A fraud probe into former IMF head Rodrigo Rato, which has embarrassed Spain's conservative government, made headlines again Tuesday following the arrest of a suspect in the case as he was about to board a plane for Mexico.

Rato, a former finance minister with the ruling Popular Party, has become a symbol of corruption among Spain's elites which has fuelled the rise of new parties ahead of a general election later this year.

The Greek government on Tuesday approved a 1.23 billion euro ($1.36 billion) deal for Germany's Fraport-Slentel consortium to run 14 regional airports, publishing the decision in its official gazette. 

The concessions, ranging in duration from 40 to 50 years, had been approved by the previous Greek government but were put on hold after the far-left Syriza party of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras came to power in January.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel insists the International Monetary Fund must participate in Greece's new bailout, but doubts about IMF involvement are complicating her bid to sell MPs the deal ahead of Wednesday's key parliamentary vote.

Monday's front page of mass-circulation daily Bild accused Merkel of breaking her promise that the IMF would be party to the new 86 billion euro ($95 billion) Greek bailout approved by eurozone finance ministers Friday.

Oil prices slipped further in Asia Tuesday, weighed down by a strengthening dollar as concerns about weakening demand in China added to expectations a global oversupply will last for years. 

U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate for September delivery was down seven cents to $41.80 in late-morning trade. WTI has lost more than 30 percent in the past two months, bringing it to the lowest level since March 2009.

Canada's Brookfield Infrastructure Partners on Tuesday said it hopes to use its U.S.$6.6 billion purchase for Australian ports and rail operator Asciano to expand further in the region.

The cash and stock transaction is the Canadian asset manager's largest takeover, adding Asciano's Australian container terminals to Brookfield's hubs in North America and Europe.

Turkey's embattled lira hit a new historic low in value against the dollar Monday as investors took fright at ongoing political uncertainty and the prospect of early elections.

The lira slid to a new low of 2.862 to the dollar, losing 1.06 percent on the day.

A Greek minister indicates it is highly likely Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will call for a vote of confidence in his government after a bailout deal with foreign creditors sparked a rebellion within his governing Syriza party.

Energy and Environment Minister Panos Skourletis told private Skai television Monday that he feels the move is "self-evident" following last week's parliamentary vote on the bailout, which passed thanks to opposition parties' support.

Indian airline IndiGo has confirmed an order for 250 A320neo planes, Airbus announced Monday, the aviation giant's largest ever contract by number.

The order is worth some $26.5 billion (24 billion euros) at catalogue prices, and brings to 530 the number of A320 and A320neo medium-haul planes owned by the low-cost operator.

Qatar on Tuesday officially launches one of its most "significant" labor reforms to guarantee migrant workers' wages, but rights groups are concerned over implementation of the new regulations.

The Wage Protection System (WPS) aims to ensure that migrant laborers, many working on 2022 World Cup-related projects, will finally receive their pay on time.

Brazilian farmer Marcos Croce has woken up and smelled the coffee -- embracing the organic trend and bucking Brazil's long-held status as a mass producer of poor quality beans.

His Hacienda Ambiental Fortaleza plantation, surrounded by tropical plants and trees in Sao Paulo state, goes against everything that has made Brazil the world's biggest, though hardly most appreciated, source of coffee.