Bloomberg Britain will borrow less than forecast this year after the economy defied the doomsayers following the vote to leave the European Union, according to EY ITEM Club. Surprisingly strong tax receipts should limit the deficit to about 65 billion pounds ($81 billion) in the fiscal year through March, 3 billion pounds less than officials predicted in November, the ...

  Bloomberg Formosa Plastics Group is seeking permission from the US state of Louisiana to invest $9.4 billion to build petrochemical plants. The Taiwanese chemicals producer is waiting for the US state’s authorization for construction of the facilities in St. James, according to Lin Keh-Yen, executive vice president of Formosa Petrochemical Corp. The group also plans another $5 billion investment ...

  BAGHDAD / AP US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Monday the United States does not intend to seize Iraqi oil, shifting away from an idea proposed by President Donald Trump that has rattled Iraq’s leaders. Mattis’ arrived on an unannounced visit in Iraq as the battle to oust IS militants from western Mosul moved into its second day, ...