BAGHDAD / AP Iraq’s oil minister said on Sunday that his country plans to increase daily crude oil production to 5 million barrels by the end of this year, up from the current rate of about 4.4 million barrels per day, to secure sorely needed cash for its ailing economy. Iraq, where oil revenues make up nearly 95 percent …

  Bloomberg Chinese billionaire Jack Ma’s latest US expansion plan is facing rising political obstacles. Two members of the House of Representatives urged the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US to conduct a “full and thorough” investigation of Ant Financial’s proposed acquisition of MoneyGram International Inc., a money-transfer service. “The proposal merits careful evaluation as it would provide Chinese …

  Bloomberg Foreign investors gorging on Indian stocks and bonds propelled the rupee to its best first-quarter performance since 1975. The currency, Asia’s best performer this month, has rallied 4.7 percent since December 31 as a thumping win for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party in state elections boosted bets for continuation of his government’s reform agenda, luring overseas funds. The …