOLD
      
      
      Gold prices gained slightly in Asia on Friday as concerns over a sharp selloff in China overnight eased and investors turned focus to the U.S. and next week's Senate review of proposed tax cuts.
       
    • OIL
      
      Crude oil prices were narrowly mixed in Asia on Friday coming off a US holiday and cautious ahead of a key OPEC review of oil output curbs next week.

    • BRAZIL
      
      An Italian court sentenced former AC Milan and Brazil forward Robinho in absentia to nine years in prison on Thursday after convicting him of taking part in a gang rape of an Albanian woman in 2013.

    • CHINA
      
      Police in China are investigating claims of sexual molestation and needlemarks on children at a Beijing kindergarten run by pre-school operator RYB Education Inc, the latest case in a booming childcare industry to spark outrage among parents.
       
    • JAPAN
      
      Japanese manufacturing activity expanded at the fastest pace in more than three years in November as output, new orders, and new export orders all accelerated in a sign the economy will continue its growth streak, a preliminary survey showed on Friday.
       
    • INDIA
      
      India tightened its fledgling bankruptcy and insolvency rules on Thursday, potentially barring owners of 12 of the country’s biggest loan defaulters from bidding to buy back their assets when they are auctioned as part of bankruptcy proceedings.
       
    • US
      
      A U.S. Navy said it has called off a search for three sailors missing since a transport plane crashed in the Philippines Sea south of Japan on Wednesday enroute to the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier.
       
    • MEXICO
      
      Mexico’s ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) said on Thursday registration for PRI contenders in the July 2018 presidential election will begin on Dec. 3, and that a national convention would pick the candidate on Feb. 18.
       
    • SYDNEY
      

      Sydney’s two main rectangular stadiums, the Olympic Stadium and Sydney Football Stadium, are to be demolished and rebuilt at a cost of around A$2 billion, the New South Wales government announced on Friday.
       

    • UTTAR PRADESH
      
      A passenger train slipped off the rails in Uttar Pradesh early on Friday, killing at least three people and injuring about 10.The train was on its way from Goa to Patna when 13 coaches derailed, the ministry said. It did not provide any reason for the accident.
       

    • NORTH KOREA
      
       North Korea has reportedly replaced guards and fortified a section of its border with South Korea where a North Korean soldier staged a daring defection last week, while South Korean and U.S. soldiers have been decorated for their role in his rescue.
       

    • AUSTRALIA
      
      Australia's biggest department store chain, Myer Holdings Ltd said on Friday challenging conditions would continue into the second quarter, as it prepared for a crucial vote on the shape of its new board at its annual general meeting.