Iraq's oil exports in 2013 declined compared with the previous year, new figures showed on Wednesday, despite the country's efforts to dramatically ramp up crude sales to fund much-needed reconstruction.

Exports in December recovered from multi-month lows earlier in the year, but were still below their peak, with overall exports and revenues for the year lower than similar figures for 2012, according to oil ministry data compiled by Agence France Presse.

Relatives of China's president and other business and political leaders are linked to offshore tax havens that "helped shroud the communist elite's wealth," a U.S.-based journalism group said Wednesday.

The report by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists might fuel politically awkward attention on President Xi Jinping's family and its wealth at a time when Xi has made fighting corruption a theme of his leadership.

Australian inflation hit a stronger-than-expected 0.8 percent in October-December from the previous quarter, official figures showed on Wednesday, dampening hopes of an interest rate cut.

Economists had anticipated a quarterly rise in the consumer price index (CPI), a key measure of inflation, of about 0.5 percent after it hit 1.2 percent in the previous three months.

Myanmar's economy is on pace to grow 7.5 percent this fiscal year, the International Monetary Fund said, praising the government for working to liberalize the foreign exchange market and boost central bank reserves.

It warned, however, that inflation is expected to surpass 6 percent by March, when the current fiscal year ends, and could continue to rise.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on Tuesday cut its economic growth forecast for Turkey, blaming the impact of a deep political crisis and tighter U.S. monetary policy.

The London-based EBRD also trimmed its gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for its operating zone, citing capital outflows as the U.S. Federal Reserve prepares to taper its vast stimulus.

Turkey's central bank is due to meet on Tuesday with the local currency in freefall, pressured by the political crisis rocking Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government.

The lira was quoted at 2.2379 to the dollar in morning trade compared to a record low of 2.2412 on Monday, and at 3.0349 to the euro from 3.0392.

It may not be a free haircut, but prices in Greece are finally getting trimmed after salaries were hacked back.

At Ioannis Maikantis' central Athens barber shop, a trim costs just 4.5 euros ($6) and business is brisk, among signs that the recession gripping Greece for the last six years is finally showing up in high street prices.

A General Electric plane leasing unit has ordered 40 aircraft from airplane maker Boeing, a deal valued at $3.9 billion at list prices.

Boeing booked the order from GE Capital Aviation Services, the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of General Electric Co., in 2013. It had been listed as an unidentified buyer on Chicago-based Boeing's website.

International tourist numbers surged to nearly 1.1 billion in 2013 with growth in the Asia-Pacific region leading the industry to a strong year despite global economic troubles, the World Tourism Organization announced Monday.

The number of international tourist arrivals grew by five percent from the previous year to 1.09 billion in 2013, said the Madrid-based U.N. body.

Turkey's currency sank to new record lows on Monday, pummeled by continuing political problems for the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

But the country's economy minister dismissed any likelihood of the central bank raising interest rates to prop up the lira at its monthly policy meeting on Tuesday.